Mrs. Bunte

[zartye1923]

I am 92 years old in good health, but just 3 months ago got ITP. Prednisone did not work, now I get RITUXAN infusions, have had three and one more to get. I wonder, if that will help, so far it has helped, my platelets were 49. Is there anyone else my age in this situation?

[SoporRose]

I'm a young thing of fifty-two, but I did want to tell you that I had Rituxan infusions over two years ago and my platelets have stayed in the safe since then. My haematologist keeps telling me I'll need infusions again at some point, but at least I've had these two stable years. I hope the infusions work as well for you.

[zartye1923 in reply to SoporRose]

Thank you , Sopor Rose. If my treatment lasts a few months even, at my age, that would seem like a few years. Yes, you seem very young to me. I got married the second time, at your age, and had 34 more years with my second husband. Life has been good.

[SoporRose in reply to zartye1923]

zartye1923

It's nice to have someone see me as young. My kids are always marveling at how old I am :). Since, other than the ITP, your health is good, I hope you have many more years before you. When my great-aunt was your age, she decided to throw herself a Last Birthday Party. Everyone came and had a great time. Well, the next year rolled around, so she had another Last Birthday Party. I think she had twelve of them before she was finally too tired to have any more, and she lived for some years after that. You sound as if you're cut from the same durable cloth.

[Hidden]

I'm only 52, but my first two rounds of Rituxan helped, but on the third, had severe reaction...swollen tongue, hives, closed throat...frightening! So no more Rituxan for me. After each round, my platelets did drop again. Now after 5 years, have stayed normal with 20mg daily of prednisone and N-Plate injections every 3-4 weeks as needed.

[zartye1923 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for writing, mikki503, I am very sorry you had that bad a reaction. I have had three R infusions and did have a severe reaction the first time, I felt as though I had a bad case of the flu. The second time was not bad, just tiredness. 4 days ago I had the third infusion and do not feel real bad, but do feel very tired and just want to go to bed and sleep. I live alone in a cottage, belonging to a retirement community. I am to get one more infusion of Rituxan in 3 days. Don't know what to expect. Thank you again, I am so sorry, but hope your future will be better.

[Hidden in reply to zartye1923]

I hope yours will be too. Hugs to you!

[zartye1923]

You are sweet and so young. It means a lot to hear from people, I am alone too much. I could go across the street and communicate with other residents, but I got the impression that Rituxan compromises the immune system and so I isolate myself from people so I won't catch anything. My doctor told me not to take much vitamin C, I used to take a lot of it, thinking it kept me healthy. He also told me to discontinue the fish oil, I used to take for omega three and the ginkgo biloba which I had taken for many years. I guess I'd better listen to my doctor. I am treated in Iowa City, which is known for being a very good medical center. I have lived in many different countries and English is not my native language, so I might sound somewhat stilted. Thanks for communicating with me.

[Lin6 in reply to zartye1923]

Hi how much vitamin c did your doctor say was ok to take as I also take it thinking the same tho started it before I found out I had ITP. which was just last month