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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Xeljanz

gotorun
gotorun

I started Xeljanz today and I am quite nervous.  5 hours after I took it I got nauseated and threw up.  Better this afternoon, but nervous about taking my evening dose.  I also take Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine.  I hope it works I am worried about the posts about weight gain.  I eat very clean and exercise 6 days a week.  I also work with pre-schoolers so that worries me too.  If anyone can give me their experiences on the medication I would appreciate it.  


Thanks


Sheri

WarriorGal
WarriorGal
are you taking it with food? Does it say to take with food? That is the most common cause of nausea when taking medication.

Otherwise call your pharmacist or physician.
gotorun
gotorun
It says you can take with or without food. I did not yesterday. I take it at 6 AM and 6 PM. I can't eat a substantial breakfast at 6 AM so I had a half of banana and did not have any nausea today.
Lonie2
Lonie2
I have been on xeljanz since August and I was really nervous about starting it. I am also on arava and plaquinel and down to 1 mg prednisone. Nerves can also mess with your stomach. I’m not saying that it’s only nerves but they don’t help. I do take it with some form of food even if it’s only some crackers or toast I’m not great with food in the morning. So far I am having good results and I hope you will too.
gotorun
gotorun
Thanks Lonie2 me too. I am glad you are having good results.
depotblue
depotblue
lots of folks have good results with this pill. which I applaud.

However, I stuck with it for 6 months, (the extended release once a day and then changing to the twice a day with food without food, then the twice a a day - only once a day to back off it, then take a break back on and yadda yadda yadda) and still ended up with a diagnostic colonoscopy at the end from taking it as it caused damage. I persisted on it for 6 months and it did some good havoc which took a l o n g time to heal. Listen to your own body and check in with your rheum's office even if it is just the patient portal, an answering machine or passing a message through the nurse. anything that persists is worthy of a look at. Basic jitters not so much.
gotorun
gotorun
Well I am on my third day so far so good. Once I took with food no nausea. I am having some insomnia since I started it. Taking the 5 MG twice a day. What did it do to your colon if you do not mind me asking. I am not due for one till 2021 have to do every 3 years because I had polyps. My first one was in 2018 at 50. I am very in tuned with my body and know when something is not quite right. I always call my Rheumy's nurse when I am having a new side effect. I could not handle 4 Sulfasalazine so they backed me down to 3.
depotblue
depotblue
no stomach issues before. after my 1/2 year run, diverticulitis. I rather not report this on here but you asked. You will probably enjoy the freedom from long wait to get quick IV's from the infusions or sticking yourself, taking the pill and get relief. I agreed to try it with my rheum and I agreed to persist in taking it in different permutations and stop and starts until I reached the gut wall. I kind of blame myself for being so adaptive with all the bathroom crap and stomach pain this drug brought me. I swear I am co-dependent with my RA meds (that was a joke). But yeah, this one is on my been there and it left a huge gift.

For you - i bet it will be a charm-a.