Abatacept and Headaches: 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."

• RA ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Got an infusion of Orencia on a Tuesday for worsening RA symptoms. Wednesday, I had a severe headache that basically incapacitated me. Thursday morning, I woke up with the same headache, sensitivity to light and sound, and a stiff neck. I was unable to stand up without vomiting. An ED doctor did a lumbar puncture and told me I had viral meningitis. That experience has made me reluctant to try another biologic."

• 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."

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have just had my second infusion of Orencia. The first go-around, I had a headache and fever and aches for that night and most of the next few days. After the second dose, I have severe aches and pains in all joints and muscles, and my skin hurts to touch it. Plus, I have a cold or something that just came on a day after the infusion. I am wondering if it is going to work for me or if I need to change. I was on Simponi Aria for a year and a half, and then it stopped working. My question is, are these symptoms considered bad, or something that I have to put up with and hope they go away and the Orencia starts working without these side effects?"