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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Related Post on Alopecia World:  

Xeljanz / Tofacitinib

Olumiant

Jak Inhibitors

 

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Permalink Reply by Shanna on May 19, 2015 at 9:12pm
Thought I'd update you guys: saw my doctors today and at 13 weeks in Xeljanz I have full regrowth on my head and about 50% of my brows, lashes, and body hair. No serious side effects so far.
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Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on August 23, 2015 at 4:44am
Shanna! Finally your BEAUTIFUL face (and hair regrowth) have a name!!! I have been showing your amazing results on Xeljanz to everyone on my phone for the past few weeks. Telling everyone to look you up on Pikore.com thealopeciaexperience. I even mentioned you in my discussion: Starting FREE Xeljanz for AU: My Background on Alopecia World. You and Kyle Rhodes have been my main inspiration for hope and faith in Xeljanz. I tried to sign up to follow you on Instagram but couldn't. I just started Xeljanz 3 weeks ago & now you can follow my progress as I have been following yours. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing your weekly progressive pictures with us. SO INSPIRING!!! Valeri P.S. How do I have my picture show instead of the blank head? I took one to upload but don't know HOW to place it in the right spot. Help!
Permalink Reply by Starshine on May 12, 2015 at 9:08pm

Hi Summer, some of us are not responding as fast as others, myself included, but it may just take longer to kick in for some reason.

Permalink Reply by Anisha on May 12, 2015 at 9:18pm

This is great news! My doctor just prescribed me Xeljanz and I'm eager to try it. These trials at Yale have prompted other doctors to take the plunge as well. I encourage others to discuss this treatment with their doctors.

Good Luck!

Permalink Reply by JHen on May 12, 2015 at 9:26pm
I'll track it down again for you. Plus I may needing it soon when it's time to pay
Permalink Reply by Summer2000 on May 12, 2015 at 9:38pm
Thanks for the encouragement!!! I assume everyone is different, but want to share my story. I would be thrilled to get back eyebrows and nose hair. Good luck to you too!! Wondering if my deem will suggest increasing dosage? He didn't want to trial girls more than a few months.
Permalink Reply by Starshine on May 12, 2015 at 9:45pm

Isn't it funny that we could actually miss nose hair?    Hope you get some growth soon.

Permalink Reply by Anisha on May 13, 2015 at 8:42pm

Where are you getting your Xeljanz?

Permalink Reply by D1979 on May 12, 2015 at 10:28pm

I wish male pattern baldness doctors would be more willing to try out new and effective drugs.  Except all they are interested in is making millions of dollars performing archaic hair transplants.

Permalink Reply by Anisha on August 24, 2015 at 12:26pm

Can anyone recommend a doctor in the DC metro region (DC, Northern VA, MD) who is prescribing Xeljanz? My appeal for Xeljanz coverage was denied a second time because my doctor couldn't get around to submitting the required documentation to the insurance company by their deadline. Getting frustrated. I like my doctor, but they're not helping me anymore.

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on August 24, 2015 at 1:56pm
Try to find a doctor associated with a medical university. Howard? Those doctors are younger and more progressive.
Permalink Reply by CMG2 on May 12, 2015 at 10:37pm

I'm happy for you!  My twin boys who are 11 both have alopecia. One twin has areata and the other has universalis.  I wish they were old enough to try this but I'm trying some other treatments with them.  I wish you much success!! Bravo to you for being so brave.

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