Deanna: Making the switch

Music track and RINVOQ logo throughout.

DEANNA: I’ve always enjoyed doing different things. Landscaping, like lots of DIY stuff. Paddle-boarding, kayaking, or just spending time in the water, at the beach, just always doing something that’s active. 

As the time went on, those things just kind of disappeared. So when I was at that low point, I felt the pain the most in my back and in my hips. And then it comes and goes as almost like a sharp like knife-type pain. 

And the pain would really affect my sleep. I would just be really tired and in pain. 

When I was at my worst, I couldn’t do anything that I really enjoyed. I was just existing, and that was really, really tough mentally and physically, because I’m a really physically active person. I could’ve worked out in the yard for most of the day doing weeding and just general planting and moving landscaping things around and building beds and things like that. 

After like experiencing this diagnosis, I couldn’t. I either could only spend a couple of hours or if I did spend more time, I was essentially in bed for the next day. 

It really felt like a collaborative event or an experience with the rheumatologist is that when I went to see her, I always felt hopeful, I always felt like there’s something else we can try. I was started on HUMIRA. And I was on that six months, and then I was on maybe three or four other medicines in that time to try to figure out what was working, but none of them actually worked. 

After I started taking RINVOQ, I noticed that the back pain was not as bad, it wasn’t 100% better but then as I continued to take it for longer, I really reached a level that was just the best I’ve felt in years. I can walk the dogs, work all day out in the yard. Like being present more, I would say. 

ANNOUNCER VOICE-OVER (AVO):

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

RINVOQ may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower ability to fight infections. Serious infections, some fatal, occurred, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
  • Increased risk of death in people age 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor.
  • Cancer and immune system problems. Increased risk of some cancers, including lymphoma and skin. Current or past smokers have higher risk for lymphoma and lung cancer.
  • Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in people 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor, especially in current or past smokers.
  • Blood clots, some fatal, in veins of the legs or lungs and arteries. This occurred more often in people 50+ with at least 1 heart disease risk factor.
  • Serious allergic reactions. Do not take if allergic to RINVOQ or its ingredients.
  • Tears in the stomach or intestines; changes in certain laboratory test results.

Please see additional Important Safety Information on this webpage.