Cimiza...skins reactions?

[Jen400]

Hi all...i started cimzia 5th oct 2020 amd began with 400mg loading dose for first 2 times now im on maintence dose 1 injection of 200mg....since it has started ive a rash and hives on my back.chest.neck..arms all over thrm ans some on my belly....my rheum doesnt seem bothered telling me just to take an antihistime the day before ,of and after injections and im still ichty and blotchy...im wondering is this somethimg i just have to put up with as pain wise its working excellently. Has anyone else got experiences to share please?

[Hidden]

I had a similar reaction a number of times over the top of my legs which my rheumy nurse was not overly concerned about and after a while I stopped getting it

[stbernhard]

I am glad CIMZIA works well for you. It was the right drug for me as well (taking it for 8 years now) and I hope that these rashes will go away soon. I get circular rashes on my leg from time to time and treat it with anti histamine cream.

[charisma]

I am not on that but am on drug infusions of Rituximab which cause itchiness, rash, swelling to lower lip etc. But no life threatening reaction eg throat swelling.

I take antihistamine tablets two or three times a week to help reduce these reactions. Helps me get a good night too, as O take two at night and rarely during the day!

But best to keep a note of the reaction or side effect symptoms and ensure your Rheumatologist knows at each appointment or by letter. Hope it settles down.

[Jen400]

Thanks all for the replies...puts my mind at ease and ill think ill visit the gp and see can i get a cream to treat it as the antihistime doesmt seem to be doing the job.

[kellymomcars]

6 months into Cimzia and had similar affect. 3 days after injection I had rash covering my torso and lightly down arms and legs. It faded but didn't totally go away. 1 week after rash, I developed terrible hives. Covered my torso and inner thighs. Pretty scary and painful. RA Dr. Wasn't overly concerned about rash, but ordered blood panel. White blood cell count slightly high. She doesn't know about hives yet -- seeing her this week.

Otherwise, joints are incredibly improved! I'm back into yoga, and knee pain and swelling has gone way down. I'm hoping I don't have to stop.

It's always in the back of my mind... Did I trade one problem for another?

[Jen400 in reply to kellymomcars]

Hi there,im sorry to hear you are going through this too. My skin reactiom got worse just before christmas and i went ti my gp on christmas eve. He prescribed nizoral shampoo for the rash( in my opinion did nithing) and a stronger anti histimine...levoceterine is the generic name here in ireland. I tool it ebeet day fot a month and after about 3 wks all cleared up along with the itchiness.

Since the new year i still take the anti histimine every 2nds day but on the weeks when i have my injection i take 2 days before and of and day after in a row...i still get a bit itchy bit the rash is no longer an issue.

I hope you get sorted.

It does feel crap thst even though the joints are amazing on the cimzia..its does feel that u habe traded one thing for another and then end up taking even more medication to counteract the stuff that fixes the joints

[kellymomcars in reply to Jen400]

So glad to hear that you have continued with antihistamine, and that it has worked for you. Saw my Dr. today to discuss. She wants me to have the next scheduled shots to see if I get the same reaction (and gave me a steroid pack -- just in case). I'm not sure if that is what I'm going to do yet. I'm very skeptical of putting my body through the cycle of constantly fighting an allergic reaction.

First day I haven't had red splotches all over (5th day from first seeing hives), but still feel like crap (extremely weak).

Can't tell you how much I appreciate you responding. It made me feel like I wasn't crazy.

Best of luck to you, too.