from Remicade to Simponi

Well, once again, I'm plodding along in ignorance. Had colonoscopy in June due to a flare. Thought all was better for a couple of months. I've been in a flare now for about a month. Doing the prednisone taper (60 -10 per week, had testing done for Cdif, stool/blood testing. Seemed to be getting better with fewer BMs, no visible blood, and only morning and then occasional urgency to GO. I was due for Remicade yesterday and hadn't heard from my G.I. to let me know about the Remicade antibodies bloodwork. I called his office Monday, spoke with a nurse who checked bloodwork...said, good to go for yesterday for Remicade. So, went for my infusion. Late this afternoon, G.I. office called; doctor said I'd built up antibodies to Remi. and he wants to switch me to Simponi. sheesh SO...since I'm too dumb to get print outs of my lab work from my doctor...or have been up until now....and I don't know exactly where to turn when I can't speak with my doctor-appt. next week...has anyone used or using Simponi? From what I've read, it seems that it is injected under the skin, once a month. Is this usually done ourselves or by a nurse and is it effective? I've been getting Remicade for over 20 years with good results until about the last year. Just a bit worried about changing but will try anything to get into remission. I apologize for my ignorance and know full well that I should be more knowledgeable about my own illness. But my 'normal' past flares are not the same as my recent flares have been. Mine began as pancolitis and is mainly only left side now. Sorry for babbling, I'd just like to know how some other people have done using it. Thanks all, I don't post often, but do greatly appreciate all everyone shares. Bless you ...all

Hi.
I don't post much either, but I have been using Simponi 100mg once a month for about a year and half with no problems except a few short lived mini flares which disappeared as quickly as they came. I started it after a hospitalization for a severe flare and between the injection and steroid, I was almost back to normal in about six weeks or so.

The drug comes in spring action injector pen which you press against your thigh or stomach, push a button which releases the needle (which you can barely feel) and then hold the pen in place while the drug is administered about 15 seconds and then...that's it. You are done for the month!

My GI office signed me up for a program called Jansen Care Path. For five dollars a month, I get the Simponi and CVS specialty pharmacy overnights a cooler containing my medication to my house every month about a week before my next dosage.

I really don't notice any side effects. And I usually have side effects from everything! I do have things that I "wonder" if they are side effects, but I can't be sure. Like I swear my skin, especially on my torso and worse, on my face has aged horribly and dried out since I started it and my allergies seem worse as well. However on the plus side, I think it helps some of the aches and pains in my joints which as a side effect is pretty well tolerated!

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! I have no fear of the shot and it will be GREAT to not have to sit through the infusion process. I'm hoping Simponi will work as good as Remicade did for so long. Since I'm older'n dirt now....maybe this one will be the last, good, and forever one. LOL I could never express how much this forum has helped me through my years of lurking. Thank you ALL....you are indeed, good people.

thanks IPO...I was on 10mg per Kilo for some time. I think my insurance had an issue with 'more often'. I do thank you and I certainly shall ask my doc. If I've FINALLY learned one thing, it is that I HAVE to KNOW what is going on with me. I have always hated talking, thinking, and dealing with UC and pretty much just did whatever my good doctor told me. He IS an excellent gastro specialist. After reading closely many of the posts on this forum, over the years, I think it sunk in that I really had very little knowledge of my own illness. Anyway...sorry for babbling as always. LOL Thank you again. Stay as well as you can and enjoy a little of every short day. They do go by fast!

After 4+ great years I had a reaction to Remicade. I went from Remicade to Humira to Simponi. My GI called it “serum sickness” and I had it with all of the anti-tnfs that I used after that. Simponi worked well for me but I couldn’t tolerate the “serum sickness” (my main symptom was peripheral neuropathy). Humira didn’t work for me, I hated it.

Remicade and Simponi are very similar so starting Simponi is a very good choice for you since Remicade worked so well for so many years for you.

Simponi was the easiest shot out of all of the injectable biologicals that I have used.