Rituxan Infusion

Well, since no one else has answered this, I'll take a stab at it.

Let me say from the get go that I've never taken Rituxan for RA. I was, however, treated with it for Lymphoma 5 yrs ago. There may be some differences, but hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect.

The infusion is given through an IV. My doctor gave me a dose of benedryl when I started, to avoid an allergic reaction. You nurse should monitor you carefully, to watch for any type of reaction. When I took it, I had to have the infusion very slowly, so I took about 5 hours. (Hopefully that's changed)

Afterwards, I had an immune response that felt similar to coming down with the flu- I was tired, achy, had a low level fever, and basically spent the rest of the day in bed. Now that I've got RA, that sounds pretty familiar. By the next morning, I was on my feet, but only moving at half-speed, and the day after that, I'd be fine.

I hope this helps you a little bit and good luck with your treatment! 

HL

Hi.  Yes, I've done rituxan, 1 series, which in looking at the date, you have already done as well.  I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.  Within 3 days of the first dose I was feeling a bit better.  Now I am 5 weeks out from the second dose and I am walking 2 miles/day, exercising and feeling great!  I'm off prednisone for the first time in 14 months, no pain meds either.  I have a follow up in 3 days and can't wait to show my rheumy how well i'm doing!  Good luck to you!

I have been taking it for over 3 years to treat RA. It worked wonders and I went back to feeling as well as I did before diagnosis. However that being said, I have now developed cancer of the uterus. They warned me that this could happen. Also, my mom has been on it for over a year, and she has developed something called PML. her condition has something to do with brain function. Hers is life threatening, and there is no known treatment. The medicine has done wonders for both of us as far as the ability to go back to a "normal" life of movement, just PLEASE never miss any appointments, and keep current on ALL LABS. if ANYTHING starts to feel different, see someone right away. Good luck to u all! (by the way, even with the cancer, I wouldnt trade the medicine for anything). I can have a hysterectomy to remove the cancer, but you cant have all your joints removed to walk ;)