Orencia at 80 yrs.?
Orencia: Orencia at 80 yrs.? - NRAS
Orencia
It’s not just actual age that counts as these biotherapies are used in 75+ people. Your doc will consider your general health before deciding if this is appropriate for you - for example history of UTI’s.
If they decide to offer it to you you’ll have to be careful about infections. No braving it out and saying “I’ll wait ‘till next week” to take this chesty cough, slight fever, etc etc to the doctors.
I was on Etanercept which caused a lot of UTI's so was changed to Orencia (abatercept) which has not so far ( a year) although has given me skin problems and its being monitored in case that also needs to be stopped. But I don't think it works quite as well as Etanercept.
I started adalumimab ( another biological treatment) at age 81. It's been marvellous to have finger joints that I can see again - and use! Go for it.
Absolutely yes, age is no barrier to good appropriate treatment. A chat with your consultant regarding your concerns and risks would be wise, but good luck, I hope it gives you relief.
I am not as old as you but started Abatacept at 65. It’s worked well for me for 3 years but looks like it’s responsible for an ongoing skin rash which may mean I need to stop it. I’m hoping not. X
I have been-on-sub-cut Orencia-since-September-but-had-to-pause- for some weeks-for-vaccines-Oct/Nov.It’s-said-to-cause-a-lot-less-infections-for-many.Seems-to-be-doing-alright-but-still-a-bit-early-to-tell-as-it-can-be-a-slow-worker.Haven’t gone downhill since my last med. No-noticeable-side-effects-so-far-and-the-clickpen-is-very-easy-and-painless.Good-luck.Apols-for-typing.Tech-errors-between-my-devices-and-on-here.
Thank you, and hope it continues doing well for you!
I am 63 and started Orencia 3 weeks ago. No side effects so far, hope it stays that way. Slower results than etanercept and Humira. But I had to stop those 2 because of side effects. I heard that Orencia is easier because of less side effects.
I’m 63 and started Orencia in September 2022. Hard to say when it started to take effect as I never dipped down from my previous med (Rtx) but yes, Orencia is said to take 4 months to be effective. I also had Enbrel and Humira in 2013 & 2014. Enbrel worked within 2 hours and stopped working after 5 weeks and Humira did nothing at all in 4 months. I was told by my rheumy that Orencia usually gives less side effects. Good luck and hope it works well for you.
Thank you, hope it continues to work for you. I've only been on for 5wks.