I took Xeljanz and it didn't work for me. I do think it made me a little more tired, but no other side effects. I also have a long list of biologics that didn't work. I tolerate meds well; they just don't work!

I don't understand what age has to do with it.

Xeljanz didn't work for me. I didn't have any side effects, but I still had flares in 80 joints after 5 months, so my rheumatologist pulled me off of it.

I am on Arava and Orencia now, almost 7 months, and flares in at least 40 or 50 joints. This gets old quickly.

I hope it works for you. Let us know, one way or another.

Hi, I have been reading this post since I was diagnosed.
I have tried methotrexate and folic acid, Enbrel and Orencia. I had a severe reaction to methotrexate. I had a bad reactions to both injections.
I asked if I could try Xeljanx. It had only been approved for a short time. I have been taking Xeljanz for 2 1/2 years. Xeljanz has worked for me. At one point my insurance changed and I didn't have Xeljanz for a month. Since I wasn't taking it I realized how good it was working for me. Take Care

Xeljanz is actually a DMARD, not a TNF inhibitor, it's janus kinase inhibitor. Enbrel stopped working for me after 1 1/2 so was placed on Xeljanz. Gave me almost daily headaches and an extra 10 pounds I didn't need! After 6 weeks Dr. told me to stop it, currently awaiting Humira approval.

I also heard from my rheumatologist that xeljanz is not a tnf inhibitor.

I am having great results with xeljanz! Almost feeling "normal" again. I have had a few hiccups (infections) when I had to stop for a short time, so I really know that it is working by how much better I feel when I can resume taking it.

Hoping it will be a good med for you!
-daizy8

I have been on Xeljanz for about 2 months (with a 1-week break when trying to work out things with insurance). Other than it is causing acne (oh, great!), it is working very well for me.

I was on MTX, then we added Plaquenil after a year. That worked reasonably well, but then I started having flares in August. Because I am needle-phobic and really fighting against a weekly injection, the doc prescribed Xeljanz :). I dropped the PlQ so I am on 17.5 mg MTX & the 2xdaily Xeljanz. This is the first time in three years (since DX) I have had absolutely NO PAIN. While the MTX/PlQ knocked out most of it and I was pretty much back to normal activity, I still had chronic pain in my right hand (unfortunately, along with that pain came erosion, as well as erosion in both of my feet).

I was feeling crummy (headache, fatigue) last week so I skipped two doses (not the brightest idea, I know...), but I am feeling normal again this week. The doc ran blood work and it came back fine, so I must have just had a slight "bug".

Dana W.

So it's been about 2 weeks since I started Xeljanz and I don't want to speak too soon but it seems to be working!!!!

My fingers have been almost back to normal that I've been able to wear rings again for the first time in MONTHS! I also have a ton more energy when getting out of bed in the morning..probably because everything doesn't hurt!

I sure hope this continues!!!!!!!