Orencia Success | Arthritis Information

 

Good Morning Everyone! I am researching infusion drugs due to the fact that I have had no success with Enbrel or Humria. My doctor told me at my last visit the next step would be infusion drugs.

I would love to hear your experience with Orencia. Did it work for you, how long did it take to start working and how long did it continue to work. Is this the next drug in line if Enbrel and Humria fail? I will not try to tell my RD how to treat me, I just want to be educated about my choices when I go to my appointment.

I am sending you warm hugs and warm wishes for a less painful day!

TBPFA- I'm curious. When you say you have had no success with Enbrel & Humira do you mean you are still in terrible pain to the point of pain medicine has to be taken and works or does not work or you don't feel as good as you would like to? I am on Perecet 10 four times a day as well as lortab 7.5 three times a day. I have not been able to work for the past 3 and 1/2 weeks. I do not sleep due to pain some days can not eat b/c hands hurt so bad. Running a fever and swollen due to inflamation.

My RA is totally out of control and know that RD will want start infusions and I just want to educate myself on them so I can have some concept of what he will be speaking about.I took Orencia and had some improvement with it, although not what I'd call "working".  It took about 3 months to see the improvement, but after 6 months I developed a sinus infection (despite Orencia being touted as less likely to cause infections than other biologicals) and the infection lasted 6 months.  When I was able to take a biological again, my doctor and I decided to try Simponi to see if that would work better for me, but before I saw any improvement, another sinus infection set in.  (BTW, I'm seeing a specialist about the sinuses in a few weeks).

 

If you decide to start Orencia, ask your doctor if you can get the infusions at home with a visiting nurse.  They may want the first one done in the hospital to make sure there are no reactions, but after that the infusions generally only take about 1/2 hour or so, and feeling as you do I'm sure it would be much easier to have them come to you.

 

I hope you find some relief soon!

Yeah- it sure sounds like you need to try something else to me. I don't have any success stories to share but want to wish you well with it.  I'm so sorry you're in this bad condition.  InnerGlow - great idea about requesting a visiting nurse.  So glad I opened this thread.

I've switched from Enbrel to Humira and so far not much success.  I feel good for four days after the inject - two weeks apart?  At the end of the month is next RD appointment and she said be prepared to discuss Orencia and Rituxan.  I'm inclined to skip right to Rituxan.
Green~Tara2009-10-14 11:41:49When I read posts like these- that's when I really question the need for me to start Enbrel or Humira I have just completed my first month of Orencia infusions and I love it!  I felt better the day after my first infusion.  I am pain and swelling free and feel better than I have in years.  I was never on Humira or Enbrel.  My doctor wanted me to start a biologic and she said I could do the research and choose one, since they all work differently for everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. It really helps to know what works for some and how well.

Once again thanks.
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