Orencia?

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Bob - 06 Jan 2007 23:15 GMT

Hi guys. It has been a long time since I posted here. I guess that is a
tribute to the fact that I have done well for a while. My doc had me on
Enbrel and MTX for about a year during which I had a number of serious and
persistant respiratory infections. He switched me to Arava and I have done
better on just Arava with no abnormal infections.

The problem is that my RA doc seems to think that the Arava is not working
well long term because of some persistant inflamation in my finger joints.
He has asked me to consider taking Orencia (abatacept). I am really afraid
of it at this point with the little that I know because my fear of
infections.

Does anyone have experience with Orencia?

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Angela - 07 Jan 2007 01:34 GMT

> Hi guys. It has been a long time since I posted here. I guess that is a
> tribute to the fact that I have done well for a while. My doc had me on
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Does anyone have experience with Orencia?

Bob

I have been on Orencia since August. I have seen improvement in my
hands and feet since starting on it. I have been (and subsequently off
of) quite a long list of meds that either caused other health problems
or didn't help me any. I haven't had any problems with infection while
I have been on Orencia. I can only speak for myself but overall my
experience with Orencia has been quite positive.

Hope this helps.

angela

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Snidley - 07 Jan 2007 02:36 GMT

Thanks a bunch Angela. Good to know. I will factor that into my
decision.

> > Hi guys. It has been a long time since I posted here. I guess that is a
> > tribute to the fact that I have done well for a while. My doc had me on
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> angela

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Snidley - 07 Jan 2007 02:39 GMT

Oh, this is Bob. I am just using Google Groups to reply where I have a
different nickname. Don't know why I did it that way but I just did.
Thanks again. It is really good to know that you have done so well on
Orencia. My doc seems enthusiastic about it and also is convinced that
the Arava is not doing the job. In my opinion it has done better than
anything I have been on. I feel really good on Arava and am lucky to
have only minor side effects, rashes.

> Thanks a bunch Angela. Good to know. I will factor that into my
> decision.
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> >
> > angela

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Kelly - 07 Jan 2007 03:26 GMT

Hi Bob,
I just finished my first infusion. If you have lung problems they might be
concerned. Apparently it might work after the 3rd week. Quite a bit more
than arava so that might be a consideration if your insurance won't cover
it. If he doesn't feel arava is doing the job it might be time to ramp it
up. Apparently this is not as likely to cause the chronic sinus problems
that enbrel is. That is what I have been told anyhow and that is my hope.

Kelly

> Oh, this is Bob. I am just using Google Groups to reply where I have a
> different nickname. Don't know why I did it that way but I just did.
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>> >
>> > angela

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Bob - 07 Jan 2007 22:03 GMT

Thanks Kelly. I guess the cost is not a factor here as my RA doc told me
that it is now covered under Medicare. I am 66 and Medicare is my primary
insurnce.

> Hi Bob,
> I just finished my first infusion. If you have lung problems they
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Kelly

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