Upadacitinib and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Boo...
• November 23, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Rinvoq for almost 4 weeks. Didn't notice too much difference in my RA other than less pain and swelling in my hands and knees. All of a sudden, my legs turned red with severe pain and swelling below my knees into my ankles. I developed pitted edema with sharp pains in my legs. Also, sharp chest pains in the center, increased urination, nasal congestion with runny nose, and worst of all is the chills and sweats I'm dealing with. A sore throat appeared but did not last. I am really scared about the possibility of blood clots and intestinal bleeding. I do have interstitial lung disease, GERD, diverticulosis, fibromyalgia, and ulcerative colitis. This medication does make me very tired. After the swelling of my ankles got so bad, I stopped Rinvoq. Does anyone know how long it takes for Rinvoq to get out of the body after stopping? I feel so awful and am really scared of a serious blood and/or heart attack."

• Lee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Rinvoq for RA for exactly one year and it has been amazing. My blood work is perfect. I did get shingles on the 3rd month after starting it but I got through it and have been doing so well. Hardly any pain at all and I have suffered for 22 years. The only side effects I have noticed is when my immune system is taking a hit, I get super tired and weak feeling (that’s how I know it’s working extra good). When the tiredness eases up then I know my immune system is relaxing. I have experienced extra oily skin but it might be hormones as well, hard to say. I recommend this to anyone suffering as it's great to feel this good compared to the other horrible RA drugs. Good luck to all!"

• Tir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "In the beginning, I watched a Rinvoq commercial on all the RA relief I could have if I switched to Rinvoq. So I discussed this option with my arthritis doctor to switch me to Rinvoq. I was exhausted all the time, gained weight, depressed, going to the ER due to experiencing painful flare-ups, but they couldn't diagnose my problem even when I told them I was having an RA flare-up, crying for a cortisone shot. My hands, shoulders, and knees were crippling, so I couldn't pick up a glass, flush a toilet, etc., so I was popping prednisone like candy. When I first started Rinvoq, I was feeling good UNTIL these last 3 months I have been having VERY painful flare-ups again with a sore throat, flu-like symptoms, dry mouth, tiredness, and more weight gain; back to the old painful symptoms again. Just typing this comment, my hands are in pain and stiff. Made another appointment with my RA doctor to discuss my option of switching to another medication."

• Neb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis "I have been on this med for about a month now for ulcerative colitis. I am losing my vision, I am getting mouth sores, I am breaking out in my scalp, my face, my cleavage, the back of my neck, and upper back/shoulder area. I am exhausted, and I am still having stomach issues. I have decided that I am DONE. I am hoping my vision will improve now that I am no longer going to take this. It’s such a terrifying feeling to be losing your vision at only 42 years old. It’s miserable too. I can’t read anything without a pair of readers in the strongest prescription. My eyes ache and throb. I shouldn’t be driving either."

• BEW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2023

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have tried Enbrel, Humira, methotrexate, etc., and finally Rinvoq. At first, I had a positive response and started to feel much better, but then after 8-10 weeks, the 3-4+ pitting edema became unbearable, and the shortness of breath was downright frightening, coupled with total exhaustion. I was unable to maintain my daily routine and functioning. I had all of the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. It finally got to the point that I had such labored breathing my cardiologist and others were very concerned - and this was two weeks post-stopping Rinvoq. My afib was having a field day, and I felt awful all of the time. At this point, I am three weeks out from stopping the Rinvoq and am wondering how long this will continue until my system has cleared this medication. It is black-boxed for cardiac, amongst other things, and this warning should be seriously taken under consideration before starting this medication. I felt like I was dying - think long and hard before you take it."

• Dar...
• February 28, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 61-year-old woman. I was diagnosed with RA years ago. My specialist had me on so many meds, I even had to take injections. They didn't work, I was in so much pain. I had a hard time getting up in the morning and walking around. I have it in my hands, fingers, toes, ankles, and knees. I started seeing a new specialist, and he put me on Rinvoq. I have been on it for almost 2 years. I have been noticing I am always tired and sleep a lot. I don't know if this is because of the meds, or is it just me. I have been breathing deeper too, so is this normal or what? But I do not have any pain. I can walk again without pain."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started Rinvoq 3 weeks ago, and it eased the pain right away. However, after taking it for a week, I felt fatigued and tired all the time, had low energy, and was irritable. Then my vision started getting bad, and I became overly hungry. After 2 weeks, I had enough and stopped taking the medication. I have been off the medication for almost a week now, and my vision is coming back."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on medication now for over 2 months. It started to work within 3 days. Side effects include nausea and feeling tired all the time. After a month on Rinvoq, I have gotten used to the side effects. I am on week 9 and starting to have other side effects, not sure if it is from the medication. These include sleep problems, my left knee suddenly swelling up and hurting, and my hips starting to hurt again."

• mau...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had severe RA, had tried Methotrexate, Leflunomide, and corticosteroids and thus developed poor liver values. Since 2021, I have been taking Rinvoq, and after a few weeks, I was almost pain-free, can do sports again (just not extreme), work, and can participate in life again. I get a bit tired faster, but that's still okay. The pain I have now is arthritis in the hip. My quality of life has increased enormously."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2025

For Crohn's Disease "I am in my 8th week of the 45 mg dosage. With 3 days of starting Rinvoq, I could tell it was working. Since then, my condition has continued to improve. I am having regular bowel movements after 2 years of flares and trying several other drugs. I was also using prednisone to get me through. Now, I feel better overall, but somewhat more tired. I am experiencing the acne that others have written about, including on the top of my scalp. However, it is getting less noticeable. I do feel like I want to take showers more often. This is the only drug that has helped my Crohn's (besides prednisone), so I plan to keep taking it. I would rate it a winner."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "It seems to help. The side effects are brutal. Always exhausted. Always wake up feeling sick with a cold. I think my heart rate is accelerated. I only take it every other day."

• RMi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Works well but caused acne on face, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, massive eye bags"