(BPT) - Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer. Ashley partnered with Pfizer to share her experience living with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Growing up, Ashley was active, played sports, and exercised regularly. So, when she began feeling joint pain, she attributed it to typical sports injuries or soreness. However, as time passed, she was concerned about the ongoing joint pain and swelling she was experiencing.
After discussing her symptoms with her aunt who was a nurse, Ashley sought help from a rheumatologist. Following multiple tests and exams, her rheumatologist diagnosed Ashley with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints.
At first, it was difficult for Ashley to understand the permanence of her RA diagnosis and how it would impact her. "I don't think I initially grasped the fact that I would be navigating this disease for the rest of my life," says Ashley. As she processed her diagnosis, she continued with her usual activities, supplemented by physical therapy sessions when necessary.
However, as Ashley's symptoms continued to progress she realized that she needed to re-prioritize her disease management and self-care. Working with her doctor, she became more aware of setting realistic exercise goals and finding activities that are more manageable with her RA.
When Ashley met Mike, her now-husband, she opened up to him about her RA on their first date. "I felt like it was important to be open about my RA with Mike because when you live with a chronic illness, it doesn't just impact you. It impacts your significant other, your family members, and friends," says Ashley.
"If you would have asked me what RA was before I met Ashley, I would have had no idea. Ashley was very upfront and honest about the challenges that she deals with, and over time I got to see firsthand how RA impacted her," says Mike.
Throughout their marriage and Ashley's journey with RA, Mike has been supportive of Ashley's disease management goals and treatment plan. "He's given me so much confidence to try different things that I would have never tried before, like traveling solo," says Ashley. "He also has even given me the confidence to approach my doctor to find a treatment plan that works for me."
During the course of her journey, Ashley has gone through a lot of trial and error with different types of prescription treatment plans for her RA. She tried multiple tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, but these medicines did not work well enough for Ashley. As a result, she did some research online and read about XELJANZ® (tofacitinib), an oral medication for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when one or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used and did not work well or wasn't tolerated. XELJANZ appealed to Ashley, and she liked that it was a pill. She brought it up with her rheumatologist after getting encouragement from her husband.
Ashley's rheumatologist reviewed the benefits and possible serious side effects of XELJANZ with her. They also discussed the type of laboratory monitoring that would be needed before and during treatment. Her rheumatologist also explained that XELJANZ has a BOXED WARNING.
XELJANZ can cause serious side effects and can lower your ability to fight infections; don't start XELJANZ if you have an infection. Before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections like tuberculosis (TB), and do blood tests. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and lung cancer, blood clots and serious heart-related events have happened. People 50 or older with heart disease risk factors had an increased risk of death. Tell your doctor if you had a heart attack, other heart problems, stroke, or a history of blood clots.
Read more Important Safety Information and Indication below.
After starting XELJANZ, Ashley noticed that she was experiencing less joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and was feeling less fatigued. As a result, she has gained more confidence in herself. Although her husband remains supportive, she now feels empowered to take on more activities independently.
With her symptoms of pain diminished, Ashley has greater flexibility in choosing how to spend her time, whether that's engaging in activities by herself or enjoying quality moments with friends and family.
Moreover, since her symptoms and physical functioning have improved after beginning treatment with XELJANZ, Ashley has been able to engage in activities she once enjoyed before being diagnosed with RA, such as hiking and bird watching.
Ashley has always been passionate about the outdoors, and XELJANZ has allowed her to return to the activities she loves. "Being able to get to a place where my symptoms started to improve has allowed me to find ways to reconnect with nature," says Ashley.
What is Ashley's advice for others living with RA?
"I always tell people to focus on what you can do instead of dwelling on what you can't. Focus on the good things in your life because RA doesn't define you. It's a part of who you are, but it's not all of who you are, and it doesn't mean that you can't have a productive, fulfilling, and happy life."
To learn more about XELJANZ, visit XELJANZ.com/RA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION
The safety information below applies to all marketed formulations of XELJANZ. Specific risks associated with certain dosing are noted.
Serious infections. XELJANZ can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Do not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious infections have happened in people taking XELJANZ. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with XELJANZ. You should not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare professional tells you it is okay.
Before and after starting XELJANZ, tell your doctor if you are being treated for an infection, have infections that keep coming back, or have symptoms of an infection, including:
- fever, sweating, or chills
- cough
- blood in phlegm
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
- burning when you urinate
- urinating more often than normal
- muscle aches
- shortness of breath
- weight loss
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- feeling very tired
Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily.
Cancer. XELJANZ may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. People taking XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily have a higher risk of certain cancers including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.
Higher dose. People with ulcerative colitis taking the higher dose of XELJANZ (10 mg twice daily) or XELJANZ XR (22 mg one time each day) have a higher risk of serious infections, shingles, or skin cancers.
Immune system problem. Some people who have taken XELJANZ with certain other medicines to prevent kidney transplant rejection have had a problem with certain white blood cells growing out of control (Epstein Barr Virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder).
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily, especially if you are a current or past smoker.
Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking XELJANZ, including:
- discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
- severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
- pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling lightheaded
- weakness in one part or one side of your body
- slurred speech
Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE), veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), and arteries (arterial thrombosis) have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily. Blood clots in the lungs have also happened in people with ulcerative colitis. Some people have died from these blood clots.
- Stop taking XELJANZ and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots such as sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling of a leg or arm, leg pain or tenderness, or red or discolored skin in the leg or arm.
Tears (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people taking XELJANZ can get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using XELJANZ and call your healthcare provider right away if you have swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or get hives.
Changes in certain lab test results. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your white and red blood cells before starting and while you are taking XELJANZ. Your doctor should also check certain liver tests. You should not take XELJANZ if your lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, or red blood cell count is too low or your liver function test levels are too high. Changes in lab test results may cause your healthcare provider to stop your XELJANZ treatment for a time. Your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving XELJANZ.
Before you use XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or think you have symptoms of an infection
- Have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB, or were born in, lived in, or traveled where there is more risk for getting TB
- Have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections
- Live or have lived in certain areas (such as Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections
- Have or have had Hepatitis B or C
- Are a current or past smoker
- Have had any type of cancer
- Have had a heart attack, other heart problems or stroke
- Have had blood clots
- Have liver or kidney problems
- Have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestines
- Have recently received or plan to receive a vaccine. People taking XELJANZ should not receive live vaccines but can receive non-live vaccines
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed. You should not take XELJANZ and breastfeed
- Have had a reaction to tofacitinib or any of the ingredients
- Are taking other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following medicines while taking XELJANZ since this may increase your risk of infection:
- tocilizumab (Actemra®)
- etanercept (Enbrel®)
- adalimumab (Humira®)
- infliximab (Remicade®)
- rituximab (Rituxan®)
- abatacept (Orencia®)
- anakinra (Kineret®)
- certolizumab (Cimzia®)
- golimumab (Simponi®)
- ustekinumab (Stelara®)
- secukinumab (Cosentyx®)
- vedolizumab (Entyvio®)
- ixekizumab (Taltz®)
- sarilumab (Kevzara®)
- azathioprine, cyclosporine, or other immunosuppressive drugs
- Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.
What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?
If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.
Common side effects in people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), high blood pressure (hypertension), and acne.
XELJANZ & Pregnancy
XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.
You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.
What is XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
- Moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular course juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
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