Hello :) Starting Rituximab infusions soon and feeling a bit nervous! Does anyone already receive this? Has anyone had any side effects?? :)

[B2403]

[HKFuey]

I've had 2 rounds of Rituximab, 6 months apart and have had no side effects at all either time. The worst thing about the whole experience was the antihistamine they give you before they start the infusion and that was just wooziness. You'll be fine, good luck.

[B2403 in reply to HKFuey]

Thank you Despite all the injections and needles we all have to put up with I am huge wuss and mainly nervous about the cannulas! Silly I know, but just hoping this one will do the trick Glad to hear that it is working well for you

[Ronnie63 in reply to B2403]

I too have a pathological fear of cannula so as my veins break down so easily. I was once in hospital for six nights and had to have infusions twice a day, kept having to find another site, yuk!

Hope it works for you, I'm waiting to start mine when the funding is approved but know it will be an infusion for the time being as no injection form available yet, maybe they'll bring out a injection version in the future?

[B2403 in reply to Ronnie63]

I know how you feel! I had a blood infection a couple of months ago and ended up having three cannulas within a week! Just have to grin and bear it It would be brilliant if they brought out an injection form, just glad that it is taken relatively infrequently! Hope it works for you when you start it! x

[HKFuey in reply to B2403]

Hmm, I didn't say it was working...

[Jill60]

GOOD LUCK let us know how you got on...I have not been on that med, but hear great results about it....don't be scared the nurses will be helpful ok

[B2403 in reply to Jill60]

Thank you I will, waiting to see the rheumy nurses then they'll decide a date! Fingers crossed x

[kizzy12]

hi , i was on rituximab for 3yrs and had no side-effects...just didnt work well enough for me...i too fear canulas and always have to look the other way and keep talking..if i catch sight i end up in tears and feel really silly lol...good luck ..hope it works for you x

[B2403 in reply to kizzy12]

Thank you, I'm sorry to hear it didn't work very well for you, I have had that problem with Etanercept and Humira so hopefully this will be the one! Last time I had to have a cannula I ended up in tears and too felt really silly in front of all the doctors and nurses! I will just look the other way as you said How were you whilst actually receiving the infusion? I have read lots about it possibly being painful and making you feel sick? x

[kizzy12]

i found once the canula was in i had no problems...never felt a thing..lets hope its the same for you...i have tried 3 biologics so far and about to start afourth lol.....dont think i will ever find anything that works but wont give up trying x

[B2403 in reply to kizzy12]

There are SO many things they can try, don't give up hope, I know it's easier said than done, I am beginning to feel a bit like that at the moment, but fingers crossed this one will be the one! I hope your next one works Good luck x

[kizzy12]

thankyou...have been trying for nearly 10yrs now so pretty used to a painful way of life lol x

[allanah]

I had Remicade infusions and had a Mixed experience. Initially it was fine the nurses look after me really well and I stayed in for a good part of the day. They monitor you a lot and give me a really nice lunch LOL. I did have a bit of a reaction unfortunately, just being honest, but the nurses sorted me out within seconds. Then I got put on Humira instead which like you unfortunately doesn't seem to be working, so I am back at the rheumatologist tomorrow, and think they will be changing my meds again. It's such a shame this trial and error approach with drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, it would be much easier if you could just work out which one we could have immediately! But we keep promising me they will find one that helps so I would just stay optimistic! Don't worry too much because most people manage the infusion really well and are on it for quite a long time, The people in the day room, most of them have been on it long term and find it very very useful. So don't worry you know the staff are generally really good so if you are anxious about anything they will explain everything all the way through for you. Good luck and let us know how you get on Axx