Rituximab

[donnalouisec]

Has anybody suffered with sensitive teeth after having rituximab infusions.. I had sensitive teeth to start with but now they hurt when I go outside and the wind hits them....... Strange!!

[Tillytop]

Hello,

I was really interested to read your question because I am on Ritux too and in the past few months my teeth have been almost unbearable. Last night I was sitting there with almost every tooth throbbing horribly and I was struggling to concentrate on anything else to take my mind off it. Even when I take morphine for other things it doesn't help the pain of the teeth and I too have sensitivity when outside (and from the steam from the shower). My teeth are so sensitive that I really have to pluck up courage to brush my teeth. I was so sure I had serious tooth decay, having not visited the dentist for a while, but when I plucked up courage to go I was told that my teeth are absolutely fine thank goodness. The dentist thought the extreme sensitivity might be due to inflammation of the tendons (I think he said tendons) which attach the teeth to the gums but whether that is related in any way to the RA, Sjogrens or Rituximab I don't know. I think he is right though because I am cutting down my dose of prednisolone at the moment and they do seem to be getting worse. Unfortunately I can't take anti-inflamms (other than the occasional over the counter ibuprofen) but if I could I feel I would be able to prove the theory one way or another.

Sorry, I'm waffling here. But you have all my sympathy and I will be interested to know if any others on Rituximab have noticed the same problems. And if you find a solution, I would love to know.

Tillyx

[Ellenkay in reply to Tillytop]

... That's interesting Tilly. Some years ago I bit down on a very hard pistachio nut - how I wish I hadn't!!! I was in absolute agony and the dentist x-rayed me etc and said there was no infection at all - I had sprained the ligaments that hold the tooth in place. I'd never heard of such a thing until then, but very painful indeed.

The problem is that there is no room in the tooth socket for inflammation, hence the pain.

All the best, x

[bigtfrancis in reply to Tillytop]

have your teeth boken ? All mine did ,25+ infusions in 2011,.,.oral surgeon said it was due to rituxan,.,.,.

[pennylane]

I've just had one rituximab infusion but was on golimumab for three months before and my teeth have been painfully sensitive. Brushing my teeth brings tears to my eyes & sometimes just breathing in hurts! Off to see a different dentist at the end of the month as the last one was so unhelpful. The things we have to put up with living with this crazy disease xx

[donnalouisec]

Thanks for replying, I thought I was going mad.. I've also noticed that my legs are covered in bruises and I haven't banged them I'm sure if it. There really deep purple and take ages to disappear. I'm going to mention all of this to rhuemy at next visit and get myself checked out at the dentist. I hate this sodding disease.. I started on enbrel before rituximab and have gained nearly a stone since January.... It's doing my head in!!

[pennylane in reply to donnalouisec]

Know what you mean. Theres something new everyday, just get one thing kinda bearable & something else goes bonkers. Some really weird symtoms & side effects, it really freaks me out. Feel like 30 going on 130 most days.

Hope the rituximab is working for you & your dentist & rheumy can help xx

[jeanabelle]

I know what you mean Donna, everything I was put on has some sort of side effect too.

I have been getting Tocilizamub infusions since November, it's been next to useless for me and I put on a kl with every infusion in to the bargain. It's not enough that we have pain, fatigue, foggy head etc etc!

Anyhow, they are doing their best for us. We just have to grin and bare it until we the right one for us.

Keep in there kid. Jean

[mille]

I am on rituximab and my gums have started to feel very sensitive and i have one tooth that seems to bleed quite badly when i brush my teeth. I also have a lot of bruises Donna and they look really bad at the moment i have a huge one on my shin and i don't remember bumping into anything. Right now my gums are burning but i didn't think of the rituximab being the cause. I've also noticed quite a few random spots on my face. At least i can move better so that's something. x

[Tillytop]

Hello donnalouisec and all,

I've been really interested in reading this thread. I had honestly not connected my outrageously sensitive teeth with Rituximab but it does now seem a distinct possibility.

