Upadacitinib and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• 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!"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 10, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on RINVOQ for about a year and a half. It was working great for the pain and stiffness, and then I started getting short of breath and a cough. It wasn’t too bad at first, but it has progressively gotten so bad that I cough all day, and the least little thing I do, I’m short of breath. I have stopped taking the medication, but I have still not improved. Does anyone know how long it takes for this medication to leave your system?"

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been on Rinvoq about 8 months. Shortness of breath couldn't walk to the mailbox. All heart tests negative. Sitting here and realized these symptoms coordinated with taking this drug. Starting tomorrow, no more Rinvoq."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Pet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 10, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Severe respiratory issues, shortness of breath, small skin sores all over my body, and fatigue. I've had severe rheumatoid arthritis for some 35 years now. I've been on pretty much every medication available, with some of them giving pretty severe reactions. In my case, Rinvoq has been one of the more difficult medications regarding the side effects I've experienced. Having said that, we're all different, what affects one may not cause the same issues with another."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2022

"Two weeks on RINVOQ for spondylitis AS - intense dizziness 20 minutes after taking the pill. - fades away within an hour - extreme fatigue that prevents me from functioning normally - pins and needles in limbs - increasing shortness of breath (in very simple activities such as talking) - today, day 14, my left leg feels numb, so I went to the ER to check for blood clots. Negative. Side note: 41 years, female, healthy for the most part, good diet, blood work is normal, vitals are normal. I’m stopping the medication. This is kind of freaking me out. I don’t feel comfortable putting my body through things like that and would rather look for another treatment."

• Ank...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2021

"I started Rinvoq 3 weeks ago and the first week, feeling like I'm doing 40 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. I had energy, but no more. I've become so drained that I just can't fulfill my day. My hair has changed and nails in a bad way. I'm on my 3rd week and I've gotten a mild reaction such as a swollen throat, breathing issues, runny nose, and ear popping. I can't mow my yard anymore because I'm out of breath. I was recommended to do this drug for my skin disorders, I have an autoimmune disease that wasn't managed when I was young, and it's turned into an overactive immune system to now it's turned into Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosed 6 years ago now and I showed signs at 11, I'm 25 now. So far my skin is good, but pimples, energy, and not being able to breathe I do not joke. I can't eat as much because I can't breathe while eating, I have to take small breaths, but if I do go to work, which is hands-on, I get dizzy. I'm only 3 weeks in, but it has ruined me from the start."