Rinvoq and Swelling: 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."

• Jag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on Rinvoq for 3 months. It caused extreme swelling in my legs, arms, hands, and overall body. The swelling was so bad that my shoes didn’t fit, and my skin hurt. It created such bad DVT that I ended up with a pulmonary embolism. This drug could have killed me. It also did nothing for my pain."

• Edd...
• March 19, 2025

For Ulcerative Colitis "Been taking Rinvoq now for 4 weeks, and it's made a world of difference. Already, I have acquired complete remission and returned to normalcy, regular physical training, and normal activity. No more inflammation, cramps, or bowel issues. Results of colonoscopy this week show a definite improvement, and the colon is no longer angry."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been taking Rinvoq for about 6 months and started it because I wasn’t getting enough pain relief from methotrexate. My pain has significantly improved but swelling has actually worsened. I now have edema in both legs, ankles, and wrists. I’ve also gained weight with this drug and not happy about that. I love that this drug is in daily pill form vs. a weekly pill or injection and I don’t have to stress about feeling nauseous and tired after my weekly methotrexate dose. Overall I’m happy to be getting a mostly pain-free life back, but am concerned that my doctor may take me off of it at my next appointment when he sees the amount of edema I now have."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been taking Rinvoq for about 6 months and started it because I wasn’t getting enough pain relief from methotrexate. My pain has significantly improved but swelling has actually worsened. I now have edema in both legs, ankles, and wrists. I’ve also gained weight with this drug and not happy about that. I love that this drug is in daily pill form vs. a weekly pill or injection and I don’t have to stress about feeling nauseous and tired after my weekly methotrexate dose. Overall I’m happy to be getting a mostly pain-free life back, but am concerned that my doctor may take me off of it at my next appointment when he sees the amount of edema I now have."

• 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."

• 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."

• RBM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was taking methotrexate ($67 a month) for 14 years. I still had a little pain and inflammation in my joints. My rheumatologist prescribed Rinvoq ($6,300 a month). I took it for 3 months. The first 3 weeks, it worked because I still had methotrexate in my body, but after that, my pain came back a lot stronger! Finally, I went back to methotrexate, but for some reason, methotrexate did not work as good anymore as it worked before I started taking Rinvoq. I am totally disabled to the point that I can’t even do simple things I used to do before I took Rinvoq. I think Rinvoq changed something in my body that is not repairable. This is a very bad drug."

• Sue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 21, 2023

For Atopic Dermatitis "I've been taking Rinvoq for almost a year now and had to increase from 15 mg to 30 mg because the itching and inflammation came back after about 20 hours of taking it. I've gained almost 15 kg!!! and I can't get it off without starving myself. The cholesterol and kidney values are also noticeable but not yet worrying. All in all, a completely new life and wouldn't want to have to vegetate without this effect anymore!"

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2023

For Atopic Dermatitis "With my asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD), I’ve been on various medications. I’ve never had reactions. Two days in using Rinvoq, I had severe eye swelling, lip swelling, and face swelling. Pins and needles all over my body. I also had zero energy, vomiting, and intense dizziness. This drug has a black box warning for a reason. There are so many other options, truly not worth it."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2023

For Atopic Dermatitis "With my asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD), I’ve been on various medications. I’ve never had reactions. Two days in using Rinvoq, I had severe eye swelling, lip swelling, and face swelling. Pins and needles all over my body. I also had zero energy, vomiting, and intense dizziness. This drug has a black box warning for a reason. There are so many other options, truly not worth it."

• 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."