Has anyone tried a Jak Inhibitor for RA?

[AfternoonVanessa]

I'm about to try Filgotinib for long term rheumatoid arthritis. Has anyone had success with this?

I've had Rituximab and it failed this time.

I’ve been taking it for about 3 years for ulcerative colitis. It was a game changer after trying multiple different drugs. I have gone from being extremely unwell and anxious about going anywhere to being a fit and healthy 60+ year old. I have 3 monthly blood tests and all my inflammatory markers are normal. Good luck, I hope it is as successful for your RA.

Oh thank you. That's really interesting. I've been bed bound. I've had RA for 22 years but now I'm sixty it has been hell for the last couple of years. Any side effects to look out for?

I’m three days into my first JAK inhibitor. Haven’t noticed much so far. Also for RA.

I had Baricitinib, which is a JAK inhibitor and it didn’t work for me. I injected adalimumab before that (anti TNF, not a JAK) and it worked for a while, then stopped.

I have Rituximab infusions now and that has made a difference, although this time I’ve started badly flaring 2 months out from having the next one. They are looking at increasing the dose, so hope this helps, as I’m a bit snookered on what I could have next if this stops working.

My third rituximab failed. It was great but due to serious health issues they stopped it. I've had to semi retire but I'd like some hope!

I have had quite a few non melanoma skin cancers over the last few years but think they are probably a result of 10 years of azathioprine so have accepted the risk as the benefits definitely outweigh this. Absolutely no side effects from the medication. It took about 3 weeks to become fully effective.

@enjoyinglifenowretiredso the Filgotinib took three weeks to work?

Yes, to be fully effective and for me to be totally symptom free.

I have been on baricitinib for several years after I had to stop methotrexate. The MTX worked on my RA but gave me dreadful side effects. The Baricitinib has been great. No side effects except raised cholesterol. RA well controlled. Also take leflunomide and hydroxychloroquin and am going to request perhaps dropping one of these and seeing how things go.

I’m on Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine as well as the infusion.

Used to inject Methotrexate, but now have tablets, as it started to get painful injecting.

Wow. This is so good to hear. I've spent two years in bed and gave up work. I can't walk beyond two rows in waitrose and never go out. Prior to that I was well managed and a London commuter.
I tolerate methotrexate well but the injections stopped working after twenty years so they tried rituximab. First two worked then I had to come off them for serious life saving surgery.
The lack of infusions and methotrexate cost me deformed hands but they will rectify that later this year.

I’ve had to delay the infusion, as I had emergency surgery that ended up being far bigger than expected and it caused issues with the wounds healing. I ended up with two 7 inch wounds and 3 for keyhole. The keyhole ones were ok, but the two big ones wouldn’t heal properly.

@HelpMeGetThroughsame. My gyne surgery took four months to heal. Keyhole fine.