Ritixamub: I have just seen that Ritixamab can... - NRAS

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Ritixamub

Calla2712 profile image
9 Replies

I have just seen that Ritixamab can sometimes affect memory ? I have been on the Ritixamab infusions since approx 2018, but my last infusion was November last year. Prior to that my infusion lasted me two years before I needed another, so it is working for me. The only other medication that worked for me in the 35 years that I have had RA was Etanercept, which worked for me for about 6 years before I started to get flare ups.My new consultant at the time, added Methotrexate to my meds, I had taken this for most of the years that I have had RA, but the consultant increased my dosage, and that put me in hospital with Pneumonitis on oxygen for 2 weeks, was lucky to get through that. So after that, I was put on to Ritixamab. I am having problems with my memory at the moment, and it is worrying me, am currently awaiting blood test results for Sjorgrens, which my opthamologist told me I had a number of years ago, but have not been given a genuine diagnosis by my consultant, was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia back in 2007. After reading about the symptoms of Sjorgrens, I do have quite a few of the symptoms including “ brain fog” , but now it seems that Ritixamab can also have an affect on the memory ? It has been a year since my last infusion, and this year has been so bad for me mentally, I put it all down to the fact that I lost my lovely dog, who was only 2 years old to Pancreatitis. So have been so upset constantly and the fact that I forget words, is making me think, is it Sjorgrens, is it the Ritixamab ?? or is it just that I am getting old ? It is quite scary.

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9 Replies
Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17

RITUXIMAB didn’t have any memory side effects for me and I took it for 8 years. Sorry, I don’t know anything really about Sjogrens and if brain fog is a frequent side effect of having it. You didn’t say how senior you were, but senior doesn’t always mean memory loss / it can happen due to meds and at a younger age and not be dementia. RA can make us distracted and forgetful if in pain, etc., but I’d speak to your GP (and rheumy if you’re due a review) about it if it’s worrying you. Good luck. 🩷

Calla2712 profile image
Calla2712 in reply toNeonkittie17

Thank you for your reply, am 70 in 2 weeks

B3ntl3y profile image
B3ntl3y in reply toCalla2712

Good evening

So sorry about your dog lost mine in May

You must feel lost

I took MTX tablets and Filigotinib also

My hair fell out was tired felt sick put on weight just was horrid everyone kept saying how pale I looked

So came off of both of them lost weight now pain yer well can’t see it ever going fall over but yer still walking

I have just adopted a rescue dog she has helped me loads with my low moods

Be kind to your self sending love and strength xx God bless

Amnesiac3637 profile image
Amnesiac3637

I suspect unresolved grief and stress over the loss of your pet has had a profound effect on you. Combine that with RA, possible fibromyalgia and some pretty hefty medication and it’s no wonder your brain’s scrambled.

The least problem is probably Rituximab as you’ve been on it and tolerated it for years. If you’ve read memory loss as a side effect it may have applied to a very few people but the manufacturers have to mention it in their literature in case they get sued. Be kind to yourself, it’s a very difficult time and stress makes all sorts of things worse. All the best, been there.

Tkat10 profile image
Tkat10

I work as an analyst and stopped rituximab as it totally fogged my brain for at last a month post infusions. Other than that it was a good treatment, it just got worse over time and then they tried giving me steroids to off set it and that just mad me manic until I just ran out of steam!

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Oh Calla…..You are70 years old & you lost your lovely little dog….so it is no wonder your memory slips sometime. But as somebody more than ten years older than you who has been on Rtx for 8+ years I can assure it hasn’t affected my memory at all.Of course I am sometimes forgetful, but that is just life….and some people have better memories than others!

So please try to relax about your memory, …you have written in detail about how much you do remember …..so I’m sure what you do forget is no more than most of us do as we get older.

Calla2712 profile image
Calla2712 in reply toAgedCrone

Thank you so much for that reply has made me feel a bit better.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

I’m am so glad you feel better. We old gals remember more than people credit us with,& we are really good when it comes to selective memory! 🙄

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

Or might it be stress? I dont know about Brain Fog as I've never had it. Why not have a chat with GP and it could just be a busy life as we all know this time of year can be so stressful. I'm 71 and never had the medication so I don't know anything about it but I do remember that thinking you've got memory problems can be the driver as your spending so much time trying to remember something you've no need too. As we age our brain do fill up and less important stuff does get forgotten its why children can learn so fast as their memory is empty and fills with age. I'd try not to concentrate on memory and try to relax for a few days but if you're still concerned ask your GP for advice. Do you remember driving home or not or the number of the bus to town ? if you don't remember driving home it just might be that its a routine so your brain has filtered it out as nothing significant happened. I drive to my sons and never think about remembering the journey because its something I do often, like before I retired and went to work: but if I go somewhere I'm not familiar with like London I do remember it. And are you sleeping well the type of fatigue from sleep deprivation might affect memory too. x

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