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Xeljanz Side Effects

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Ulcerative Colitis
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MLP2060
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 50
Posted 9/30/2019 6:39 AM (GMT -7)
I have been on Xeljanz for almost 7 weeks and seeing great results. My flare has improved by 85%. I just have a question for other Xeljanz users. I have been feeling very achy since last week. My body feels very stiff and achy especially when I wake up or after sitting for a long time. I'm just not sure if this is a result of the Xeljanz or not. I would have thought if this were a side effect it would have showed up sooner. My muscles also get more fatigued than normal when I am working out - another recent symptom. Other than this minor issue, I am thrilled with the progress with this medication.
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 9/30/2019 8:07 AM (GMT -7)
Could it be this? An extra-intestinal-manifestation of UC?
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/pdfs/arthritiscomplications.pdf
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MLP2060
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 50
Posted 10/1/2019 5:49 AM (GMT -7)
ipoop - yes, it could be part of that, but my UC symptoms are greatly improved. It could just be aches and pains of arthritis and overuse. Again, I'll take it as long as my UC is under control. Thanks for your response. You are a great source of support and information for all of us on this site. Have a good day!
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countess18
Regular Member
Joined : May 2016
Posts : 421
Posted 10/1/2019 7:39 AM (GMT -7)
I fee the same way on Remicade but I continue to work out and deal with it. I much rather be in remission!
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 10/1/2019 12:33 PM (GMT -7)
It's always a tough one, are my pains an extra-intestinal-manifestation or are they due to the med I am on? There's no way for certain to know, and stopping a med when you're doing very well is more than a little bit risky. Many do motor-through-it, when the pains aren't debilitating.

With large cell-surface protein monoclonal antibody therapy, like remicade/entyvio/humira, you can take an antibody blood test as antibodies can cause adverse reactions like joint pains. However, xeljanz is a tiny protein that works inside our cells, and outside of the reach of antibodies. So that is not a cause with xeljanz; impossible. Xeljanz technically isn't a biologic and it isn't a monoclonal antibody therapy like the others are. The immune system can attempt to build antibodies against any monoclonal antibody.
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beave
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 2161
Posted 10/1/2019 3:23 PM (GMT -7)
Nitpicking, but xeljanz isn't a 'tiny protein.' It's a small molecule, about the size of a single amino acid, and isn't a protein.
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MLP2060
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 50
Posted 10/7/2019 6:52 AM (GMT -7)
iPoop - What does that all mean? If you have antibodies, it will react and manifest itself with side effects like joint pain? If so, what do you do about it other than coming off the medicine?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 10/7/2019 6:56 AM (GMT -7)
If your immune system has antibodies to a biologic like remicade, then your immune system is actively fighting the remicade within your blood. That battle can cause symptoms including joint aches, fatigue, rashes, raised body temperature, etc etc.

You are on xeljanz which is not a biologic, and to the best of my knowledge you cannot get antibodies against xeljanz.
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MLP2060
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 50
Posted 10/8/2019 7:40 AM (GMT -7)
I am just pushing through some of the side effects of joint pain and muscle aches and very grateful for the almost 100% remission I've achieved on Xeljanz after months of misery.
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Hugo18
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 150
Posted 10/10/2019 1:53 PM (GMT -7)
Just wondering if anyone on Xeljanz has had the side effect of extensive gas. I mean I am so grateful that my symptoms of blood, mucous and frequency improved almost instantaneously from the drug by literally at the same time I attained extensive amounts of gas. Any food or probiotic i should look to?
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noodlesnoodles
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2015
Posts : 381
Posted 10/15/2019 2:49 PM (GMT -7)
It is normal to experience more gas when transitioning from active flare to remission (or something close to remission). You could try a probiotic, but many people report that probiotics actually increase gas. You might try Gas-X (simethicone).
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Hugo18
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 150
Posted 10/15/2019 3:03 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks noodlesnoodle,
I went to a dietician who specializes in IBD and she said the exact same thing. Funny, that when I had active inflammation I really had no gas and now I am a gassy, smelly individual that I often don't want to be around.
Hey, it still beats the UC symptoms I no longer have!!
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