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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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I have come to the end of the road of using Enbrel due to increasing CRP levels.  I have been offered the choice of starting Cimzia or Golimumab and would welcome any advice from you all who have tried either of these drugs. I am concerned whenever I stop Enbrel my aggressive rheumatoid disease puts me in bed within 2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience how quickly Cimzia and golimumab kicks into action? From reading some of the posts Cimzia seems to work quickest but I would like to hear your experience. And also side effects. Thank you so much. Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Sorry Rebecca, got no experience of either of those meds, but wish you all the best with whichever one it is. I live in dread of humira ceasing to work! Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/28/2012 Posts: 665 Location: Newton Abbot
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Hi REbecca - I can't help as have no experience with either of these. The forum has been a bit quiet recently - keep this thread active and I'm sure you'll get a more useful answer very soon. Best wishes - Sylvia xx Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/16/2010
Posts: 9
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Cimzia took over 12 weeks to really improve my RA, but after 8 months the side effects out weighed any benefits. Now on Actemra.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Hi JEG
Thanks for your message.
Just out of interest what side effects did you have with cimzia?
Thanks
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rebecca
I have now been on Cimzia for two years next month, having failed completely on infliximab. Within the first day of taking Cimzia I was truly amazed how much my energy level improved - and thankfully stayed with me ever since. The cimzia has worked well with no side effects, and after a year changed my 15mg mtx tablets to injections improving things a little more so generally speaking lead a fairly normal life.
I hope this helps a little with your thoughts about the medication.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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hi Julia
Thank you very much for your message. It's really encouraging to hear you have had a successful time with cimzia.
I have actually chosen to go with cimzia and my first shots are due next wednesday.
Thanks again for your comments. really good to hear you are doing so well.
Best wishes
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 90
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Hi Rebecca,
I have just seen your post and would like to wish you Good Luck with going on to Cimzia.
I have been on it since feb. 20l1. It worked very quickly for me. My CRP was 90, before I started, and the next bloodtest 6 weeks later was 4. I then had maybe 6 months of good results, but then had a flare and high CRP's again. Last test it was 33 and that was with increasing my steroids as well, so now the doctor talks about putting me on Rituximab, which I am not very keen on, as it is done by infusions.
When the nurse comes to see you, she will give you a double dose, so there is a good chance, that you will feel better very quickly. The second dose 2 weeks later is also a double dose. I have not had any side effects.
Let us hear, how you get on. I am having bloodtests next week and am hoping for a better result,.
so I can stay on Cimzia.
Best wishes
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rebecca I really hope all goes well for you with the Cimzia, I ve done so well on it I just wished it worked like this for everyone but sadly with RA what works for one etc.... I ve not been on here for a while, I will now keep in touch as I know how important it is know about other peoples experiences and how they are coping info you never are able to to obtain from the professionals ! Look forward to hearing from you in next week  Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rebecca I really hope all goes well for you with the Cimzia, I ve done so well on it I just wished it worked like this for everyone but sadly with RA what works for one etc.... I ve not been on here for a while, I will now keep in touch as I know how important it is know about other peoples experiences and how they are coping info you never are able to to obtain from the professionals ! Look forward to hearing from you in next week Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Thank you very much for your good wishes Merete. It's so good to hear that cimzia worked really quickly for you. My CRP levels rocket over 100 when I stop my treatment, and I become bed bound very quickly so it's reassuring to know that cimzia is fast acting. Your reply has really boosted me so thank you for taking the time to post your message. I hope you can stay on cimzia, Rituximab will be my next step if cimzia fails. Hope your blood tests are looking more positive next week. Thank you Julia for your kind message. You are right it is really important to hear about other people's experiences. You just don't get this feedback from rheumatologists, I really appreciate your feedback. Reading all the messages has helped me enormously. I will let you know how my first shots go next Wednesday. Just had the drugs delivered, the syringes are huge compared to Enbrel!!!  Rebecca x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 90
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Hi Rebecca,
You are right, the syringes do look a bit scary, and the plunger can be a bit hard to push down, if you have weak RA fingers like mine, but I do manage with concentration. I can't say I look doing it, but better than somebody, I know, who goes to the hospital every 2 weeks and get the nurse to do it.
I am really hoping my bloodtests will be at least fair, I am going to the hospital for my check up the 5th july, and want very much to stay on Cimzia. I am also still on 25 mg methotrexate, which is quite a lot.
I shall be thinking of you on wednesday, I hope, you have a nice nurse.
warm wishes
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rebecca
Like Merete says the syringe does look quite big, the liquid is on the thick side so quite a lot of pressure is needed. In the early days my fingers weren t up to it, so I found using the palm of my hand to press it down while holding it with the other one worked, its a bit tricky at first but you ll get the hang of it I m sure.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Thank you Merete and Julia for your advice. My fingers are really deformed and painful. The finger joints have all fused at the middle joints, but I will try using the palm of my hand to push the syringe plunger down, thanks Julia for that. Roll on Wednesday!!!
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
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Good luck for Wednesday Rebecca  Hope it works wonders for you Sophie x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Cimzia Day!!!
A lovely, understanding nurse came this morning to oversee my first double dose of Cimzia. All went really well, the syringe is so much easier to grip and use than enbrel syringes. The nurse told me it's been designed from feedback from R.A patients with severe disease.
I can honestly say the injection didn't sting at all, it's a much thicker consistency than Enbrel but just took it slowly with no problems. Relieved I haven't had any massive adverse reactions unlike other drugs I have taken in the past. Feel a bit lightheaded and nauseous but going to chill out for the rest of the day.
Hoping things can only get better now...
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Thanks for your message of support Sophie. How's your right knee doing?Hope you are coping with the pain.
Best wishes
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
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Hi Rebecca good news your first go at Cimzia went well , really hope it works well for you , My right knee was playing up yesterday but is ok today  cant do much before it starts aching , got an appointment to see surgeon in February . It's my left wrist that's really hurting me , got ice on it and taking painkillers , see if it settles in a few days or I will have to ring helpline for an appointment as my next hospital appointment is not till September . Sophie x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rebecca Wonderful news, I am so pleased for you glad it all went so well without any problems, and you are happy with it all. Have a good rest and let it get to work ! look forward to hearing how you are getting on, keep us posted. Take care, Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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pleased to hear all went well for you Rebecca,
and hope this one works well for you.
Suzanne
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