User Reviews for Xeljanz oral

diagnosed RA 2009 been taking hydroxychlorquine for 3 years with gin soaked rasins this kept me in remission except for once or twice flare a year. June of 2013 flares and stiffness increased, started Xeljanz 1 week ago and right away gave me relief. day 8 had some stiffness, but day 9 better. only side effect is some chest pain on right side comes and goes when working out. will report back with more in a month

I started this drug after many injections not working and one allergic reaction. I was diagnosed with RA at age 31. I've been suffering since then with swollen and stiff joints from my neck to my toes. I started this drug and it has really made a difference in my life. I love it. Side effects for me is severe stomach aches but only if I tend to take the pill too soon. If I eat then take the pill I'm ok. I'm not swollen in the face like prednisone would do and I'm able to enjoy a day unlike when I was on methotrexate I lost two days a week from being sick and very tired. I am happy and pleased with this drug and so glad it works. No more injections. Yay!! Read More Read Less

I have been on this medication for about five months. At first I was so happy because it worked so well. My hands stopped swelling and cramping and my shoulders stopped hurting. But boy I started getting hot flashes every half hour, so bad that my head was throbbing.Also I've gained weight.My back hurts worse than ever. I'm nit saying the Xeljanz is causing this, but I was on Cimzia before this, and my back has gotten steadly worse. I have been on prednisone and methotrexate. Never again. I have cut down to one pill a day and the hot flashes have slowed down. My knee has been hurting, but I can handle that. My rheumatologist is not happy about this. He said I shoud start back on two a day. I don 't know if I can. Read More Read Less

Haven't been on it that long but so far so good. I haven't had any bad flareups since I started it a week ago. Side effects are giving me the blues. I am experiencing nausea, upset stomach, night sweats and loose bowels. Not sure if I'll want to continue with this med. if side affects don't subside. Hated having to inject myself with Humera but I didn't have to deal with any of these side affects.

Diagnosed 8 months ago with severe RA. Used Simponi biologic injections for 4 months with minimal effect. Started Xeljanz 3 weeks ago and inflammation is reduced. Joint pain has been reduced mostly to just soreness. No side effects.

I've been in a test study group from UC San Diego for over 3-years. This drug has been AMAZING... especially since the alternative, methotrexate, totally ruined me for 2-days out of the week. I know the cost is outrageous, but IT WORKS!

I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago and have tried pretty much everything including many different infusions. I started this medication with hesitation because nothing else seemed to work well, Well, after spending so many months in pain. Shuffling around because my feet and knees were killing me, and having to work a full time job., I gave in !!!! Best decision I ever made. I noticed a difference within 2 weeks and so have my friends and coworkers. Have not had any side effects so far. I know it's early but I am ecstatic! I've never experienced such a quick result, would definitely recommend :-)Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed with RA in 1999 and have been on this medication since February of this year. I've tried prednisone, methotrexate, Embril, Humira, Remicade, Orencia, just to name a few. This has worked the best.It may seem unusual that I rated this drug high on effectiveness and ease of use yet lower on satisfaction. The reason is the side effects. A couple of others have mentioned them. Hot flashes and weight gain. I also have constipation. I do feel that I have more energy so hopefully with exercise, I can tackle the weight gain, I don't know what to do about the hot flashes though. Maybe a change in diet can also help the weight gain and constipation. I've considered cutting the dose in half to see if the side effects discontinue or lessen, but I'm afraid to lose the gains I've achieved. Let me know if any of you share my experience.Read More Read Less

HAV'NT BEEN ON IT LONG ENOUGHT TO KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO WORK

I reported back in May that after a couple of months of taking this drug I had terrible side effects and could not get off prednisone. Well my RA dr. Convinced me to stick with it and low and behold it is working well now. My symptoms are gone and the only really bad side effect I have is upset stomach and acid reflux. I am now taking one Prilosec in the morning and it seems to relieve this symptom. So if things keep up the way they are I will stick with xeljanz and be so happy not to go back to an injectable! Read More Read Less

I have taking for 2 months and so far...more energy, minor joint pain. Working well with no noticable side effects...No shots and NO Mexotrexate which was a stomach and mood madening MED.....

Have had RA for 13years. Have used enbrel for the past 11 years along with methotrexate . Have had bad flares for the past 9-12 months. Started xeljanz almost two weeks ago. The pain has definitely lessened. It is still so early I do not want to jinx myself. I am able to function better than I have or th past 6 months. I have not had any major side effects so far.

