Simponi for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2010

"Simponi felt like it was working the first 2 months. But my flare-ups are still monthly, and today, after 6 months, my doctor said I am getting worse and is taking me off Simponi. I am 53, have rheumatoid arthritis since 2007."

• Bri...
• July 28, 2010

"I started Simponi in April and have now had four injections. It worked the first night, my shoulder pain was gone, and I have slept without pain since. I have had no reactions whatsoever. The drug has lasted the full month every time. In the month previous to my first injection, I took 150 Tylenol 3's for the pain. In the 3 months since, I have averaged 30 per month. My shoulders, wrists, hands, and knees are almost pain-free with very little stiffness. I still can't work, but at least I have my life back, thanks to Simponi. Methotrexate was too hard on my kidneys, but I still take 20 mg Arava every other day and Plaquenil and Diclofenac daily. I also take Ramipril for the raised blood pressure the drugs have caused."

• Swe...
• September 10, 2009

"Well, it has been about 12 days since I have taken my first shot of Simponi. I started on Saturday, August 29, 2009. I also stopped taking prednisone that day. I feel real good. I go to the doctor on the 23rd of September. I would like to start cutting back on the methotrexate. I will update next month."

• Gli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2020

"I am 59... diagnosed with RA at 53. Started with Methotrexate for 6 months, added Enbrel... worked great for 4 years and then nothing worked for more than a couple months. I just started first ever IV infusions in the doctor's office. Simponi Aria and also still on Methotrexate. First dose in Feb, 4 weeks later 2nd dose in March - nothing! Can’t walk on my feet and can’t use my hands. Worse shape I have been in. Had the 3rd dose in this first week of May 2020. Both my RA doctor and my regular doctor say don’t give up and that we need 4 doses to see if this medicine will work. I am hanging in there, but life is passing me by right now. After 34 years as an analyst at a hospital who works on spreadsheets all day, I am on a leave while we see if this Simponi Aria is going to help me. I am HOPEFUL!"

• Occ...
• April 15, 2016

"Started Simponi in February, and so far, nothing has changed, still pain, swelling, and disease getting worse. I hope you never have a problem with an injection, because the people at Jensen who are there to help are clueless."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2011

"I am 3 weeks into my second dose of Simponi. Was on Enbrel for 4 1/2 yrs. with good results, then it stopped working. The numerous side effects following my first dose came close to keeping me from trying a second month. This month, I have had diarrhea for 3 weeks, but that's an improvement over last month. Joint pain and stiffness are better, but no effect on fatigue so far. It takes 6-8 weeks to know for sure how it will work. It is not possible to see results in hours or days. I have decided to try one more month since my next step is infusion medicines."

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

"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."

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

"I had my first infusion today. No ill effects with the exception of exhaustion...additional, that is, as I already am sleeping 16 hours per day. Not sure how a person is supposed to make a living with this advanced RA. I am hoping that Simponi will resolve that in the near future. I will let you know when things start to work and I can return to the land of the living."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2023

"I have had 4 injections now, and if anything, my joint pain/stiffness has gotten worse. I have had to take prednisone courses to try to give me some relief. I have always experienced a mild headache after each injection within an hour to two, but since my last injection, my headache has not gone away. It has been just over a week now. I have a lot of muscle weakness and tingling feelings in my muscles, as well as a lot of intense muscle cramping. I am trying to be patient as I am told it can take a bit to kick in and work, but so far the only thing that keeps happening is more intense side effects. I have consistently had a cough (no cold symptoms) since starting the injection and cough up clear mucus constantly. The injection is easy to do, which is a good thing."

• Qwa...
• February 3, 2017

"Yesterday, I got my 4th injection in 4 months at home by a nurse! I think it's working very well so far... I have taken many other types of medicines over 7 years with big side effects for RA. I have had Ulcerative Colitis for 15 years and took some meds for that. Because of side effects, I began a very stringent diet (specific carbohydrate diet). I eventually got better, and all UC symptoms stopped. Years later, I went off the diet and was soon reduced to suffering immensely with undiagnosed RA symptoms. I believe my diet contributes to my symptoms. I know food chemicals can cause inflammation, and I know UC is a cousin to RA. I come from generations of alcoholics and am recovering for 27 years. Sugar is a deadly and strong addiction. Today, I was lethargic."

