I started Orencia in the summer sometime (i really can't remember when) - after 3 remicade infusions (allergic reaction on number 3) - Orencia is a BREEZE compared to remicade for me. Especially, the time factor - it's less than an hour drip, and I also have very few side effects (headachey or dizzy some days, maybe sweating a bit more the day after) but nothing like I experienced on remicade. I just rest up after the infusion and the next day I'm fine. I've also not had any infusion reactions and they don't pre treat with benadryl like they did with the remicade.

I'm starting to see results, I think. My energy level is up, I just came off a rough few weeks, but not THAT rough as I was able to work each day, etc. I just had to take more medicines to manage.

Keep us posted
(I'm hoping to switch to injectible in the new year)

Hi I was on Orencia for two years and it did me well until it stopped working. It worked well for the time I was on it. The only side effect that I had was that after the infusion my eye sight was blurry when looking at small print so i would have my infusion in the afternoon and go home afterwards. The Rheumatologist also had me stop plaquenil the day before and maybe it did help but I was doing that near the end of my stint with Orencia. from there i went to Simponi for about nine months and it didn't help me at all. Now I am on Cimzia. Still having pain that i why I am up now. I have been on Humira, Rhemicaid, and Enbrel as well. This is what happens sometimes with the biologics is they stop working after a while with some people.

I've been on Orencia 2.5 months. After 6 weeks I started seeing some real improvement in my upper body joints. Still hoping for more improvement.

Only side effect was scratchy throat at beginning of first infusion - now they premedicate with benadryl.

It is great to have no side effects from this drug! And to have it be working. I wish I could take it with MTX, that increases the effectiveness.

I much prefer the infusion to self injection at this point. I don't mind doing injections myself, but I had terrible site reactions. With infusion, no reactions!

PS I have two symptoms that started around the same time as the Orencia, shortness of breath and loss of appetite. My rheumy does not think these are Orencia-related, but I'm not so sure. In any case, they are not severe enough to make me stop taking it.

ohh, xTina's post reminded me of two other side effects that "may or may not be" related to the Orencia - for the first few infusions, I kept getting female infections right afterwards and also canker sores - both did not happen with the last infusion.

Thanks, you guys! It's always scary starting on a new drug, and I really appreciate hearing from others who have already tried this one.
I'm waiting for insurance approval and am hoping to start next week.
Caren

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Tort