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Cimzia Injection Side Effects???


Wed, September 08, 2010 8:49 AM

I have Crohn's and my doctor recently switched my treatment to Cimzia Injections.  I just gave myself my third dose this past Friday (2 injections each time).  I will now be on the 4 weeks maintenance as long as it seems to be helping. 

It seems as if a few days after I give myself the injections I start to experience joint (maybe even nerve) pain.  After my previous injections it was my hips.  I could barely walk two days after the injections.  After this past Friday's injections I now have a pain near my lower back that shoots down my right leg when I walk.  I have also been on 40mg of Prednisone since July 23rd to control a bad flare I have been in. 

Has anyone experienced any side effects?  Any comments would be appreciated.

FPO rebeccaou
Joined Oct 26, 2009

Wed, September 15, 2010 1:08 PM

 Reply posted for heidiferg.

Thanks for the response.  That is encouraging news about the Cimzia.  I just started tapering to 30mg of the Prednisone daily on Tuesday so hopefully I will eventually be off of it!  I am anxious to see if the Cimzia is going to get me in some sort of remission. 

I actually see my GI specialist next week.  I will mention to him about the joint pain.  I hope I am not developing a type of arthritis, but if I am, it would be good to know.  I am already being treated for oteoporosis due to the Crohn's.  Because of my age (29) they put me on 50,000 iu of Vitamin D two times per week along with over-the-counter calcium.  The prescriptions for osteoporosis have not been studied enough under a certain age to be considered safe at this time.  I did not really think about whether osteoporosis might attribute to any of my new pain or not.  I have not had this problem before.  I can see it being more of a joint, not bone issue.

Thanks again for your input!  I am glad you have found something that works for you!  I wish that for everyone... 

FPO rebeccaou
Joined Oct 26, 2009

Tue, September 14, 2010 3:25 PM

 Reply posted for rebeccaou.

Hello, I am on Cimzia now and started it while on high doses of prednisone. We always had the question on what was doing the controlling - Cimzia or Remicade. For the last 3 months we have found the Cimzia is in control of everything, however only with the 400mg (so both syringes) every two weeks. I flare if i go 400mg per month. Also on the joint pain - I always have it but I have been diagnosed with imflamatory(sp?) arthiristis brought on by the Crohn's disease. So maybe that is something for you to look into. Doesn't make the pain better  but it at least could explain something for ya!

FPO heidiferg
Joined Aug 18, 2008

Sat, September 11, 2010 9:24 AM

 Reply posted for rebeccaou.

I just started Tacrolimus.  It is has only been about 2 weeks so it has not really kicked in yet.  I'm still on 30mg of Prednisone.

I have been through many different meds so this Tacrolimus is another last resort med.

 

good luck with the Cimzia, I hope it works better for you.  Although being off it now I see it was doing more than I thought.  It was awsome for the pain, if it only kept my bm's in check.

 

 

FPO antonyde
Joined Jan 11, 2009

Thu, September 09, 2010 12:14 PM

 Reply posted for antonyde.

That's the way I was sort of leaning also.  I see my doctor again two weeks from today and hopefully will start tapering off the 40mg of  Prednisone.  I guess that is when I will begin to figure out whether Cimzia is really helping or if the Prednisone has been keeping some of my symptoms at bay.  So far the bathroom trips have gotten better, but my pain seems to still radiate at times, especially during the night. 

I just look forward to not having all of the side effects I am experiencing along with that joint/nerve pain!  What are you being treated with now and does it seem to be working? 

Thanks for your input!

FPO rebeccaou
Joined Oct 26, 2009

Wed, September 08, 2010 9:57 AM

 Reply posted for rebeccaou.

I was on Cimzia for 6 months with no side effects, it did not really work well enough for me although it did a great job with my belly pain it did nothing for my many bm's.

I believe Prednisone is more known to cause joint pain than Cimzia

I started to get knee pain on my taper from 40 to 35

 

good luck

FPO antonyde
Joined Jan 11, 2009

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