Golimumab and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Pig...
• August 17, 2016

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "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."

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

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I came off Rituxan after several successful years of treatment for RA (almost in remission) when I experienced 12-18 months of chronic infection in my lungs and ears. Diagnosed at age 53, 17 years ago. Have had both knees replaced and have carpal tunnel pain in one thumb. At the same time as the infections, it was discovered I had a cat allergy. These two factors together meant my body could not get rid of the chest infections and ear infections because of the constant cat allergy creating stuffed-up conditions. #5 Simponi infusion in Sept to give it one last chance, but since #1 infusion was in April, I have developed finger movement and pain, bunions, RA flares in the second toe and a foot joint, plus fatigue has sucked the interest in life right out of me. I felt great for 10 days this month on a Prednisone burst, but am weaning off it next week. I do not have a lot of faith that Simponi will 'kick in' after 5 months and hope for something else soon that is more effective for me."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2023

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on every oral drug for treatment for RA. I then was prescribed Orencia subcutaneously for 2.5 years. I still had to use prednisone 15-25 mg on a regular basis when I worked. Orencia did not show any real change in my symptoms. I then changed to Simponi 50 mg subcutaneously monthly. I could feel a difference after the very first injection. After 3 weeks, my swelling and moderate to severe symptoms of RA improved. Following my second injection, I noticed an over 50% improvement in my fatigue. As of now, after my third injection, I can mostly claim I am improved by at least 80% of overall symptoms: morning stiffness, my pain, my energy levels. In closing, without trying to sound dramatic, I can confidently say Simponi 50 mg subcutaneously monthly has overall improved the quality of my life by 90%."

• Sfs...
• June 27, 2016

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with seropositive RA nearly 35 years ago and have been on just about every NSAID, DMARD, infusion, and combinations of these. Simponi Aria, along with leflunomide, is my current cocktail. While it seems to be keeping my joint pain under control, my fatigue is off the charts, and I have lots of body aches, frequent headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. My blood pressure and glucose levels are also elevated, though I'm not sure if this is due to this medication or not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2022

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started Simponi infusions. Just recently, my first infusion was fine, made me a bit tired, but no side effects and no effects at all. My second infusion was 3 weeks ago. I again was tired after the infusion, but I was more tired than usual. I started not feeling real great. The next day, I felt even worse. I believe every side effect that this drug has, I had: fever, cold chills, nausea, extremely fatigued, headache. My whole body has and still is swelled up 2 times more than normal, having trouble breathing. I then ended up with a sinus infection and then pneumonia. Let me say that I have been dealing with RA/Fibromyalgia for the past 23 years. I have been on everything and anything that is available. Suffice to say, nothing has worked for me. However, I never had any side effects to this magnitude with the others. I am glad this works for others and was really hoping to finally get some relief, but I guess my body is rejecting this medication, so I feel I had better listen to it."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2018

Golimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis "No pain or skin issues after 3 days, but about 2 weeks after the first injection, I got sick for the 1st time. The fatigue set in at week 3. I was well again at week 4, right in time for my next dose. Once again, by week 3, I was sick with the worst throat/adenoid infection that just wouldn't quit. The fatigue is life-changing. Dr. took me off after my second throat infection in 6 weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2022

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is terrible stuff. Made my RA worse. Caused side effects of extreme fatigue, muscle pains, psoriasis on my scalp and dermatitis, and my hair has been falling out. Also causing my lymph nodes to swell. It has been 3 months, so I am trying something else and will discontinue. Wish I never tried."

• LVe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2022

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Simponi has been the most effective biologic for me. I've used (infusions or injectable) Humira, Enbrel, Orencia, Remicade, and Simponi. I have been on Simponi 3 times as long as any other medication. Over 6 years of effectiveness. I take one 50 mg syringe monthly, and although I still struggle with fatigue, flares are managed as well as joint degeneration."

• Ksi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2022

Golimumab "I am actually on this for Pustular Psoriasis. I can't get over the extreme exhaustion, head and chest congestion, headaches, muscle aches, constant stuffy but running nose. My psoriasis is worse. It feels like it is constantly on fire, the blisters only go away for like two weeks, then come back worse than they were. Sweating a lot, and my heart takes spells of racing but goes away after 5 or 10 minutes. It will even happen in the middle of the night. It gets so bad it wakes me up from sleep. I itch now from head to toe, and now just about everything that touches my skin gives me welts. My vision has suddenly gone bad. I understand I’m old, but this is crazy. It’s not worth the expense and getting much worse for 2 weeks of being without the blisters."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2019

Golimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis "I’ve been on Simponi Aria infusions. They have helped with pain and stiffness for approx. 4 weeks. I take prednisone for breakthrough pain. Sometimes I sleep for 72 hrs because of fatigue. Have had to add another HBP Rx! Praying for strength to discontinue."

• Bar...
• February 9, 2023

Golimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking Osimponi since November 2022 for psoriatic arthritis spondylitis. I have been experiencing chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, infections, low hemoglobin, dizzy spells, and high cholesterol. It has also made me sick every day to the point I can hardly eat due to chronic nausea. Will not be taking next month's injection. Horrendous experience."

• 7Do...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2023

Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on Simponi Aria for almost a year. At first, it worked great. Helped my fatigue some. Then, about the last 3 infusions, after about a month, I could tell it was wearing off. So now, they are switching me to something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm 27, and I have had RA for 6 years. I've been on a few medications (Plaquenil, Celebrex, methotrexate) to find the best fit for me. I have been taking Simponi injections once a month (as well as 20 mg MTX weekly) for 7 months now, and I've had great success! Very slight pain in my foot by the end of the month, but nothing like what I've been through before. I exercise regularly and don't have any kind of pain, so happy. The only side effect I've noticed is fatigue, which can be challenging to manage at times, but I also really like naps, so if that's all I have to manage, I'm OK with that! My doctor says he's hoping he can start lowering/removing my dose of MTX soon too!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "So far, no good. Although I've only had my second infusion today. 2nd month. I was diagnosed with RA over 10 years ago. I've tried a number of biologics, with Enbrel working best, but I can't afford that. I've had side effects with most of them, from dangerous blood pressure levels to diverticulitis. I have sharp generalized joint pain, meaning all over, almost every joint. Worse in my shoulders now, but that could change to other joints. I feel like my entire body is sprained and fatigued. The golimumab, or 'Simponi' as the brand name, has not yet started working for me. After my infusion today, I got really severe burning in my chest and throat, as well as a headache and fatigue. That has settled down now, four hours later. I also feel a little sad. Has anyone else felt sad? I don't know if this is due to the medication or not. I'll check back and revise my review if this stuff kicks in any better."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2017

Golimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis "Worked okay on aches and pains, but really messed with me mentally. Made me very depressed and socially withdrawn. I feel more fatigue and a lot of headaches."