I recently had half an infusion of rituxin. I had side effects and ended up in the hospital for a couple of hours. Now I'm trying to decide if I should try again with medication before and during to, hopefully, stop side effects. Have any of you had any experience with rituxin?I haven't tried it yet. I had side effects from Orencia and so right now I'm taking none of the biologics. Okay back to you - no help here but wanted to say I hope you are feeling better and continue to do so. Hang in there - this disease and the meds keep us on our toes. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do. HUgs and good vibes.I just started Rituxin But was giving Benedryl and one other medicine into the iv 30 mins before the Rituxin didnt have much stuff happen to me at all except watery etes and slight sloght burning in nose.Thanks for the answers guys. EDMMOE you are very fortunate to have a doctor with enough sense to medicate you before the infusion. I've had numerous problems with the meds and have only been able to tolerate prednisone, which I only take on really bad days. The doctor's nurse called me and very emphatically said I should not take the second infusion. When I suggested slowing down the infusion to help me tolerate it, she pretty much refused. I've decided I need a new doctor. I've had a run of bad luck with RA doctors. The first one misdiagnosed my PMR so I had no meds for 11 years. Now of course, I have a nice mess. I've been checking out cancer message boards and cancer patients are given rituxin even if they have side effects. They are medicated and the name of the game is to keep them confortable during the infusion. Why can the same thing not be done for people with RA?
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