Hello. Again. I’m due for my Rituximab infusion on December 1st. My Respiratory Doctor wrote to me saying there are “some infective changes” in my lower left lung. Is it a good idea to delay the infusion? I took a coarse of antibiotics last month. Any thoughts please?
Thanks
Has the respiratory consultant been in touch with the rheumatologist? You’d need to know from your respiratory consultant if the infection has resolved itself and you are well enough to have your Rtx. My respiratory guy writes to my rheumy and updates her as I see a respiratory consultant every 4 months as Rtx has lowered my immune causing bronchial infections. I’d get in touch with your rheumy and let them know what’s been happening re your lung. I hope you’re able to get your infusion. Have you spoken/seen your respiratory guy since the antibiotics (meaning have they worked now since the lung infection?) Hope all works out.
Both consultants should be working together. Contact them and get their advice.I had a deep rooted abscess for over 3 years and I had 7 operation lots of antibiotics whole I was on rituximab but it was all in the hands off both my rheumatology team and my surgeon on what treatments were allowed. Good luck..
I would suggest you speak to the people who look after you. xxxxx
As Rtx is an infusion…once it’s done & you shouldn’t have had it because you have a lingering infection it could make you feel pretty rotten…so it’s the usual answer I’m afraid…..we cannot give medical advice…so please speak to your rheumy team asapWhat I would say….is unless you feel you are heading in to a flare…delaying an infusion will probably not make that much difference…but Rtx is not a drug to be messed with….I have been on it for 6 years & without doubt it’s ind best drug I have had…..so if it’s suiting you well too….don’t take a chance just because of dates….talk to your doctors.
Hi
I am certainly no expert and can't give you medical advice but always best to check with the professionals.
For what it's worth, I had a tooth infection last month, and even though I had stopped the antibiotics it was a no go for my Rituxumab as there was lingering infection still and the tooth needed treating.
This may not be the case for you of course and a different situation, I did try many times to get hold of my Rheumstology helpline to get some advice to no avail, so ended up actually going in for my infusion as I got to speak to someone F2F to ask advice and it was decided not to go ahead.
Hopefully, you will get better luck getting hold of someone..good luck! 🙂
We have to have blood tests before and between the two rituximab infusions. After checking with the consultants, the blood tests should show residual infection. They wont let me have the infusion without the blood tests. Hope it works for you.
I have never been allowed Rtx without my blood tests before, in-between when I had two infusions and after either. It’s too potent a med to have when you’ve got lingering infections. Or still on abx.
My experience too.
I’m wondering what changes are as I have been told I have intesterial lung disease , this came as a bit of a shock , wondered had anyone else been diagnosed with this ?
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