I know a couple of us were starting Baricitinib around the same time so I thought I would let you know how I’m getting on.
It’s week 7 and I definitely have seen improvement with my fatigue/ brain fog and motivation problems they have all most gone . I still get the mtx hangover for a day and a half where I turn into rip van winkle. I’ve had a few swelling problems but generally doing pretty well there . Morning stiffness all but gone only my right ankle ( the one with the monster swelling) is holding me back . If I could get that sorted then I could plan upping physical activity. So far so good long may things continue to improve.
Oh I can now sit crossed leg on the floor, put on my knickers standing up and bend down to put on my socks. All little things but 😁😁it makes me happy.
😂😂😂No been wearing them , ripping them getting them on .. sitting down and kinda flicking them over one foot pull up to the Knees lift the other leg with hand and slide the other leg in .. a sight to behold 😂😂😂😂
Oh that is good to hear and sometimes its those things we took for granted and just did prior to having RD that mean so much. Long may this continue! xx
Eek! Sounds more uncomfortable by the second, and unfortunately, I know what you mean!!🤣🤣BTW, I'm so pleased the baricitinib is starting to have an effect. Brilliant news! The luxury of sitting on the floor! I haven't been able to do that since I was 15 - still miss it. Not been able to have a bath since then either (no, I'm not called Pig pen - at least not to my face! It is always a bit misty wherever I am though, perhaps it's not due to weather conditions after all)?!😂😂
My breakthrough moment was being able to tuck in the bed sheet without wincing in pain. I hate sleeping on a wrinkled sheet. (Wiping my bum easily was also good, but let’s not go there 😱)
That's excellent news! I'm right with you on the knickers front... you could've been describing my daily routine 😂 I've just completed my week 3 on Baricitinib and can also cautiously say that for the first time since diagnosis I've felt some improvement with general joint pain and inflammation that's not from steroids. I'm not quite at the sitting on the floor stage yet... but look forward to that immensely!
Can I ask, are you taking pred as well, and have you started to reduce the dose? I tried to decrease to 7.5mg from 10mg a couple of days ago and had a short but dramatic flare in the evening. So I'm not keen to try again for a while longer... Just wondering whether you're having better luck with it? x
I take MTX as well but not pred I had a steroid injection 6 weeks before starting baricitnib. That’s worn off now so I think that’s why my tight ankle is playing up.. it’s my weak point. An appointment next week with nurse see where we go from there . Sort out the ankle I will be happy. Keep me posted on how your doing .. good luck with the pred so many struggle to get off it takes time but you will get there x
If you have been taking Prednisolone for a while trying to drop by 2.5mg may be too much for you. My consultant is only allowing me to drop by 1mg per month. I had a flare going from 5 to 4 and had to go back up to 6 for a month. Now back at 5 and will be dropping to 4 next week 🤞🏻.
Unfortunately I'm unable to tolerate the 1mg tablets as they're not coated and cause severe GI issues... so the best I can do is to alternate between 10mg and 7.5mg each day, and if that's too quick, I can do 7.5mg every third day. I find it very odd that nobody manufactures coated 1mg tablets, but hey ho!
HI WillosMother, one trick I frequently use when taking Pred, is put that little tablet inside gel caps. I use turmeric capsules one every day anyway, I just stick my pred inside it. It does help protect your stomach lining. Haven't had any heartburn or any GI issues since I started doing it.
I'll see your right ankle and raise you a right knee!! I have a feeling the worst/weakest joints are the ones that will get sorted last... It's amazing what having RA has done for my patience. Everything is so slow, you have to learn to adjust to your own new normal and not expect any improvements or they never seem to come... but when they do, it's a wonderful surprise! Great to have a Baricitinib buddy 😂😘
That all sounds very encouraging J1707, I’m really chuffed for you. Getting rid of the fatigue is a huge thing by itself, but being able to put your knickers on, well out of this world! Funny you should mention being able to sit on the floor cross legged, I was watching my 13 year old daughter doing yoga for PE at home yesterday, and trying to remember how many years it was since I had been able to do anything approaching the lotus pose! 🤣🤣
😂😂😂I can do the cow pose... well that’s the sound I make getting up 😂😂I use to be so supple .. a wooden plank has more bend than me these past 3-5 years xx
So pleased for you. It's the small things that can make such a difference. Your mention of putting your knickers on standing up struck a chord with me as I would love to be able to do that. Keep improving.
I’m so pleased to hear this!!! 💗 I’ve been on this drug for 8 months now, I would say it took 6 months to feel the full effect. Im down to 2mg prednisolone now but I was on pred for a long time. I also take methotrexate and like you really feel sick for a day and half. So glad your getting some benefit. xxx
Oh I’m so pleased you’re starting to improve with the baricitanib. Great news to hear. I certainly hope you start to feel the full benefit very soon but sounds like you’ve made a good start. Glad you’ve been able to put your knickers on without contortions too that’s better in itself 😂.
Thats really good to hear. Im just about to start it myself. RA really teaches you to appreciate the little victories in life - putting on your knickers standing up ranks way up there!
Your so right 🙂 I commented on a post about benepali today, I wanted to share my positive experience. Even though I'm no longer on that, I did have a great response to it for a year, it was only due to low white blood count I had to come off it so I will continue to share positive messages about it. I totally understand, what works for one may not work for others. But when your about to start a new drug, there is nothing worse than hearing all bad reviews (even though its good to hear real experiences) I feel better about starting it now, its just the steroid Injections into my hands im dreading 🙈
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