Help Starting Simponi Today

[Cotton79]

I've already have Enbrel then Humira both worked for about 18mths but was still in pain almost every other week I've been getting worse so now I'm starting simponi and I'm worried I just want to be able to live a normal life again is anyone else on this was response good any advice. PS I have a needle phobia.

[skinnycappuccino]

Hello there!

I have been on Simponi since September 2012 and it has been amazing!!! I am in full remission now (on Simponi and Leflunomide). In my case, Simponi worked very fast and extremely well, it took just around 5 days for most of the symptoms to vanish. I know not everyone reacts the same and I am unbelievably lucky with this biologic but I wanted to tell you so that you have a positive story to dwell on instead of worrying

I used to be very scared of needles too. When I had my first steroid injection, I had a bit of a nervous breakdown and also fainted. I coped by closing my eyes and talking to the nurses to distract me and doing breathing exercises. They'd being me tea and biscuits too to calm me down However, I started to get over my phobia in small steps. I.e. 1. Opening my eyes but turning away from the needle. 2. Watching the nurse do the injection. 3. Injecting myself. These 3 steps took the best part of a year though, it was tough! I still don't like blood tests though and I get panic attacks if I have to do an infusion.

I hope so much that you will have the same fantastic experience with Simponi as me. All the very best for your injection (are you doing it at the hospital or at home?) and let us all know how you get on.

Love & hugs, Christine xxxxx

[Cotton79 in reply to skinnycappuccino]

Hi Christine thank you so much for your reply the dreaded deed is done (at home) wasn't half as bad as expected I'm lucky I have a wonderful husband who holds my hand (to stop me shaking) also presses the button for me I never like needles but I'm much worse now can't managed it on my own at all even though I'm using the pen and can't see the needle I'm a total chicken!! Can Simponi be left out of fridge for long periods of time like Enbrel when travelling or is just to be taken out before use and put in cool bag for travel? Thanks Caroline xxx

[skinnycappuccino in reply to Cotton79]

Hello again Caroline Very glad you got your very first Simponi injection done!! I hope so much it will work for you so I'd be very interested how you get on!

Simponi should NOT be left out of the fridge for long periods of time. If you are travelling you need to use a cooling bag, keeping the pen/syringe at 2°C to 8°C. Even when keeping it in the cooling bag, you should not have Simponi in it for more than 9 hours (make sure it's still cool when you take it out of the bag after travelling). I got the information from my Simponi cooling kit but it's best to also ask your rheumy about it, just to be competely sure.

I take it from the pharmacy without the cooling bag because I live very close and that way I can start to let it warm to room temperature. Of course, that means I have to inject it fairly soon after I get home. And during summer I'll definitely use the cooling bag even for that short way.

Hope this helps!! Have a lovely Sunday,

Christine xxxx

[Cotton79]

Thanks again Christine, apologies for so many questions rheumy was good but just said it was like Humira and Enbrel I then saw rheumy nurse who ran through how to inject and she gave me a trial pen to bring home and practice with I'm still waiting for the Simponi pack to come but injection was due so had to do it so Google came in handy that's how I found this site yesterday also should say I have Psoratic Arthritis not RA. Thanks again for your kindness and help I'll let you know how it goes. Carolinexxx