• Sab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 23, 2023

"I've had RA for 20 years, tried numerous other biologics that always stopped helping after a few years or even a few months. By the time I got to Simponi, I thought I was done working. I had applied for disability. My doctor tried Simponi, and I was able to go back to work full-time, and six years later, I am still working. Not only am I still able to work, the dosing pen is very easy to handle, and it doesn't sting like other injections. I still have to take methotrexate and otherwise be diligent about my condition, but Simponi honestly gave me my life back 14 years into having RA. My RA is severe (two different joints replaced among other things), but my quality of life on Simponi is much better than I expected at this point. I am very grateful, and if you're reading this...don't stop trying new medications. You never can predict when one will be a home run like Simponi was for me!"

• Hug...
• October 8, 2023

"Had RA for 50 years (now 67) and though the biologics do help with stiffness and pain, they do have many side effects which make life even harder. Was on 50 mg dose, now on 100 mg. Finding extreme tiredness, cold symptoms, and chest issues dreadful. Spoiling my life now, but been through most meds and I am stuck. Hoping reduction back to 50 mg will help with my general feeling."

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

"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%."

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

"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."

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2020

"I started taking infusion about 20 months ago. First year, things appeared to go smoothly. Then I started experiencing weakness in my right shoulder. A physical therapist diagnosed muscle deterioration, and I spent 3 months in therapy. Regained some of the strength, then slipped and fell, breaking my ankle bone on both sides, requiring surgery, pins, and a plate in my ankle. I never had a broken bone before! It went downhill from there. I have had 2 infusions since and have had weakness in my other shoulder, a urinary infection, horrible headaches, knees giving out, and painful, sore wrists. I tire easily, have weight gain, and experience blurry vision at times. I think it’s time to re-evaluate the benefits of this drug, as I have gone downhill quickly the past year."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2023

"While on Simponi, I developed severe diarrhea. I was on this awful drug for 11 months. When I started Simponi, I weighed 125 pounds, I now weigh 101 pounds. After I stopped taking Simponi on my own, I can't gain back the weight I lost, and I am sick all the time. I feel like my body is attacking me. My doctor wouldn't believe that Simponi caused diarrhea and the awful way I felt. I stopped Simponi a month ago and haven't had any signs of diarrhea. I still feel awful, but I'm hoping to get my health back. You have to find a doctor who really listens when you talk, which unfortunately I did not."

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

"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

"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."

• Kin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2023

"I was taking Enbrel previously and found that it helped, but my doctor moved me on to Simponi. I have done two infusions of Simponi and developed psoriasis on my face, which is painful. The doctor has told me I have had an allergic reaction to this medication. I have had an allergic reaction to a similar medication, Humira. If you can't take Humira, do not use Simponi."

• Cir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2021

"Diagnosed with RA in March of 2020 at age 65, it hit me like a Mack truck. Would have been in a wheelchair within a year. Started on methotrexate, which got me maybe 90% there. After 6 months, started the Simponi, I feel completely normal now. Stopped the methotrexate in February. It is now August 2021, and I'm feeling great, no restrictions - workout all the time. Do it as an IV every 60 days."

• Joj...
• November 9, 2020

"I've had 2 Simponi infusions. Recently, I started breaking out with hives, especially on my legs and feet. Sometimes on my arms and the backs of my hands. It itches terribly but clears up within 30 minutes to an hour. But it's been happening every day for about 2 weeks now. Is this a common side effect of this drug?"

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2023

"I have had two infusions so far. The first one made me feel really good, but the second one did not so much. The third one is coming up shortly, and I am hoping it helps. I had no side effects from either infusion."

• Avi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2024

"My experience has been, for the most part, positive. I have experienced a few side effects: psoriasis on my scalp and face, chronic infection in my nose. However, pain in my body has decreased by half, and I can wear my wedding ring again. Flare-ups are not near as debilitating."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2012

"Second injection today. After the first injection, I felt results in two weeks. I am very happy."

• Sim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2024

"After 9 to 10 infusions, I developed hives. Itching was constant and randomly affected the stomach, back, legs, and arms."