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...

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anacortes 07/29/2013

After 9 good years on Enbrel then a short stent with remicade and then humira for a year the dr said lets try orencia.
I am on the injectable, 5th shot this past week.
I also have interstitial cystitis, which Enbrel and humira seem to put in remission.
Since going on orencia the interstitial cystitis is back worst than ever.

I also have gained about 9 pounds since starting the orenica and having very bad hot flashes and some headaches.

My dr says that none of what I am experiencing is a side effect from orencia, yet I read that there are a lot of people that have gained weight.

My joints are better but at what cost/ Bladder pain, headaches and weight gain. NO thank you.
Would love to know if anyone else on the injectable orencia found their side effects lessened over time.
Thank you

Dreamchaser-Linda 07/29/2013

You can switch to infusions. Not sure if there is a difference. I'm on infusions and never gained a pound. I lost weight at first. Only side effects are fast heart beat, the firsts few days, and I get sinuses once in a while.
I do get the hot flashes, but that is from pain pills. No matter what kind, they always give me hot flashes.

Lin

deleted_user 07/30/2013

I was also on orencia injections. They did not work well for me, gave me the shakes and twitching...and yes hot flashes like crazy! I gave it ample time, but continued to have side effects. I've tried all the biologics as well. I had the best relief from Simponi. I was on it for 2 years. Have you tried that yet? Easiest shots tool
Hope you feel better...
Joanie

kkak 07/30/2013

I'm new on Orencia too. I've had hot flashes while on Humira and now on Orencia. I didn't know that the medications could be the cause. i thought it must be menopause. I'm hoping that's the case because they sure make it hard to sleep. I don't want to have to try to find another RA med. Hope you are feeling better soon.

deleted_user 07/30/2013

KKAK,
I am in peri-menapause and Orencia made the hot flashes work. I can tell you that I use a product called SoyCare and when I use it twice daily, the hot flashes are gone. You can find it at drugstore.com

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