rituxan

[Guest guest]

And did he give you a reason that you could no longer go on Enbrel? I

have never heard anything like this! Five years ago I had breast cancer

and had a lumpectomy followed by 35 radiation treatments. I am now on

Enbrel. I would ask the rheumy the reasons that Enbrel is not allowed,

but Rituxan is. If he didn't have good reasons, I would get a second

opinion. When he explains these reasons to you, I would be interested

in what in the world they are.

I hate to be so cynical, but I'm wondering if it would better for him

financially for you to be on Rituxan.

Sue

On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 03:06 PM, suepet2000 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> Has anyone been treated with Rituxan. I was on enbrel which really

> worked great for me. I has breast cancer and had surgery in August.

> I went throught radiation and tolerated that well. Because of my

> cancer my rhemy informed me that I can no longer go on Enbrel or

> Humira. The only drug available to me is the Rituxan. Please if

> anyone has any info, please let me know. I'm a bit scared at this

> point. Thanks. P.S. I want everyone to know reading all the posts

> have really helped me. You're a great bunch of people.

[Guest guest]

I was advised n ot to go on Humira or Enbrel due to liver function tests

tests.....Not everyone can manage the effects on liver. Some go into complete

liver failure when the liver is not functioning well before the drug is

prescribed.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote: And did he give you a reason

that you could no longer go on Enbrel? I

have never heard anything like this! Five years ago I had breast cancer

and had a lumpectomy followed by 35 radiation treatments. I am now on

Enbrel. I would ask the rheumy the reasons that Enbrel is not allowed,

but Rituxan is. If he didn't have good reasons, I would get a second

opinion. When he explains these reasons to you, I would be interested

in what in the world they are.

I hate to be so cynical, but I'm wondering if it would better for him

financially for you to be on Rituxan.

Sue

On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 03:06 PM, suepet2000 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> Has anyone been treated with Rituxan. I was on enbrel which really

> worked great for me. I has breast cancer and had surgery in August.

> I went throught radiation and tolerated that well. Because of my

> cancer my rhemy informed me that I can no longer go on Enbrel or

> Humira. The only drug available to me is the Rituxan. Please if

> anyone has any info, please let me know. I'm a bit scared at this

> point. Thanks. P.S. I want everyone to know reading all the posts

> have really helped me. You're a great bunch of people.

Raniolo

[Guest guest]

Oh, I see. I got the wrong impression. I thought that he wouldn't let

you go back on Enbrel because of the breast cancer. That didn't make

any sense to me.

Liver function is something else entirely. Was the Enbrel responsible

for raising your liver enzymes? So far it hasn't affected mine at all,

so I guess I'm lucky in that respect.

I will probably see how much good Enbrel is doing in a few days. I was

due for an injection on Tuesday, but I have my first cold of the season

and delayed the Enbrel. So far the RA is behaving itself, but the cold

certainly isn't!

I hope the Rituxan works for you. Keep us posted.

Sue

On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 09:52 PM, CATHERINE RANIOLO wrote:

> I was advised n ot to go on Humira or Enbrel due to liver function

> tests

> tests.....Not everyone can manage the effects on liver. Some go into

> complete liver failure when the liver is not functioning well before

> the drug is prescribed.

[Guest guest]

Sue, a few people have mentioned Rituxan (rituximab), but I don't remember

much follow-up on it.

So far, the research indicates that it is a safe and effective treatment for

RA. I'll post some of the most recent articles.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Rituxan

> Hi everyone,

>

> Has anyone been treated with Rituxan. I was on enbrel which really

> worked great for me. I has breast cancer and had surgery in August.

> I went throught radiation and tolerated that well. Because of my

> cancer my rhemy informed me that I can no longer go on Enbrel or

> Humira. The only drug available to me is the Rituxan. Please if

> anyone has any info, please let me know. I'm a bit scared at this

> point. Thanks. P.S. I want everyone to know reading all the posts

> have really helped me. You're a great bunch of people.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your help and support. I have done some

research. It seems no one in this support group has

experience this drug. That's why I'm a little scared.

--- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

> Sue, a few people have mentioned Rituxan

> (rituximab), but I don't remember

> much follow-up on it.

>

> So far, the research indicates that it is a safe and

> effective treatment for

> RA. I'll post some of the most recent articles.

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> [ ] Rituxan

>

>

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > Has anyone been treated with Rituxan. I was on

> enbrel which really

> > worked great for me. I has breast cancer and had

> surgery in August.

> > I went throught radiation and tolerated that well.

> Because of my

> > cancer my rhemy informed me that I can no longer

> go on Enbrel or

> > Humira. The only drug available to me is the

> Rituxan. Please if

> > anyone has any info, please let me know. I'm a

> bit scared at this

> > point. Thanks. P.S. I want everyone to know

> reading all the posts

> > have really helped me. You're a great bunch of

> people.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Here is an example of a person in the group who has tried Rituxan (I do

believe there are more):

/message/90020

I don't know if Terry is still out there reading.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Re: [ ] Rituxan

> Thanks for your help and support. I have done some

> research. It seems no one in this support group has

> experience this drug. That's why I'm a little scared.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks again for all your help. I really appreciate

it. It helps to know someone understands and cares.

--- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

> Sue,

>

> Here is an example of a person in the group who has

> tried Rituxan (I do

> believe there are more):

>

>

/message/90020

>

> I don't know if Terry is still out there reading.

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> Re: [ ] Rituxan

>

>

> > Thanks for your help and support. I have done

> some

> > research. It seems no one in this support group

> has

> > experience this drug. That's why I'm a little

> scared.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My new Rheumy took me off of Methotrexate (been on for almost 3 years) because

of a possible liver problem. My blood tests have been ok, but I am also on

Asacol for an auto immune colon problem and have been on Asacol ( 4 pills 3 X's

daily) for almost 3 years as well. My new Rheumy thinks that the combination of

Asacol and MTX could possibly damage my liver without any warning. Another

words, I could have a normal blood test this month and in 6 weeks my liver could

be in failure with this combination. The reason I write this is that I am still

on Humira injections and have been injecting weekly for almost 2 years, every

other week another year and a half. It just seems funny to me that if Enbril is

the culprit, since Humira is a similar bio, why did my new doctor leave me on

the Humira injections. This is just " food for thought " since I'm just going by

Dr's instructions. Since I moved to Florence, SC the end of May, all of my

doctors have taken me off of meds that the doctors in andria, VA had put me

on. I was on 3 different blood pressure pills and my Internist eliminated one of

those, my GYN took me off of hormones because the chance of a stroke and my

Rheumy took me off of MTX. It certainly has saved me money and I'm not taking

all the pills I had been, but how do you know which doctor ir right?? Each of my

doctors in SC had very good reasons for eliminating each drug and I have to

admit, so far, I've not seen any difference in my health.

Colleen

[Guest guest]

I just read this article on WebMD rituxan -- sounds like it's not good

to take if you have lupus.

FDA Warns of Deaths Linked to Rituxan

2 Died of Viral Brain Infection After Taking Rituxan to Treat Lupus, FDA

Says

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/130/117855?src=RSS_PUBLIC

>

> Hi All

> Does anyone have info on rituxan? That is me new med,

> hopefully i can start it next week

> Merry Christmas, happy holidays

>

> stacey

[Guest guest]

But, via the article, Genentech states that approximately 10,000 lupus

patients have received Rituxan (rituximab). So, we have to consider the

possibility that many of those 10,000 lupus patients had organ threatening

or life-threatening disease which improved after treatment with Rituxan.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: rituxan

>I just read this article on WebMD rituxan -- sounds like it's not good

> to take if you have lupus.

>

> FDA Warns of Deaths Linked to Rituxan

> 2 Died of Viral Brain Infection After Taking Rituxan to Treat Lupus, FDA

> Says

> http://www.webmd.com/content/article/130/117855?src=RSS_PUBLIC

>

>

>>

>> Hi All

>> Does anyone have info on rituxan? That is me new med,

>> hopefully i can start it next week

>> Merry Christmas, happy holidays

>>

>> stacey

[Guest guest]

I had 2 infusions of rituxan in January-they were my

first ones. I was feeling pretty good for about 2

weeks in the beginning of february, but now not

feeling so well....dont know if maybe its the weather.

Plus my husband was recently hospitalized, plus i have

a 1 yr old, so maybe the stress of all that has my

body freaking out??

My rheumy told me that theyve had bery good results

w/rituxan. they also said it can take up to 2-3 mos

(as usaul) to see max effect. But the upside is it

can last up to 6 mos.

So, Ive seen some results, but nothing definite yet.

I also have been on enbrel, and humira, and MTX

w/short term results at best.

hope this helps!

Stacey

--- trishaquamoon <trishaquamoon@...> wrote:

> I wanted to know if anyone who has tried the rituxan

> had relief, how

> long did it take and how long did it last till you

> needed your next

> treatment? I had my second dose of my first

> treatment today and can't

> wait to see if it will work, i am running out of

> options. Embrel and

> humira both quit working after one year each and the

> kineret never did

> work. My treatment of methotrexate and prednisone is

> taking its toll.

> If anyone has tried this drug please let me know how

> you are doing.

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

I had 8 weeks of rituxan. while on it I felt wonderful, no pain at all.

my last treatment was jan 29th. a month after I was feeling pain again.

I wasn't taking it for ra, I was taking it for a platelet issue. It did

bring my platelets up and has kept it up but the pain is back.

--- In , " trishaquamoon " <trishaquamoon@...>

wrote:

>

> I wanted to know if anyone who has tried the rituxan had relief, how

> long did it take and how long did it last till you needed your next

> treatment? I had my second dose of my first treatment today and can't

> wait to see if it will work, i am running out of options. Embrel and

> humira both quit working after one year each and the kineret never

did

> work. My treatment of methotrexate and prednisone is taking its toll.

> If anyone has tried this drug please let me know how you are doing.

>

[Guest guest]

That's great about the platelets, but not good that the pain has returned.

Were you taking anything with Rituxan (I'm guessing that you didn't take MTX

due to prior issues - is that right?)? Are you taking anything now?

