Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2018

"My wife was administered Simponi infusions. Prior to the infusions, she was a healthy, active lady. She suffered from RA which was addressed with methotrexate and prednisone. Then she was switched to Simponi. She started exhibiting all the side effects of this drug. She deteriorated very fast. Today she's lying in an ICU fighting for her life. Doctors claim the major contributor to her ailing health was the Simponi. Its effects are irreversible. So, if you intend to go on this drug, please research it and be very carefully monitored. It creeps on you and could kill you. It has turned my wife from a healthy, active working woman to physically and mentally incapacitated. Even if she pulls through this ICU nightmare, we have years of recovery, if any. It is a shame these kinds of drugs are allowed. Even if it affects/kills/handicaps one person, it should be removed from the shelf."

• Car...
• July 7, 2016

"After my wife was taking Simponi for about a year under the direction of her arthritis doctor, she came down with a rare neurological condition called CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) where she became almost totally paralyzed. I think that the drug Simponi is very dangerous to take and she still can't walk after 2 years after stopping the drug. She has to take infusions of IVIG gamma globulin every third week to rebuild her nerves after the erosion of the myelin of the nerves took place. This is a very serious side effect that no one has addressed. I am sure that others have had this side effect hit them from taking Simponi. We have spent over $200,000 in medical expenses toward my wife's recovery and will take at least 1 to 2 more years for her to recover."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 17, 2016

"I am a male, age 28, with RA. I was diagnosed with RA at age 23. I suffer pain primarily in my toes. For a newly married athlete at age 23, the pain from RA and the thought of living the rest of my life crippled with pain took a huge toll on me. I felt ashamed as a man and as a husband/potential father. Fortunately, I have had great doctors work hard to help me get well. I have been on Plaquenil, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, Enbrel, Cimzia, and Simponi. Each med had some positive results, but some had harsh negative side effects too. Like many of us, I want to be on as little medicine as possible, but still manage my pain. Simponi has solved my riddle. I am so pleased to be pain-free and on only 1 med now - Simponi. Thank you!"

• Ife...
• August 7, 2016

"I just had my 2nd infusion and I feel so much better. I can do my everyday chores around the house without pain and fatigue. I feel like I am getting more oxygen, I know that sounds crazy but it is true. I can breathe better. No stiffness in the mornings. I walk like a normal person again. My hair is falling out more than normal, I don't know if it's the Simponi, methotrexate, or plaquenil. Going to call my doctor about my hair. I am on the drug company's assistance plan. I pay $5.00 for the Simponi and $55.00 to the infusion center. (Thank God!) Simponi infusion costs $6500.00 without insurance for 1 infusion. (August 2016, USA) I am 53, I feel better now than I have in 6 years. I have RA. Hope this helps someone decide to try Simponi Aria."

• Ros...
• July 30, 2017

"I started Simponi approximately 1 year ago. I was first on methotrexate for about a year, but developed a really bad cough and scarring on lungs. I was then put on Remicade, which took away every pain I had, but on the third infusion, I had an allergic reaction so I had to be taken off. Now I am on Simponi and by the third infusion, I have had no pain at all and no side effects. I am on Medicare, which pays for 80%, and my UHC pays the 20%... so I feel really lucky."

• jdr...
• August 24, 2010

"I have been on Simponi since 11/09. Took a couple of months to kick in, and seems to wear off about the 3 1/2 weeks. Best results I have ever had. Did not use with Methotrexate due to had neuropathy symptoms when I take Methotrexate. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years and I am 55 years old, been on every RA medicine, Simponi is the best for me."

• Pig...
• August 17, 2016

"Was on Humira for 11 years, which stopped working. Enbrel, horrible reaction. Started Simponi in April. It took about 2 months to kick in, but now working great! Sleeping better than ever, have only had 2 days of minor pain. Only thing that is still challenging is the fatigue. Very happy with results and love the once a month injection."

• Ant...
• May 1, 2014

"My rheumatoid arthritis developed about three years ago and was very severe, very debilitating. Walked at a tortoise pace, couldn't do anything around the house. I've now been on Simponi (golimumab) prefilled syringes for almost that long, in conjunction with weekly injections of methotrexate, 4 tablets of Pyralin, and one Plaquenil daily, and really feel back to my old (now nearly 70) self. Can walk, chop wood, even play nine holes of golf again."

• RA ...
• November 20, 2013

"I was also hit hard with rheumatoid arthritis in 2011. Tried prednisone, followed by methotrexate pills, Arava, and others, nothing helped. In 2012, I was put on Humira, which helped a lot for a few months, but not enough. Since January 2013, I use Simponi along with 0.8 ml methotrexate injections, and it has given me back my quality of life. After 1 1/2 years, I could bend my pinky finger again, wow! For me, the change was subtle but very effective. I tried alternative meds, etc., after being diagnosed and didn't want to take this route, but honestly, I cannot live without it. For me, it works, it's a miracle."

• Kar...
• March 11, 2017

"Simponi had been the first biologic that has worked for my very active JRA (diagnosed 48 years ago). I tried every biologic available, Simponi was the first medication to work within hours for my severe symptoms at the time, with no side effects. I have been using Simponi for 8 months. I pray it continues working."

• Fro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2014

"I have been on Simponi since five years ago. The medicine has been a miracle. I did notice the effect only after one or two weeks. After five years, I have started to have increased pain, and I think the effect of the medicine is losing. However, Simponi has changed my life completely. From hard attacked by Bekterew, I have now been running and cycling (100 km) competition for many years."

