Rinvoq and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve had RA for over 20 years. Nothing has really helped. So the Rheumy said Rinvoq was the next step. The last 9 days have been a pure living nightmare. Headache 18 hours a day. Nausea and vomiting even when I sleep. Yes, I have awakened in vomit twice. I’m a 61-year-old woman. I’ve never done that in my adult life. It feels like someone is trying to dig out of my stomach with a knife. The rheumy told me this morning to stop for a week and call and tell him how I feel. The headache, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain have almost completely resolved. Hmmmmmm...and sigh...now what."

• Sio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA, Sjogren's in 2011. In 1989, I was diagnosed with hypothyroiditis and Hashimoto's disease. I've been given Mobic, Methotrexate, Plaquenil, and now Rinvoq. I'm still on Methotrexate, same dose, and Rinvoq, I still have prednisone as well, one daily 5 mg. I began my Rinvoq the 1st week in July. It is currently 5 weeks. The first week, I thought this is the one. I was starting to regain mobility. I do not feel this way any longer. 1. Severe fatigue, so much so I can fall asleep sitting up. 2. Because of the above, I am in a fog and can't think. 3. Eyes are blurred and dry, also, I have my 1st chalazion in my eye. For those who don't know, it's like a stye. 4. Headaches. 5. At 57, I have acne issues, not a lot, but there are pimples filled with fluid. 6. My left leg swells a lot, and my foot. 7. Today, trouble breathing. We are all different."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on this medication for several months and had a stroke at 42! I stayed in the hospital for over a month and had over 13 doctors during this time. 11 out of 13 doctors said that Covid shots and this medication were a bomb waiting to happen! Causing a major stroke! I had very little signs and symptoms but enough to know something wasn’t good. I suffered with dizziness, headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, and all of this made me always think I had Covid! The same symptoms for Covid are pretty much the same symptoms for every medication in the world that you take! It’s really hard to determine what symptom goes with what diagnosis this day and age! Don’t wait until it’s too late, just stop taking this medication and try something else. It’s not worth it!"

• ess...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "I've only been on Rinvoq for a month to treat atopic dermatitis, but am calling my dermatologist tomorrow. The dermatitis has cleared up, but at the expense of severe nausea, headaches, chills, cold sores, and acne. I'm typically very active with running, biking, and hiking, but in the last month of taking this, I feel so bad all I want to do is sleep. In Rinvoq's defense, my body does not react well to most drugs, so maybe it is just me, but I've never had this bad of a reaction to any drug."

• Nig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Many failed attempts from over six drugs for my RA, from oral to self-injections paired with methotrexate injections. I was put on Rinvoq in February 2023. Over time, headaches began, and I noticed elevated blood pressure. My PCP would tell me it's my OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). A couple of months later, the headaches and full-body pain became excruciating. Nothing I took would help. My blood pressure would not go down and even reached as high as 190/104. I also experienced a fast heartbeat. I was a miserable soul and wanted to dig a hole and jump in. An ER visit did nothing to alleviate my symptoms. I finally had to figure this out for myself. I decided to stop taking Rinvoq for a couple of days to see what would happen. I noticed a little improvement after day three, so I continued not taking it. I flushed the medication out with nothing but water. By day five, I felt so much better, and one week later, everything had stopped. All I was going through were my normal day-to-day struggles from RA, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was using Plaquenil alone, then they added methotrexate, but it gave me headaches. So they eliminated it for sulfasalazine. It makes it less painful. But the doctor said I better use Rinvoq. I have been taking Rinvoq for a year now with Plaquenil and sulfasalazine. This addition makes me feel like I'm gaining my normal life back. The problem is that I started to have continuous UTI infections in the last 8 months. It is very painful. So I am considering changing meds."

• UCo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis "I was given Rinvoq for the treatment of my ulcerative colitis by my gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, after only my first induction dose of 45 mg, I suffered an allergic reaction with the following symptoms: headache, constricted nasal passages, difficulty breathing, pain in my upper back, pain in my lungs, my lungs felt like they were burning, lightheadedness, blurry/fuzzy vision, numbness in my left arm, pain in my left arm, cold sweats, and pain in my abdomen. Ended in the ER, and the ER doctor said to stop taking this medication."

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2023

For Atopic Dermatitis "I had uncontrollable itching and tried all sorts of things to help and was finally prescribed Rinvoq. With no insurance, I was able to sign up for a free Rx. Rinvoq gave me my life back. The itching was gone!!! Then I started seeing the side effects of shortness of breath, my legs breaking out in what appeared to be massive acne, and I am getting headaches and a slight cough. I have taken it for 3 months and a little of the itching has come back, I am definitely looking for an alternative."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking this medicine for a week. My blood pressure has been uncontrollable, and I have been having headaches. I was diagnosed with juvenile RA and haven't had to take any medicine. I was trying it to see if it helps for occasional pain. I believe I will stop it and do more natural things. Don't like how I was feeling."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve had RA for 20 years, treated with a dozen different meds. Started Rinvoq about a month after having Covid and soon developed strong headaches; I’ve never really had headaches before (I’m 54). It hurt to move my eyes; difficult to even watch TV. My rheumatologist told me to drop Rinvoq, and the headaches got better immediately… but didn’t 100% disappear. Now just low-grade. I started wondering if they were a leftover issue from Covid, so after 2 weeks, I restarted Rinvoq. Noticed my energy level and mood dropped right away, BUT joint pain did, too. I switched to taking it at night, and that helped with fatigue. But, a month and a half in, the headaches are returning daily, I’m dragging through the day, and I’m feeling discouraged, wondering if this will just be life from now on. Joint pain seems to be returning, too. I used to think crushing fatigue was a result of RA flares, and now I’m beginning to think it’s actually from the meds."

• Pam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 6, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Rinvoq 15 mg has been a game-changer. For the first time, my arthritis is under control. It worked from day one. Side effects have included and resolved extreme fatigue (initial), headache, nausea, feeling of cold, and UTI. I suffer from Achilles tendinitis and work as a respiratory therapist, so I’m on my feet constantly! This has kept me working and active every day. I'm able to work 4-5 12-hour shifts in a row. I was not able to do that with previous biologics and DMARDs. I'm not on steroids anymore. Yes, I have gained about 10 pounds. I'm working with my doctors now to get the weight off. Everyone is different, and your journey will be too. Good luck!"

• Rub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had a good start with Rinvoq, but ended up in acute care with double pneumonia six weeks in. Since then, I have had vertigo and constant headaches. It’s now six months into my treatment, my vertigo is getting worse, and I wake up every day with another spot on my face or neck. I had perfect skin before and am way too old for acne."

• Aim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2025

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on methotrexate for many years, but I was getting tired of the nausea and losing my hair. So I was changed to many other medications that did not work. I was afraid I had to go back to methotrexate, but fortunately, Rinvoq started working within the first week. I have been on it for four months. I have had COVID three times within this period, slight headaches, and a cough every night and morning. I mentioned it to my doctor and said it’s not a common side effect, but that we can change medication. I am getting tired of the cough, but I don’t want to suffer with RA pain. Besides that, I am feeling really good, my hair is back, and I don’t get nauseous."