I bruise fairly easily too, but not like some of you seem too. The only time I have bruised like that is when on highish doses of oral steroids.

If anyone mentions the teeth/possible Rituximab link to their rheumatologist I would be be very interested to know what they say.

Tillyx

[donnalouisec]

Thanks for your input Till,,

Since being diagnosed with RA and experimenting with so many different drugs I have become a bit of a stickler in assessing side effects to different things... And the teeth thing is definitely since the rituximab infusion. I've been on oral steroids now for 18 months but am now down to 7.5 mg per day from 20 mg per day. I have to say however that the week before my first infusion I had a steroid injection into my bottom. Then on the day of first infusion the intravenous steroid along with second infusion 2 weeks later another steroid infusion so I appreciate the high steroid association.

I'm ringing my nurse at the end of the week who will ten Speak to my consultant so will update you all.

Nice to have other people's experiences than you all for sharing xx

[donnalouisec]

I've now been to the dentist and have an infection in my back tooth which is causing my teeth to feel sensitive. My dentist does not think its connected with the rituximab infusions but I'm not convinced!!

Any how he's given me an extremely high dose of a combined antibiotics and then he's going to extract the tooth so there will be no reoccurrence.... More bloody tablets to take along side my ever growing cocktail of drugs!!! Lets just hope they don't kill me....

[rituximabtoo]

Hi, donna,

I found this site after searching for, "teeth throb after Rituxan infusion." Today, I had my 6th infusion, and about 1/3 of the way through the 5 hour procedure, the roots of my lower front teeth started to throb with my heart beat. This strange malady followed a tightness in my mid-back and across my chest. The drip was temporarily stopped, until the symptoms disappeared, then the infusion was resumed. So, apparently, there is a link between the Rituximab and teeth. The nurses said they had never heard of throbbing teeth before.

[rituximabtoo]

UPDATE - 6/18/14

I had my 7th Rituxan infusion, yesterday. At about 1 3/4 hours into the procedure (same as above) I experienced the same symptoms as I described, above. After the Rituxan was stopped, all of the symptoms subsided in about 15 minutes, and the Rituxan was started, again. I had no more symptoms for the remainder of the treatment.

[bigtfrancis]

i had 26 infusions in 2010, all my teeth have broken off and now having an oral surgeon removing broken teeth, told me riruxin caused the nerve roots to detach ,no pain ,but no teeth, also ,,they will not do dental work if rutuxan is in your system ,in my case ,it has been 5.5 yrs.so they are extracting jan 18.

[KayEP]

I have had 2 infusions of rituximab - the last one in November, and since then I have a metallic taste in my mouth all the time, and my teeth are extremely sensitive/painful. I had thought about rituximab and dismissed it until I found this site. At the dentist next week for root canal work on a tooth, and due for another round of infusion in March/April, but maybe I should speak to my Rheumatologist tomorrow!

[wanttobepainfree]

Hi, I just joined this group. I'm glad I found it. I know your post shows 6 years ago but I do want to say that i am doing the infusions, Rituxan, now. I have done 3 sets of infusions and am noticing that my gums are really hurting now. When I had my first infusion, my teeth started breaking apart but I didn't think nothing of it cuz I have several tooth decays. But now my gums are really hurting and it hurts to chew, brush my teeth, talk, everything. I have had RA for 20+ years already and have been on everything (seems like it) arava, remicade, steroids, enbrel, humira, methotrexate, xeljanz, plaquenil, etc. Either the medication was not helping or side effects were occurring. Regardless, these past couple of days I have been depressed (currently on depression pills as well for 10 years plus) due to just losing hope with this disease plus all medications. I am thinking of just trying all natural remedies now. But back to the dental issues, i do feel the pain! 😟

[JamesBon007]

Same here. I've been on Rituxan for 2 years, but not had teeth sensitivity until now. I just finished my last cycle (once a week, 4Xs). Sadly, it coincided with a new crown and then having it replaced. You can imagine the pain doubled. Now my front teeth and others are becoming sensitive. I can't help but wonder if my bones are also affected.