User Reviews for Orencia (with maltose) intravenous

I've had RA for about 22 years and have tried everything. Enbrel lasted 2 years, Remicade lasted 6.5 years!! However, joint destruction has continued. I was very healthy on Remicade but after 2 infusions of Orencia I have had serious infections. First a tooth abstract, then an infection in my right foot. The One joint that is better is my left wrist!! I am undergoing foot surgery at this time and am taking time off of Orencia. Do not know what to think??

I am 16 and i start orencia in about a week. i dont want to get fat and have my hair fall out

Have had RA about 4 yrs. Tried Humira and Enbrel; didn't work. Remicade worked, then stopped. Started Orencia about 2 years ago and it has been a miracle for me. With it and pain meds I have my life back. Before, it was a struggle to walk; couldn't hardly use my hands. Now most people would think I am "normal" Only I know about my pain. I have my knees drained 2-3 times a year. Side effects; aggravating headache; dry skin; Weight Gain (yes it bothers me, but I choose it over severe pain); fatigue; red dots some pimple-like on my face; ringing in ears. BP is very good!! But like I said, I have my life back with some restraints; but not constant, disabling pain. I am very blessed and hope you will be if you try Orencia. Don't be afraid, it might work work you. Read More Read Less

I have been on Orencia for over 6 months now. I have noticed a change in my symptons. My levels have all come down. I have even come off of prednisone. Which I am happy about. I still have a lot of swelling in my ankles and my knee hurts a lot. So I almost believe it is something more then RA.

I am on Orencia for 11 month now. First 9 month I felt much better, stiffness and pain were manageable. The only thing is: I was always thin and now I am 25 pd heavier. My RA Dr tells me that she did not see anyone gaining weight on this drug, but I do not believe. I met so many people who complain about same thing. And because I gained so much weight I developed high BP. I had to say good bye to 90/60 (for all 55 years) and now I am 165/100 for most of the time. Plus, for the last 3 month I developed bad side effects: sore throat, thrush, severe sweating,swollen glands, dizziness, severe pains all over my body especially my legs, hands and feet. I am very unhappy about this treatment and will definitely ask my DR to switch me to something else. I was on Enbrel shots, they did not make me sick, but did not help at all. I was also on Prednisone + Meth. I was sick, but at least I did not gained any weight, in fact I lost. My Dr says that i have to choose if I want to feel better or worry about my weight. I think this is wrong, because having high BP from gaining weight is a killer for me, I have heart condition. So what good does it do to me if instead of RA only, I also get other health issues from it? The whole situation is very disappointing to me. Sorry, I wish to give you better news, but i believe we come here to get right information so I am honestly give you my personal opinion. All the best to all of you!Read More Read Less

I was on Orencia by now for 11 month. First 7 month I did feel better, no doubt although I gained a great amount of weight. I do not believe my Dr when she says that you don't gain weight from it. I eat very little, move same as always, no way I can gain this much in short period of time. But the last 3 month I am suffering with more pain especially the first 4-6 days after the treatment. The first 2 days I hardly can eat or move at all, I don't know if this worth to take anymore. I am totally disappointed in this drug and wouldn't use it again. For all above reasons. Thank you and feel better all!Read More Read Less

This drug worked for me just fine. But it DID cause weight gain - for ME. I gained a pound a month, every month that I was on it. Now that I'm off Orencia, I have lost five pounds in eight months. The doctors can explain it away any way they want. The drug causes weight gain FOR SOME PEOPLE. It did for me.

HELP IM LOSING MY HAIR, AND HAVE SCERICOUS, AND MOUTH SORES. ARE THESE SIDE AFFECTS?

Instead of this drug helping me; it has hurt me. I have pain in my legs and feet. My blood pressure is always too high. I have had a Sinus Infection for about 3 months that I cannot get rid of no matter what antibiotic I am given. This medication has been a great disappointment to me.

I've had two infusions of Orencia. I dont feel better at all. I feel somewhat worse in a different way. I keep getting pains through my legs and hands. After infusion I was very sick to my stomach. And during the infusion I kept getting terrible pains all over my body. So far I'm waiting for a positive reaction! I have been on Enbrel, Humira, Remicade and large doses of Methotrexate which I can no longer take because of its adverse reaction

Just started orencia month and half ago. I have had energy, and less pain. I tried Humira and it worked some at first, but the injections were painful. I was very fearful of the infusion cause I hate IV's but just last weekend, I walked a little over a mile with my family. I haven't been able to do that since I have diagnosed over a year ago. Life has been restored back to me. I will CONQUER this disease. I will not allow it to rule my life anymore. Remission here I come. :-)

I am 55 years old, was Diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. Was on Methrotixate (sp?) for 5 month, did not work for me at all; instead was making me so ill, I couldn't eat and got bad case of anemia and also lost my hair. Than I went on Ebrel shots and tried them for 4 month, but did not get any relieve. I am on Prednisone for 2 years, on low doses at this point. After starting Orencia I felt good after about 4th treatment. Even though I have to travel once a month to NYC, I don't mind to do it because it working for me! Finally I can walk better, have less pain, have more strength. I was very worry about gaining weight. My wonderful Rheumy explained to me that Orencia doesn't make people gaining weight. It's our overall tiredness and pain prevents from moving and being more active. In some people pain causing depression and depression well known for causing overeating. I am not a Dr by any means, but I think she is right. I did not gained any weight even though i am on high doses of Orencia plus Prednisone. Maybe cutting calories and become as active as we can may help with weight gain? I wish to have the answer. But this is my experience with Orenica IV infusions. Best of luck to all of you as well!Read More Read Less

this treatment is awsome. I love drugs.

I have been using Orencia for over two year; it has been a wonderful drug for me and I have experienced no side effects. For the most part my RA pain and fatique have disappeared. Now, today, advised by my infusion center, that Noridian is suspending medicare coverage for the drug, while they review it. Don't know what that is about, but nothing else has worked very well for me.

I am a Registered Nurse diagnosed in 7/08. and have been on Enbrel, Humira, MTX(unable to take because of liver damage) Prdenisone 60mg/day for 4 weeks and was crippled and flaring for the last 3 monthss and unable to move or do daily activities. Started Orencia 1 mo ago and will receive my 3rd dose in a week. I have had a great change in my symptoms, back at work, no side effects accept headache. I have gained 8 pounds, not since Orencia but also on high doses of Prednisone for 3 months. I have a moon face but I am encouraged by the results of Orencia. I hope to be weaned from my Prednisone and will not have the severs flare up I have experienced. I feel these treatments are so individual. I thank God I can get out of bed each day! Time will tel, and hopefully i will continue this drug with minimal side effect. Thought I would never be able to function again. Read More Read Less

I'm so very thankful for this drug. I was on methotrexate(shot) but after 6 month all my hair fell out & it wasn't working I still had alot of imflamation in my hand, but after one month of infusion of orencia, I don't have as much inflamation or swelling.

I have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and started Orencia when it first came out. By the second infusion my pain was gone, my energy returned and the damage stopped getting worse. The medicine may be more effective for people like me who have both RA and SLE. I haven't had any infections and don't get sick. I have gained some weight (from size 2 to size 4). I am trying to get it to level off since I can work out now. People just starting it should watch their diet and start a workout program as soon as their symptoms improve! My only complaint is that it requires an IV. I am a business executive and it is hard to carve out the time every month.Read More Read Less

I stopped using Orencia five months ago. I had been on it for two years and gained twenty pounds - had ALWAYS been thin. The good news is I haven't gained ANY more weight since I stopped Orencia. The bad news is I only lost a few pounds so far in five months on another RA med.