Rituxan Question | Arthritis Information

Background: Diagnosed with RA in 2007. Am currently on 15 mg of MTX per week and 400 mg of Plaquenil daily. That seemed to work well until probably the last 6 months. Several of my fingers are becoming twisted. All of my toes feel stiff and with inflammation all day long...not too much pain but frustrating. Also have hip, back and knee pain.

Today I had a visit with my RA Doc and he said he didn't feel that the MTX was working well enough for me. He suggested Enbrel. I explained I had concerns about it because of the potential for cancer (I had breast cancer 14 years ago). He discussed Enbrel further with me and then suggested Rituxan as another option.

I wasn't prepared to hear all of this today, but I agreed to go with Rituxan - thinking that it was an injection. However, he explained that it was an infusion (like when I had chemo years ago). Now I'm having second thoughts about this.

I'm trying to understand these drug options. Does it make sense to go from MTX/Plaquenil directly to Rituxan? Should I try Enbrel before Rituxan? Would I need a port put in to get the Rituxan infusions?

Thanks

I took Rituxan for 2yrs. You should not need a port since the infusions are really spaced out. You'll get 2 infusions 2 weeks apart, and then again in 5 to 6 months.

I was always told the Rituxan is one of the last resort meds. I did many many others before going that route. There are lots of meds out there-many are injections. Not quite sure why your RD wants to make that jump.

Thanks Rebecca. I guess the RA Doc wants me on Rituxan because I didn't feel comfortable taking ones like Enbrel due to the possibility of it causing cancer. Rituxan apparently works to fight cancer. It's all so confusing. Maybe it won't even happen because apparently insurance has to pre-approve Rituxan treatment and they may question why I am not taking something like Enbrel first.Flamingo,

I've been on Rituxan now for over a year. You are right, it's just like a chemo infusion. Quite comfortable. I get an infusion, well, two infusions two weeks apart, every six months. I have completely gotten off of the methotrexate and the prednisone. Never thought that I would ever get off of the prednisone. It seems like if you are getting joint damage (finger curl) you must have very aggressive severe RA and so maybe the doctors want to really stop the RA in it's tracks to prevent any more irrepairable joint damage. Rituxan has worked very well for me. No port, just a small butterfly catheter. Certainly wish you well.

LEV

levlarry2010-11-03 07:53:24Insurance may be the deciding factor. They have their own idea as to how we take the meds.

I hope you can find some relief-and quickly!

levlarry - Thanks for sharing your info. You may be correct that the RA doc thinks mine is aggressive. After I was first diagnosed (by another RA doc) and put on MTX he said he was surprised that I had done so well because he felt I had aggressive RA. And I did do very well until the past 6 months. I'm assuming your fingers aren't doing "the roll" due to Rituxan??

Rocckyd - Thanks for your kind words. Sorry to see how many meds you have to take.