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Flares following Orencia infusions

BjShannon

I receive an Orencia infusion once a month. The week after is always a week of pain and flare. Is this a common reaction or is my infusion not strong enough or too strong? I have had 3 and took the self injectors once per week for a year prior. The change was due to Medicare not covering the self-injectors.

Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi, ! While a variety of side effects are pretty common following an Orencia infusion, if you feel what you are experiencing is outside the norm, please don't hesitate to speak with your rheumatologist about it, if you haven't already done so. Here's some basic info on the medication -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/orencia-reviews-how-well-does-it-work. Could the symptoms you are experiencing be chalked up to side effects? That said, if you feel like Orencia infusions aren't working for you, that's okay, too. Did you experience these issues with the injections or just the infusions?

I'm sorry that you've been forced to switch due to a Medicare issue; I know how frustrating those can be!

Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
BjShannon Member
Thanks Erin! I did contact my Rheumatologist. They said it can take a few months for the medication to adjust. I did not have these issues with the injections. My pain would start a little before the shot, never after. She said I was receiving the highest dose at 1000mg. I think my Fibromyalgia is contributing to this pain. So maybe the Fibro is what is reacting. The article said something about vaccines. I had a Pneumonia vaccine on the 3rd of May. Maybe that is part of this bad pain flare. Thanks for the info!
1. Lori Foster Community Admin
  Hi . People do sometimes report flares after getting vaccines. It makes sense because the vaccines ramp up your immune system to create antibodies against a particular disease. That could lead to temporary inflammation. It can take a while to adjust, but if ever you feel in your gut that something just isn't right, please reach out to your rheumatologist again. You know your body better than anyone else. I hope your doctor is right and that the infusions become more effective soon. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
BjShannon Member
Thank you!
Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
I also had a rection when I took Orencia - a bad one. They said try it again and I did and it was the same reaction. Unfortunately it meant I had to stop Orencia, but it wasn't an RA flare - it was like an actual reaction (fever, hot skin, feeling tired, etc). Hopefully that helps you decide what to do! Let us know if we can do anything from here and remember - you are not alone! Keep on keepin' on, DPM