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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Orencia

ncgranny62
ncgranny62
I had my first Orencia infusion today. It only took 30 minutes. My second infusion will be in two weeks. Y'all cross your fingers for me that I can take this drug with no allergic reactions! My rheumy says it will take about 3 months for it to work. If I get through this with no reactions, we will add Arava to my regimen of RA drugs. We don't want to add both Orencia and Arava at the same time because if my body reacted we would not know which drug was the cause.

Anyway, with my history of allergies, please send good thoughts Heaven-bound that I have success with Orencia. I would surely appreciate it.

I am positive this is going to work. I am positive this is going to work..........

Smiles//Frances
Dreamchaser-Linda
Dreamchaser-Linda
Finger crossed, toes crossed, i hope it works for you. I did get a flare this month, in my hand, but it is the only one I have gotten, since getting on orencia. And Im pretty sure it was my fault, I skipped my mtx a couple of weeks. I am positive for you to, just remember it's slower, but wow it's good stuff when it starts working. The fatigue is the first thing you notice going away.

Lin
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Lin, thanks for the encouragement. I need it. I am praying that this is "the one."

Funny how old age changes things. "The one" used to mean a man--now it means a drug to help make me feel better from RA. Lol.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Praying it all works well. I haven't had the extent of allergic reactions as you have, but after I was allergic to remicade, I got a little spooked about all of them - but next was orencia and I've been on it for about 14 or 15 months now and no problems! (I also take it with Arava, been on that for 3 years). Please remember it does start slower (my dr told me to expect nothing for six months), but I've found while it doesn't make things perfect for me, it makes them much better than anything else I've tried (mtx, enbrel, humira, remicade, arava (alone)).

Good luck!!!

Tort
deleted_user
deleted_user
Dreamchaser..................did the Orencia also stop the PAIN?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Keep me informed - I'm supposed to start Orencia as soon as it gets approved by my insurance - hopefully at my next appointment, otherwise I'll get one more treatment of the Remicade before starting and then start Orencia next month.

Also, on a side note, you're all talking about taking Arava with the Orencia. My doctor prescribed me Arava to take with the Remicade but I've never been able to take it because pharmacies where I am aren't able to get it in. I live in PA. Is anyone else having that problem? I can't help wondering if that medication would make a difference in how crappy I feel.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I have now taken my 6th injection of orencia, I too am one of "those" allergic and react VERY badly to all the meds out there, but so far, so good. Have noticed that I get a headache most times afterward, a couple of back aches and after ward I find I am really sleepy right after the injection, have you noticed any of those? I hope it works, does take awhile to kick in but noticing that in the morning it is easier to move, can now get into shower after 2 coffees instead of 4 hours, I take morphine to help with the rest of pain, might mention that to your rumey, good luck.
phandbj
phandbj
Yes yes praying this works for you! I have been allergic to some and had bad reactions to some so the doctor is detoxing me for 2 months.
I was thinking of trying Orencia next. You will be able to tolerate this!
:-). Prayers and hugs
Dreamchaser-Linda
Dreamchaser-Linda
The pain is what takes the longest. It took 6 months to feel total effects. It took my inflammation down a lot, so when that gets better, the pain gets better. I still take one pain pill a day, etodolac, but I'm 75% better. the stiffness is down to 20 minutes. RA killed my knees, i am bone to bone, because it took so long to find the right bio, so I'm sure if I got new knees, I would be 90% pain free.
The other pain is from feet, and sometimes hand. But I am very happy with orencia. I couldn't walk or pull my pants up, now I garden and get out more, and have fun!

Lin
Lifeis2short
Lifeis2short
Good luck Frances! It's supposed to be a great medication!! Have a wonderful night!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Best wishes to you Frances that this is the one. My rheumy just told me that he would not put me on any dmard because my liver numbers go up too quickly as they did on methotexrate. if my Ra gets worse, Orencia is the only thing left. So I hope it works for you. Please keep us updated.

Hopefully, you will feel better as each day goes by even if the full extent of relief isn't for a few months.

How are you doing on cutting back on prednisone? I think that is one of the hardest meds to cut back on. Once you can get off that you will feel a lot better.

Start making a list of all the things you want to do after your RA pains get better. Good Luck!
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Thanks to everybody for your support.

Wendy, I'm down to 10 mgs right now on the prednisone. And 20+ pounds of prednisone fat. My PCP has weight counseling at his med center and I've started attending to try and get some support in getting rid of this weight. I'm tired of constantly buying larger sizes of clothing. Lol. The lesions on my hands and feet are almost completely gone so we think the reaction is mostly behind me. I'll keep you informed on how the Orencia does. I know it is slower acting but I don't have many left to choose from since I'm allergic to all TNF's.

//Frances.
deleted_user
deleted_user
its going to work!! Hugs and well wishes to u!
ITS GOING TO WORK!!
xoxo MLC.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've got 20 pounds plus prednisone fat too....boohoo
Mine all went to my belly :o( I look like a watermelon middle!
I think prednisone weight is extra hard to lose too :o(
Dreamchaser-Linda
Dreamchaser-Linda
There is a very big plus to orencia, you lose weight!

Lin
ncgranny62
ncgranny62
Lin, did you say you lose weight on Orencia? My, my...that would certainly be a big plus!

And yes, Mustlovecats, my weight counselor says that weight that is caused by medications is the most difficult to lose so if Orencia helps out with the weight loss in addition to the RA, I will be one happy Granny.

Hugs to you all.