Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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ELT452 07/02/2015

Currently taking actemra injections weekly, methotrexate, arava, prednisone. Doctor suggested Xeljanz. Any more people with experience after its been out for awhile. I have tried so many over the past 10 years but changes due to not helping anymore or the cost. Sometimes I just get worn out!! Thanks !!

MarleneJ 07/03/2015

I have been on it for 8 weeks. I have had no side effects so far, but it is not working nearly as well as I had hoped. I have some major flares in my fingers, and I have to ice 3 times a day to use my hands.

When it rained this week, I had a day of flares everywhere. I've never reacted to weather before, so I guess the drug is not controlling the RA well enough.

I will say, it is easy to take. And taking it on an empty stomach for better absorption has helped a bit, although they say it can be taken with food.

ELT452 07/09/2015

Thanks Marlene, I wish more people would comment on this med,

2leftfeet 07/09/2015

Hi Elt, sorry, can not make a comment. I have been on several biologics, but not this one yet. Good luck

racerunner 07/10/2015

I was on xeljanz for over 2 months. The medication didn't help all that much. It did give me a daily headache that I couldn't deal with so it was stopped for that reason and also that it wasn't helping at all.
Good luck with it.

GibsonbB 07/10/2015

I've been taking Xeljanz for at least 18 months. Seems to be helping. No side effects. Doctor isn't calling it complete remission, but my joints are much better. I use the Xeljanz copay card and my insurance covers the rest. It, like most the other meds is costly, running $2400. a month in my area. Like the ease of a pill. No needles or refrigeration to worry about so it is much nicer when traveling. Good luck.

phandbj 07/11/2015

Yes! I have been taking Xeljanz for 2 years the end of this month. It has worked better than anything else I have tried.

tootsiesmom 07/12/2015

I was on Xeljanz for about 6 months when I felt that the Enbrel just wasn't doing its job anymore.
I realized that I was taking 2-3 times the pain meds when I was on the Xeljanz versus the Enbrel.
Doc started me back on Enbrel about 2 months ago. I am not taking near as many pain meds now, but still not happy with the amount of pain that I am in on a daily basis.
I go see him in a couple of weeks, not sure where it is going to go this time.
Kim

yankeesgrrl 08/10/2015

My rheumy started me on Xeljanz after my Actemra infusions failed. I am calling them today to tell them I am stopping the med...I can't handle the daily headache. It never goes away....I get one with the morning dose, and then have to take another dose of Xeljanz at night....No thank you... :(

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