Generic Name: Simponi (golimumab)
Simponi Reviews
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My wife was administered Simponi infusions. Prior to the infusions, she was a healthy, active lady. She suffered from RA which was addressed with methotrexate and prednisone. Then she was switched to Simponi. She started exhibiting all the side effects of this drug. She deteriorated very fast. Today she's lying in an ICU fighting for her life. Doctors claim the major contributor to her ailing health was the Simponi. Its effects are irreversible. So, if you intend to go on this drug, please research it and be very carefully monitored. It creeps on you and could kill you. It has turned my wife from a healthy, active working woman to physically and mentally incapacitated. Even if she pulls through this ICU nightmare, we have years of recovery, if any. It is a shame these kinds of drugs are allowed. Even if it affects/kills/handicaps one person, it should be removed from the shelf."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After my wife was taking Simponi for about a year under the direction of her arthritis doctor, she came down with a rare neurological condition called CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) where she became almost totally paralyzed. I think that the drug Simponi is very dangerous to take and she still can't walk after 2 years after stopping the drug. She has to take infusions of IVIG gamma globulin every third week to rebuild her nerves after the erosion of the myelin of the nerves took place. This is a very serious side effect that no one has addressed. I am sure that others have had this side effect hit them from taking Simponi. We have spent over $200,000 in medical expenses toward my wife's recovery and will take at least 1 to 2 more years for her to recover."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a male, age 28, with RA. I was diagnosed with RA at age 23. I suffer pain primarily in my toes. For a newly married athlete at age 23, the pain from RA and the thought of living the rest of my life crippled with pain took a huge toll on me. I felt ashamed as a man and as a husband/potential father. Fortunately, I have had great doctors work hard to help me get well. I have been on Plaquenil, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, Enbrel, Cimzia, and Simponi. Each med had some positive results, but some had harsh negative side effects too. Like many of us, I want to be on as little medicine as possible, but still manage my pain. Simponi has solved my riddle. I am so pleased to be pain-free and on only 1 med now - Simponi. Thank you!"
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started Simponi approximately 1 year ago. I was first on methotrexate for about a year, but developed a really bad cough and scarring on lungs. I was then put on Remicade, which took away every pain I had, but on the third infusion, I had an allergic reaction so I had to be taken off. Now I am on Simponi and by the third infusion, I have had no pain at all and no side effects. I am on Medicare, which pays for 80%, and my UHC pays the 20%... so I feel really lucky."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Was on Humira for 11 years, which stopped working. Enbrel, horrible reaction. Started Simponi in April. It took about 2 months to kick in, but now working great! Sleeping better than ever, have only had 2 days of minor pain. Only thing that is still challenging is the fatigue. Very happy with results and love the once a month injection."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Simponi since 11/09. Took a couple of months to kick in, and seems to wear off about the 3 1/2 weeks. Best results I have ever had. Did not use with Methotrexate due to had neuropathy symptoms when I take Methotrexate. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years and I am 55 years old, been on every RA medicine, Simponi is the best for me."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My rheumatoid arthritis developed about three years ago and was very severe, very debilitating. Walked at a tortoise pace, couldn't do anything around the house. I've now been on Simponi (golimumab) prefilled syringes for almost that long, in conjunction with weekly injections of methotrexate, 4 tablets of Pyralin, and one Plaquenil daily, and really feel back to my old (now nearly 70) self. Can walk, chop wood, even play nine holes of golf again."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was also hit hard with rheumatoid arthritis in 2011. Tried prednisone, followed by methotrexate pills, Arava, and others, nothing helped. In 2012, I was put on Humira, which helped a lot for a few months, but not enough. Since January 2013, I use Simponi along with 0.8 ml methotrexate injections, and it has given me back my quality of life. After 1 1/2 years, I could bend my pinky finger again, wow! For me, the change was subtle but very effective. I tried alternative meds, etc., after being diagnosed and didn't want to take this route, but honestly, I cannot live without it. For me, it works, it's a miracle."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Simponi had been the first biologic that has worked for my very active JRA (diagnosed 48 years ago). I tried every biologic available, Simponi was the first medication to work within hours for my severe symptoms at the time, with no side effects. I have been using Simponi for 8 months. I pray it continues working."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had RA since 1987 and tried pretty much every drug and biologic out there. After a few weeks on Simponi (2011), I swore that I was completely cured of my RA. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not give financial assistance to people on Medicare, so I had to get off the best drug that ever worked and have been deteriorating ever since. Shame on Johnson & Johnson for not having compassion on patients who can't afford their drug. BIG DRUG COMPANIES!!!"
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Simponi since five years ago. The medicine has been a miracle. I did notice the effect only after one or two weeks. After five years, I have started to have increased pain, and I think the effect of the medicine is losing. However, Simponi has changed my life completely. From hard attacked by Bekterew, I have now been running and cycling (100 km) competition for many years."
