Abatacept (Orencia) and 'slow days'

[LKD1]

Hi

Have been on Abatacept since January and although it took five months before it started working (and is my fourth biologic) it's now made me feel like a diffeent woman in terms of energy levels and feeling well. I inject myself every week on Tuesdays but have found I have a couple of really 'slow' days following the injection where my head is a bit woolly and I feel tired. By Friday usually feeling fiine again.

Has anyone else who injects experienced this? I've had no significant side effects - just a bit of a runny nose, again following the injection day, and the odd few minutes of feeling a bit nauseated but can put up with all that for the relief the drug has given me. Would like to hear anyone else's experience of Abatacept.

Thanks

[Beaches2]

Hi

I am also on abatacept. As with you it took some time to "get going".....started on it in March. I can't say as I've noticed any worse days after I've injected, no real side effects that I know of.......thank goodness. I do feel a bit woolly headed more often now, but I put that down to just having to deal with this condition or perhaps it's the methotrexate?

It's such a relief though to be able to do things so much easier. I realised today as I got up from the floor after a few stretches, just how easy it was.....there was a time when I just avoided getting down on the floor cos I couldn't get up again! I also feel much better in myself....more energy etc.....Lets hope it lasts for us both.

[bijan]

Hi i have been on humira for the past twelve years and has been fantastic but evert time i injected and taken mtx i knew what to expect exactly your symptomes and alot more pain, so get use to it i am afraid as you mentioned if the end result is ok. We shuld accept . Now i have got use to humira and it does not work as well. So they decided to put me on abatercept. Plus another tablet to keep hapetites b at bay. I hope i can get good few years of comfort from it. Good luck and take care.

[farm123]

For me it also took a long time to 'kick' in. At the start the following day I would often fall asleep in the afternoon and still slow the following day but now I do not notice it as much. I gradually moved the injection time and day to suit the best day for me to be 'slow'. Farm

[LKD1]

Thanks for the responses. I can't take Methotrexate as I found it absolutely impossible to tolerate and I tried many times so now it's not even suggested when I go onto new biologics!

Was just interested to know if I was the only one with slow days but I'm certainly not making a big thing about it as the benefits outweigh the few niggly side effects.

Thank goodness for scientists!

[Rachel43]

Hi I'm also on abatacept. I do my injection on a Friday. By Sunday I feel like I've lost all energy. X

[lornaisobel]

Me to - its like Im working on one brain cell - I have to organise my injection around work - I struggle to do my job the day after an injection - the next day Im fine - thought I was getting alzheimers as well as RA !!! x