Hi Barb,
Alot of the lupus meds can cause liver problems. Sometimes you dont have much of a choice and just have to hope that it doesnt affect your body that way. MTX, Immuran, etc. can all pretty much cause the same side effects and you need to be monitored regularly to make sure its not damadging your liver. If they catch it early, which is what the bw is for, it usually doesnt cause failure. Once a month seems strange though and I have never heard of this med. Is it used often for lupus? Has she mentioned trying you on Immuran, MTX or any of the other more common lupus drugs? I agree with you about reading info on drugs/diseases. I dont do it anymore. I wouldnt take any of the meds I do if I read about them. Just freaks me out more. I think you should get more info on this drug and how effective it is. I just saw my gastro today and she actually said that alot of her patients are on Immuran and dont have ANY side effects as well as it really helping their inflamation. Im on MTX and Im going to mention what he thinks about switching me to Immuran since Im weaning down the pred. Wish I could help you more....
Hugs

Its actually for RA..and it's an injection..that's why once a month..but it also effects your immmune system..like i don't already have enough problems there..i don't know i gotta know alot more on it before i try it..started on predisone today and i'm not thrilled with that either..lol..don't know which is worse..the scare from the drugs or the pain!

Barb...you should start to feel better from the pred. within a few days. It usually kicks in fast. Remember that sometimes the risks outweigh the benefits. RA is treated a bit differently then lupus which is why you may not get alot of responses here. Maybe ask the RA group?

hi..thanks..i posted on there just a bit ago..all this is just so confusing, it's like i can't keep one straight from the other! I just lump em altogether!

I researched this medication and am interested... I like the once a month shot and read a lot of great reviews on it... I dont have RA either but lots of inflammation in my blood/body. I would rather do this than be on these stupid steriods... I am going to talk to my Lupus doctor in PA in a few weeks about this medication and his thoughts on it...

hi barbara is this a type of steroid injection into your muscle?

from what i understand, haven't started it, its injected just under your skin.

Hello, I am not familiar with the drug you have mentioned, however, I have been taking Cyclosporin for several weeks now. This is a drug commonly used for RA and given to organ transplant recipients to prevent rejection. Cyclosporin suppresses your immune system, so perhaps by giving you the Simponi, that is your docs. objective?

Almost all medications have side effects of one sort or another. If you decide to go ahead with this, follow your doctors testing regime religiously. That way if there are any problems, it will be picked up early and the medication dose reduced or discontinued.

Personally, I give most things a fair go. Certainly I was nervous about the Cyclosporin being added to my copious drug cocktail (no meds. were dropped in my case). Whilst there were some dosage problems, now that is sorted I have a lot less joint involvement and a lot more energy.

So maybe give it a try, and like Melissa said, don't go crazy reading the side effects list!