@A myRAteam Member I loved Remicade. I had no problems with side effects at all. That and the methotrexate gave me my life back. unfortunately in Setember, 2015 i developed a lung infection that went on and on and took forever to get under control. As a result, I had to stop all of my RA meds for about a year. When I started back on the meds, my rheumy started me back with methotrexate and plaquenil. The plaquenil made my hair fall out and gave me diarrhea. After getting the results back from the Vectra test, she decided to put me on Orencia this time. I guess it's because it works diffently on the disease than the Remicade does. I was on the Remicade for about 10 years and I was wonderful. Very little if any pain and no flares. I loved it.
So far, the orencia hasn't done anything (however, I must say that I have been fortunate in staying pretty pain free over the last year and a half with just methotrexate and medrol). Per my rheumy it takes 5-6 months for the Orencia to start working. I have no info on Arava. My vote would be for the remicade. The nice thing about it is that the dosage can be adjusted for you and the interim time can be adjusted as well.

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A myRAtea...

I was on Orencia for over 5 years and lost 150 pounds. You may want to wait and see if it's somerhing else. I just started Xeljanz about a month ago and I put on 10 pounds. Was in the hospital for a week from a bleeding ulcer, on antibotics, no exercise of any kind and no change in eating habits. I'm going to watch my weight very carefully. I worked too hard to lose it. But if it continues I will pull the plug!

Everyone reacts differently to medications. I was on Orencia, but did not experience any weight gain.

I have gained weight on Orencia although I exercise and watch what I eat. So frustrating!

Yes, next month is going to be my 3rd year, of using Orencia. I have gained approx 30 lbs in 3 years, and haven't been successful in losing any permanently, be well! Mary Ann