Starting Cimzia Thursday

well I just got a call from the pharmacy and Ill be recieving my RX on Thursday. I've done quite a bit of search on here and read many many threads, most of which seem to be dated from quite a while back. Anyone currently on it have any words of encouragement, tips etc? Has anyone been on Humira and tried Cimzia. Any input is greatly appreciated!!

I've had Crohn's disease for a very long time (20 years) and I have had many different treament plans and have had many ups and downs. However - I have learned only two things in all that time....1. Although I can not control my digestive system, I can control my attitude. My mind is a powerful tool. 2. Never be afraid to try something new or to re-try a previous treatment.

I received Remicade infusions for two years, when I began I was a total mess, needing transfusions and totally ulcerated. Remicade healed me and I felt wonderful on Remicade. Unfortunately I had a very scary reaction to it suddenly and had to stop using. I was stuck on the prednisone wheel for a while. During a particularly bad flare, my GI prescribed Cimzia. It did help but it wasn't reliable for me. I would feel really good and then have a bad day or really bad couple of days. I tried for 6+ months. I also got a lot of respiratory infections while I took it.

I was frustrated and started a specific carb diet that worked for me and sent the Crohn's into remission which I have enjoyed for a couple of years. Unfortunately I have had another flare recently (after having a baby and getting off the diet) My GI has prescribed Humira. I have had the initial dose of 4 injections and the second dose of 2 injections. I am going to call my GI tomorrow because I am feeling lousy and for the first time that I can remember I am horribly and terribly constipated and uncomfortable. I have not heard of this reaction to Humira and maybe the problem is unrelated but I don't think so. I'm curious if you had anything similar.

Think positively and give it a try. I have lots of friends with Crohn's and we react differently to foods and drugs. You never know what will suddenly click and send you into remission. I found that the Cimzia injections hurt less at room temp. They do hurt - I found the thigh more tolerable than stomach. For me the injection was nothing compared to a Crohn's attack. Good luck to you!

I was on Humira last year and it didn't really do anything for me, but Cimzia saved my colon. Been on it since September, only side effects I see are constant respiratory infections, but I had those while on Humira too. The syringe is a bit more challenging than the pen for Humira as Jeny said, but if the drug helps you its totally doable. Definitely get Cimzia to room temp and while doing that, ice the area you are going to inject, you will bruise less and it will hurt less. It does hurt a bit while doing the injection, but once i am done, no pain at all. I do usually notice a raised white area a couple inches in diameter for a couple days around the injection site, but no pain or itching or anything.

Did you have a nurse call you to come to your house to show you how to inject it? That does help, my loading dose also came with a video and a instruction booklet I still refer to when I inject. I started on 2 200mg shots once a month, last month increased to 2 200mg shots twice a month, hoping that calms my body down. Good luck and I hope it works for you!

Hey Mac,

I think the rate of infection on Cimzia is similar to that of the biologics--and i see you've already dealt with the tysabri monster. hey, it can't get much scarier than that, right ;-) that's what I tell myself every time I give myself the cim shots. I really hope it helps you. Here's to feeling better STAT.

Cimzia worked well for a while. Then, I had to convert to Remicade.