Rituximab/anxiety

[Vonnie10]

Rituximab

Hi here goes so the back story is I had ritx last year I was given pain page 6 weeks after the ritx of my gp.... anyhow 2 months later after the ritx last year ,I had huge anxiety overwhelming anxiety worst thing I’ve ever experienced, fast forward to this year had the ritx again in late jan, 2 months later abnormally high anxiety through the roof , when I seen my gp Who is lovely and now retired (gutted she as gone) she said to me last year in fact I put a-post on here about anxiety that’s it was the ritx, consultant was like no I am the know it all it the pain patch, here I am now at 2 o’clock in the morning writing this ocd at it finest ..I know now a million percent it’s the ritx causing it, rang the gp I ‘now the situation with the Cv but it’s literally that bad, she say do yin yoga breathing or go for a walk on the beach. My feet aren’t playing I wish, I did the yin yoga best I could and the mindfulness, wasn’t with great effect, crying at this least thing baking chocolate cake at 11 at night So as anyone else as issues with anxiety with ritx of the scale anxiety or super sensitive to these RA drugs or is it just me , poor husband getting it left and right I’ve baked and cleaned then pure overuse of my not so great joints , it’s bad every drug I try I have the serious funny side effect when I go clinic they say ‘ oh your the one with side effect to lots of drugs” it’s so annoying like what are they trying to say. I just wish I could find a drug that worked thankyou in advance sorry to bore you all when everyone is so stressed with what’s going on but please there must be someone the same as me. Getting desperate no suitable drug for raging RA in 4 years nearly just nasty steroid injection .

[sylvi]

Vonnie you won't bore anybody and I am sure there will be someone who can answer your question, sadly its not me. Hugs I would love some of your chocolate.xxx

[AgedCrone]

I can’t quite work out who your GP told you to discuss this with.

I have had Rituximab infusions for four years with no problems...and I wonder if you have ever discussed with your rheumatologist what might be causing your anxiety other than the Biologic.

If not that is your first port of call....get in touch with your rheumatology nurse explaining the anxiety and ask her to arrange an appointment for you.

Maybe with a clinical psychologist.

[KittyJ]

I can’t work out if you’re still on the pain patch or if you stopped it and that’s how you know it wasn’t that causing the anxiety? You say it was 2 weeks after starting the pain patch that you first suffered, that’s why I’m asking. Is it constant or does it go and then come back after your infusion? If your rheumy is saying it’s not the rtx have they suggested referring you to someone who can help with your anxiety? Believe me I know what it’s like to suffer anxiety but there is help out there. You can refer yourself if you want to, your GP doesn’t have to do it. I’ll put a link below if you think that’s something you might want to do. Keep talking to us here, anxiety is very common, we are here to support you x

nhs.uk/conditions/stress-an...

[allanah]

You have to live with this treatment, if YOU feel the patch or ritux isnt for you then the rheumy in partnership with you should come up with a mutual agreement that suits you both. Pain meds can be a devil for causing mood changes, there are lots of options. So I would ask rheumy nurse to help and see if your gp has a telephone service to help.with anxiety more xxx sending hugsx

[Vonnie10]

It the ritx causing it million percent haven't had the pain patch since last year just done my bp 189|89. When sitting relaxed as soon as I can get up my heart is racing panic sets in just doing some yoga and mindfulness of YouTube . X hope you keeping safe xx

[Nik8210]

I felt really anxious after the rutiximab and spoke to my consultant about it he said it was more likely a side effect of the steroid infusion than the biologic. We are monitoring the situation but it was better the last time I had the infusion that’s previously. Maybe being aware of it was enough but what I learned was the importance of talking about your mental health as well as your physical health to the people looking after you.

Well all react to drugs in different ways the important thing is that we communicate the effects of this with the people who need to know .

I am in no way minimising anyone who suffers from anxiety as it is a very real mental health issue for many people. It was just very strange for me to suddenly be afraid to leave my house which is slightly ironic now. 😇

[Vonnie10 in reply to Nik8210]

I was stuck in my kitchen yday cooking cleaning for 7 solid hours that’s how bad the compulsive disorder got panic was horrendous ritx was the devil that caused it

[Nik8210 in reply to Vonnie10]

For me it’s a trade off I managed to get free of the crutches with the Rtx and my walking was a lot better. My hands are getting worse so am not sure if I get to stay on it or we try something else. Suppose all that’s up in the air now too

[Vonnie10]

Hi I don’t generally suffer with mental health I’ve never had anxiety panic attacks them steroids we get that go along with ritx are short acting I’m 8 weeks post ritx the very exact thing happened 8 weeks post last year just had to give it a go to see if I reacted again so. Frustrating . I’ve had the usual longer acting steroid injection for 4 years so it’s not that . I’m always having a rear random side effect I’ve tried 7 maybe 8 drugs super sensitive such a shame my joints are amazing but never had compulsive disorder in my life and panic attacks so it’s the ritx for certain feel for anyone who as a compulsive disorder or panic attacks .