I am Marina, from Artsakh, now living in Yerevan. While still living in Artsakh, in 2020, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis with total involvement of the colon. For years, I underwent numerous treatments with different doctors. In the early years, I took various hormones, suppositories, and first-line medications for ulcerative colitis (Sulfasalazine, Salofalk), but to no avail. Finally, in 2023, with the doctors at Mikaelyan Hospital, we decided to start a course of the biological drug Adalimumab. It provided no relief and caused respiratory issues. We then tried a course of Vedolizumab, which also proved ineffective.

Finally, in December 2023, I started taking the modern drug Tofacitinib (brand name: Xeljanz), which is still rarely studied worldwide. To my surprise, it worked. According to my doctors, Tofacitinib must be taken long-term (at least 3 years, of which I have already completed 1 year). In the future, if I experience a flare-up, I will either need to switch the medication or increase the dosage. However, unfortunately, biological drugs are not accessible to everyone in Armenia, both due to financial constraints and because they are not sold in Armenian pharmacies. Currently, I order 1 pack of Tofacitinib every 28 days at a cost of 120,000 drams. Additionally, I regularly undergo tests to assess my current condition.