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was almost wheelchair-bound, every joint in my body inflamed, and lots of pain walking. Psoriasis was flaring too all over. The day I took my first shot, I could feel the joints loosening and pain lessening. Within 6 months, I was virtually pain-free and completely mobile. 2 years now, and I am riding my bike 25 miles a day, and combined with light treatment, my skin is 90% clear."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking Simponi in November of 2013. I got full use of one hand back and about 80% on the other in 4 days. I was diagnosed in 2002 and disabled by 2003. I've used Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade, all with some success, but I continued to get worse. The infusion wears off around 5 to 6 weeks. This last infusion of Simponi was my best yet. My next infusion is tomorrow, 6/23/14. I really need it too."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Was ready to retire from teaching from the pain and tiredness from difficulty walking from RA. Simponi gave me my life back. Reduced immune system from RA meds given as reason for Legionnaires' disease, but benefits far outweigh any negatives. At 7:00 AM, about to go on an extended world trip."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started Simponi in November last year. I started noticing a rash on my face, but I never related it to the use of the med. Two weeks ago, my dermatologist told me I have this weird reaction called mucinosis, which, when not treated properly, can lead to lymphoma. I was feeling awesome with Simponi so far, because the pain of my RA was gone, but now I just don't want to use it anymore."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine for my RA for several years. I have now received 2 infusions of Simponi, with my third one at the end of 11/16. The only improvement I saw was after the first infusion, which helped with my stiffness. I am still suffering from the pain and returning stiffness. Also, my feet are really bad now. Does Simponi just not work for some people?"
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Simponi for 4 months now. Just took my 4th dose. I love it. It just plain works. No swelling at all now. I work daily, on my feet, with my hands, bending, lifting etc. Pain free is the way to be. I switched from Humira to Simponi. Humira worked well, but had some minor side effects. The Humira 'pen' just plain hurts. So I used the prefilled syringes of Humira. The Simponi 'pen' works great!! Painless, fast and easier to use. It allows you to hold it in your fist and squeeze to activate. It is a light squeeze, so no difficulty in using it. At least for me. It took a couple days to notice any effects, but all were positive. Doctor visits have been very good...."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a mid to severe RA patient. I have RA for about 4.5 years. I was quickly diagnosed. Less than 6 months, I was prescribed Simponi. In Canada, my doctor got me lined up for Simponi, and once I started, they will give it to me free of charge. The drug company pays for it. I am very lucky. I have been in remission since I started it 4 years ago."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was hit hard with rheumatoid arthritis in March 2012 and practically disabled by May. I couldn't tolerate methotrexate or Enbrel due to reactions. I started Simponi in October with 20 mg Arava. It has given me my life back! I literally don't hurt at all most days! After nine months, I did develop a bad case of palmar plantar psoriasis as a side effect. Yet, I still want Simponi! That's how much it's improved my quality of life. The pens are easy to use and don't hurt compared to Enbrel. I've had no other reactions besides a shaky feeling on the first month only."
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I had been taking methotrexate for almost a year with moderate results. My skin cleared almost 80%, and my joints improved approximately 60%, however, each time I took my medication, I felt really ill for 48 hours afterwards. It was depressing. Anyway, my rheumatologist recommended Simponi. Having read the side effects, etc., I was a little apprehensive about taking Simponi, but after meeting with the Simponi nurse, I decided to go with it. After two shots (2 months), I felt a big difference, my joints were no longer stiff, and I was almost pain-free. After the fourth shot, my skin has cleared to 95%, and I have no stiffness in my joints. It really is working for me."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am 65 with RA and have been on 8 different biologics. Now on Simponi, doing well. Methotrexate gave me interstitial fibrosis, another drug, a DVT. They all come with a price, physically and financially, but quality of life versus quantity... I choose quality. It's good to read others' experiences, it helps..."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) for 49 years. I have tried every biologic there is, and Simponi has been the first drug to work for me within a few hours. I take Simponi and self-inject every 2 weeks, I also take a low dose of prednisone. I was diagnosed at age 6, have many replaced joints, and still some active joints with severe RA. I have been on Simponi for 18 months now. Even though I have never had a remission, my symptoms have been the most controlled on this drug! :) Pray it keeps working this well."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking Simponi 4 days ago after a very severe flare-up. I am 54 years old and have had rheumatoid arthritis for 29 years. I was pretty much incapacitated with the pain. Two days ago, I was able to resume my normal household chores and feel so much better! I really hope the effectiveness continues."
For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis now for the last five years. I'm now 40 years old, and it started to hit me quite hard after the age of 18 and started treatment on Humira at 35 first. Slack medical advice and thinking that I was fully cured, I stopped my treatment within 3 months. My AS came back very strong as I was now working out 5 days a week in the gym. In Australia, if you don't keep blood checks and things within certain times, they strike you from the assistance, hence, my specialist has now put me on Simponi, and all I can say is WOW. This stuff works and works well. I did notice very small signs of AS in the 4 weeks, which disappeared on the next injection. I found I had been given a new chance to live a normal life."
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am 59...diagnosed with RA at 53. Started with Methotrexate for 6 months, added Enbrel...worked great for 4 years and then nothing worked for more than a couple months. I just started first ever IV infusions in doctors office. Simponi Aria and also still on Methotrexate. First dose in Feb, 4 weeks later 2nd dose in March - nothing! Can’t walk on my feet and can’t use my hands. Worse shape I have been in. Had the3rd dose is this first week of May 2020. Both my RA doctor and my regular doctor say don’t give up and that we need 4 doses to see if this medicine will work. I am hanging in there but life is passing me by right now. After 34 years as an Analyst at a Hospital who works on spreadsheets all day I am on a leave while we see if this Simponi Aria is going to help me. I am HOPEFUL!"
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