Benepali pain worse than Cimzia?

[CharlotteLucyx]

Hi everyone, hope you're well!

I was just wondering if anyone could help me - I've been on Benepali for the past few years however it unfortunately has stopped working so am being changed over to Cimzia, with my first loading dose being given tomorrow.

I'm not normally one to fuss over injections (can happily manage the steroid injections without them being too bad/don't have any problems with the flu vaccine/bloods taken ect) but found that the Benepali has been horrible! I've never experienced stinging like it! To the point I've been using Emla cream to take the edge off/give me the courage to push down on the pen once the needle is in!

I spoke to the nurse about it who suggested me not using Emla cream as the Cimzia isn't meant to be painful. I was just wondering if anyone has found this to be the case? Just as the Benepali was so bad and I know I will have to do two injections tomorrow straight after each other so don't want to whimp out!

Charlotte x

[medway-lady]

I found the syringe delivery method much easier and less painful than the pen.

[Scottishlad]

I have used Cimzia syringes for several years. The needles are very fine and there is no stinging from the Cimzia.

The only thing you need to do is to take the syringe out of the fridge and packaging at least 30mins before you plan to do the injection. It will sting a bit if it is straight from the fridge.

You can now keep Cimzia at room temperature for up to 10 days so letting it warm up is not an issue.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Scottishlad]

Hi

Glad you're getting on well with Cimzia. My daughter was thinking of asking her Rheumy about Cimzia because she is 28 and would like to have a baby one day and has read that Cimzia is the biologic to take if planning pregnancy. How are you getting on with Cimzia do you get a good result on its own or do you have to take another med with Cimzia?

[Scottishlad in reply to MJSlide1958]

I originally had a low level of methotrexate along with the Cimzia. After about 2 years hydroxychloroquine added back

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Scottishlad]

Thank you. Does that mean Cimzia will only work with another med? Not on its own. My daughter was on Enbrel for over 8 years on its own and it worked perfectly, but now the Rheumy has added Mtx to try to kick start it again. Wondering whether Cimzia can work on its own too?

[Scottishlad in reply to MJSlide1958]

I'm sorry, your daughter needs to discuss this a rheumatologist. I can't advise any further as I can only tell you about my experience.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Scottishlad]

Thanks in any case.

[kerryhannah in reply to MJSlide1958]

I’m 35 and on Benepali. Our daughter is 18 months now and we conceived on Benepali and I had it throughout the pregnancy and for breastfeeding too. I’m about to be changed to Cimzia as the Benepali has stopped working so well and the consultant said Cimzia is good for conceiving etc too as we’d like to try for another soon. I was originally put on biologics so we could try for a baby- so glad I was put on them! x

[MJSlide1958 in reply to kerryhannah]

Thank you very much for your message. So helpful and informative. Thanks again

[WillowsMother]

I've been using a gel ice pack on my outside thigh for 5 mins before injecting, and 5 mins straight afterwards. There's still a bit of a sting when the medication goes in, but nothing I have to brace myself for. It's worth giving ice a try maybe? Also, the HaH nurse told me that the outside thigh ("saddlebag") is the least painful area, as you're injecting into a nice fatty place... I knew they'd come in handy one day!

Good luck x

[fred42]

Have recently had Cimzia loading dose using the pen and injecting in stomach as advised by nurse, no problems or pain.Just need to make sure it isn't straight from fridge.

[Whezziewhoozie]

It’s stingy for the first 10 seconds and then it’s fine! Good luck

[kerryhannah]

Really interested in this as am switching too. Have managed to find methods with Benepali but would be good if it was less painful! x

[CharlotteLucyx in reply to kerryhannah]

Hi Kerry! Just thought I'd update you with the whole switching thing. I found the Cimzia WAY less painful! Absolutely nothing compared to the Benepali - and that was without Emla cream as well! I hope you have a good experience on the Cimzia x

[Hidden]

Hi Charlotte

I dont know about Cimzia but I can agree that injecting Benepali is incredibly painful. I changed from the pen to injection so that I can control the speed of entry.

Hope it's not so bad for you this time x