Orencia!!

By Needmorehelp

1 min read

I have been getting an IV of Orencia for some time.

Waiting for RA medication impact

Going to get my next IV in May. It will be my 10th and I have not made any progress.

How long can I be given this medication for it to work?

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Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="Needmorehelp" user-id="4497902"/>. Sorry you are not feeling an impact from the Orencia treatment. How long it takes for a patient to begin to feel better can vary quite a bit by individual. This site notes that "Some patients report it took between 6–12 weeks before they started to feel better:" <a href='https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/abatacept/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/abatacept/</a>. Orencia's own web site states "Many people started feeling better in about 3 to 6 months: https://www.orencia.com/support-savings/orencia-faqs#:~:text=How%20long%20does%20it%20take,Individual%20results%20may%20vary. Make sure to bring your concerns to your doctor to determine if an alteration in your treatment regimen is called for. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences. Wishing you some relief soon. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi, <inline-mention username="Needmorehelp" user-id="4497902"/> ! I really can't add anything to what Richard shared, but I do hope you start seeing some positive changes in your symptoms very soon! Best, Erin, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> Team Member.
sonial1t6 Member
Hello. Sure hope you’re soon feeling the beneficial effects of Orencia. I have been on Orencia for about 18 months. I elected the subcutaneous injection, rather than the IV infusion, in order to conserve my limited energy. So my dosages are weekly. I had to stop taking Orencia when I got COVID a few months ago. So, in effect, I have started Orencia twice. The first time that I started COVID, it took 3 weeks for me to get relief. The restart of Orencia took 6 weeks, though whether that’s a function of Orencia working or me experiencing the extreme fatigue of COVID is debatable. Before Orencia, I injected Enbrel for 2 years. I had to stop Enbrel for a major health reason. I consider how I felt that I had more days of energy on Enbrel. Still, the explanation may be that as I age, my RA is simply progressing more rapidly through my body. 
1. Kelly Dabel Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="sonial1t6" user-id="3199785"/> Thank you for sharing your story and experience. Glad that you were able to find relief after starting it for the second time. Wishing you continued relief ahead. best, Kelly, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>Rheumatoidarthritis.net</a> Team Member
redharley2013 Member
I am on Orencia and it took about 5 months for me to be able to feel a difference. A blood test proved my levels had decreased. Prayers it helps you also.
1. HH90 Member
 <inline-mention username="redharley2013" user-id="3196513"/> It took 5 months? What that for the injection or infusion?
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="HH90" user-id="9904323"/>. How long it takes for a specific drug to work can vary from person to person. With Orencia some will notice a difference in 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take three to six months to feel a lot of difference (see: <a href='https://rheuminfo.com/en/medications/orencia' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://rheuminfo.com/en/medications/orencia</a>). Have you been on the drug long? Hopefully you will start feeling better soon. Please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how things are going. Best, Richard (Team Member)
Needmorehelp Member
Glad to hear it worked for you I'm on to Cimza and it doesn't seem to be working. 
1. latoya.juniel Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Needmorehelp" user-id="4497902"/> It’s tough when a treatment isn't working as you'd hope it would. How long have you been on this medication. Have you considered talking to your doctor about other treatment options? -Latoya (Team Member)
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Needmorehelp" user-id="4497902"/>. Mind if I ask how long you have been on Cimzia? I ask because typically it can take up to six weeks to see a benefit (see: <a href='https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/digestive/crohns-colitis/patient-information-certolizumab-pegol.pdf' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/digestive/crohns-colitis/patient-information-certolizumab-pegol.pdf</a>). Don't hesitate to tell your doctor your concerns and to ask if your treatment needs to be adjusted or changed. Hoping you can get some relief soon. Best, Richard (Team Member)