Olumiant/Baritinib users

[Anniebl24]

I have started the above drug about two months ago and am having back, leg and arm aches and pains. Really can’t decide if I should stop the drug and see if it goes away or keep taking it in case it is RA related. These aches and pains would be new RA problems to me if they are RA related, so I am suspicious of the drug.

The drug has been highly effective for me till recently but just the last few days have a swollen wrist and episodes of knee, foot and ankle pain so I know the RA is active.

Can’t get a blood test for a week to see if any of the enzymes are elevated.

Have tel appt with the RA nurse but not for three weeks, so just wanted to know if any other users had been through similar experiences.

Many thanks for your help.

[gradyjackjacob]

I,ve been on this drug for about 4 years and has only had a few flare up,s which last a few days.I think which ever drug we have to take we,ll always get joint pain.Best wishes.

[helenlw7]

I’ve been on Baricitinib since February, and to begin with my hands - I could actually move my fingers fairly freely and without pain. However, I still have pain in my other affected joints. I was diagnosed in 2004, and a lot of my joints are damaged beyond repair, and I don’t think Baricitinib can do anything for these joints. I hope you get some answers.

[wilbertjellyfish]

I was on it for about three months and had flu like symptoms for most of the time on it.However, if it worked initially for youk perhaps your just having a flare and should keep going.

My whole body ached and I felt as though my temperature was all over the place.

[Leics]

I didn’t have the problem with Baricitanib however when I was changed to tofacitanib the pain in my joints was excruciating and got worse every day I took them but that was right from the first pill. It got so bad that I had to come off them and I only managed a month but think I did well to do that to be honest. After a week of stopping the pain subsided and hasn’t returned to the same extent even though I’ve had a flare since. I’d say contact your rheumy team and seek their advice it could well be that you’re having a flare and need an adjustment of meds anyway. I wouldn’t stop them meantime but don’t wait three weeks to find out their advice.

[wishbone]

I was taking it for 3 years. Started to feel a small benefit within a few days, which increased over the coming weeks but stll in some pain no doubt due to damaged joints like helen. Side effects were a constant headache not long after starting baricitinib and a prolonged sinus infection, which eventually eased but never cleared entirely. Stopping baricitinib for a week then restarting cured the headache. It eventually became less effective so rheumy stopped it and put me on another med.

[medieval-ali]

Hi I’ve been on baricitinib for a few years, i did get back pain and thought it was the drug it actually turned out to be coincidence it was a prolapsed bowel amongst few others. I had surgery to fix it and in all had 5 prolapses! I do still get the odd twinge in my back but i don’t think it’s drug related to me!

baricitinib works really well for me atm, i do get very tired though, not sure yet if that is related or if it’s just my age ect.

You could stop the drug for a week or two see what happens! RA is a blast isn’t it! 😟