Rituximab

[Motherof4withlupus]

Hello everyone I have lupus and tried lots of different treatments my consultant has now decided on Rituximab as the next step anyone out there who has had this if so could you give me your opinion

[PMRpro]

I nearly posted this link when it arrived in my inbox the other day - this is a perfect place to put it!

medpagetoday.com/rheumatolo...

It is a bit of a heavy read if you don't have a paramedical background but the take-away message is simple enough!

"The finding that half of patients in the register showed prompt objective improvement within 6 months "emphasizes that the use of rituximab is an important treatment option for a large proportion of SLE patients with refractory disease," Bruce and colleagues concluded."

[Motherof4withlupus in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you I shall give it a read

[DankaCi]

Hello, my boyfriend had Rituximab and even though it did not help him to get lupus under control, it has really improved his quality of life. During the time when Rituximab was working, it was nearly like he was not ill anymore (at least as close as it gets). I hope it will go smoothly for you! Only one planning advice: if you will have fever and feel bad after the 2nd dose, dont wait and go to the hospital, doctors will be able to help you very fast with infusions. It is highly probable that it could be only the first reaction of your body (at that time it starts to realize that it got Rituximab - after the 1st dose, it is still not working, after 3rd and following doses, your body already knows it, so the 2nd is complicated) that will go away and it happens to many patients (assuming from what we experienced and from what I read). So dont be stressed about it, simply be prepared, just in case. I recommend you to plan at least three days of sweet nothing after the 2nd dose, if possible be in touch with someone with car who will be able to drive you to the hospital if you will feel bad, so you can solve it and feel good asap and you will be all right. Fingers crossed!