User Reviews for Orencia (with maltose) intravenous

Leaves me tried the week after the infusion. I have been on it for 10 months w/Placquenel & am experiencing my first major infection. Had t ogo to my GP and get an antibiotic to help me oversome sinuitis & brochitis. It is slowly i mproving.

omg I am scared to death I start this med next week but I am going to be fat and bald! I am aLREADY TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND AM A BIT HEAVIER THAN WHAT i SHOULD BE ABOUT 20 LBS ! The info the dr gave me today does not say any thing about weight gain is this typical?

I am 30 years old suffering from RA for approximately 4 years. I am moving like someone without RA. I am a special education teacher. I can get on the floor without any pain. I love this medicine!

I have been on Orencia IV for 18 months now and getting more miserable as time goes on. I ache so bad I can't stand it and I have gained 25 lbs ! I have tried so many of the other RA drugs with allergic results or no results. I see my RA dr next week - I don't know what to do anymore ?

I have been taking this drug for about a year now and I love it. The first few months I did start losing my hair but it has stopped. I did gain a few pounds but I am starting to lose it now. I get headaches with each treatment so I just come home and rest for the rest of the day. I can work 40 hrs a week now instead of 25-30, I can do so much more with kids and can plan more activities throughout the day. I hardly ever swell anymore and I haven't had to take presnisone for 11 months. I think that the side effects are worth me being able to spend more time living a normal life. I have had RA for 10 years.Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed w/ RA in Feb. '09. Have been on two 5 mg. of Prednisone since (now mid-Nov.). I was reluctant to try Orencia IV due to reading webmd and seeing how many women have complained of hair loss and weight gain from it. I have had 2 Orencia infusions and have been losing hair right about the time I had the first one. My dr. thinks it's caused from what my body is experiencing at this time (incl. Prednisone). Spoke w/ Bristol-Myers rep. and they report that they did not find hair loss a problem in their preliminary studies. They took a report from me for documentation. Will probably have to change RA med. Has Prednisone cause anyone hair to fall out??Read More Read Less

I am scheduled to start Orencia IV and I am terrified of it not working and the side effects of gaining weight. I have used Humira for 5 years and it worked wonderfully until it wore off. I tried Enbrel and it did not do a thing. I also take metotraxate, mobic, and cymbalta.

I am 55 and have had RA since the age of 5. I have been on most of the drug treatments there are for it. Prednisone is the most consistantly helpful but it has nasty side effects long term. Enbrel worked very well for nearly ten years before wearing off as all RA drugs seem to do. Humira did nothing but it was the first time I experienced the facial rash. I thought it was a lop-sided cold sore as it was near my mouth at first. I switched to Orencia in March 2009. Ten treatments later, I am now having a severe flare, a facial rash by mouth, cheeks, and eyes (including top eyelid), more frequent night urination, ringing in my ears, and extreme fatigue right after treatment. It is a very expensive treatment with no improvement so far, actually worse...may quit soon but not sure what there is left to try. Is anyone trying to perfect prednisone (it's side effects) or is all the research going toward the genetically engineered, high tech stuff? Read More Read Less

Been On This Drug For About 6 months. Get Extreme Fatigue After Each Infusion & After Last Infusion Got Extreme Nausea, Heartburn & Flu Like Sympyoms. Not So Sure I Can Stay On This Drug Much Longer.

I am a RA patient and was diagnosed in 2000. My quality of life went from a very active person to one that could barely walk, dress myself, or do many of the everyday things that a normal healthy female adult takes for granted. I have been through a lot of the meds out there. Asprin, prednisone, methotrexate, embrel, and a handful of others to name a few. I was almost at the end of the line for medications when my rheumatologist suggested I try Orencia. I can vouch that it did take about 6 mos. to kick in, but the results are very positive. My side effects are a bit of high blood pressure, cold sores that come and go, and a nodule that I have just noticed. But overall, my quality of life has improved 80% compared to what RA could potentially do to me. My X-rays have shown that my joints have not been affected since taking the drug for over two years. Give this a try if you are out of options and hang in there because it does take time. Read More Read Less

swelling and pain in back

I became very depressed and anxious when I started the Orencia, I mentioned it to the women who gives me the IV and she bit my head off, she said that wasn't a side effect. Wondering if this happened to anyone else?

I consistently wore a size 4 and blasted through wearing a size 6. Now I wear an 8 or 10 or 12. I gained approximately 35 pounds since April 2009 which is when I began Orencia. I do not have any other side effects. I don't know when the gaining of weight will end so I may stop taking this drug. I am miserable because of the weight gain.

I've been taking Orencia for about eight months now. Still have some pain, but no swelling. No side effects. I do experience fatigue and depression but that could be from having the R.A. Was hoping that the Orencia would help more with the pain. My medicare insurance does pay for this. I am running out of options as the med insurance will only pay for IV infusions and not the shots like Embrel or Humira. I tried Remicade and it was wonderful! I felt human again and was able to do most everything but like so many others I became allergic to it. I hope this review helps someone. All the Best!Read More Read Less

I too, have experienced extreme depression and anxiety the only thing that has changed is that I started Orencia. I have had 3 treatments and am wondering if there is a connection....

I am 51 yrs. old and was diagnosed with RA at age 39. I've tried it all, and been on Prednisone for over 6 yrs., with a 40+ weight gain. Became a grandmother for the first time this past Oct. and wanted so much to hold my granddaughter with no pain. Orencia is wonderful! My hands feel the best the have felt in many years after 4 months of treatment. My feet still a problem. I have dropped my Prednisone down to 1mg, and not even every day. My weight is dropping finally! My hair loss I blame on Methotrexate, for I still take this also. My hot flashes I blame to Menopause! My only side effect I have, and I'm not sure it is the drug is severe heart burn. Read More Read Less

Very effective except the good effect wore off too early and there was no way to increase the dose. THE ONLY NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECT I EXPERIENCED WAS WEIGHT GAIN. NO HAIR LOSS. NO DEPRESSION. NO OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECT AT ALL. Many good effects, but I couldn't stand the never ending weight gain, so I switched off and am hoping to lose the weight.

I was diagnosed with RA in Feb. Dr. prescribed Prednisone. Had me have ultrasoundand liver biopsy to see if I could handle taking RA drugs. It is Aug., and I'm STILL on Prednisone. Have moonface, gained 10# and swollen. Hardly helps pain. I'm due to go on Orencia this week and am very concerned, reading here about so much weigght gain and hair loss. Does everyone experience this???

I am wondering if anyone has experienced severe depression and anxiety with this drug. I just started it and it has been really bad. But, not sure if that is the problem. Thanks.