Goodbye Simponi, going to try baricitinib

[ElizabethW]

I have been taking Simponi, a once a month biologic injection, for 6 months now. The effect on my painful joints has been minimal, and it would only last 3 to 4 weeks each month. With the pain, stiffness, and exhaustion I have dealt with all these months, I can't wait to leave it behind.

I will be trying baricitinib. I am told that the dose in Canada is 2 mg. I am good with that because I did try Xeljanz, another JAK inhibitor, last year for 3 months, but had to stop due to side effects. My hopes are up. I hope it works out.

[Hidden]

Hi Elizabeth. I started baricitnib in December I’m on 4mg and it’s been marvellous. I did a post a few weeks ago on how well it was working. I have had no side effects. I do hope it the drug for you. X

[ElizabethW in reply to Hidden]

Good news. I hope it continues to work for you.

[ElizabethW]

I just reread my post and I wrote that Simponi helped me 3 to 4 weeks each month --- silly me, I meant 2 to 3 weeks!

[jezebel53]

Hi Elizabeth and can I say just from my own experience, I started Baricitinib a year ago and my inflamation factor or whatever they use, has gone from just under 60 to 23 and I only have minimal pain and stiffness now, I hope it works as well for you.

[ElizabethW in reply to jezebel53]

Thank you for your reply. So glad it's working well for you. My inflammation markers are way high, and I would love to see them come down like yours.

[Deeb1764]

I have been on Baricitnib for a month now and I can feel it has taken off some of the rough edges and after a 2 year battle with lots of other RA drugs this one is not causing me any adverse reactions. Interestingly when I saw a private consultant he was very pro this drug said it was doing good things.

[ElizabethW in reply to Deeb1764]

I am hearing good things about this medication, which is very encouraging to me. I hope you feel better and better as the weeks go by.

[liveinwoods]

My rheumatologist prescribed Baricitnib when Orencia quit working. Unfortunately I could not afford the cost- $14, 300 a year!

[Deeb1764 in reply to liveinwoods]

Yes in the UK you have to try 3 of the DMARDS and if not working or adverse effects we then are allowed biologics and Jaks . For me after 4/5 tries on the others I have finally found it seems a drug my body allows me to keep taking.

[liveinwoods in reply to Deeb1764]

I am glad you found a drug that works for you.

[00424291]

What kind of side effects did you have?

[ElizabethW in reply to 00424291]

If you are asking about side effects to xeljanz, I had periods of lethargy, insomnia, brain fog, slow heart rate, shortness of breath, tingling legs, occasional stomach cramps, headaches. It was a lot.

[Neonkittie17]

Hope it works really well for you. 🙏🏻💗