• tre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2017

"I have had RA since 1987 and tried pretty much every drug and biologic out there. After a few weeks on Simponi (2011), I swore that I was completely cured of my RA. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not give financial assistance to people on Medicare, so I had to get off the best drug that ever worked and have been deteriorating ever since. Shame on Johnson & Johnson for not having compassion on patients who can't afford their drug. BIG DRUG COMPANIES!!!"

• sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2014

"I started taking Simponi in November of 2013. I got full use of one hand back and about 80% on the other in 4 days. I was diagnosed in 2002 and disabled by 2003. I've used Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade, all with some success, but I continued to get worse. The infusion wears off around 5 to 6 weeks. This last infusion of Simponi was my best yet. My next infusion is tomorrow, 6/23/14. I really need it too."

• rom...
• January 30, 2010

"I have been on Simponi for 4 months now. Just took my 4th dose. I love it. It just plain works. No swelling at all now. I work daily, on my feet, with my hands, bending, lifting etc. Pain free is the way to be. I switched from Humira to Simponi. Humira worked well, but had some minor side effects. The Humira 'pen' just plain hurts. So I used the prefilled syringes of Humira. The Simponi 'pen' works great!! Painless, fast and easier to use. It allows you to hold it in your fist and squeeze to activate. It is a light squeeze, so no difficulty in using it. At least for me. It took a couple days to notice any effects, but all were positive. Doctor visits have been very good...."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2017

"Was ready to retire from teaching from the pain and tiredness from difficulty walking from RA. Simponi gave me my life back. Reduced immune system from RA meds given as reason for Legionnaires' disease, but benefits far outweigh any negatives. At 7:00 am, about to go on an extended world trip."

• Mar...
• August 8, 2015

"I started Simponi in November last year. I started noticing a rash on my face, but I never related it to the use of the med. Two weeks ago, my dermatologist told me I have this weird reaction called mucinosis, which, when not treated properly, can lead to lymphoma. I was feeling awesome with Simponi so far, because the pain of my RA was gone, but now I just don't want to use it anymore."

• V V...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2020

"I have been on this for about 5 years and have had RA for 40 years and tried lots of medications. But this one works for me the best. I also take Methotrexate with this, and I have been free from illness over the past 3 years. I am only tired the week that I get the infusion, and then I am fine after that. Glad to be able to move like I want to most of the time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 28, 2022

"It has helped me to move in a fast-paced line of work for the last 3 years. But I was diagnosed with a tumor inside my kidney, and now I may have to lose my kidney. This was caused, apparently, because of the use of this medication."

• Kdm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2016

"I was on Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine for my RA for several years. I have now received 2 infusions of Simponi, with my third one at the end of 11/16. The only improvement I saw was after the first infusion, which helped with my stiffness. I am still suffering from the pain and returning stiffness. Also, my feet are really bad now. Does Simponi just not work for some people?"

• Col...
• July 8, 2017

"I'm a mid to severe RA patient. I have RA for about 4.5 years. I was quickly diagnosed. Less than 6 months, I was prescribed Simponi. In Canada, my doctor got me lined up for Simponi, and once I started, they will give it to me free of charge. The drug company pays for it. I am very lucky. I have been in remission since I started it 4 years ago."

• Lis...
• October 9, 2013

"I was hit hard with rheumatoid arthritis in March 2012 and practically disabled by May. I couldn't tolerate methotrexate or Enbrel due to reactions. I started Simponi in October with 20 mg Arava. It has given me my life back! I literally don't hurt at all most days! After nine months, I did develop a bad case of palmar plantar psoriasis as a side effect. Yet, I still want Simponi! That's how much it's improved my quality of life. The pens are easy to use and don't hurt compared to Enbrel. I've had no other reactions besides a shaky feeling on the first month only."

• dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2017

"I am 65 with RA and have been on 8 different biologics. Now on Simponi, doing well. Methotrexate gave me interstitial fibrosis, another drug, a DVT. They all come with a price, physically and financially, but quality of life versus quantity... I choose quality. It's good to read others' experiences, it helps..."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2023

"I have been on Simponi Aria for 2 years and counting. So far, so good. I have no side effects related to the infusion. I am able to lift weights and run with no pain. The only things are I can feel when it’s almost time for my next infusion when my joints start feeling a little discomfort, but it has been random. One month, I was able to skip an appointment for 4 weeks and felt fine overall."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2018

"I have taken just about all the meds you can think of. Some are better than others, but after a while, too many symptoms come up. My latest Simponi seemed great in the beginning, but as others stated, I was tired all the time. Contracted pneumonia, edema in the ankles, and 3 UTIs in 6 months. So I am going to go off. I think it suppressed my immune system so much I was sick all the time. Not sure if I will try Humira, which others are taking and seem to be okay with it."

• Kar...
• February 7, 2018

"I have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) for 49 years. I have tried every biologic there is, and Simponi has been the first drug to work for me within a few hours. I take Simponi and self-inject every 2 weeks, I also take a low dose of prednisone. I was diagnosed at age 6, have many replaced joints, and still some active joints with severe RA. I have been on Simponi for 18 months now. Even though I have never had a remission, my symptoms have been the most controlled on this drug! :) Pray it keeps working this well."