Not an MD

[ ] Re: Rituxan

>I had 8 weeks of rituxan. while on it I felt wonderful, no pain at all.

> my last treatment was jan 29th. a month after I was feeling pain again.

>

> I wasn't taking it for ra, I was taking it for a platelet issue. It did

> bring my platelets up and has kept it up but the pain is back.

[Guest guest]

I am not taking Rituxan; however, it is the next step

in many for trying to control my RA. I appreciate the

info regarding Rituxan because I am not sure if I want

to go to that next step.

After my doctor increased the Remicaid to seven

bottles every 6 weeks along with taking methotrexate

and diclofenac, I started having abdominal problems

and ended up in the hospital at the beginning of the

month with diverticulitus (not sure if it is spelled

correctly). I am now off all oral RA medications but

will remain on Remicaid.

I am very stiff/sore. However, I do not want to take

any pain killers, etc. because I would like to clean

my system out as much as possible.

Has anyone else had a problem with Remicade and/or

methotrexate creating colon problems?

I know this doesn't answer your question, bandit, but

I do appreciate the info for Rituxan. For me, it is

becoming a question of how much pain can I endure

versus what medications I am willing to give up.

Thanks for all the advice along the way. I read most

all of the emails.

windey99

--- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

> That's great about the platelets, but not good that

> the pain has returned.

>

> Were you taking anything with Rituxan (I'm guessing

> that you didn't take MTX

> due to prior issues - is that right?)? Are you

> taking anything now?

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

>

> [ ] Re: Rituxan

>

>

> >I had 8 weeks of rituxan. while on it I felt

> wonderful, no pain at all.

> > my last treatment was jan 29th. a month after I

> was feeling pain again.

> >

> > I wasn't taking it for ra, I was taking it for a

> platelet issue. It did

> > bring my platelets up and has kept it up but the

> pain is back.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

4 years ago I was taking the methotrexate and it is what crashed my

platelets, so have been fighting that battle since. the rituxan was a

last attempt before a spleenectomy. (I have ITP-Idiopathic

Thrombocytopenia Pupura) I had 8 weeks of treatments and right away

noticed a difference in the pain level. It was completely gone. I

felt wonderful. But after my 8th treatment, a month later I was

experiencing more pain. I can tolerate it most days, can't take

anything for it because it will drop my platelet level again. So on

nothing for the ra right now.

I would do teh rituxan again in a heartbeat, I did have tylenol and

benadryl and solumedrol with it as pretreatments.

--- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...>

wrote:

>

> That's great about the platelets, but not good that the pain has

returned.

>

> Were you taking anything with Rituxan (I'm guessing that you didn't

take MTX

> due to prior issues - is that right?)? Are you taking anything now?

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

>

> [ ] Re: Rituxan

>

>

> >I had 8 weeks of rituxan. while on it I felt wonderful, no pain at

all.

> > my last treatment was jan 29th. a month after I was feeling pain

again.

> >

> > I wasn't taking it for ra, I was taking it for a platelet issue.

It did

> > bring my platelets up and has kept it up but the pain is back.

>

[Guest guest]

anyone here on rituxan

[Guest guest]

Donna Rose and group

Welcome to our group. I have learned so much from the group since I

came here a month ago. Everyone has been great to me. I don't take

Rituxan. I take MTX, sulfa, plaquenil for RA and lyrcia for

fibromyalgia, I just started taking prednisone today. The other drugs

has been ok. No problems out of them. I went through a bunch others

before my rheumy found the right ones.

I start humirl injections in a month. One injection every 2 weeks. I

can't wait to start. I heard a lot of good news about it concerning

helping the pain. These meds are not pain medication. But somehow they

stop the pain. Thats what I seem to read about them. And what my

rheumy says.

gentle hugs to everyone

Clora

[Guest guest]

,

I, too, am new to the site. I, like you, have been on several biologics

including enbrel, kineret, humira, remicade, rituxan and am currently on

orencia (for the second time). As you may have read, Rituxan is a drug

that is used primarily for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. It is a very strong

drug with a high incidence of infusion reactions. I tried it only twice

but could not continue because I reacted to both infusions. It did

seem to work but it wasn't worth the risk. I understand your

frustration and am realizing that while I'll never be 100% ever again, I

am thankful for what I do have and realize that it could always be

worse. Don't give up hope. Just keep trying until you find the therapy

that works best for you. I wish you the very best - you are not alone.

>

> Hi all,

>

> I'm new to the group and was wondering if anyone has tried Rituxan?

> My doctor wants me to consider using it, but I'm not sure. This will

> be the fourth RA medicine so far and am not sure I'm up to trying yet

> another one just to have it fail. I'm currently on Orencia (along

> with all the other pain pills, etc that goes along with this) and it's

> worked the best so far, but nothing seems to be able to get it under

> control. The Orencia has slowed it down some, but things still aren't

> right. I know I'll never be 100% again, but there's got to be

> something better than where I am. Does anyone have any advice? Has

> anyone tried the Rituxin? I know it's used with chemotherapy somehow,

> but not much else. Please give me some good news!!

>