User Reviews for Cimzia subcutaneous

I have had RA for 5 years (diagnosed); had allergic reactions to Remicade, but had pretty great success with Humira until about two months ago, then was switched to Enbrel and experienced no relief. Just started Cimzia, and have been on Methotrexate the entire time. Nothing really has changed, but this is my first & second dose only. I am really hopeful for pain relief and some relief from overwhelming fatigue and accompanying depression...I will keep posting as time progresses. Right now my frustration level is so high, any kind of relief for the pain and exhaustion will be so welcome.Read More Read Less

I have had Crohn's for 20 years and have been on every available medication and nothing has worked other than prednisone. My doctor prescribed cimzia after Humira failed to work in order to help get me off the prednisone. I've been on Cimzia since Feb. My abdominal pain has become less severe and other than extreme fatigue the day after, my overall level of energy seems better as well. However, I've experienced extreme weight gain 12 lbs in 6 weeks and my diarrhea has actually gotten worse. Unfortunately for me, I'm not sure the small improvements will be worth the side effects. Read More Read Less

I recently completed my 1st treatment of Cimzia (2 shots 1, 2 & 4 week). I feel good. I do have brief morning stiffness of my hands in the morning but that's it. By the time I'm dressed and leaving for work I'm great. I have not experienced any swelling or joint pain since starting this drug. I have noticed small rashes on my arms and legs. Other than that I'm good. I've been living with RA since I was 13yrs old and at 28 its good to know that I've finally found something that appears to be working! Good luck to everyone living with RA.Read More Read Less

this treatment is awsome. I love drugs.

My 13 year old daughter is on Cimzia. She was diagnosed with Crohn's when she was 4. Never been in remission and has always been very very sick. Feeding tubes for 3 years, Remicade, even a Broviac Central line for over a year. Nothing really helped her. She is very small and weighs 60lbs. This drug has been amazing! Literaly after 48 hours of the first dose, she said she felt no pain anywhere for the first time in her life. :) Painful BM's, gone. Eating and gaining weight. Whatever side effects may pop up, we don't care. It feels so good to see my child feel good for once in her short life! Read More Read Less

Have had Crohn's diagnosis for around 8 years, (but probably had it for 15 years before diagnosis) nothing had worked although i would have periods of remission. Cimzia has been a miracle. I have gained a little weight, # of bowel movements have significantly reduced, joint pain totally gone, energy level way increased (in fact am walking 90 to 120 minutes a day) This drug has been a miracle. I was tired, hurting and depressed, and although i had been able to work, there were times that i could not work a full day, i can now work a full day with full energy. I still have some stomach pain, and lots of intestinal noises, but I have lost the hopeless feeling that nothing will get better. Although the drug is expensive, the change in the quality of my life is beyond expectation. ( and my husband is enjoying not only my renewed energy,and renewed interest in activities I had long ago abandoned). Cimzia has given me be a life I had lost. Read More Read Less

I have had Crohn's for 10 years. Had my ups and downs.. Imuran had been the major treatment for me up until 2 years ago I decided to take a break. I was feeling good and wanted to give my body (mostly my liver)a break from the mutagen quality of the drug. I stayed off to long and flared (shocking, I know). After 5 months back on Imuran I was seeing small gastro improvements but no help with joint symptoms. My rheumatologist suggested Cimzia. I am due for my 3rd loading dose next week and have drastic improvements with my gastro symptoms and my joints are being held at bay. I do seem to be hungary all the time. I work midnights so it is difficult to tell if there is fatigue, I'm always tired. But the drug is addressing most of my problem areas.. though I worry about the trade and side effects.Read More Read Less

I have been fighting this diease since 2001, when I had a bowel obstuction and spent over a week in the hospital, since then I have tryed everything from steroids to Remacade, nothing has work, I'm 44 yrs old and fell horiable all the time, since nothing has worked for me they are going to try Cimzia, I have to admit, I'm afraid of the side effects, but I was willing to give it a try, I have had a series of 4 rounds of shots, and I have noticed a big difference in my bowel consistancy, I have always had loose stools up to now, but I feel it doesn't last the 4 weeks, I do feel good for about 2 weeks then I slowly start feeling bad again, like I have the flu! I can't seem to give the shot to myself and by reading everyones testimonys, I will check on a home health care nurse, thank you! I will give it some more time not counting it out yet! Read More Read Less

I recommend anyone with Crohn's talk to their doctor about Cimzia. I was initially diagnosed in March 1992 and had tried virtually treatment available over the years. This is the first that has allowed me to live something approximating a normal life. I've been on Cimzia since April 2009 without major complications. I do suffer from shortness of breath, but my joint pain is less than experienced from corticosteroids. I cannot attest to hair loss, as others have complained about - I lost most of mine years ago. :) I have noticed one seemingly unique side-effect and wonder if anyone else has noticed the same: about once every 5-6 weeks, I will have an episode where I spend upwards of 90 minutes in the bathroom; the effect is similar to that of prepping for a colonoscopy. This first began appearing in October. Other than not knowing when this will strike (it typically occurs in the evening once every 5-6 weeks), it's not a show-stopper.Read More Read Less

Has not made me feel any better. Maybe even worse.

