Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
At my last appointment, my Rheumy discussed the possibility of switching from my Orencia self injections to Orencia Infusions.
For the first 2 1/2 months I felt fabulous on Orencia. Then the last couple of weeks, I started hurting bad.
He thinks it could be one of two things:
1) Flare - Gave me a tapered round of Prednisone and told me to e-mail with an update
2) Orencia injections aren't a high enough dose for me and we need to do infusions for a dosage that is calculated for my needs
Has anyone else had similar issues with self injection and moved over to Infusions?
Has it helped?
Side effects?
etc.?
For the first 2 1/2 months I felt fabulous on Orencia. Then the last couple of weeks, I started hurting bad.
He thinks it could be one of two things:
1) Flare - Gave me a tapered round of Prednisone and told me to e-mail with an update
2) Orencia injections aren't a high enough dose for me and we need to do infusions for a dosage that is calculated for my needs
Has anyone else had similar issues with self injection and moved over to Infusions?
Has it helped?
Side effects?
etc.?
i have found that injection versus infusion was more a matter of which my insurance was going to cover. when all they would cover was orencia injection, i did orencia by injection (for 2 years) then when the new insurance would only cover orencia infusion i switched over to the orencia infusion. i had no option.
i have found NO difference whatsoever between the injection and the infusion (this is one woman's opinion only, mine :) for orencia.
either way it starts to wear off, what little gains I get at about day 17.
my rheumatologist wants me to switch in spring.
the one good thing about orencia has been only 2 pneumonias in this 2 and 1/2 year period with the last pneumonia and home oxygen 10 months ago, yippee 10 whole months! goddess, what a lung achievement for me :) methotrexate, humira, and enbrel caused more frequent lung infections for me, than orencia. thus I will take what little it gives me (no wheelchair yet) with lungs that work.
but in a perfect world if the insurance gave me the option of sticking myself with orencia or going to get infused with orencia i would self stick in a new york minute as I have no difference in efficacy, none and it takes more time, more vein sticks, and a commute to infuse. needle sticks are like a no biggee brainer to me. infusion is a pain in the ass. i mean either way I am grateful for the medicine.
depot
orencia did not work at all for me in the very beginning until 6 months. you got relief at 8 weeks? good for you.
i also meant to say rheum wants me to consider a switch to rituxan or actemra, no decision which yet, this is for spring she says.
but I have been on orencia about 2 and 1/2 years. give it some time to work I would think the rheumatologist would have also said to you
hope the pred works
depot
The Pred hasn't done anything :( My Rheumy will be back in the office next week so I'll see what he says about either keeping the self-injections or pursuing infusions.
On a positive note, I met my yearly deductible ($3,750) very quickly.
The struggle.
Good luck to you!