Rituxan Anyone??

Hi All: :)

As I've mentioned before, I've had RA for 29 years and have had only a few medications that have worked good for me and that includes the mention of biologics that I have tried.

At my recent appt. this week, we discussed many things and my Rheumy came back to Rituxan which supposedly works well for some.  So I finally looked it up ...jeepers....

So ya, I was wondering about anybody here who have been on it. What side effects you had and your overall opinion/thoughts about it.  I just got off of MTX and I noticed that Rituxan requires MTX. :(   We had also considered changing to different NSAID.  I called my Rheumy and cancelled the Rituxan until I learn more about it.

(That day was 4 vials/blood taken from my left arm, Actemra--65 minute infusion in my right arm, 7 Insulin injections, 1 depo-Medrol injection.  I felt like a pincushion!  I know Medrol is not good for me but I am finally pain-free and have lots of energy for a couple months.  I really need this rest and I feel good!)

I'd appreciate your thoughts and/or experiences with Rituxan.

Hi Golitho! 

Thank you Golitho!  Oh  questions are okay too.  That's how we learn.

Well, all biologics are Biggies but Actemra is more recent than Orencia and some others and it's a different kind.  It works by blocking the IL-6.  They all kick our immune systems so we are prone to infections.  Rituxan has been used for many years and is given only twice a year but is riskier for infections and other stuff, I heard.  It is the only one I have left.  There is another one coming out next year which is like MTX somewhat but is being put in the biologic section.  It is in pill form.  There is another injectable also coming out but that won't be for 4 years or so?

Yes, there are about 10 or 11 biologics.  They usually start off with  Humira and Enbrel for treatment.  They did for me anyways.  Simponi is in the same category as Enbrel so it won't work.  There is a minority of us RA patients that the biologics don't work for and they don't know why.  I thought it was because I have had RA for so long but he said No.  Well, I'm glad that something is working for you and most RA patients.  That is something and good to hear.   Thank you for your response.

Hi:

No, Rituxan and Actemra are different.  Actemra is infused(takes about an hour) once a month and works by blocking the IL-6.

Rituxan is infused(takes about 6 hours) twice a year and blocks the B-cells.  Tylenol and Benedryl are given to the Patient prior to, in order to lessen possible side effect of infusion.  I haven't heard that Medrol is used before the Rituxan infusion.  That must be another bio.  Rituxan is a last resort for me since none seem to work well enough.  I feel good now only because I had the Medrol injection recently.  I'm sitting n the fence for the next 2 months.  I don't want to be on any of these drugs.  I want a Cure thanks.    

I noticed that I said in another post that Remicade kills(blocks) B-cells.  Sorry, my err.  I've had both in my mind recently and mixed the names.  I meant to write Rituxan.  I shall correct.  Remicade is a TNF blocker similar to Simponi, Cimzia, Enbrel and Humira. 

Sorry that your RA is aggressive.  How long have you had it?  My memory is touch and go recently.  That sounds scary about the snapping tendons.  I sure hope she is incorrect also.  I read about that elsewhere but I thought it was certain medications that caused the tendons to snap in those cases.  One day at a time is about all we have.  I'll take it but I still like to plan for the future.  Good vibes to you Golitho!!

What didn't you like about Orencia? didn't work at all for you?!

Again prednisone doesn't work for my arthritis AT ALL!! seems like our system might be a lot alike if Orencia didn't work for you.... ugh so many decisions!!
 
but now your ok every 6 months you don't start feeling the arthritis xx amount of days/weeks months before your next infusion?

Thank you for your response.  It's certainly eye-opening to hear other People's stories and their challenges.  Sorry that you got caught by all 3 conditions. 

I am so thankful that a few of the older drugs worked on me for a few years like Myochrisine and Imuran.  I mean I've gotten to 29 years with RA.  Okay granted, many of those years was mostly pain and fatique. I'm surprised that Pred doesn't work for you.  I'd be Kaput without it.

That's good that you love travelling, so you have something exciting to look forward to.  Of course, having a Baby is exciting too.   I've never been thrilled about travelling since I was usually in pain or too tired.  Plus my Hubby and I are both scared of heights(planes).

I wish you much good wishes in having a Baby.  That is usually so COOL.  I did get RA not long after having my first Baby but my Rheumy was true to his word when he said Women with RA normally go into remission while they are pregnant.  That was Nice with my second Baby.  Neither of our Kids have any diseases so far thank God and knock on wood.  I didn't know our Kids may be prone to RA when we considered another Baby.  With Diabetes, they only had a 4% of getting it.  Not sure of the % with RA.

I was on Orencia infusions every month for 1 1/2 years hoping it might kick in but it never did.

I'm still on Actemra after 9 months and that's not doing much either.  These expensive Bios are Very disappointing for us.

Hello IowaGirl and Welcome: :)

That's good to hear that you are not having side effects but I'm sorry that you are feeling miserable for 2 months.  I hadn't heard that it sometimes stops working after 4 months.   Maybe when you are on it for a longer period of time, then it will totally cover each month? 

Yes, I was told that they will only give the infusions every 6 months also.  Did they give you Tylenol and Benadril before the infusion?  What did your Rheumy prescribe for you for the miserable 2 months?  Hopefully it will work better for you in the future.  I have to keep all this info on mind when I next speak to my Rheumy.  Thank you for sharing your experiences.