Orencia and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on Enbrel for over 15 years for RA. Shortly after I started on it, I told my rheumatologist it was a miracle drug. I still had flares, but the severe pain I had felt every day was pretty much gone. Then, after so many years, the pain started returning. My current rheumatologist switched me to Humira. After a month, it seemed to be helping. But I was having nausea and a continuous headache with occasional dizziness. It was so bad I asked my rheumatologist to switch me to something else. She then put me on Orencia. I've been on it for 6 weeks, but the pain I had before going on Humira has returned. And I also have nasal congestion 24/7. I'll give the Orencia a few more weeks, until my next appointment with my rheumatologist, and if the pain and congestion aren't any better, I'll see what she wants to do. As a side note, I've also been taking methotrexate for 15 years."

• Nic...
• March 18, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have moderate to severe RA. Diagnosed 1.5 years ago. Initially on Prednisone and Methotrexate; later added Remicade. Side effects were severe with fevers of 'unexplained origin,' night sweats, lethargy, and dizziness. Swelling of hand knuckles and ankle joint unchanged. Consulting doctor at Johns Hopkins suggested Orencia plus Plaquenil. I had already stopped taking the other meds. The benefit of Orencia kicked in after 4 months of infusion application. After 8 months, I am now on the second month of weekly self-injection. Swelling of the ankle greatly reduced. Right hand knuckle swelling somewhat reduced, but still evident with accompanying stiffness. I have never experienced significant pain with RA, but MRIs show joint erosion in hands and ankle."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was encouraged to take Orencia by my rheumatologist after I had been experiencing vertigo and a racing heart from Humira. I was thrilled to learn I would only need one injection per month. After my 6th month on Orencia, I’m pretty much back to when I was first diagnosed in 2005. My joints feel like they are on fire, and I can’t move. I also have a terrible racing heart that keeps me awake with some serious trouble taking deep breaths. I’ve had zero relief while taking this medicine, besides maybe a few days right after I take the shot. I suffer for 20-25 days a month. Not good. I was told now to try Rinvoq, but after reading reviews on it, I don’t plan on trying it. I was taking Enbrel for 14 years prior but was taken off it as I have severe erosion in my bones and holes in my joints. I hope I can find something that works for my pain."

• Rua...
• May 10, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My Vectra score came back at 55 (high disease activity), and it was time to figure out a new course of meds. Methotrexate injections didn't help with the pain and thinned my hair. Next up, biologics. Enbrel was a no-go due to the possibility of heart failure, and I was already experiencing high cardiac output. My first Orencia infusion was 2/11/2021. I experienced really bad headaches, lower blood pressure, and extreme fatigue. The headaches and lower blood pressure subsided a little. My rheumatologist and the IV nurse said to stay with it because it does take time. After the fourth infusion, I began experiencing head and facial tingling, causing my eye to freeze for a few seconds then stop. Tingling also in my left arm, dizziness, sore throat, and stuffy nose. My rheumatologist told me to stop the medication and offered Xeljanz. *long sigh* I really don't want to go on this medication tour and was really hoping Orencia would have worked. I heard so many good things from people who benefited from it. Let's see what's next."