Advice pls

[Evie3]

Had my Blood test in readiness for my next Rituximab which I was told could be 2 months wait but cant get thro to anyone to get a date. I have to have my 2nd Shingrix jab on 12th (shingles). I was booked for my 5th Covid on 10th but mayb too close. I want to get them out the way as I think there has to be a 4 week window before Ritux infusion. Do any of you lovely people know what is advisable. Thank you

[Neonkittie17]

I was told by my rheumy the vaccine should be a month before Rtx. I have seen differing advice re shingles and Covid vaccines. I Hope you sort your timings. I know it can be really stressful. x

[Evie3 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks…..cancelled 5th Covid for now…..will have Shingrix next week and wait to hear re Ritux. Communication is at al all time low😓

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Evie3]

So so hard with all the juggling. x

[Evie3 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Certainly is 😵‍💫

[cathie]

I’m on rituximab and yes 4 weeks interval between second infusion and vaccination. You will need a blood test before each of the two infusions which are two weeks apart. I hope it works well

[Evie3 in reply to cathie]

Thanks Cathie…..never had a blood test between 1st and 2nd infusion and been on Ritux since 2019. Will ask if I ever get called😵‍💫. Thanks

[cathie in reply to Evie3]

That's interesting - I've had them every time for about ten cycles. Its a pain getting them done but I suppose it throws up unwelcome changes.

[Evie3 in reply to cathie]

Belt and braces! Good idea…but no sign of that here😉

[bpeal1 in reply to Evie3]

I’ve been on Rituximab (every six months) for 7 years so at least 14 cycles and I’ve never been asked for a blood test in between, only 1 a few weeks before.

[Evie3 in reply to bpeal1]

Me too

[Green230461]

I was told four weeks between! Speak to your GP about shingles jab

[Evie3 in reply to Green230461]

The Shingles jab is not live (Shingrix) so having that. Will leave 5th Covid for the mo

[madme1]

Hi Evie3 usually if I'm having any injections plus my infusion I come off my rituximab tablets two weeks before the flu jab and covid jabs. This was done on advise of my rhuemy then try to fit my infusion two weeks after the jabs. My rhuemy states I should aim for getting any jabs in the middle of my 8 week gap between infusions. I come off the metho, but some people stay on it.

[bpeal1 in reply to madme1]

Think you may be a little confused. Rituximab is an infusion which is given at least 6 months apart. It’s definitely not tablets and 8 weeks would be far too small a gap for Rituximab.

[madme1 in reply to bpeal1]

No my infusion is Remsima, they still class it as ritux where I am, that is given to me every 8 weeks. I did start on ritux about 7 years ago when first diagnosed and infusions were then every 6 to 8 months. My metho is taken 1 tablet form once a week, which they are dropping to 5 2.mg tabs now.

[bpeal1 in reply to madme1]

Remsima is Infliximab (not Rituximab) hence the different dosing schedule. Both are immunosuppressants but they work in different ways, Rituximab depletes B cells, Infliximab is a type of anti-TNF.

[madme1 in reply to bpeal1]

Oh thanks for the clarification, what is TNF again nobody has explained this to me where I am.

[bpeal1 in reply to madme1]

This photo explains it but it’s a bit technical. Think the simple answer is that TNF is involved in the inflammation pathway and so by blocking it with an anti-TNF you are stopping inflammation.

Scientific of how infliximab works.

[Evie3 in reply to madme1]

As bpeal1 has said…slightly different but thanks for your message