Xeljanz (Tofacitinib Citrate): My experience on the trial

I have received a lot of interest from others on here in my involvement with the Xeljanz trials at Yale.

I thought it would be nice for everyone if I documented my progress on here. 

Xeljanz is a Jak3 inhibitor and is believed to work with alopecia by turning off the distress signal relayed by the hair follicle to the attacking immune system which is the cause of the hairs falling out. Xeljanz comes in a strength of 5mg per pill and a full box contains 60 tablets. The recommended dosage for arthritis is 1 tablet in the morning and another in the evening each day.

The trial is set in a series of stages and there are requirements before participating. These include monthly visits and blood tests every 2 weeks. Dr Brett King is absolutely fantastic and is an inspiration to me. His positivity and enthusiasm gives me the much needed hope I have craved for over a decade. I have been put on a low dose to start with which is 1 tablet every other day. My dosage has now been increased to 1 tablet every day and next month it could be increased to 2 tablets per day depending on the results. 

I have completed my first month and have already noticed my alopecia has stabilised . I have not lost any existing hairs. In addition to this I have seen little hairs growing in my chest area as well as eyebrows. Fingers crossed! To date, I have experienced no side effects.

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AW:  Other discussions on Xeljanz / Tofacitinib

https://alopeciaworld.com/main/search/search?q=Tofacitinib

 

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Permalink Reply by Football fan on July 1, 2016 at 1:21pm
Wow looks great!Try the latisse on your eyelashes mine never fell out use it everyday.Are you still on 4 pills a day and do you take 2 in the morning 2 in the afternoon?
Permalink Reply by sadele on July 1, 2016 at 2:27pm

Hi! I'm still on 4 pills a day; 2 in the morning and 2 at night.

I've been using Latisse everyday, I was even thinking it may be making them fall out but I'm not sure. I didn't use it the last two nights so I'm going to see if it will make any different NOT using it. 

About 2 months ago I started taking some herbs that block DHT, (which is a hormone that affects hair loss), I have no idea if it's doing anything or not.

Things are moving slowly.... praying for a full recovery!

Permalink Reply by James 2me on July 1, 2016 at 3:46pm
That looks great Sadele. I think you are Def going into full recovery. Patience is the Key. I started takeing the Xelljanz XR today it's a once a day 11 mg tablet I'm going into month 5 it seems that in my case it's going to take some time.
Permalink Reply by Talia on July 1, 2016 at 6:42pm

You look amazing....I am also praying you will have a full recovery!

Permalink Reply by Xeljanz2015 on July 1, 2016 at 2:10pm
That's awesome Sadele! Congrats on the growth! I still have some round spots, but the longer it gets better coverage you get. Mine can't be seen anymore.
Permalink Reply by cws on July 1, 2016 at 3:18pm

JAKs are the tip of the ice burg as more things become possible for autoimmune. This just happens to be the first real thing that works (for most). More and more developments/ solutions will be coming to the market...and they will make JAKs look antiquated.

My leg hair continues to grow, I still have a couple resistant spots on my head but all else has grown back. I am trying a 2 pill one day, 1 pill the next dosage to see if it all continues to stay. Best to all.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/autoimmune-disease-t-cell-engineering-targ...

http://news.ubc.ca/2015/08/28/ubc-researchers-develop-drug-to-treat...

Permalink Reply by James 2me on July 1, 2016 at 3:54pm
I totally Agree with this being the tip of the Iceburg good things are comeing and there comeing soon all of us with this disturbing disease will all be smileing again real soon. Happy 4th to all.
Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on July 1, 2016 at 4:30pm
Hey James, I am no longer on 3 pills a day. The doctor decreased my dose back to the original 2. My hair continues to grow,and my eyebrows and lashes have returned. I went to New Orleans earlier this month and was able to add hair extensions for a more glamorous look. Picture below.
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Permalink Reply by Talia on July 1, 2016 at 6:43pm

Looking good girl!

Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on July 1, 2016 at 8:20pm
Thanks Talia. You will get here. Congratulations James! The little white transparent hairs is how regrowth begins. That was me last September. I went to my annual Bible Convention today and my friends were happy and amazed at my regrowth because last July I was TOTALLY BALD with no eyelashes or eyebrows. Hang in there, don't give up!
Permalink Reply by Talia on July 1, 2016 at 9:31pm
What a testimony Xeljanzmiracle! I'm praying for good regrowth...sometimes I wonder why would this happen to a person? I know it could be worse, but I'm just baffled by alopecia. Never dreamed in a million years I have would lose every hair on my body...crazy!
Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on July 2, 2016 at 12:27am
Talia, there are all kinds of autoimmune diseases. Some attack the digestive system, others the skin and joints, etc. At least this one doesn't hurt physically, but it is emotionally devastating. I used to say to myself for 6 years "It's not cancer, it could be worse."

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