Those who have had / are on Cimzia

[kerryhannah]

...how long did it take for you to work please? Have had my 3 loading doses so am on week 5 but cannot feel its effects yet. When I first started Benepali it was a couple of weeks so I was hoping for this to work quickly too. I know it can take up to 12 weeks but was wondering anecdotally how it helped others? Thanks.

[Whezziewhoozie]

I felt the effects of Cimzia immediately but looking back I had my first dose on Chritsmas eve and don’t know if it was just the relief of finally getting it. But I was jumping around and felt no pain... the the pain crept back in again and settled after about 2 months .... Good luck with it

[Wobbies]

I started Cimzia after another biologic which worked failing. The Cimzia did not work after 4 months so rheumatologist added MTX which again worked almost immediately for a bit but pain increasing again. So, will see. Hope you have better luck than me.

[stbernhard]

I started feeling real benefit after about two months, so hang on in there. Ten years later it's still working. It has helped me to live a normal active life.

[Durrell]

Hi Kerry I took cimzia for over 5 yrs & I like a couple of others had almost immediate relief from the start & truthfully I didn’t really know I had RA the relief was fantastic for that 5 yr period. I was also on MTX, I do wonder if it was my very first biologic & just reacted well. I was very well on it, I never had as much as a cold, but my dr pressured me into the flu jab of which I ended up with a bout of flu & then continuous sinusitis, on & off cimzia several times for antibiotics & alas it became ineffective. I’m told it was a coincidence but I haven’t taken flu jab since & haven’t had as much as a sniffle!! Ummm I’m not convinced. I hope you do start to feel some benefit but I understand your concern if your not progressing as you’d like to be feeling.. I’m 8 weeks in on another biologic & thankfully this one is proving it’s self, but I understand your frustration as I have tried several in between & none were very beneficial.. it all takes so much time, keep positive & I guess you will be seeing your Rheumy once your at the finish of the 12 week trial/loading dose!!

[kerryhannah in reply to Durrell]

Thank you. I hope it doesn’t take too much longer / doesn’t work. Am 36 this year and we want to try for another baby... am feeling time pressures and this is a huge inconvenience! I wish the Benepali stopped working later down the line then I wouldn’t mind as much. Fingers crossed it kicks in soon! x

[Durrell in reply to kerryhannah]

Kerry totally understand your concerning time line here, Were you diagnosed when you had your 1st?

[kerryhannah in reply to Durrell]

No I’ve had AS diagnosed since 2015 and went onto Benepali in order to safely conceive etc in 2017. It was such a good drug but last year just started to become ineffective hence the switch. I’ve not been given a follow up appointment yet so will chase that in a few weeks if the Cimzia hasn’t kicked in.

[Durrell]

Oh bless you, what a dilemma your in extremely frustrating like you say. Well stbernhard says they had found affect at the 12 week stage so it still could be early days. I would encourage you to get that apt sorted for your review time. I’m extremely lucky as mine is already in place. Obviously you are discussing this with your rheumy. There are quite a few young mums on this site they maybe able to throw some light to your concerns.. Oh my lovely I wish you all the very best with this,

[kerryhannah in reply to Durrell]

Thank you- lovely kind words and good advice. Will contact them this week to book it in x

[Durrell]

Your welcome, I prey it all works out the sooner for you x

[Scottishlad]

It started to work quite quickly for me. If I recall correctly I only had 2 loading doses. By the end of the first month I noticed a distinct improvement was still on 10 mg of Methotrexate at the time. I did after a few years have hydroxchloroquine added back into the mix.

[gym4life]

I have been on cimza for 3 years now. I am also very active in the gym. I eat mostly organic foods and limit processed food. It has worked for me. I did miss one month and I had a flare up in my neck and shoulders. I go once a month for my injections.I am assuming that the missed shot caused my flare-up , but will ask my Rheumatologist when I go for my January appt.

[Bojedo]

I was on Cimzia for about 6-7 weeks before I felt better. It worked well for me about 15 months. It lost its effectiveness and I changed biologics.