I was in Xeljanz for 6 months in 2015.

I had no side effects, but it did not work at all. I don't digest things well. My theory is that it just shot through me and never entered my system.

I hope it works better for you, than it did for me, WG!

hi warrior
congratulations on getting through the insurance rigmarole to have your new med approved! I did not want to write my anecdotal story about my response to xeljanz, as it was negative, because you will be unique and it will work fabulously for you smile.

However if you want to hear more about my stomach journey with this med in both it's permutations - the twice a day routine and the once a day routine - and how I hung in there for 6 months with it - write me. (I don't do the friending thing here or anywhere and that is required for me to pm you).

Jump in - this one might be what orencia was for you

So sorry you had a hard time white it. I generally do not have digestive/tummy problems except for the time I got C-Diff.

It has NOT been approved yet. Doc gave me samples until it is. He seems pretty sure it will be, so did the mail order pharmacy.

IS IT POSSIBLE that Xeljanz worked IMMEDIATELY for me? It's supposed to take at least 2 weeks to take effect.

First day I felt 95% better. Second day 99%.

If I didn't know myself better I'd say I was having placebo effect. But I am not like that. I've taken meds and felt NO difference.

The same thing happened for me and I had that exact thought. I decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

It worked for me for a little over 3 years. Hope you have indeed found the magic pill.

Thanks for verifying (validating?) my sanity, Kim!

I was on my "magic pill" - TEN YEARS of remission on Orencia.

Thanks for the positive view on Rituxan and infusions jolinejoline. I will try to keep those good references in mind as that is indeed the drug I would be doing. When I went in for my angiogram at the Mayo Clinic it took them four hours to get a plain ol' IV in me before the procedure. They had to use ultrasound to find a vein and they kept blowing. It was so painful they finally numbed that arm but apparently numbing it makes the veins shrink even more which in turn allowed mine to roll even more. It was a huge mess.

I've had four friends on ports (all type 1's over 40 years like me who were on dialysis) and when those ports go bad it makes my angiogram experience seem like a walk in the park. So needless to say I think I need a shrink before I can pursue an infused drug. My rhuemy was willing to prescribe mental meds for me for the day before and of the infusion sooooo I know people are routing for me, and I gotta believe there's more out there with good stories like yours, it's just hard for me to get the courage to even try!

Speaking of trying, hey WarriorGirl, how'd the first few days go so far with the Xeljanz?

Remarkably well, Smith. My heart goes out to you. I read about a device they use for pediatric patients to find their veins. Not ultrasound.

www.accuvein.com/‎ ??

Glad to hear the Xeljanz isn't just acting as a placebo. I too when I took it the first time was almost in a remission state by day three and loved the next three years.

LOL The Mayo Clinic did use a tool like you mentioned for that lovely 4 hour long how do we get an IV in this girl adventure. The one guy working on me laughed when he turned it on as he didn't see much of a difference. I had been on 60mg of prednisone for almost 6 months at the time and my skin was almost see through!

I'm so sorry, Smith. I have to add my veins to the list of things I'm grateful for: Good docs, good meds, good insurance, and now I add good veins.

The only time I've had problems is anesthesiologists in the hospital. They are AWFUK and they will tell me I have bad veins but I know it's them cause I was on IV Orencia for TEN YEARS and no very rarely had a problem.

IT'S WORKING!!! FOR SURE!! I feel fantastic!! I couldn't be happier.

I still sleep a lot but I always have.

Good to hear! I'm happy for you. I hope it works for a good long time and you get it for a price you can afford. Isn't it great not to be tied to an IV schedule?

OH MY HEAVENS, YES! My veins are soooo happy!!

My doctor said the body doesn't reject Xeljanz like it does biologicals. He said the body comes to see biologicals as a foreign body, but Xeljanz is different. I hope that means it works a damn long time. I had 10 years of remission on Orencia. Kinda spoiled me.