Is anyone taking Rituxan for idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia? Help!

longhornwillie

New Member

Joined : Mar 2010

Posts : 2

Posted 3/23/2010 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

My dearest friend was diagnosed with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 1996. She was treated with steroids and had her spleen taken out; neither worked. In 2005 she used at the time, and it very well may still be, a controversial approach: using Rituxan. It worked and she went into remission. Sadly, she has recently come out of remission. The "new" doctors (I will not go into that) do not know how to treat her or even how to give Rituxan in the correct doses to treat idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She is back at square one.
Any information on idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia OR using Rituxan woud lbe extremely helpful. She is looking for a doctor in Houston.
God bless.
Thank you.

ailsa

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2009

Posts : 35

Posted 3/23/2010 1:12 AM (GMT 0)

I have had AI hemolytic anemia for 2 years. My hematologist treats me with weekly procrit ibjections. and my hemoglobin is 9-10.

longhornwillie

New Member

Joined : Mar 2010

Posts : 2

Posted 3/23/2010 5:01 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you. How did you find a doctor that knew how to treat this? We feel like we are starting at ground zero. The previous doctor passed away (5 years ago) my friend has been in remission. Now that she is out, the new doctors do not know how to treat her.

ailsa

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2009

Posts : 35

Posted 3/24/2010 12:21 AM (GMT 0)

Procrit is frequently used for cancer patients, and there are side effects. My rheumatologists asks why I'm on procrit, so I don't think he agrees with the treatment. But iron and frequent transfusions were not holding my Hg in a safe range. I think you need to switch drs. good luck.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply