Abatacept for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2019

Orencia (abatacept) "This medication made sense to me. Why not try something that will block the entire inflammatory cascade over just one inflammatory protein like TNF? All other Meds (5 others) were fails for me due to either no response or a severe reaction... Orencia was the answer to my prayers. For me, it did take about 6 months to see elimination of joint inflammation, and about 9 months for full effect of this drug. My advice is to be patient with these medications and just hang in there... eventually, you will hit the right drug for you. I have my life back now. So grateful."

• Chr...
• September 24, 2016

Orencia (abatacept) "I was diagnosed with severe RA in 2009 with Sjögren's, Raynaud's, and Fibro. I've tried Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Prednisone, Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. I became allergic to all of the biologicals, then the others stopped working. Orencia saved me. I react positively within 2 days of my self-injection. I can take breaks, sometimes months off, and it does not affect how the drug works for me. I can now run a mile, ride horses for hours, swim, and roller skate again. I'm 47, and I look 35 thanks to this miracle drug. I'm so happy to have my strength and mobility back!"

• San...
• October 10, 2018

Orencia (abatacept) "This medication has worked spectacularly well for me. I used to be on a cocktail including Humira, MTX, steroids, and NSAIDs. I changed my diet and tried to go au naturel for a few years... it worked for a while, but in my stubbornness, I experienced some joint damage. So I was highly inflamed when I started the Orencia. My rheumy and I picked this med because while on Humira, I was sick more than I was well. Orencia has the reputation for causing less illness. After five months, my inflammation has significantly decreased, and I haven't had even a sniffle. That said, any medication has a higher potential to work for you if you are eating an anti-inflammatory diet and making sure you are not vitamin/mineral deficient. Try an elimination diet so you can truly know what foods bother you. Most people aren't in tune enough with their bodies to know when a food is making their joints worse. An elimination diet is key to getting in touch with your body and its response to food."

• Ore...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2019

Orencia (abatacept) "I am a 49-year-old male. I was diagnosed with RA in 1997. I was on Humira for 10 years, which helped greatly, but the side effects began showing, so I was forced to stop. I was off all RA meds for a couple of years, and my condition began deteriorating again. I went on Orencia IV drip. I began showing almost all of the side effects listed about a month after my first dose. It was slowly poisoning me. I was sick all the time and showing severe symptoms: exhaustion, night sweats, back pain, migraines for 8 days straight, diarrhea, nausea, and a level of discomfort I've never felt. It's an awful medicine with crippling side effects. It is important to note that the side effects were worse than the RA itself, and my condition is moderate to severe. My suggestion is to avoid this medication at all costs. I was put on an anti-nausea pill that is used for chemo patients. If you do some research, you will find that 25% of the people on Orencia have a bad experience."

• Dor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2018

Orencia (abatacept) "The first biologic I was put on was Enbrel, and within 4 weeks, I was experiencing liver failure! So, I went back on my oral meds for 2 more years. My new rheumatologist prescribed Orencia, and I have been on it for 3 years. It has given me back my freedom! I have had RA for 18 years, and nothing worked this well!"

• Mil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2016

Orencia (abatacept) "Been on weekly injections since Nov 2011. Have had no side effects, no flare-ups, no joint swelling or pain. Totally keeping my RA at bay. My insurance and Orencia co-pay covered the total expense, but now, since my insurance changed in January 2016, they will not cover it and insist I try Humira. I cannot take methotrexate (kidney issues). I am terrified they'd rather let me die due to cost than give me what has worked for over 4 years! My doctor believes totally in Orencia, and so do I! I think it's the best out there!"

• nor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2016

Orencia (abatacept) "I have had severe rheumatoid arthritis and linked autoimmune liver disease for four years. Nothing worked. I couldn't take methotrexate because of my liver. I have had steroids by the bucket load, sulfasalazine, azathioprine, cimzia, simponi, rituximab - nothing worked. I began Orencia seven months ago and it has transformed my life. I am almost back to normal again (although anyone who has been through this will know that life will never be the same again!) and have had no unpleasant side effects. Amazing."

• Bus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2023

Orencia (abatacept) "I'm a 60-year-old male diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2005. After years of trying different combinations of drugs and steroids, I was finally approved for Orencia. All those years of suffering could have been avoided if they had approved this from the beginning. For me, it took around six months to see noticeable improvement, and I'm so glad I stuck with it. My flare-ups are much less frequent and usually last a day at most. Extreme flare-ups have ended completely. I'm not exaggerating when I say it has changed my life completely. I no longer need the wheelchair, and I can walk on my own with just a cane! I sincerely hope this drug works for you like it did for me. I wouldn't wish this disease on Darth Vader."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2020

Orencia (abatacept) "This drug has been great. Humira made me break out in a huge hot rash, and Leflunomide (Arava) made over half of my hair fall out and a full body rash for over 6 months with NO relief. While Arava made my RA symptoms completely disappear, the side effects as a 35-year-old female were unacceptable. Orencia has very literally changed my life. I live in northern MN, and with certain climate changes, I still have minor joint stiffness. I am completely out of pain, and the stiffness is 100 times better than what it was. I’m so very grateful for this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 23, 2015

Orencia (abatacept) "Was on Orencia for about 7 years. Never had any side effects. I'm now 65 and feeling younger than everyone my age. But Dr. went back home to another country and I've been off Orencia for about 6 months. I feel 10 years older because of the pain. Not only in RA joints but also where I have osteoarthritis. Also losing my grip and hand and wrist strength. Orencia was like the fountain of youth for me!"

• Jeg...
• April 10, 2016

Orencia (abatacept) "Prednisone, Plaquenil, Mobic, sulfasalazine, and Arava weren't keeping my pain at bay, and I was so tired, stiff, and sore that I was struggling at work. My Dr. Jenny decided to try Orencia by self-injection weekly, and after a month, I started to feel better, and my inflammation levels started to go down. I am now off the Plaquenil and prednisone and working an 8-hour day 3 days a week gardening and landscaping. I hope it continues, it saved my work life."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2017

Orencia (abatacept) "I have been on Orencia for 3.5 years and diagnosed 4 years ago. I am so thankful that I responded so well to this medication. Orencia was the first medication and hopefully, the last. Since my first infusion in 2013 and the symptoms were finally being held at bay, I have not had any issues to date. I wholeheartedly 100% recommend Orencia. It saved my life and gave me my life back. I hope it'll do the same for you."

• Mae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2019

Orencia (abatacept) "Garbage! Like every biologic out there. They all suck. They all carry horrible side effects including death. Cancer, infectious, etc. I've tried just about every biologic out there, including Humira, Enbrel, Cimzia... They all quit working within 6 months. I'm convinced that Orencia caused me severe food sensitivities. There's no other explanation for my severe food sensitivities. I get inflammation from a bunch of foods. Kale, spinach, nuts, beans, rice, all animal protein, which is crazy. My list of foods that cause me inflammation immediately upon eating them is crazy, and I didn't have that problem before starting Orencia about 7 years ago. My rheumatologist doesn't believe me. It's very frustrating. It's been 7 years since I started Orencia, and my food sensitivities have gotten worse. I'm going to report it to the FDA as a side effect. I just hope they come up with a cure ASAP. Enough band-aids that cause cancer and infections. We need a cure."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2009

Orencia (abatacept) "I have had 11 Orencia injections now and have found the drug to be extremely beneficial for myself. Overall, there has been a marked improvement with my rheumatoid arthritis. The infusion actually works up until the last few days, and then I experience an increase in aching, swelling, and pain. In comparison to all other drugs, and believe me I have tried just about all of them, this has been a 'wonder drug'. For approximately three days after having the injection, I experience extreme tiredness, but once that passes, I am able to return to work and carry out normal everyday activities; e.g., housework and gardening. Prior to this medication, I was unable to do general gardening."

• Tri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2018

Orencia (abatacept) "Been on Orencia 8 years. Started with infusions, switched to injections. Have not seen any improvement, but Dr. insists it's working because my inflammation markers are normal. My orthopedic doesn't agree though, because he continues to see more joint damage every time I see him. And if my inflammation markers are normal, why is there pain and swelling every day?"

• ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2018

Orencia (abatacept) "Could only tolerate 4 infusions over a 2-month period. Managed the extreme fatigue, but the canker sores (mouth ulcers) were debilitating. Nothing I tried helped from 2 docs (Rheumatologist and Dentist), 2 pharmacists. Difficulty talking, eating, and sleeping. At the worst stage, I had terrible ear pain (earaches). PCP said my ears were 'congested' and always on the side of 6 - 8 canker sores on my tongue. Do not know the next steps. Doc does not believe canker sores are caused by Orencia... never had anything like this in my life."

