Rituximab is it working for you | Arthritis Information

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I have had 4 infusions of rituximab/Mabthera over the last 10 months and the results are amazing and  remarkable to say the least. No more pain or swelling and my fatigue is also gone. And after 15years of Rheumatoid arthritis onset

 
My decision to take Rituximab was a difficult one its the (BFG) of arthritis drugs if you can get it.As with most drugs you expect a kick back someware along the path but at this stage
nothing so far (touch wood). Is this B cell killer the answer i gess time will tell.
 
Has anyone else had the same results or i am just one of a hand full of blessed souls
 
 Is it working for you
 
regards stuart     Adelaide Australia
 
folic acid / rituximab/ down to/1mg predsolone every 5 days
 
Hi stuart and welcome.  I had my first 2 infusions of Rituxan (as it's called in the USA) in November, but unfortunately they didn't do anything for me at all and I just switched over to Orencia.  I'm so glad it's working for you, though, and I know it's been good for a few others on the board. I had two infusions in November and it appeared to be working to some extent, nothing dramatic.  Then I had surgery (Achilles tendon rupture repair) in December, my dear sister got leukemia right after that, and she died in January. 
 
Partly because of RA, plus the RA drugs (including methotrexate and Rituxin), my immune system was suppressed, with the result that I got an MRSA infection in my leg, was hospitalized in January and again (for two weeks) in February and only now am recovering from the infection.  Of course the stress of those few months made everything much worse and probably negated any benefit I would have had from the Rituxan...
 
I think my rheumatologist will want to do Rituxan again but I don't know if I will do it or not.  Frankly I am afraid of infection now, since our immune systems are so negatively affected by RA and by these toxic meds.  However, the alternative, without meds, is to continue to get worse.  I really don't know what to do.
 
Good for you, to respond so well to Rituxan.  I've spoken to others (in the doctor's office) with similar results.  Maybe if I DO have the infusions again, I might get a better result the second time around?
Rituxan is working very well for me too. It took a very long time(6 months)but it has been the only med in almost 9 years that has allowed me to reduce my other meds. I too have very little pain and swelling from my RA now. The pain I'm dealing with is from the damage that occurred during the last 9 years.

I wish you continued success,

Lynn
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