4 weeks of Rituximab

[Jimmy_9]

I just finished 4 weeks of Rituximab 750ml once a week. Diagnosed cll 2019 at 42 developed Pure red cell aplasia at the start of this year. Only side affects from Rituximab was fatigue day off infusion in the afternoon, I also take 150mg of Cyclosporine and 75mg prednisone daily. Been able to get back to work and do some recreation. I though I would post this in case anyone had questions or comments

Wishing everyone good health

[Jacksc06]

Hi Jimmy. I am starting 4 weeks of Rituximab infusions on Monday. I had the same in 2017 in tandem wth Bendamustine. Indeed the fatigue is tough. Hope you continue to Improve.

[Jimmy_9 in reply to Jacksc06]

Thanks, hope you get a great result with this round

[Jacksc06 in reply to Jimmy_9]

Thanks Jimmy.

[johnliston]

Jimmy, I did 8 wks of Rituxin and 80 mg of Prednisone this Winter for AIHA. Took me 3 months to get off the Prednisone slowly tapering dose. Now I'm doing Rituxin every 2 months as maintenance. My Hemoglobin is back to normal, but the AIHA is still hovering in the background. The prednisone should give you more energy, but you can't stay on that forever.

john

[Jimmy_9 in reply to johnliston]

Thanks for sharing, the prednisone has me eating non stop. I’ve put on 4kg lol

Wishing you good health on this journey

[J1015]

Glad the side effects were minimal. Hope all stays well.

[GeriGi]

Jimmy: red cell aplasia is associated with parvo virus. Have docs done PCR test. Mine didn’t show on PCR, but showed on bone marrow biopsy.

[Jimmy_9 in reply to GeriGi]

They ruled out parvo virus after bone marrow test. They can’t say how or why I developed it

How has treatment of the red cell aplasia been for you?

[GeriGi]

Nice! Cyclosporin and taper got me into remission. Now developed ITP. Darn autoimmune and CLL.

[Jimmy_9 in reply to GeriGi]

The taper from cyclosporine didn’t work for me unfortunately although I felt it was rushed. Hopefully the Rituximab will give me a better result.

Thanks for sharing, makes me feel a little less alone when I hear others stories.

All the best I hope good health for you

[GeriGi]

I tapered so so slow over one year! Still on 25mg cuz of new stuff so doc didn’t want to confuse issues.

[Jimmy_9 in reply to GeriGi]

I was in 100mg for 4 mouths then tappers over 3 weeks and stopped.

[GeriGi]

I started at 590mg then it was too toxic went to 225 for about 8months and tapered 25mg over next about one year

[Jimmy_9 in reply to GeriGi]

It’s a long hard journey. I’m hopeful I can push my hemoglobin up past 120 and feel a little less fatigue.

I see you’re in the US,

I’m in Australia very different medical services I think we can be a little conservative with treatment