RUTIXIMAB- need advice | Arthritis Information

I have just come back from my rheumatologist appointment. After failing enbrel and Humira I almost decided to give up on the meds and be done with it. I have had a bad week with dealing with all the negatives of this disease. Im normally quite a positive person and will keep trying with different options but for some reason I cant get past it, it has overwhelmed me. The rheumy wants me to start Rutiximab and It is scaring the heck out of me. I dont like the thought of an infusion and the things they give you to combat the side effects to me, means that they are quite a common problem. My enbrel side effects were quite severe and very scary, I am so worried the rutiximab will be the same or worse. The good thing is they are making an appointment for me to go to the infusion unit to talk to RA patients who are having the infusions so I can see for myself the good it is doing them.

My rhuemy pointed out that I am only 43 and my RA is so out of control at the moment that its controlling my life instead of me controlling my life.

I am going vegan which is something I have been wanting to try for a while, I have got until the end of April to decide about the rutiximab.

Anyone on here who is taking it or about to take it can you let me know how you are feeling.

I had my first set of Rituxan infusions last June. I had an anaphylactic reaction to Humira, so I was also very concerned.
I didn't have any problems with Rituxan. They go very slow the first time and premedicate with solumedrol.

I was a very slow responder to the Rituxan. It was not until six months that I started feeling better, but since December....I've been able to go off both Methotrexate and Prednisone. I have very little pain that is related to RA(most is caused by the previous damage)

I will be looking into doing a retreatment of the Rituxan at the beginning of May. This med has really worked very well for me. I was diagnosed with RA almost 9 years ago and have had refractory RA for the past 6 years.

Cordelia is using Rixutan - hopefully she'll be along to tell her story too!!! Hi and I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time with RA. I have had three sets of infusions. It took about 3 1/2 months for it to start working but when it did I was amazed. I had tried different medications with very little effect on my RA. Also, for the first time in three years my sed rate dropped into the normal range. Even though this last infusion doesn't seem to be working as well as the first two, I feel like it has given me back my life. I went from being hardly able to walk or do much of anything to buying my first motorcycle. The possible side effects are scary, but I had to give it a try because I had had pain 24/7 for three years and was getting very depressed. I wish you the best with whatever treatment you decide to take and hope you can get some relief.

I have no advice, Lisa...Just wanted to say Good Luck and sorry you're having such a rough time.

I had my first Rituxan infusions in November. I was very reluctant as well...they sound pretty scary. The reality is that it was easier for me than Enbrel ever was. With Enbrel, I had (relatively minor) injection site reactions, but the burning on each injection was getting too much for me. OTOH, the Rituxan was fine, no reactions at all, and I spent the day relaxing, reading a good book, and occasionally napping.

Unfortunately, so far I have not seen any improvement, but it does seem to take quite awhile. I think the waiting is the hardest part with this med. If there's nothing by mid-April, my RD wants me to start Orencia.