Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Simponi losing efficacy.... :/

Hi KA ers.. I've been on Simponi now for close to a year.. worked great at first.. Blood work down to normal or below, minimal pain and fatigue but the last couple of months it has been wearing off and now i'm back to new pain in new areas, freezing up etc etc.. Basically the monster is back. Any ideas about bio's and long term efficacy? Sorry I haven't been around and now looking for help.. feel like a twat doing so. Thanks. R.

Aw, I wouldn't feel bad for coming around when you need it. I do the same thing. When I feel good I notice I don't come around as much and when I need support I come here for -support and new ideas.
I can't help much with the meds. I did try remicade 2 times and then it gave me a bad heart reaction during an infusion. Try the NSD while you figure out what you are going to do ,it definately helps me with the pain.Hope you feel better soon.

Hey thanks. Yeah it has been like that ... pretty good the last year and busy and working again.. Had no time to think about the AS actually. But i'm having a reality check now. See the rheumy in a month so will be interesting to see what the blood tests show.. will keep posted on the simponi situation.. thanks..

I know for a fact that if you are taking these for AS you have to take it with methetraxate. The molecule is open and has no protection from being attacked by your body. If you take the methetrxate you will see an improvement big time. Enbrel and Cimzia are the only two that you do not have to take methetraxate.

With Simponi they ran trials with MTX and without MTX and saw no difference in effectiveness or in antibody preoduction. The makers of Simponi don't even recommend MTX to be used with Simponi for AS based on those trials. Says right on the literature I get in every packet

Simponi was designed to reduce the chances of developing antibodies to it.

I have been on Simponi for almost three years now and NO MTX. Doc says not needed and that is it more a recommendation for RA.

I'm on mtx... in oz you have to take it together with simponi to qualify for pbs subsidy (medicare). Only bio i haven't had is remicade. I'm expecting my bloodwork to be elevated, It's not critical right now but does feel like its coming back... pain and mobility wise. Has Simponi stayed good for you drizzit? Do you still get flares?... Thanks..

Yes simponi has been great for my son and me. It has kept us almost in remission for 3 years now. my CRP went from 8.5 to .2 and stayed there. At first it only lasted about 25 days or so but when I put the NSD diet on it I get about 40 - 45 days of relief with each shot now. Could also have been that over time the simponi has built up in my system and it is lasting longer as well.

I hope it is just a minor flare for you and it settles back down. I love the only once a shot dosing of Simponi. One reason I choose it given how much I travel.

How does Simponi do for psoriatic arthritis? Curious since I've just been diagnosed with psoriasis. Being HLA-B27 positive, wonder how this will be to my rheumy who somehow has me coded as having RA even though all my RA tests are negative (RF, anti-CCP).

Sorry to hear that you are still have flares. I am on Enbrel and Mtx. And I still flare but no where near to the level as before. It,s like it has taken the edges off, made life more livable. But hasn't touchd the hip and periphery pain...Rehumi says it won't....

Does Simponi work better? how about headaches?....

Thx. Laurel

I had patches of psorisis before simponi and it all cleared up immediately. I think once the inflammation calms down the body is less stressed and other problems recover. I was on embrel for a month but had allergic reaction and major headaches. Same with humira. Haven't had any probs with simponi though.. it has overall been a life saver.. doing much better even with minor flares. :-)