• jvp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2015

Orencia (abatacept) "I have taken 4 doses of the weekly self-injections. At first, I felt awful, nauseated, and flu-like symptoms, but now I feel wonderful. I don't hurt, and it even has helped the shortness of breath I would get walking up stairs. I hope it continues to help and hope I don't gain additional weight as I have done with the prednisone. I have been on prednisone for over 6 months and have gained 10-15 pounds."

• Kat...
• May 29, 2017

Orencia (abatacept) "After rashes, pain, nausea, and elevated liver enzymes on Remicade, then Humira, the doc switched me to Orencia. Felt very tired the evening of the loading dose, but not ill. Now I feel better than I have felt in 4 years! LOVE this stuff!"

• Mst...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 30, 2021

Orencia (abatacept) "I have really bad rheumatoid arthritis that I had to get a hip replacement at 26! After having my daughter, I went into a full-on flare that I became crippled. Nothing was helping, and I thought my life was over. But, they had me try Orencia, and (although it took 3 months to kick in), it changed my life. I was finally able to carry my daughter and walk with her. I’ve been taking it for about 5 years. There are always going to be bad and good reviews. It just depends on your body."

• Jow...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2016

Orencia (abatacept) "My RA attacked my lungs, turning my lung tissue into scar tissue, which does not expand. My first pulmonologist gave me five years. Then I changed Dr. And my rheumatologist & pulmonologist put their heads together, after I had 3 bad reactions to drugs, and decided to put me on Orencia infusions. I have been on it for 2 & 1/2 years. My lung damage has stopped. My lungs are not healing, but they are no longer getting worse. The rest of my body isn't receiving much relief, but I am thrilled about my lungs! If they are not getting worse, that means my 5 years is no longer counting down. Thank you Orencia! And my insurance covers my infusion clinic bill in full. I am still on oxygen 24/7 at a rate of 4 liters, which I have been on since 2012."

• Bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2018

Orencia (abatacept) "I had success with Actemra, but at the 11-month mark, I had a heart attack and an upper GI bleed, both believed to be caused by Actemra. So, we changed to Orencia, primarily because it has a lower incidence of side effects. It did take 5 and a half months for the Orencia to start working, but it is now working well, and I feel like it continues to improve. I do take it in combination with methotrexate. I have not had any side effects. I am very pleased by how much Orencia has helped me."

• kun...
• October 7, 2009

Orencia (abatacept) "After the first week of using Orencia, I felt more energized. Before, I would wake up feeling tired and could barely move. I was stiff and could not go out to dinner or to other places. Now I can enjoy my life much better. I'm not tired or stiff anymore. I can do a lot more things that I wasn't able to do before."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2009

Orencia (abatacept) "I switched to Orencia a couple of months ago. I have had 5 treatments so far. Since I switched to Orencia, I noticed that there has been significant improvement with my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am able to sleep well again at night. I wake up not feeling tired, achy, and stiff. In comparison to the other rheumatoid arthritis medications I have taken, Orencia seems to be working more for me. I am no longer sleep deprived and am able to do some chores that I have not been able to do, such as opening a jar, door, etc. I experience tiredness after my treatment for one day, then up until the last few days of my next treatment, minor aches and stiffness are back. I am hoping that Orencia will be the wonder drug for me and everyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2013

Orencia (abatacept) "In the UK, I had this on the NHS for the last 7 months. I improved within the first month, and after a couple of months, I was able to dance at my son's wedding, something I thought I would never do. Thanks to the makers, it has changed my life. I'm back at work 20 hours a week and don't ache for most of the month. Like others, I do feel washed out for 2 days post-infusion, but it's worth it for nearly a month of good health."

• Dai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2020

Orencia (abatacept) "Worked great for 9 months. (moderate-severe with positive RA factor) Went off this for around three weeks due to a mix-up with co-pay. Now, two straight weeks of stomach rumbling and diarrhea. Probiotics, Pepto-Bismol, nothing is helping. This is the only RA med that has worked for me, so I really hope my doctor can get me over this. I am on a copay plan through an assistance fund, and they pay what Medicare/Anthem doesn't cover, $1500/month. Before Orencia, I was unable to function, so I'm very thankful because it gave me some of my life back."