I have been on Simponi for about a year. I am also on Methotrexate. Simponi seemed to work very well for me when I could stay on it. The pattern for me was take the shot for 3 months then I would get a severe sinus infection and I would have to come off of all of my meds and do 2 rounds of antibiotics to clear it up. Then I would do another 3 months and the same thing again. I just took my first dose last month after being off of my meds since Thanksgiving. Took 2 rounds of antibiotics and still was not completely over my infections. My Rhuemy did xrays last year after I had been on Simponi for a while and we compared them to the ones taken the year before. All of the holes in my joints had started to close up and heal. It was very encouraging. My Rhuemy wants to try me on Orencia and is in the process of getting approval from my insurance. I had some mild stomach problems when I first started taking the shots. That cleared up over time. The shot itself is no big deal. I had been on Enbrel before switching to Simponi and that shot hurt. So I was apprehensive when I did my first Simponi. Before I had time to think the thought "is this going to hurt?" the shot was over. It takes only about 6 seconds. Good luck to you if you are planning on starting Simponi.

Thanks so much, ihateRA. My Rheumy is going to put me on Simponi next month when I see him. I have been taking Methotrexate since last April and will stay on that, too.
Do you think the sinus infections persisted because of Simponi lowering your immunity even more so? Is that why you're changing to Orencia?
That is so good that the holes in your joints had started to heal and that you didn't have any real side effects on Simponi. I am hoping it will be my "magic med".
Thanks again for sharing this with me.
Love and hugs
Angel

Anyone else ????
Surely IhateRA and I aren't the only two on Simponi.