Cimzia ??

[mrdiggs]

Thinking about switching from methotrexate and prednisone to cimzia. I would love to hear from anyone who has been taking it and what their experience has been, any side affects and how it is working for them. Have been on the two above medications for about 10 years. Unfortunately I've lost 3/4 of my hair and my skin is really taking a beating.Was told that the tear in my right ankle tendon is due to the prednisone and that it could happen to the other ankle. .I'm wondering if I can get off the prednisone if I switch, I guess only time will tell.Would love to hear from anyone on this topic , I really don't know what to do-----help

[MadBunny]

Hi. I've been on Cimzia for almost 9 years and it's worked very well for me, in combination with 10mg of methotrexate. I haven't experienced any side effects. I can't comment about the prednisone as I never took it, but I was put on Cimzia after the sulfasalazine and mtx combo stopped working for me. I hope that if you do start taking it, it's effective for you too. Wishing you well.

[mrdiggs in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you so much for your reply.I am really hoping I can get off the Prednisone as well, but might be asking for too much. Prednisone really works for me but is a harsh drug and in the long run is very hard on your body.I'm so glad the Cimzia is working so well for you and wish you well. Thank you again.

[KittyJ]

if you put that into the search box and filter for NRAS then all the posts about it will come up 😊

[Hidden]

I have been on Cimzia for about 8 years and can honestly say it's been the best drug. I do not take Methotrexate.

[Runrig01]

I don’t take Cimzia, however I’m on another biologic, MTX and prednisolone. Be very wary tapering off steroids after so long. I was on steroids 6yrs, and got down to 4mg. I was losing weight which pleased me, but was also nauseous, getting dizzy, and BP was getting low. I had an appointment scheduled with an endocrinologist, unfortunately 3 weeks before that first appointment, I had a severe stroke, age 52.

It was found to be due to an adrenal crisis, as my adrenals had severely atrophied after years of steroids. I’m now on steroids for life as my levels were undetectable, when they should have been 500+. I have to carry an emergency intramuscular steroid injection with me everywhere I go, and family have been trained to administer. I’ve had to use it a number of times already, as I go downhill quick when exposed to any stress good or bad. I would ask for a short synacthen test when you get to 5mg where they will test if your adrenals are still able to produce cortisol under stress. I wouldn’t want anyone going through what I went through, and living with severe adrenal insufficiency, is really not fun. 🤗

[Zoppy89]

I’ve recently come off mtx and moved onto cimzia and it’s been incredible so far!

I get some swelling at my injection site but nothing out of the ordinary.

No side effects and I also struggled with hair loss on mtx.

Good luck!

[fred42]

I have been on Cimzia for just over 2 years now, it was my 4th biologic and has been a game changer.We are all different obviously but sometimes I forget I have RA so hope it works for you too.

I had a loading dose and now self inject every 2 weeks. I don't take MTX as it gives me problems with my digestive system. Managed to ditch the prednisolone by decreasing very slowly.

Have had scans which confirm the Cimzia is working.

Good Luck

[Jen400]

I've been on cimzia for 3 yrs nearly and its been amazing! It's the only drug I take and the fact that is safe in pregnancy was big for me, as we were trying to expand our family. Thankfully baby 2 is on the way in May. Have had no side effects and I do often forget I have RA. It's really managed my symtoms to clear them totally!

[Scottishlad]

I started on Cimzia quite a few years ago. I had been on the triple therapy: methotrexate, sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine.

My methotrexate was reduced and the other drugs were stopped when I started Cimzia. Initially, this worked very well but later the hydroxychloroquine was added back. My rheumatoid arthritis is very well controlled with just the occasional flare to remind me I still have it.

If Cimzia works for you I would expect you would be able to taper off the steroids.

I hope this helps.