DALANNE Re: Question (one last time)

[Guest guest]

Hi, Shay!

I had no noticable day-to-day side effects. From Jan to early Mar I thought

Orencia had quit working but my rheumy took me off methotrexate/folic acid and

put me on Arava. That solved the problem. I had begun to feel like I was on no

medications at all. The MTX was interfering and he told me I'm unusual in that

MTX quit helping. But that's me- I'm quirky ;-)

I get my infusions in the mornings. The ladies who administer the IVs have told

me to take Tylenol before leaving the house. I take Tylenol and Motrin both now

because within an hour or two of the infusion I get a headache that lasts the

rest of the day. Oh, the next day I'm usually " worn out " and have to lay down to

sleep. But that is it. If I'm down for ONLY a day and a half then I'm happy. For

me the worst part of Orencia is getting the IV started as I'm not wild about

needles. It took 2 infusions (2 months) before I noticed a difference and it got

progressively better as time has gone on. Now that we have the MTX/Arava

situation rectified I have only had 2-3 bad days but I've only been on the Arava

for 3 weeks now.

I get my infusions at my rhemys office once a month, they start with a fluid

(clear, no medicine) for 20-30 mintues then they add the Orencia to the IV and

when it's all gone I get that clear fluid for another 20-30 minutes. Usually I'm

there for 1.5 hours but I take german homework, a book to read, MP3 player,

Sudoku puzzles- something to stay busy and productive. Shoot, I've even taken my

bank statements to get my checkbook balanced.

For pain I've done my rounds. I can no longer use Ultram nor Daypro and am

taking Vicodin but only at night. I drive a 10-wheeler as a part time job and

Vicodin is the strongest medication that I can take and still pass the urine

test to be a legal CDL holder. I'm so grateful that it doesn't make me loopy but

it might- I only take it at night so I can lay still and get some rest.

I have a cousin who takes Humira at her Rheumys office and gets along fine with

it. My rheumy toldme if the Orencia did not start working after changing to

Arava that he was going to put me on Remicade but that I could choose Enbrel if

I wanted to try it. Right now since the Orencia is working I do not mind the

infusions anymore.

It may take me awhile to answer you if you have more questions but I WILL

answer. Things are starting to dry up here and that means my part-time job will

be starting soon. Then I only get my emails checked at night and then about

every other day.

>

> Hi Dalanne,

> You are on Orencia? Oh good, someone I can compare Humira to! I am really

scared but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Did you have any side effects

with the orencia? I know all meds affect everyone differently but at least it

will give me an idea in case my Rheumy misspoke about the humira.

> Due to humira being an injectable, I'm sure she did because my insurance

doesn't cover it.

> How often do you have to have the orencia done and how long does it take?

> Sorry about all the questions but I just need to know so many things. A lot of

them have literally slipped my mind right now that I've found someone who is on

a med that I may be going to be put on. I'm on methotrexate and it has been

great for me, I'm also on celebrex, Fentanyl patches, and folic acid. They tried

me on vicadin and that really messed with me. It made me sick to my stomach,

dizzy, and " stoned " . I had no pain at all which was wonderful but if I can't

feel normal on a med, I don't want it. Getting stoned is for teenagers with no

guidance, not for someone trying to get relief from pain. Sorry I'm rambling.

> Anyway, thank you so much for getting back to me on this and anything you can

tell me about orencia will be so very much appreciated!!

> Hugs to You,

> Shay