Rituximab side effects

[jeanette60]

Hi. I had rituximab infusions in feb for ra and was wondering has anyone experienced diarhea as a side effect. I have had it for a few weeks now with stomach pain. Havnt had any other problems since infusions. Would be grateful for any replies.

[Adam2014]

I have not had it, but it seems likely that I will at some point. Could you (or/and others) share your experience of the process and how it felt on the day and immediately after (if not too personal)?

Sorry to hijack your post!

[Kell12]

Hi, I have had rituximab 3 times never suffered from stomach problems with it. On the day the infusion takes a while to go through, I have had a reaction to it on the 1st infusion but with antihistamine was ok, as you have steroids at the same time I couldn't sleep that night but felt fine after and gave me a boost of energy but that might have been the steroids! It's been over 12 months since I had my last infusion and they seem to be reluctant to give me another,not sure why.

[zzcat]

Hello Jeannette

Yes, I too get the stomach issues along with the diarrhea, sometimes being quite severe. I have been on Rituxan for about 2 years now and would still say it is very much worth this side effect, at least for me.

I have SLE, RA, APL, and Vasculitis which had all been quite active until my second to third round of Rituxan.

My solution has been to eat a very low fat diet around infusion time and really hydrate the day of. The low fat has not eliminated but helped.

You are not alone!

Good luck

[Maureenpearl]

I had two infusions, one in June the other the first of July and I didn't have any diarrhoea but I am now having pain in my bladder every time I need to go to urinate.

I felt great immediately after each infusions but then realise its the steroid infusion that was making me feel so good. Now it's wearing off i'm feeling awful (I was given it for SLE with Lung damage)

It took three years to get the funding for it for me as it's never been used for lung damage (Pulmonary Fibrosis) before, so we are now waiting to see the improvements sometime in August.

I am just starting to mix with people as I don't want to catch chicken pox, shingles or a cold.

All the best

Maureen xx