Anyone taken rituximab? I have just been awarded the funding and wondered what people's thoughts are?

[dzagotskillz]

[Silvergilt]

There's a few past posts about it -I might be in the running for it myself so I did a forum search on the subject. A few posts, albeit old ones, seemed very much in favour.

Congrats! How long did it take to get that cleared? My rheumy already has mentioned he is looking into newer medicine alternatives for me, I wondered if I was going to be waiting for even longer for a yea or nay

[Hidden in reply to Silvergilt]

I had my first infusion last year and my cough and chesty symptoms disappeared, plus my head felt clearer, joints still hurt a bit and fatigue was as bad as ever.

The second dose, 6 months later did not do anything really ,except I am not coughing so much.

I am coming up for my third dose in August, so I am expecting great results.

Hope you have good results, and let us know how you get on.

[sylviaweller_79]

I was given it, it was absolutely amazing. The day it was done I was achy and sluggish, the day after I felt like a new person!!!! I had no joint pain, it didn't hurt anywhere or anything it was just amazing! I was lucky because 6 months after it was repeated.

Its a wonderful drug, I'm really happy for you that you managed to get funded, it should be an option to all lupus sufferers.

Anyway, I'm so happy for you, I hope it helps you the way it helped me

Take care xx

[mum-two]

I have been having Rituximab infusions for about 8 years now every six months.I normally have Cyclophosamide as well.

I had my last Rituximab a few weeks ago but couldn't have Cyclophosamide as well because of some nasty infections I have had resulting in me being addmited to hospital.

Everybody gets different results with it,it can take up to 3 months to see any results.It has really helped me because all other treatments were not keeping my Lupus under control.

Be prepared for a long day,it is usually put through over about 4 hours but you will be given other things first like antihistamine.

I get a funny head with it a bit like you are a bit tipsy,but I think that may be the antihistamine.It also makes me very tired and I spend most of the time sleeping.

I am normally there from around 10:00 am and finish around 4:00pm.

Make sure you have your blood test the day before or it adds another hour on to the time.

I hope it works for you,because when it does it's great xxx

[ricky_chotai]

I have had 2 infusions and next one in August. Not really improved my fatigue or joint pains. It has improved all my bloods which suggested my Kidneys were being attacked by lupus.