Guest guest Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Gigi, I tried to take an infusion of Rituxan this past July. I had a reaction to it, so my Rheumy decided not to let me do a second dose. I wish he had. Because now I have to wait until January when its completely out of my system to try any new medication I sincerely hope it works for you. I have friends who praise it as their miracle, so I was devastated when I couldn't handle it. Good luck! G. I've had polymyositis since 1997 and ILD since 3/07 and have taken a variety of meds throughout. I was taking imuran when diagnosed with ILD in 2007; my plumo dr switched me to cellcept to achieve a better response. I developed allergic reactions after about a year so was taken off everything for 4 months before starting on 150mg of imuran again. My blood counts and muscle responses indicate the imuran is not now working to fight the PM. So ... my doctor wants me to switch to rituxan. I'm not so sure about taking it since I've read about the many terrible side effects. Who has or is currently taking rituxan? What have you experienced? Did you get an infusion of 100mg prednisone prior to the rituxan infusion? If so, what are the side effects of that? I've taken prednisone periodically during the past three years, so have experience with long-term dosages of up to 60mg. I apologize for the long message but need to make some decisions based on real-life experience. Thanks! gigi PM 1997, ILD 2007, Raynaud's 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.856 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3162 - Release Date: 09/27/10 01:34:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 I too had a reaction first infusion but my rheumy had me start on allergy med's + high dose of prednisone second time 2 days before the infusion and I didn't have any trouble at all. Miracle drug for me - my RA is in remission! What kind of reaction did U have? My throat started to close up & I immed became terribly congested & a rash all over my chest, neck & face. They stopped the infusion for 30 min - pumped me full of benadryl. in SC Sent from my iPhone On Sep 29, 2010, at 8:27 AM, " KGrounds " <kgrounds@...> wrote: Gigi, I tried to take an infusion of Rituxan this past July. I had a reaction to it, so my Rheumy decided not to let me do a second dose. I wish he had. Because now I have to wait until January when its completely out of my system to try any new medication I sincerely hope it works for you. I have friends who praise it as their miracle, so I was devastated when I couldn't handle it. Good luck! G. I've had polymyositis since 1997 and ILD since 3/07 and have taken a variety of meds throughout. I was taking imuran when diagnosed with ILD in 2007; my plumo dr switched me to cellcept to achieve a better response. I developed allergic reactions after about a year so was taken off everything for 4 months before starting on 150mg of imuran again. My blood counts and muscle responses indicate the imuran is not now working to fight the PM. So ... my doctor wants me to switch to rituxan. I'm not so sure about taking it since I've read about the many terrible side effects. Who has or is currently taking rituxan? What have you experienced? Did you get an infusion of 100mg prednisone prior to the rituxan infusion? If so, what are the side effects of that? I've taken prednisone periodically during the past three years, so have experience with long-term dosages of up to 60mg. I apologize for the long message but need to make some decisions based on real-life experience. Thanks! gigi PM 1997, ILD 2007, Raynaud's 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.856 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3162 - Release Date: 09/27/10 01:34:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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