Orencia infusion

I had been been in this form for a little while, my doctor just prescribe a new medication call Orencia. Has anyone been on this? I was on Remicade and it no longer works as for a year ago. I had been off it since than, but now on Orencia. I just had my 1st infusion as of Monday, but I did not feel any difference.

also, I just realize while on Orencia, I should not be having any kind of other vaccinations, but I just went to my family doctor today and had a flu shot. does anyone knows what will happen if I did have the vaccination? Thank you

Swon888, I was on Orencia for a little over three years. It did take about six months before it took effect - I had almost given up hope. With regard to the vaccinations, my rheumatologist gave me both the flu and pneumonia vaccination while on Orencia, so the opinion can differ from doctor to doctor.

If you have a question regarding medications, I honestly would direct it to a rheumatologist. I have found that so few physicians have knowledge of these biologics that, quite honestly, they have no idea what they are talking about and can give you incorrect information.

Hope this helps.

thank you for your reply. I check with my rheumatologist, he said it is fine, I should have no problem because the flu shots contains inactive dead virus, not live, but I should not be using the nasal spray, that contains live virus alone with other live virus immunizations.
But as of a few days ago, I had been experiencing heart palpitations,(PVC) through out the day that's been a bit of worry to me. at times, I actually had shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, light headed, nausea, and chill run down my whole body. it kind of scary, because it runs through the day and it could happen any time, such as while I am driving, suddenly I almost can not breath, and as I am walking. My chest is having pressure with little pinching pain here and there that makes me extremely worried. I don't know this has anything to do with Orencia and the vacinne I had or not, but a few years ago, I been hit with very bad Anxiety, but was treated. but I kind of felt it's coming back. I just hope all these problem are the cause of anxiety and not my heart problem.

I was on Orencia for about a year and it took 5 months before it worked and never worked as well as humira, so I stopped it and went back on humira. I found finding time to have the infusions a bit of a pain.
I also found I was run down on it, lots of mouth ulcers and chest infections, i think it was destroying my immune system a little too well for me.
But we are all so different. I really liked my infusion nurse who was a wealth of infomation and I miss her now I'm back to the independence of injections. Each of these meds has their positives and negatives!
Good luck, it is slow to build up in your system 5-7 months not unusual, but it should work eventually, you just have to be patient. Groan, story of our lives, waiting...
Best wishes, golitho