Reviewer: HH, 25-34 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I have just started Cimzia as of yesterday and so I’m here for some advice as it’s still early days! I’ve had a severe case of RA since the age of 8 (I’m now 29) and I feel like I have tried every drug under the sun! When this first began I was on a heavy does of steriods and methotrexate - unfortunately the side effects of both oral and injection methotrexate was too much and so I came off this a ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I have just started Cimzia as of yesterday and so I’m here for some advice as it’s still early days! I’ve had a severe case of RA since the age of 8 (I’m now 29) and I feel like I have tried every drug under the sun! When this first began I was on a heavy does of steriods and methotrexate - unfortunately the side effects of both oral and injection methotrexate was too much and so I came off this after quite a few years! As we know prednisolone should not be a long turn solution and the weight gain was incredible! After my time at GOSH upto the age of 18 I was sent over to UCLH under a fantastic consultant who put me onto lefludomide (with on off course of steriods due to the severity of the arthritis at various times) the lefludomide worked for yrs! We thought we had found the one! Until I fell pregnant with my 1st chid and had to switch to a drug called hydroxicloriquin with a high dose of prednisolone (25/30mg a day!) this was due to toxins in the lefludomide - during pregnancy it was as if I never had RA I want to say it was as if I was in remission! No symptoms! Nothing! However since I gave birth to my son in 2017 I have had a huge flare up and nothing is working! The lefludomide no longer works and again prednisolone just isn’t the answer long term although makes the RA feel at ease! - so after a few years of my dr suggesting Cimzia (due to a huge needle phobia) I agreed to give it a go being in tremendous pain and now having a little one to run around after I feel that something needs to change, so yesterday was my 1st loading dose, I’m using the ‘epi pen’ styled injections so I can’t see the needle! After the 1st shot the only thing that hurt was the stinging sensation of the thick liquid going into the skin - so now I feel I can physically do this! However my concerns lie with the extreme side effects such as being at a higher risk of skin cancer! Should I be concerned? Are the benefits of cimzia better than the fear of the possible side effects? Thanks x
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Reviewer: elaine77987, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I've been on Cimzia for a couple of months. Very little changes. Has anyone else experience extreme fatigue after receiving the injections? I get them at my doctor's office every 4 weeks. Two injections on each leg. I also experience excessive sweat in some parts of my body.

Comment:
I've been on Cimzia for a couple of months. Very little changes. Has anyone else experience extreme fatigue after receiving the injections? I get them at my doctor's office every 4 weeks. Two injections on each leg. I also experience excessive sweat in some parts of my body.
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Reviewer: Patient, 65-74 on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I have moderate RA and am a very active person. I did cross train, spinning, tennis, pickleball, yoga, tai chi. I have been on Cimzia for 3 months and just had my 5th shot.I am taking 5mg prednisone as needed right after the injection. I am feeling muscle weakness, aching and fatigue during and after mild classes like pilates and aqua. I feel good doing aqua, but have fatigue after. I guess I will ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I have moderate RA and am a very active person. I did cross train, spinning, tennis, pickleball, yoga, tai chi. I have been on Cimzia for 3 months and just had my 5th shot.I am taking 5mg prednisone as needed right after the injection. I am feeling muscle weakness, aching and fatigue during and after mild classes like pilates and aqua. I feel good doing aqua, but have fatigue after. I guess I will have to give Cimzia a little more time to determine its effectiveness. Right now the 'jury is out'. I want to get back to my active lifestyle without this pain, fatigue and muscle weakness.
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Reviewer: MYJ, 65-74 on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I have been on Cimzia for about 2 months. I actually hurt more. I am itching and the texture of my hair has changed for the worse. I can't sleep due to not being able to get a comfortable position in bed. I get my shots in my Dr. office 1xmonth. My level of satisfaction would be 2-stars.

Comment:
I have been on Cimzia for about 2 months. I actually hurt more. I am itching and the texture of my hair has changed for the worse. I can't sleep due to not being able to get a comfortable position in bed. I get my shots in my Dr. office 1xmonth. My level of satisfaction would be 2-stars.
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Reviewer: planenuts, 65-74 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
RA diagnosed 2/2015. Began 20mg Prednisone and reduced down to 15mg after 2 weeks. Stepped down to 10mg after 2 months and is current dose. Added 15mg of Methotrexate. Didn't see much effect. Mtx increased 9/28/15 to 20mg and initially more effective. Started Cimzia yesterday 10/2/15. Within 6 hours, RA symptoms began to subside allowing me to do more normal physical work. Awoke the next morni ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
RA diagnosed 2/2015. Began 20mg Prednisone and reduced down to 15mg after 2 weeks. Stepped down to 10mg after 2 months and is current dose. Added 15mg of Methotrexate. Didn't see much effect. Mtx increased 9/28/15 to 20mg and initially more effective. Started Cimzia yesterday 10/2/15. Within 6 hours, RA symptoms began to subside allowing me to do more normal physical work. Awoke the next morning feeling almost symptom free, slight thorax soreness at full chest expansion, various minor muscle soreness, previous knee stiffness/soreness non-existent, range of motion feels loose,and pretty much unrestricted. Strength has returned. No noticeable side effects at this point.
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