When do you switch medication?

[GingerGirl]

I just did Simponi shot #5 and I think I've been taking it for about 8 weeks now. Still not feeling any better. Anyone know if it could suddenly make me feel better if it has not started working gradually? I just don't see how it could start working now and not when I was taking more of it. I'm now taking it every 4 weeks but the initial loading dose was two shots at once and then at two weeks and four weeks. It just seems like if I was going to respond it would have been when I was taking it more often, right?

I'm just wondering what I should say next week at my check up. If I should stick to it and hope it gets better or if it's not working now should I ask for something else? Any advice? Thanks!

 

[paul11]

I'm pretty sure I've read on here where people have said that their meds. took some time to work . I think everyone is different so if you trust your Gastro I would just ask him/her what they think. For me my crohns symptoms disappeared the second day after the loading dose of 4 shots of Humira. The side effects were another story.(Those came later)

 

[Maya142]

My daughter is one of those people who takes a long time to respond - it took 6-8 months for Humira to work and 4 months before we even saw improvements at all on Simponi. She is still on Simponi (it's been nearly 6 months now) and her Crohn's is now completely under control (but her AS is still a work in progress). She has had no side effects at all!

That said, you should definitely ask your doctor. Hang in there!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I echo the others. Yes, it can take some time to kick in and start working. But, I would say that after 8 weeks of it not kicking in I would make sure to ask your doctor about it. He/She may have some ideas as far as maybe adjusting the dose or what to try.

Please keep us updated on how you're doing!!! Take care.

 

[Maya142]

Cross-stitch gal is right - my daughter actually needed a higher dose of Simponi (twice a month) before it started working.