Hi everyone,
I'm going to start Cimzia next week and just wondering what people's experience has been with this drug. I'm hoping it will reduce my fatigue (I'm currently on Sulfa and Methotrexate, and am tired A LOT). I'm not sure how the transfer works from Sulfa and Methotrexate to the Cimzia. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Hi Hockeynut. Don't know if this will help you but i hope so. Fingers crossed it works for you. I've been on cimzia now for approx 5 years..and it's working brilliantly..very little fatigue and no inflammation most of the time. I stopped methotrexate before the biologic cos it made me lose my hair, feel sick all the time and didnt do anything beneficial. Usually a specialist nurse comes to your home and shows you the process for injecting yourself. They want you to get comfortable with self injecting and will guide you.
For the first one you take 2 doses (they do this to be sure you can tolerate it) into either side of your stomach, i got 2 raised red bumps after those first injections, but they settled easily within that first week. i find it doesnt hurt as much as methotrexate injections: mainly because the cimzia pen has an automatic pressure needle that goes in and finishes fast like an epi pen! I find it easy because u don't have to keep pressing or plunging the syringe yourself or get shaky hands/anxiety while yr doing it.
It does sting but only for about 10 seconds, its over really fast. Once every 2 weeks is easy compared to daily/weekly meds.
They will supply and deliver the cimzia to you once the hospital have completed your prescriptions and TB tests scans etc. Let us know how you get on.
You do need to be cautious with infections..chesty coughs/ skin problems ..when i get them..i usually stop the cimzia until ive completed the antibiotics.
Ok. Bye for now.
Bluelight's description is excellent.
I would like to add that I also 'failed' Ddmards before I was offered Cimzia. The difference between taking this medication and not is like night and day. The flu-ish, vulnerable feeling left me instantly! Cimzia builds up in your system over time and really does wage war against RA.
It will help fatigue caused by RA but it can't help fatigue caused by painkillers. Once you are established on Cimzia you may be able to lower your painkillers.
After being so ill you will really appreciate feeling a lot better! Enjoy!
Oh, I forgot to mention the downside.
Catching colds (in the winter) is easier and they are harder to chase off. It is necessary to stop the biological medication when ill with these infections. Take extra precautions such as frequent hand washing, healthy eating and having some fresh air.
An annual flu injection is essential and I had a pneumonia injection. Shingles injections are not allowed because they are live injections.
I have been on Cimzia now for several years now and get on very well with it.
Just to note that my Cimzia comes in a conventional style syringe not an "pen" as described by bluelight1212. The needle is very fine and I usually don't feel it going in. (Having looked at information on the Autoclick injector I'll stick with the prefilled syringe. I feel that I am in control with a syringe, there are occasional reports of people on this forum having problems with "pens".)
Make sure that the injection is at room temperature, otherwise it can nip a bit. I take it out of the fridge at least 30mins before use. I use the abdomen as my injection site as there is little fat on my thighs and I get a reaction at the injection site on my thighs.
I took cimzia with little results. I did feel a bit tired for a couple of days after.
I have the Cimzia pen. All good here.
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