Gazyva treatment for follicular lymphoma

[levigsc]

Hi! i am presently completing 6 cycles of chemo + gazyva to treat my follicular lymphoma, and then will be on two year maintenance therapy once every two months (i.e.gazyva).... is there anyone here doing this maintenance therapy who has some advice / support for me? tnx!!!

[Russ70]

HI,

I am on the last 2 treatments with Rituximab maintenance. Every 3 months, have to get blood work, then see the doctor, then get the shot in the belly which takes 5 minutes.

I have had no issue with the maintenance shots, other than with the anxiety of going getting blood work etc. I would say, if you can, don't feel anxious, but I know that is difficult. Just think of them as a countdown to being free from chemo after 2 years.

Good luck

[levigsc in reply to Russ70]

thanks so much! encouragement from someone who understands from personal experience is the best!

[newerguy]

I had 6 mo. of Rituxan and Bendamustine initially and CR. Now taking two years of every other month Rituxan. Will have my fourth at months end with a CT scan prior for a look see. There have been no problems. I thought long and hard about maintenance therapy and read plenty of articles and do not regret it as I am 74 and would like to keep this in check for as long as I can. Best of luck to you.

[levigsc]

newerguy thanks so much! i haven't looked too much into the maintenance therapy... i was almost 6 years on "watchful waiting" truth is i am happy i have finally been treated. so i am happy to that i will be receiving treatment to hopefully keep it in control. just hoping i will be getting back to some kind of normalcy.....

[Smileyman]

I've met people who have this maintenance and they say only good things. Granted it does weaken the immune system so take care to avoid infections, but lymphoma wise it usually results with patients being in a longer term remission that otherwise might have been achieved. For some it is effectively gives lifetime remission (cure?), but not all. Overall, if / when my lymphoma relapses (after 4 weekly rituximab infusions last autumn) I would expect to have the maintenance treatment too. Good luck with your treatments.

[levigsc in reply to Smileyman]

Smileyman thanks so much!!!