Xeljanz

Just started Xeljanz Tuesday. How long does it take your body to adjust? The first few days I have been fatigued, slightly woozy and had a heaache to beat the band, although this maybe due to sinus season. Does anyone else have any experience with this med? I am take methotrexate (10mg) weekly with it. Suggestions? I want to keep working but it is kinda hard with these side effects.

Hi zoo2keeper and welcome! I would also like to know as I started taking Xeljanz on Monday. Fortunately for me, I haven't had any side effects yet.

 I did not believe that something could help with the pain but there is some relief from the Xeljanz. It isn't a cure but I can deal with most of the pain without the vicodine. It took about a month for the fatigue to level off. I still tire easily but I can still function. So those of you wondering the Xeljanz has started to work, there may be flares but it is better than it was.

Stef,

I started on Plaquinel and lost 30 lbs in 12 months; next was Enbrel took a while to kick in but I stayed on it for over 7 years. After the enbrel I tried Orencia and I go canker sores by the dozen, lasted through 4 treatments. Alot of the biologicals give me canker sores. The rheumatologist said he couldn't help me so I switched to a wonderful intellegent young doctor that said he would never give up on me! Next was Remicade. I thought I was doing well on it arthritis wise, but I started having memory problems, that almost got me fired, thank goodness my boss lady was married to a doctor and she figuired it out. I have also tried Rixtuan, which worked well for about a year and a half, once you adjust to the 6 hour infusions. Tried Actemera with no luck, then came Cimzia. It did not work for me at all after 3 months. So now I am trying Xeljanz, so far so good. The pain has lessen and I can work more.

The thing with these drugs is the time you have to deal with the side effects and wait for them to kick in. If you are thinking of switching go on the net and read up on it. Check other formus and see what others have to say. I have come to terms, for now, that I will never be pain free. If I can make it all day at work and then come home and take the drugs then I view it as a good day and I am thankful for that! Let me know how you are doing. good Luck and I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Diznyfrk,

Glad to hear things are going better for you! It is just hard to have the patience we need feeling like we did, but we persevere...Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!

robkim514,
I am on rituxan as well.... was was wondering how you are doing on the rituxan? I am about 6 weeks out from my first infusion and I am still having weak/fatigue spells. Also, back pain although it is not too bad. I have not had back pain in many years so was wondering if this was a side effect of the meds? I have not taken the Xeljanz but have seen alot of posts on here lately about it. Must be the next amazing thing out there. My doctor did mention it to me before the rituxan but decided on it first. Any info you can give on how long it took for the rituxan to help I would appreciate it.
Hugs
Peggy

robkim514 I am afraid that the rituxan may have not worked for me. I am having severe fatigue... I mean so bad that I am back in and out of bed. My rheumy told me today that he was wondering the same thing. He did lots and lots of blood work and xrays today as I am short of breath upon exerting myself as well. Burning pain in my back if I do anything repetitious or stand for very long at the time. This goes away with rest. I too am tired of dealing with the fatigue... need to get back to some normalcy in my life. I have come to the terms with the fact that I will never be like I used to be before Ra but sure wish he could find a happy medium. every time we do the meds quit working for me. Here's hoping for better days for us all.
peggy

uh oh ZooKeepr so sorry to hear that. I just told my husband last night that the warm ocean water at the beach last week felt so good to me. I stayed in it a lot. Stayed out there by myself I stayed so long...lol But I am feeling so bad this week went to ra doctor he thinks my rituxan is not working.... that being said its only been 8 weeks out from the first infusion. However the weakness I am feeling feels just like it did before I took the infusion. He is checking all of my levels and has done another Vectra test to see what might be going on. my sed rate was still high and my crp level was down but still in the high range. So awaiting now on the Vectra test to come back. I hope the humira is working good for you and I pray for easier days ahead.
Thanks for keeping us update\
peggy