I don't have personal experience, but one person here took it for 3 months without benefit, but wll soon restart, as prescribed by a new doctor. Another person has had 1 injection and has had immediate benefit. The package warnings for all the TNF inhibitors, are scary, as are reported side effects for most RA drugs, but you have to remember that only a very small population responds to grave side effects. I responded badly to Remicade, another TNF inhibitor, in such a way that the whole class of drugs has been ruled out by rheumatologist, but I'm a rare bird.

I hope you'll see responses by individuals that have personal experience, but do remember that we all react uniquely to drugs. Weighing the risk and determing what is acceptable is difficult so do all the research you can.

I wish you all the best.
doug

Hi Barbara,

That would be me that took Simponi for 3 months with no benefit, in fact I got worse during that period. I was also taking methotrexate at the time, which I had started many months before. I have also been on Enbrel which didn't work and Humira which I had a reaction to. Of all the TNF blockers I have been on Simponi was the easiest and least painful to inject. I never even got a bruise from it. My new rheumatologist wants me to start back on the Simponi because she believes you have to be on it 6 months to determine whether it will work for you. I had no side effects whatsoever from the Simponi when I was on it the first time though. I know these biologics have some pretty scary warnings on them. They have to post them because they are a possibility, but we each have to make that decision. For me, it's a risk I'm willing to take. I've read the studies and the actual incidence of the really bad side effects was low. My symtoms are quite bad at this point so I'm going for quality of life.

I had a bad reaction to Orencia, which is a T cell blocker, so I'm back to the TNF blockers.

Simponi works for some people within a matter of weeks. Whatever your decision I wish you luck. Sandy

Barbara,
I agree with Sandy and Doug. You need to try. This medicine will help you fight your disease, so when you think about risk of side effects, weigh it against the risks of RA, which are great. Here is an article which explains that more.
http://rawarrior.com/2009/12/comparing-risks-and-benefits-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-medicines/
Just my opinion. Good luck whatever you decide.
Kelly
http://rawarrior.com

thank yall for your replies..i probably will give it a try..When i read it was actually for RA it confused me wasn't sure i had RA..I know they told me tested positive but was told really didn't see alot in exrays..how do you know? Seems like i test positive for everything! I read up but i'm still confused! basically just trust the drs to know what they're doing. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I took my first simponi shot last week. I haven't noticed any effects yet. However, I did think the shot was amazingly painless, I didn't feel a thing! I've been on Humira before this for over a year and those shots really hurt. I was very impressed with how non-painful the simponi is. Plus it's only once a month.

haven't noticed any effects as in good or bad? I was told they weren't painful so that is a good thing! keep me posted on the effects! i'm not supposed to get one til next month.take care!

I haven't noticed any good effects (relief) or any bad effects (side effects).