HI guys, just wanted to know after your day 1 and day 15 infusions, did your ESR and CRP still escalate, I have had two lots of bloods and mine is still escalating? Thanks for any info. Have felt bursts of energy, with reduced pain at times but then quite bad mini flares, don't know what else to call them, they are quite painful, and my ankle keeps giving out on me, its never done that before? Regards Janie.
I sent you a pm....
Lev, you made me chuckle: "I remember looking with amazement at my hands that looked so normal with the exception of extra skin caused by the long term swelling." I thought that extra, wrinkled skin on my hands was age related!!!!! I also look at my hands in amazement because the inflammation and swelling are gone but darn that extra skin.........
Rituxan is a wierd med to me since you have such a long time between infusions. It's easy to believe it is not working/not in your system. With the Orencia, Remicade-you have a matter of weeks-not months. It's just hard to realize that it is able to make a difference for that long. Right now, my next infusion is planned for July. Of course, it can be moved up if necessary. Janie, I hope you feel better. I know how frustrating all this is, especially with a new med.
So, Basic Rituxan 101...
The most important thing to remember about Rituxan is this...IT IS NOT LINEAR.
And the first round of infusions usually does not kick in until the 8 to 16 week mark post your second infusion.
But anything can happen. A few weeks ago you asked a similar question and I gave you details of all of my rounds and the responses I have had to them. Go back and track that post if you can as it will help.
Anything can happen at anytime or not happen for a long time. I am just about to do Round 4. I believe it will probably take me to maybe Round 6 to 9 nine to start getting really good results.
Relax, Janie, love. You blood work will go up and down and it's no biggie okay? And all the variations in between are 'normal' with this drug.
I would be thinking that somewhere in the 8 - 16 mark, you will kick in. My first round Week 9 - had five good weeks and then I flared. Again this is all normal.
Relax, sweetie, get on with your life because that gives the Rituxan a chance to work in your system, the less stressed you are.
This drug was touted as the 'miracle' biologic. Some people had there first round and had vast improvement quickly. If you expect that you WILL be disappointed. If you have aggressive RA that is not what happens. So don't set yourself up for failure and disappointment because expecting the Rituxan to just kick in and then everything is fine, is very unlikely to happen to you considering how aggressive you RA is.
Instead, let go of your expectations and live in the now enjoying your boys. You do not need to get yourself all stressed out about the Rituxan.
My experience has been that the first thing I notice is I have more energy. Then my joint swelling goes down - I had 42 swollen joints prior to Rituxan and after one round, I had 4. Then lastly the pain subsides.
So anything could happen with the Rituxan. Be prepared for that. My rheumy and I absolutely believe that although I have not yet had a 'miracle', I don't actually expect one as it would be unrealistic, the Rituxan is reigning in my RA. The drop in joint swelling shows that. That I can use Pred now in short medrol doses and get some relief indicates to both Dave (my rheumy) and I that this thing is doing the job before Rituxan, Pred was completely ineffective on me because my RA was so completely out of control. Slowly, slowly though, we are getting there.
You are likely to be like myself and Buckeye too, you will probably have to do numerous rounds before you start getting major results.
In the meantime, your blood work could go up and down, sweetie and it's pretty much irrelevant so don't stress, woman.
Lots of hugs...
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com