switching back and forth?

[Guest guest]

I am on orencia which was doing great for me UNTIL I had to postpone a dose by

two weeks due to an infection. Now, even a week later after the infusion (when

I usually felt normal) it still hasn't kicked in. I've had the worst flare in

months. My rheumy doesn't want to add any drugs until the orencia is gone. we

had talked at one point about switching back and forth from orencia to rituxin

if I built up an immunity. Does anyone else do this? One month on one drug

then the next month on another drug.

G

[Guest guest]

I don't switch back and forth (and haven't heard of a treatment protocol like

that with biologics), but I'm concerned that I'm having a similar experience

with the Orencia.

I, too, had to miss an infusion (I had major knee surgery), and the last two

infusions I have had have both made me sick and not helped my arthritis. :/

I'm taking a Medrol pack right now to see if we can wallop it back into shape,

but I see my rheumatologist in a couple of weeks and may have to explore my

options then.

Since Rituxan is a semi-annual infusion (right?), would you get 5 months of

Orencia, then one Rituxan infusion? I would probably do some hardcore research

/ maybe get a second opinion before going on a treatment program with both

drugs, largely because of the risk for very scary side effects may be

compounded. I'm going to do some reading on it!

Kate P-B

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