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Anyone doing Simponi Aria infusion?
I began having autoimmune problems following the Covid vaccine. I was initially put on oral methotrexate, prednisone and sulfasalazine. I was then switched to self injected methotrexate, along with the other 2 meds. Because of side effects from the methotrexate, I had to discontinue it. It is being recommended that I start infusions of Simponi Aria. Anyone have experience with the Simponi Aria infusion? It’s a bit nerve racking not knowing what to expect.
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I'm so sorry that you aren't well.
I was on simponi aria for a pre-Covid autoimmune disease.
I had been on a lot of similar medications for years before using it.
The manufacturer has a really good website for patients. I suggest you go there. It will give you accurate information and a lot of detail. Just google symponi aria- infusion.
Hope it helps you!
I just done one injection at dr office last month. It did ok. Only one of liver enzime slightly was raise. Have some rashes but don't know if is related.
I was on Simponi Aria infusions for several months until I moved two hours away from my rheumatologist/infusion center. I was then put on Simponi injections, which haven't worked as well, so my new rheumatologist is going to try to get the infusions authorized again with insurance. I had no adverse reactions with the infusions but do have an injection site rash with the injections.
@annewoodmayo
I am wondering if you are required to take Methotrexate while getting Simponia Aria infusions? I believe my insurance is requiring me to take it despite the fact that it was ineffective when I took it alone and it caused hair loss!
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1 Reaction@cruiser1
Hi! Contact your doctor's office to be certain. It's a legitimate question. I'm pretty sure that you should NOT have to take the methotrexate with the SAria. I did not have to. Recently I read on the Arthritis Foundation website that the most current recommendation for rheumatologists is to try to avoid multiple medications if possible.
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1 Reaction@cruiser1
Anne here again. I forgot something. Your insurance company may have a policy that a patient must try methotrexate BEFORE they will start to pay for Simponi Aria. My doc calls it "fail before play." The patient has to try the cheaper medication (methotrexate) before the insurance company will pay for the more expensive medication (Simponi Aria). Maybe that's where the confusion came from? 🙂
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1 Reaction@annewoodmayo Thanks for your responses! Apparently the insurance is using a study that showed SAria was more effective when combined with methotrexate when treating moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Since my AI disease, Relapsing Polychondritis, is so rare, the rheumatologists use the protocol for treating RA which I have very mildly. If I had psoriatic arthritis, I wouldn't have to take Methotrexate! I am realizing how crazy our health care and health insurance really is! 🙂
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1 Reaction@cruiser1 I forgot to mention that I have taken methotrexate twice before with no improvement in symptoms and some loss of hair when I stopped taking it! That's why I really don't want to take it again! 🙂
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1 Reaction@cruiser1 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Looks like you got some good answers! The members here are great and will always try to answer your questionss
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