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...
As I remember, several of us, including me, started Orencia at about the same time. I saw on RATrooper's thread that she is grossly underwhelmed with it so far. What do we all think?
I'm just about done with my third box, and I'm starting to have a hunch that it just might be beginning to be starting to be thinking about working. I seem to be having a little more energy, and am having at least a few days each week with less ticked-off joints. Best of all, no side effects!
On the other hand, it could just be that the drama queen of a shoulder I #$@?ed up so badly a few weeks ago is screaming so loudly that I can't hear the complaining and whinging from other joints.
I'm just about done with my third box, and I'm starting to have a hunch that it just might be beginning to be starting to be thinking about working. I seem to be having a little more energy, and am having at least a few days each week with less ticked-off joints. Best of all, no side effects!
On the other hand, it could just be that the drama queen of a shoulder I #$@?ed up so badly a few weeks ago is screaming so loudly that I can't hear the complaining and whinging from other joints.
Lin
I know I keep harping on here not to quit till 6 months, but I just want it to work for you guys taking it.
Rarrr go orencia!
But alto about 4 to 6 months for the injections for me to what you could call work for me....
when the orencia did what you could call "kick in" moderate (not great success). extremely moderate.
stubborness meant that I did NOT want to switch to a 4th biologic (Actemra was suggested at the one year mark).
the rheumie had her hands tied, she wanted to try orencia by infusion, as an alternative (some have better success than orencia by injection) on me but the nursing costs were uncovered for the infusion to the tune of $4,000 per year. the self injections were covered 100 percent. my answer was financial.
the number one reason for me personally remaining on Orencia, was the least amount of pneumonias per year on it. period. MTX hosptializesd me for oxygen. and I had too many pneumonias with humira and enbrel. I had the least amount of infections on orencia and moderate response and SOME chest infections.
I realize that this will probably be no one else's reason for remaining on orencia...but in the land of stop and start biologic (for someone who gets frequent pneumonias) this was compelling enough for me to stay on it.
I have just changed insurance and completed a 5 month wait before switching to orencia infusions. I have new insurance now and my infusions are covered on orecnia. I will keep you posted.
I have had nothing in my system for 5 months and that includes no dmards, prednisone, or pain killers. so I am moving very s l o w and the orencia infusion has a herculean task to do. and it better do it :). I am also cleaning up liver enzymes and hoping a lot. :)
good luck with your patient wait. I hope you can finish the third and a 4th box and that you turn the corner.
:)
Depot
I am cheering for you
Depot