First Orencia Infusion | Arthritis Information

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Had first Orencia infusion on Monday and all went well.  The entire procedure was actually very easy....just an IV in my arm.  The amount of Orencia is determined by your weight.  In my case, the infusion nurse mixed two vials of Orencia and one vial of saline solution together and it was administed, along with a regular bag of saline solution.  The actual infusion took about 30 minutes and was given at my doctor's office.  There were three other patients getting infustions at the same time  (different meds).

My next infusion will be on the 19th.  (I took my last Enbrel injection about eight days before.  My RA doctor said there is now no need to wait more than a week before starting Orencia.)  The hope is that after 3-4 months of Orencia, I'll be able to get off Methotrexate.  I'm supposed to be taking 10 mg, but I cut it down to 7.5 as the Methotrexate makes me feel so tired and drug out.   (I'll let them know when I go in on the 19th.)
 
It is a relief to have the decision made, receive the first treatment and to move on.  Just thought there may be someone out there going through the same thing!
 
Sharon
Hey Sharon.....hope this does the trick :)  Keep us posted.Glad to hear it went well. It is a pain during these loading doses having to keep going back. But, once you are on the monthly schedule it isn't so bad.

Hope you get off the mtx. I have been trying....not there yet. But, I am off the pred :)Sharon, I'm glad everything went well.  I just had my 3rd infusion (one month mark) and the massive swelling in my ankles has gone down.  I'm trying to manage my hopes though, because the same improvement happened when I started Rituxan, but then nothing more.  Hopefully this will work better for us!Sharon I'm glad you explained how the 'infusion' was done.  I've never heard of this method being used in our country for RA and have been wondering what it was about 
 
Glad yours is not 2 hours.
 
Hope it helps you to get off the MTX.
 
Keep us posted!
i HOPE IT WORKS WELL AND SOON!Thank you all so much for your good wishes.  It is certainly all of our goals to reduce the amount of meds we take!  Yet....we have to remain thankful that the choices are out there!  I wish all of you improved health and soon!  Thanks again...it really helps to vent to people who are going (or have been through) the same thing.
 
Sharon
Innerglow....I sure hope you can get off the Methotrexate.  Just getting off Prednisone has got to make you feel hopeful.  I'll be thinking of you and hoping Orencia will do the trick!  It's good to hear that you are so  much better after one month.  I know how you feel about getting your hopes up....it's hard not to be looking for improvement even after just a few days.  I have to  keep remembering that this disease has so many ups and downs, even if meds remain the same.   Only time will tell if it's going to make a lasting difference.   Take care and keep us posted!
 
Sharon
Innerglow....Sorry I mixed you up with Rocckyd who is trying to get off methotrexate.  Guess I've been reading too many posts!  SharonRocckyd....Good luck with getting off the Methotrexate!!  It will definetly be great when  the loading doses are over!  Keep us posted on  how you're doing.      SharonWe keep trying. I have been Orencia since Oct. We did decrease the mtx to 15mg but I am back up to 20mg. We are going to try the decrease again over the summer since I'll have a break until the next school year.


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