Update on my experience with Simponi after 3.5 months -
Started January 2014 with the 3 loading doses of 200 mg and then moved to 100 mg bi-weekly. It definitely helped, but was still getting break through symptoms just before and after injections, which is also what happened to me with Humira.
Decided at the end of March to do a "short course" of Pred to try to get me over the hump and into remission, as CRP was still at that time. Did two weeks at 40mg, and tapering 5 mg every two weeks. Now at 25 mg of Pred.
Did my Simponi injection on Monday and still having more D and a little more pain than I want. Saw GI yesterday and have moved Simponi to every 10 days and going to keep tapering the pred.
I think we both feel that it is not working for me, but wanting to give it the best try we can before we make the leap to Stelara, which is pretty much my last option.
I wasn't terribly confident that Simponi would work for me given my response to Remicade at the beginning of 2013 and how Humira also didn't work, but it was worth a try for sure. I am happy to answer any questions anyone has about Simponi. Your dosing may differ as they haven't figured out standard dosing for Crohn's yet.