Infusion and COVID-19

[AcerGriseum]

I live in Shropshire and was due to have a Rituximab infusion in June but hospital say they have stopped giving biologic infusions because of Covid. Is this the same in other areas of the country?

[AgedCrone]

Yes & No....it seems to depend on each individual health authority...some have continued giving Rtx infusions all through, some have restarted & others haven’t.

Many here, myself included, have had their infusions as usual.

Have you asked your rheumy nurse when your area will start the Infusions again...it maybe if you don’t ask she will presume you are OK & don’t need one yet?.

[AcerGriseum in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you. I always thought I had to wait for them to contact me! I will give them another ring.

[Lolabridge]

Mine was delayed for 3 months but I finally got it in early August. I agree with AC that it’s a good idea to keep in regular contact with your nurse or patient helpline to let them know if feel you need it soon and are suffering.

[AcerGriseum in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you I always thought they would contact me and didn’t want to bother them at this time!

[oldtimer]

What are they proposing you do instead of having treatment?

It does seem that sometimes they forget that there is a person in pain and difficulty involved!

[bpeal1]

Mine was delayed a month. I was due to have one early April. My Rheumatologist thought it wise to delay it. I then had a phone call at the end of April to say they had set up a ‘clean’ hospital (the NHS trust had taken over the local private hospital) and she was arranging for me to have my Rituximab there. At that time she was working on the Covid ward so she also arranged for me to be under the care of the oncology doctors on those days. I had my first infusion on 7th May.

I need to get in touch with the rheumatology department soon to see what’s happening about my next lot due in November.

[Pulfs]

Mine was delayed from May and had in early September, no problem at my hospital .x

[Neonkittie17]

My local hospital suspended Rtx and other infusions too in April and recommenced in July. I was due to go in May which would have been 7 months since the previous infusions so had mine postponed to July. In June I decided as I was doing well and RA had not crept back that I would wait. I waited until 7 September so I went 11 months since the last ones. I had just started to feel some indication in my hands that I needed to have Rtx again. I’d not gone as long as that since the initial duo of infusions in early 2014. I hope you are able to recommence yours soon. I know that my rheumy team were prescribing patients oral steroids over the period they were not able to give infusions. Also I do know my hospital aren’t allowing joint injections at present.

[-Mii]

Devon hasn’t stopped Rituximab infusions!...