Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Wonderful Cimzia

A brief update on my 6 months of Cimzia (Hope this doesn't jinx me) :

On the date of my 5th dose last month, I had noted that the previous shot had seemed to wear off a few days (4-6ish) beforehand. Wondered if it was going to get better. Well, it has gotten better. Happy to say that there didn't seem to be any gap this time when I injected my dose of two shots yesterday .

I've been on all the major biologics available to people with PsA (Remicade, Enbrel, Simponi and Humira previously used). With the exception of Remicade (didn't seem to work at all for me), I've gotten some relief from all. It just doesn't last past 9 months. So my enthusiasm is tempered a bit till I make it past that milestone.

Work is going fairly well and once I went from 10-hr shifts back to 8-hr shifts, it has been okay. Having FMLA coverage is very helpful, too. Thankfully, my current manager now is easier to work with than the previous one. My RF ablation from May has taken away the pain from the SI joint once again .

Had a nice vacation last month (Hawaii) and had some nice times traveling with my husband and mother (who is healthier than either of us). Hubby (who also has PsA) is having a re-operation of his rotator cuff next week. It came undone and then he had an incident while working on a car repair and tore another part of the cuff. Surgeon said there was a slight chance he might not be able to fix it, so there is some stress on hubby right now.

Thank God for my family, my hubby, a good job, good insurance, good doctors and this great forum. Take care, everyone.

Hi. Just started Cimzia last month. Hoping this will start to work soon. I find the shots are painful and doing the 2nd injection is really hard to do since the first one hurts so much. Any injection tips?
Thanks

Glad to hear that Rumble. Glad it seems to be working for you. So glad you had a great trip. Wishing your husband a lot of luck. I had to have two rotator cuff surgeries too.

Take it out from the fridge about an hour before inject it and don t try to do it too fast.
I hope it help

Congrats on the Cimzia! Hope it keeps working well and AS stays at bay.

Tim

LAK, just push the plunger a little at a time. There is a tendency for the fluid to push up a little bit of swelling because of the thickness of the fluid, but if you go slow, your tissues will handle it easier. Make sure you are injecting with the needle at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the skin. I usually give 5-6 separate pushes on the plunger over the course of 30-45 seconds (a guess since I don't time myself). Then switch legs. If you are right handed, it might be easier in the left leg. So if the 2nd one is hardest for you, start on the right leg then do the easier one last. Do you know someone who would be willing to do the injection for you? Hope this helps you. Is the med working for you yet or are you just starting?

That's wonderful! Fingers crossed. I'm currently on my third biologic - Cimzia is next. Hope it works for me as well

Hi Rumble... I will try to push slowly. I find myself anxious to get it over with so I am pushing the plunger the whole time,.I think Cimzia is working since pain is a little better. I find leg area hurts a lot. The stomach area is slightly easier to get needle at 45 degree angle. Appreciate the help

Rumble, it is so good to hear you so upbeat. I loved following your vacation and pictures. I am glad you were able to enjoy it.

I will be thinking of your husband and his upcoming surgery. I hope he can get some relief.

Hugs.

Well, it wasn't too good for him. Cuff (2 tendons torn) couldn't be repaired. Biceps tendon couldn't be repaired and was adapted. Deltoid was repaired. Long road of recovery for him. For those who don't know, he also has PsA. Can't take biologics due to CHF (though CHF is much improved on medication). He is bummed out about it, obviously. Last year he had a single tendon tear in his rotator cuff repaired, but it came loose. Just after having an MRI to see what was going on, he was working on a car repair and a socket wrench broke under torque, which tore all the rest of the damage that couldn't be completely repaired. He had an awesome surgeon, but it just wasn't repairable.