I have been on several RA meds and this is the only one that works for me. I still have some swelling and pain but overall 5-star miracle. I also stopped taking methotrexate as well after being on this for 3 months.

Diagnosed with RA 20 yrs ago and have tried every possible med, including drug studies. My RA is severe, to the point I have to have assistance with my activities in daily life. (such as getting out of bed, dressing, personal hygiene, and could no longer drive)Also have joint deformity in hands and feet, nodules, and a knee replacement last year. No, I am not overweight, never have been, and aside from the RA am healthy. Nothing has helped longer than 6 mos. Started Xeljanz 2/13. Second week on med, severe lower abdominal pain with loose stools. Then God AWFUL hot flahes. Thought perhaps menopause starting? Estrogen levels checked and were normal. Dr said more than likely side effect of Xeljanz. They are so bad, it feels like I am going to burst into flames and skin is noteably warmer to the touch. Began monitoring temp and it generally stays 99. (an increase from my usual 97) Often have to change clothes due to wet from sweat. After 1 month on med dramatic improvements in mobility, inflammation, pain and sleep. I also take methotrexate and prednisone. Able to move and do things I literally have not been able to do in years. But! All good things must come to an end, so to speak. After 2 months of noted improvement the Xeljanz is becoming less effective. Stiffness, swelling and joint pain have returned (although not as severe, yet)and am no longer getting restful sleep. The GI problems have not resolved, I just deal with it. No improvement noted on lab work. Rheumatoligist states if status does not improve by the end of August, we will discontinue the med. The cost of the med is insane!!! Lilly pharmaceutical has a JAK inhibitor in the trial phase, that will hopefully get FDA approval summer 2014 and is projected to have a lower cost than the Xeljanz. Read More Read Less

1st dosage 5 mg 2 x daily started 03/13. after about 5 wks, pain and fatigue where reduced greatly.. thinking i had finally found something that worked. it was wonderful. then got deathly ill maybe flu/bronchitis... caused by immunosuppressant aspect of drug, i'm sure. took 3 wks to get well w/2 rounds of antibiotics. During this time stopped the xeljanz. After starting back xeljanz i never received the same results i experienced when i first starting taking this drug. been back on now for 2 months and pain in my hands and wrist is pretty bad and the fatigue is back with a vengeance. side effect include stomach issues (a lot of bloating, gas, stomach aches), my cheeks have started getting really red after about 3 months on xeljanz, also shortness of breath. WEIGHT GAIN... have gained about 10 pounds in the past 3 months since taking xeljanz. i'll go next week to get results on blood work to see if cholesterol increased, etc. i would gladly endure side effects without complaints if xeljanz would have continued to work. it did provide great relief when i initially took it. to bad it didn't hold... now i'm back to hardly being able to function because the fatigue is so bad along with the pain in my hands, wrists, hips and legs. hands hurt so bad makes daily activities a challenge. was praying this would be the miracle drug for me as it has been for others. Read More Read Less

Have been on this drug for 3 years ( on a drug trial) its fantastic. no swelling joints, no fatigue , dont even have any pain. its been a life saver. It did take about 3 months to kick in to start with but its great. Will be realeased in AU end of this year. Only side affect that i can think of is a stuffy nose. I have my life back.

I had tried Enbrel before beginning Xeljanz and have found Xeljanz to be very effective in lowering my swelling, stiffness, and pain. Though I still have symptoms they are lessened so I can continue to work without accomodations, exercise, and have a normal life. The pills are very easy to take. I have no stomach upset or even side effects for that matter. Far easier than a weekly shot. If someone is not responding to other biologics I would recommend a course of this drug.

I have RA, Lupus & Sjogren's Syndrome. Joint pain stopped after the first week of taking the Xeljanz. The fatigue is a killer with all three of these. Had more energy right away which was the best thing ever! I just hope that the price comes down so that I can continue to take it.

I've had a bad flareup of my RA for several months now and we were unable to get it under control with Methotrexate and Prednisone. Dr. suggested trying Xeljanz instead of going to injectable/infusion. It has definitely gotten my flare under control although I had developed trigger thumb which did not come back (had to have thumb surgery). I'm a big concerned about how new this drug is and potential effects. Side effects haven't been bad although my menopause symptoms (especially my internal temperature control) seem to have returned...I thought I was past that...maybe the drug? Started with 2 pills per day (for about 3 months) but have now cut that back to one per day (just in the past week).Read More Read Less

just started taking this medication. Stomach pain, headache, lose stools so far. Relief of pain in joints right off the bat. Will see how this works.