Hello everyone. I'm new to this message board but not new to RA. I have a question for you.Has any one been on Rituxin for awhile? How are you doing? I'm due for my first infusion next week and I'm anxious. I have tried MTX, Enbrel,Humira and Remicade all with no luck. Please respond.
I am not on Rituxan yet, but my rheumatologist is working with my PCP right now to try to get me on it, through insurance. The only thing I've been on since being diagnosed last Feb. is MTX and I had a bad reaction to it. (developed bad cough, that cleared up when I stopped it). However in the course of all my blood work, they discovered that I have the protein that can cause lymphoma. In fact, my hemotologist was certain that I had low grade lymphoma, which had brought on the RA. But he had to get actual tissue proof, from a biopsy, in order to treat the lymphoma with Rituxan, which would have put both diseases into remission, with any luck at all. The biopsy showed something else, not lymphoma, so at this time we can't use rituxan for lymphoma. However, all the biologics for RA are ruled out because of the possiblilty of the side effect of them causing lymphoma, and I am predisposed toward it already. Confused yet? Anyway, since pretty much nothing else is approved for me to use, because of the lymphoma thing, they are trying for approval of Rituxan for use in RA. I will certainly let you know if and when I am approved. But it looks like you will be going first. Please post and let me know how it goes. I, too, am nervous about it and the side effects. But many of my Docs have referred to it as practically a "wonder drug" Best of luck to you. I hope all goes well, with no ill effects, and that it works wonders for you. Many Blessings, Nini My business partner starts it tomorrow to treat her non-hodgkins lymphoma. I do not know if it is used the same say or amounts for RA. Good Luck
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