I've had severe crohns for 7 years now and Cimzia, combined w/Immuran, is the only thing that seems to work. However, I have gained probably 15-20lbs since I've been on it this past year! No other side-effects except hives, but that started after my first surgery. Hopefully I can get the weight off during yr 2 AND stay healthy!

I was diagnosed with Chron's in July 2009. Was in the hospital for 36 days the first time. 1 week later for 16 days. Ive had 26 blood transfusions and countless procedures and meds. Remicade didn't work. Ive n=been on Cimzia sence October. Just started having side effects. Weight gain, joint pain (real bad in my hands and and elbows)lost most of my hair, my vision is blurry, rash, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. I have a hard time talking sometimes because the words don't come out of mouth right. Its like my brain says one thing and my mouth says something else. I take anxiety meds, but my Dr doesn't seem to thing I am in real pain. Its good to know I'm not alone with these symptoms. I thought I was going crazy.Read More Read Less

Initially this Drug worked well then I began to have many additional issues from my heart skipping beats, joint pains, shortness of breath, buring in the muscles, to name the problems that bothered me the most. Then there was getting off the Drug, made me very hungry all the time weight gain if I did not control my eating.. I wanted more my stomach tole me to eat but I knew different.. and the worst thing was SHAKES. Doctors told me that there were no issues that what I was feeling was not from the use of the drug, however it seemed that the Doctors that told me this were the same Doctors pushing the Drug. They do not discuss the problems the drug causes of the effects of coming off this drug.Read More Read Less

I am writing a follow up review for this medication, I have had 3 injections of cimzia, and was feeling great, was able to come off methotrexate and then i was hospitalized for inflammation of my intestines. Dr. doesnt think it was related to cimzia but wanted to share this in case anyone else has a similar experience. Doing fine now and still on cimzia.

I have been on Cimzia for eight months now. It has worked very well so far. Certainly not a cure, ut a big help.

VERY EFECTIVE AFTER FOUR DOSES,WEIGHT GAIN WITH EVERY DOSE.I DO FEEL TIRED ALL THE TIME,HAVING SWOLLEN GLANDS TWICE 6WEEKS APART.ABDOMEN BLOATED ,CONSTANT MILD HEART BURN.ZANTAC HELPS SOME WHAT.APPETITE VERY STRONG.THIS DRUG AND ALL THE OTHER DRUGS LIKE THIS ONE EFFECT YOUR WELL BEING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.IN MY CASE I HAVE RASHES ON ARMS AND FARHEAD.NO PAIN NO GAIN.

I tried DMARS and NSAIDs for awhile but kept having to use prednisone. I took a few months of this drug, but its finally working. My fatigue from the RA is almost completely gone. I do feel like a bus hit me the day after injections but its worth it. There is hardly no pain with the shots and very easy to give. No side effects so far

Be EXTREMELY careful with this biologic! After the loading doses 9/1; 9/16 and 9/30 I developed Hives, Lupus-like rash, heart speeding up, anxiety, severe hair loss - almost 50%, extreme fatigue, nausea and no appetite! My Crohn's is about the same as before starting it, if slightly better - but that may be because I really don't feel like eating. Upon contacting my provider with these symptoms several times and requesting alternate treatment, they basically refuse to believe it's the Cimzia and want me to continue on it and participate in the side effects study. No alternative treatment is even being considered. The NERVE! I still have these effects ongoing and it's 10/28/09...I'm filing a MedWatch report with the FDA - and anything else I can do to report my provider because they don't care about me - they just want guinea pigs for their study of this fairly new medication.Read More Read Less

It has not stopped all the crohns from reappearing & the side effects have caused extensive hospital stays

I was diagnosed with Crohns in 1998. I went on Remicade in 99. It stopped working as well so they switched me to Cimzia. My diarrhea has gotten worse and I had to go on Prednisone. I have been on it for 4 months now and I have literally been sick with something (fever) for the last 3 months. I have been tested for everything under the sun and the only thing that makes sense is the Cimzia. My lymph nodes are the size of golf balls and I have a fever of around 100 degrees every day non-stop.