Goode luck with this new med. I so hope it works well for you.
Hugs

Hi, I have not heard of this medication, but I hope it helps with the stiffness. i may need a change as the stiffness has increased tremendously in the past few weeks. Good luck with feeling better.

Hmmm...I have been on it 3 weeks and was told to take it twice a day, didn't have to work up to it?. It seems to be working well, but getting side effects. It increased my cholesterol which is now "high", racing heart, short of breath sometimes. I went from so exhausted sleeping as much as I could after work to now I can't barely sleep at all. The other night my resting heart rate at 2am was 105 and I couldn't fall asleep. I assume this is from the medicine. Still tired, just now can't rest as much.

Updates please.

My rhuemy wanted me to get on this drug too. My orencia is working, but that forth week before infusion I feel the RA, stiffness and pain. But he did say there are more side effects and your immune system is more compromised on the everyday pill.

So load up on vitamin C and eat lots of fruits and veggies! And carry anti bacteria wipes in your car or purse!

Dreamchaser,
are you able to switch to injectible Orencia? This was happening to me, too - well about 2 1/2 weeks before my next infusion - once I went to weekly injectible - SO MUCH BETTER

Wow dreamchaser Linda "But he did say there are more side effects and your immune system is more compromised on the everyday pill", my doctor didn't tell me that, but I honestly don't think he knows much of anything about it. It is causing me SEVERE insomnia and he didn't think it was related. The other night I had unrelenting stabbing pains in my stomach for more than 10 hours so I was doing research in the little package insert it does state causes insomnia.
I'm just not sure this one is a keeper for me.

I would switch to the orencia injectables, rhuemy suggested that too, but my insurance pays for the infusions as something different on my policy. Right now I pay almost nothing, if I switch I will go back to my high deductible, and 80/20. Soooo I can suffer that last week!

On the xeljanz, yes rhuemy said more side effects and immune system is more compromised, pick up colds and stuff easier. Makes sense, taking something daily your body doesn't get any a chance to fight anything. And remember it's brand new, so when you got problems the doctors are still learning. The truth is, we are all guinea pigs, since there is no cure, we all all walking experiments.

But that fast heart and shortness of breath, I get that for a couple of days after my infusions. Not so much now, but that first 3 months I lost 20 pounds from orencia, and I'm pretty sure that was why. It's like taking a diet pill, but would a rhuemy admit that? Pfft no.

Lin

Well heck, if I had known I could lose weight on orencia I might have gone that way. I had 3 options. Orencia infusion, which I am in no way ready for infusions, the injectable (which would have been fine, but the assistant would have had to show me how to give and that is a whole different story, can't even understand a word the guy says, so no way or the xeljanz. I wasn't thrilled about it being such a brand new medication, but for me it was the best of 3 bad choices. I might have to go on the infusion if this doesn't work out, but I really, really don't want to.

been on xeljanz now for about 2 weeks. so far no side effects. it has helped with fatigue and pain. still have some pain and stiffness in my hands but certainly an improvement from where i was. i'm still only taking 5 mg once a day in the am. i've taken mtx and arava... had pretty bad side effects with both. so far xeljanz has help with very little side effects. still don't have the relief i want in my hands. they fill pretty stiff at times. i can definitely feel the relief after i take my med in the am. keep u posted. :)

Thanks for keeping us updated JCRock.

Make sure you get regular blood work on this new med.

My rheumy won't prescribe it due to potential liver and kidney complications (higher incidence with this med).

Get your blood tests regularly to check on your liver and kidney status.

Hope it works well for you without complications.

Anything taken orally is going to be riskier on the liver since it travels that way. Best wishes that you get relief!!! :)

I am hoping to start Xeljanz next week I am on an injection of 40mg of pred due to a bad flare yuck. I have been on Enbrel humira and hoping this will bring me releif.

Good luck, itsertime, I hope it works well for you. It's always hard starting a new medication, espectially when it's a BRAND NEW medication, at least for me, not an easy decision.