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Posted 12/29/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'ma gonna try again! I posted about Rituxan side effects and got several reads and no responses.

Is there anyone out there on Rituxan? Any side effects?

Posted 12/30/2012 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi IowaGirl!

It looks like you started before me with Rituxan. I don't blame you for being scared(I was scared to start it) since you experienced some of the side effects of it.

I had my first Rituxan infusion in Aug., a week before our vacation trip. The trip was planned way before the Rituxan decision was made and I didn't want to disappoint my Friends.

I was given the usual Benedryl, Medrol and Tylenol before both of my Rituxan infusions and I had none of the common/rare side effects. I did however the day after the first infusion, get a Bad pain in my right ankle which moved up to my calf, then up to the back of my knee, then up to the back of my thigh. Terrible pain like something was chewing in these leg muscles which I had not experienced before. I had that all through our vacation at night time, sometimes when driving during the day and ended up in a hospital ER. No drugs helped to get rid of the pain.

Both my Rheumy and later the ER Dr. said this pain was not from the Rituxan. I do not know what caused it but I haven't had it since thankfully. Oh and after our trip, I was very sick with a flu or something, so I had to miss the 2nd infusion until I was feeling better.

Hoping that you and I will have no more side effects/illnesses with during this drug treatment. Good luck and please let us know what you decide and how it goes IowaGirl.
Posted 1/4/2013 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I have lupus and sjorgens. They are retesting for the ra. Rheumy wants me to try Rituxan. How is it working for anyone out there.
Posted 1/4/2013 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
My rheumy decided not to do the 2nd infusion of Rituxan due to my reaction to the first one. Two weeks after my 1st infusion and the iV site STILL itches, but it was the cardiac reaction that got my attention.

I am on no DMARDS or biologics until I have my appointment at the end of Feb so the Rituxan can leave my system. I have no idea what I'll have next. As I've done Enbrel, Humira, Orencia, Remicade, and Rituxan.

Good luck on the Rituxan, people!
Posted 1/4/2013 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first Rituxan infusion in Aug., missed my scheduled 2nd infusion in Aug. since I was sick, so I had it in Sept. instead. My Rheumy and I recently met up again and we agree that I am doing/feeling somewhat better with less bad pain days. I still am using 5-7 Pred a day however, usually 5, depending.

My tests all came back good so far. Yay! The weather has been better which I believe plays a part in my RA situation. I started using Whey Isolate and doing resistant(?) exercises the last few weeks to help build my muscles back up.

I will have more tests at the end of the month, then we decide if I'll be having another infusion. There are no other drugs left for me to try at this point, so I'm hopeful. Spring's almost here. wink
Posted 1/5/2013 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Still don't know much about Rituxan and what to expect ot do. Waiting on call back from dr.
Posted 1/5/2013 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Rituxan is a biologic which is administered through IV and will take hours to complete. Before the infusion I was given Benadryl and Tylenol.

 Two weeks after infusion #1. you'll get another infusion.

 After that, if it works for you, you should be good for about 6 months, which is how often my rheumatolgist likes to space the infusions He did say he can go as often as every 4 months.

 

Posted 1/9/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Spoke with my Rheumy today and I have my first Rituxan infusion Monday. She said they have had very few people with side effects and none with the serious side effects. She chose this one because of the many facets of my condition we have been through and it does not effect the liver like so many do. I have had hepatitis /med induced in the past. Hoping everything goes well.
Posted 1/9/2013 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
My specialist wanted me to try Rituxan (Rituxamab) and I researched it through google. I went to the manufactures website, and many other sites. I decided since it can lead to cardiac death and I already have heart problems not to take it. It was an educated decision for me. I recommend researching it. Benadryl is quite frequently given before starting the IV to keep the chance of allergic reaction down. As from what I gather is very frequent. I love google sometimes hehe and here's the kicker on another thing.. it wasn't even FDA approved for my diagnosis. Please research it
Posted 1/9/2013 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have and and some of the others out there. They all have mostly the same side effects. The Rituxan is easier on the liver than some of the others and I went through quite a time with my liver a few years ago and I am not a drinker. I have no heart problems that we are aware of. My Rheumy says that the heart problems occur usually if you have congestive heart failure or heart problems. I will be at a large teaching hosp when it is done.
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