Rituximab

[ks1966]

Hello 👋

I’m a bit curious as to how long does it take for Rituximab to kick in. Thanks

[Neonkittie17]

For me six weeks before a really marked improvements but I felt a lot better after around a month. Often difficult tell what’s working if you’ve been given either oral or injected steroids, but I felt a general well-being after a month which told me something was happening to the good! It can often take longer. Sometimes people have said it’s taken until the next round of infusion(s) before it’s worked fully.

[Lolabridge]

Yes I agree with nk. I got the full effect after about 8 weeks but had noticed a steady improvement from about 4. What is interesting is that there is a cumulative effect with each new cycle too.

[sunnyweek]

I would say for me about 4 weeks after the first cycle I started to improve. I used to have cycles every 7 months and now go a year so improvement has increased the more I've had.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to sunnyweek]

Mine can go 14 months or 7-8. Each time can be different my rheumy said for some patients. Can be longer at times for some people’s B cells to repopulate.

[sunnyweek in reply to Neonkittie17]

Yes definitely it depends if b cells have repopulated. I always wonder every time if I'll be able to have another infusion. I hope you're doing well after your last infusion x

[ks1966 in reply to sunnyweek]

I had my first one last week. I’m on prednisone now so can’t really tell

[Neonkittie17 in reply to sunnyweek]

Fine at the mo thanks in terms of Rtx working to keep RA at bay, but its side effects are not good since 2018. Time to talk to my rheumy next month. Hope you are feeling well. x

[ks1966 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Hello. What kind of side effects ? If you don’t mind me asking.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to ks1966]

Repeated bronchial episodes .. sinus and chest

[madme1]

Hi Ks1966 everybody is different but for me it happened straight away. I for the first day or so I felt like someone had put new batteries in me! 😊 It made me almost hyper! It settled down after a couple of days though. I used to be on Rituximab and found for the first day I would have burning patches on my face cheeks, for a few days, roseacea cream helped soothe them though. I'm now being put on a new treatment for me Infliximab, which means going for the infusion every 6 to eight weeks rather than 6 to 8 months. That was nearly 3 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the appt!

[Moomin8 in reply to madme1]

Hope it happens for you soon 🤞

[madme1]

Thanks!