Raising My Bar: Caryn's Story

Transcript

Music track and RINVOQ logo throughout.

CARYN: It was actually a really interesting progression with my doctor.

I would go into my appointments and she would ask me how I was doing, and I would say “I’m fine,” and she’d look at me and she’d go, “No, seriously, how are you feeling?”

I’m Caryn, and I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

I found my rheumatologist in my hometown and we began a treatment plan. We tried one medication and then she added another medication three months later. She put me on, um, a TNF blocker, which is an injection.

I told her if it will make me feel better, that I would do it. And so, I did. And I was actually probably on HUMIRA the longest.

And I felt like I was doing better, but not where I wanted to be. I wanted to be able to go to work, go to the grocery store, everyday things with not, without being in pain.

I love my rheumatologist. We just had lots of conversations about my symptoms, where I was, how I was feeling, what was hurting, what was not hurting, fatigue.

She’s the one that kinda helped me realize that even though maybe I was feeling better, that’s not the version of myself with rheumatoid arthritis, that I can be better than how I was feeling. And although I was able to do some activities, I wasn’t able to be as active as I wanted to be.

Chopping vegetables in the kitchen was challenging. I couldn’t make a fist. The pain in my hips was probably the worst because if you don’t realize how much you use your hips to move.

And so that’s when, two summers ago, she switched me to the current medication that I’m on, which is RINVOQ. It was nice to have a daily routine of taking a medication every day.

I love being in the kitchen and cooking for my family and preparing a meal, but when you’re tired and you can’t stand in the kitchen and cut vegetables, it makes it really difficult to do one of the things that you really love to do.

After starting RINVOQ, my hands didn’t hurt as much. Y’know, I could hold a knife and cut vegetables. I can do things today that I haven’t been able to do in a very long time.

We had this patio project that we did in our backyard, this extension. So we’re sitting there, covered in dirt, and hot and sweaty from this project that we have been doing, and I looked at my husband and I said, “I was able to help you with this. I…I am exhausted but I earned this exhaustion.”

Because you’re feeling fine, doesn’t mean that’s your end-all-be-all. The version of myself today, I never thought I would see again.

ANNOUNCER VOICE OVER (AVO): SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS  

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.