Been on Xeljanz now for 10 Months

Hello - I had sudden onset of AA on my face 4 years ago and it got much worse 18-19 months ago in the winter of 2013.  At that point I began to lose hair everywhere.  I have now been seeing a doctor and taking Xeljanz for 10 months and 100% of the hair on my head is back.  My eyesbrows are back.  My eyelashes are almost all back.  And hair growth is strong everywhere else.  It looks like in 2-3 months I will be 100% back to where I was 4 years ago.  It is a miracle.  I will be going on a maintenance dose soon and at that time my doctor and I will determine where I will need to be.  At some point, I will stop taking the medication completely but that may be a long time from.  Maybe even years.  Maybe at that point there will be a cure.  Any questions?

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Permalink Reply by katiegirl on June 27, 2015 at 2:58pm
Great to hear this Jason. Very happy for you! Are you paying for the medicine out of pocket? I was just upped to 3 pills a day and the costs are astronomical I'm afraid I won't be able to do this for much longer.
Permalink Reply by Jason on June 27, 2015 at 10:55pm

Thank you.  Fortunately and thankfully my insurance company is paying for it.

Permalink Reply by asp2014 on June 27, 2015 at 5:40pm
Fantastic news! I am very happy for you. It always makes my day when I see posts like this. I've got a couple of questions.

What kind of alopecia did you have before taking xeljanz, what was the extent of your hair loss?
Did you take any other kinds of immunosuppressants prior to xeljanz?
When you started losing hair on your head did it start from the back and behind the ears? Was it diffuse? Did it take on the osphasis pattern? How would you describe the nature of it?
How old are you?
Do you have family members that have some form of AA?
Is AA something you've dealt with for most of your life or did it all suddenly happen 4 years ago?
Did your nails get pitted at all?
What was the dosage that you were put on?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Permalink Reply by Jason on June 27, 2015 at 11:06pm

I had AA then AT going into AU

Didn't take any before.

Started from face and moved up to sideburns then to the head.

Mid 40s

No family members have it

Suddenly appeared four years ago

Nails are fine

taking 2 per day

Permalink Reply by DJ88 on June 27, 2015 at 6:27pm

Hey Jason,

Congrats on the hair, I have a few questions for you.

1.) What form of alopecia did you have when you started Xenjanz?

2.) What dosage did you start with and what are you on now?

3.) If you had AU, Did you have any vellus hairs on your head at all? 

4.) How did you get this covered and by how much?

5.) Lastly, any issues with side effects at all? Easier to get colds,dizziness, that sort of thing?

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 27, 2015 at 11:10pm

I had AA then AT going into AU

Started on 1 per day then went to 2 after 45 days

Nothing else on my head

Insurance rejected at first and keep on trying and appealing and they finally acquiesced

No side effects whatsoever

Permalink Reply by Kasten on June 28, 2015 at 10:30am

Hey Jason,

If you don't mind sharing, which insurance company are you a part of?  I am Blue Cross Blue Shield and was rejected, appealed, and then was rejected again.  Did you appeal multiple times, and did you have your doctor write letter or call the insurance company?

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Bumblebeee on June 30, 2015 at 9:55pm
Hi Jason,

How long were you on the Xeljanz until you started to see regrowth? Thanks
Permalink Reply by blondfrog on June 30, 2015 at 10:47pm

congrats show us pictures

Permalink Reply by sadele on July 1, 2015 at 9:17am

Congratulations! Did you have any side affects? I'm starting my first dosage today and am really excited to see the changes! I'm using the Co-Pay card but in the meantime I'm going on my second round of appeal with my insurance company. We just have to keep persevering! 

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