HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Simponi

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/8/2013 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
My rheumatologist prescribed Simponi at 50 mg/month for arthritis and it's also working for my crohns. My gastro doc wants me at this dose twice a month for the crohns but the drug hasn't been approved for crohns yet. Question: why is the gastro doc not prescribing this himself "off label" and why is the rheumatologist so reluctant to prescribe at the higher dose? Feel like I'm caught in the middle and really getting sick of it. For the gastro doc, is this a question of insurance probably not covering it if he prescribes it off label?
Posted 2/8/2013 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Insurance likely would not approve a biologic for off-label use. I take Simponi for AS and it helps with my Crohn's. My rheumy prescribed it for every 3 weeks instead of every 30 days because my symptoms increased about the 22-23 day mark. The insurance approved the more frequent usage and covers it. My rheumy had to write a letter to the insurance company.
Posted 2/9/2013 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am also taking this for my AS and it seems to be helping my Crohn's. Over in Australia, it's covered under our Medicare system and I get it monthly. Personally I'd be concerned about your GI wanting you to take it fortnightly. Has he consulted with you Rheumatologist first? Is there a particular reason he wants you to take it twice a month? Are you taking anything other medications along with the Simponi? I have weekly injections of methotrexate for the crohn's as well, and that with the monthly Simponi is enough to help me. Like Humira, it is recommended that you take Simponi along side something else like mtx. Also, a higher dose of the drug than what is recommended will put you at a higher risk of side effects. I'm just recovering from drug-induced lupus.
Posted 2/9/2013 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I am taking Enbrel for my RA arthritis. But its not approved for
Crohn's. Its also keeping my CD in remission.
Posted 8/30/2014 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is an old thread but any news? any new users? My kid is starting Simponi next week for her crohn's.
Posted 8/31/2014 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know why it lists my old signature. My daughter is coming off Humira & starting Simponi on Tuesday.
Posted 9/1/2014 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Simponi since July 2013. It healed the ulcers in my colon and I'm currently in remission. No side effects.
Posted 9/2/2014 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
not creative - thanks for the reply. Did you take other anti-TNF drugs before Simponi? Remicade & Humira did nothing for my kid and we are almost out of drug options. Surgeon consult on October regardless of results. Where is your crohn's mostly located? How soon did symptoms come back after your proctectomy & colostomy? Or were you put on Simponi to prevent things from becoming more active?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply