Rituximab

[debjw]

Hi all, I’ve had my first round of this infusion and I wondered if anyone else had very high blood pressure after this? I’ve now been put on meds as it was so high. Thanks and I look forward to hearing x

[Lolabridge]

Were you given a flush of methylprednisolone before the Rituximab? It’s usual to be given it to reduce the risk of a reaction to the Rituximab infusion (together with an antihistamine and some paracetamol).When I have the methylprednisolone my blood pressure shoots up but comes down again as the Rituximab is going in. Having a strong coffee beforehand or already taking oral Prednisolone (or having recently had steroid shot) just exacerbates the problem for me.

[debjw in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you. I had a steroid injection that didn’t work the week before so that probably added to it. Unfortunately it seems to have stayed up. Thanks for replying. Has the rituximab helped you? How long did it take?

[Lolabridge in reply to debjw]

Yes it’s made a huge difference to me and brought my RA under control. I hope it works for you too. It can take several weeks to get relief so give it time.

[debjw in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you!

[Moomin8]

My blood pressure shot up during my infusions. They had to stop and give me more antihistamine each time and slow the rate of infusion down. I seemed to be ok the next day though, regarding my blood pressure. I also had a steroid injection before my infusion along with antihistamine.

[debjw in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you. Mine is still up unfortunately. Has the rituximab helped you and how long did it take? X

[Moomin8 in reply to debjw]

I've only had one one round of infusions. It hasn't kicked in at all yet 😒I had to have yet another steroid injection this week. I had it end of May.

[debjw in reply to Moomin8]

I’m sorry to hear that. I really hope it kicks in soon for you x

[zimmie]

First time infusion really knocked me about , had to stop for a while. The steroid really affects me though..... makes me short tempered for few days. Infusion has really helped me though....

[debjw]

Thanks for replying. I still feel washed out, is that normal?

[Vixen2]

Hi debjw.I’ve had RA & iritis & now glaucoma since i was 21. (50 now!!) I’ve been on loads of meds over the years. Loads of steroids, sulphasalazeine, indocid. Millions of heavy painkillers. But for the last 15 yrs, i’ve been having an Infliximab infusion every 6 weeks. It takes about 3/4 months to get into the system. It’s not instant. Your rheumatologist should have told you this. So you’re going to have to put up with steroid injections until then. I’m just so grateful to have this treatment FOR FREE. It costs £10,000 per yr to have this. If we lived in the States. God knows how much we’d have to pay!

[debjw in reply to Vixen2]

Hi and thank you. Yes we are very lucky. I was ion enbrel for 17 years before this. I knew it could take a while. The problem is steroids make my bp very high but I’m on meds for it now so hopefully it will stay down. Fingers crossed that it works. Thanks for replying.

[chacha700]

I had high blood pressure near the end of my infusion on Friday! I managed to have it all. I sat in hospital for around an hour after and took more paracetamol when I got home. Yesterday was iffy but I’m fine today.

[debjw in reply to chacha700]

Thanks for your reply. I hope you get good results from it.