Side effects of Rituxan (mabthera) | Arthritis Information

Share
 

Hi guys, I am writing to please ask anyone who has tried Rituxan if your side effects have included any of the following?

I am so extrememly fatigued but it happens in spurts, not like the usual fatigue which we suffer, I can be feeling ok and actually excited about feeling that way and then boom, in less than a minute I have gone to an exhausted mess.

The second thing is feeling really down, again only in spurts???  I can be totally ok and then bawling my eyes out feeling really low?  It worries me because I am on antidepressants and thought they would fix that.

Thirdly, mouth ulcers, on my tongue also, not worrying me too much though unlike the other two.

I saw my GP today and she admitted she is not up to date with Rituxan completely as its reasonably new to her, she is going to swat up and get back to me.  She did however say that she believes I have had a rough trot for so long that she is not surprised and told me I am too hard on myself, also said I have to stop cancelling things altogether and make an effort to go places even if I have to take extra painkillers and only stay for an hour, she is so lovely, I realise I am extremely lucky to have her, she also told me she feels rotten as she doesn't think she helps me much but I should know that I am her most precious patient!!  I feel not too bad at present but she weighed me and I have put on 2 kg, which I really do not need, I find it so hard to be good as I can't exercise and I have always believed that for weight loss and health you have to exercise, boy I am a mess.  Janie.
Janie,
So sorry to hear about what you are going through. I have not taken that particular medicine so I can't be of any use to you there.  I have been through the crying phases too. Like you I am fine and then next minute I can be bawling like a baby. With me it's more than likely still being overwhelmed by my new situation in life, but then I am not totally sure.
Sounds like you have a really good Dr. though and that is a blessing right there. Hopefully she can help you and get to the bottom of it all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. {{{{Hugs}}}}
I can't say that I had any of those isssues.  My major problem was nausea.  Hope you start feeling better soon I just wanted to say I sure hope you feel better soon. So sorry you have so much on your plate.I really haven't had an issues with side effects.  I did get a bit of nausea the first time, but that was it.  Hi Janie,

I'm sorry to hear you are having these difficulties.  I am not on rituxan so I cannot help you there.  I think Cordie and others have posted some good advice.  Try not to be so hard on yourself.  I too, force myself to get out and do things even when I don't want to and you know what I've found?  The more I don't want to do something and I then do it, the more fun I had and was really glad I did it.  You have been through a lot and need to take the whip off your back.  I hope you feel better soon and it sounds like you have a great GP.  Cheers, Hiking_gal
 
 
Janie. I was reading on my NRAS website and I came across this story.
http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=588
Janie,

That's exactly what happened to me. I quit the enbrel about a month prior to my first infusion. I used to call my enbrel my go-go drug. Gosh, it was like smokin' crack. When I quit the enbrel the fatigue flattened me. And then daily the pain started coming back. I too had the spurt moments. It was like the rituxin was starting to work and then quit. I would wake up and feel like I was cured. Two days later my pain and fatigue were back with a vengance. Eventually the spurts became days and now months......................."Up with the sun, gone with the wind, she always said I was lazy...............those are the memories that make me a wealthy man." Bob Seger. Hang in there. You cannot even imagine how the rituxin will probably make you feel. I lived through it, complaining all the way, (and laying in bed sleeping) and I'm a pain sissy.

LEV

Janie
I'm sorry to hear of all your troubles. I don't have any experience with Rituxan, so I can't provide any insight. About the depression, is the anti-depressant you are taking one that you recently started? I've had friends and family who had to switch because the med they were on actually made them feel worse. Just a thought. I think your GP sounds wonderful and she's so on the money about getting out and about. Even if you're high as a kite! Believe me, people only stare if you're doing something silly. Most of they time they're clueless! 
Hope your day gets better!
Jaine, I've had to adjust the dose of my zoloft a couple of times. The neurologist told me that sometimes new meds change the way we metabolize the antidepressants. If the blues persist, you may want to increase dosage or change to something different. Also I want to say I agree with the wisdom on this thread. Get out and do stuff, even if you have to be high on those pain meds! It makes such a difference to share a laugh with another person and feel the sunshine.
God bless you Jaine! I hope you feel better soonall good advice here.  i have not been on that drug yet.  just wanted to add the blisters in your mouth could be yeast since we tend to have alot of yeast problems with ra and our medicines.  
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com