Was Rituximab successful, how long did the 'Good times' last .

[Tricia-P]

I had my 1st treatments with Rituximab in July after about 3 weeks I felt marvelous, was it the steroid jabs or Rituximab, Well the good-time lasted till the end of October it was wonderful then I had my flu jab. reacted too it and now my joints are all sore, I feel reasonably well not that tired but painful. Is this the end of the Rituximab I do hope not as I can't have prednisolone due to the damage to my spine.

Thank you

Tricia P

[juju74]

I had my first 2 infusions of Rituximab in April/may, it was great while it lasted, but was only for about 6 weeks, had to have another steroid injection and wait till 6 months had passed since having the Rituximab, just got my 1st infusion of my 2nd cycle yesterday, my nurses at the Rhuemy ward said that ill probably noticed a bigger difference this time round. If gets crossed. Hope it's the same for yourself. ?? Xx

[Tillytop]

Hello Tricia

I'm on Rituximab too and, as I was warned, it is definitely not fast acting. I was told it could be up to a year (ie 3 months or more after the second cycle of infusions) before I knew if it was going to help. My second cycle of infusions was delayed due to other health problems so, by the time I had them, the consultant and I thought I had probably pretty much "started again". But 4 months on from the second cycle of infusions the Ritux is definitely working for me. I suspect the initial improvement you saw was from the steroid infusion - I think it is quite a hefty dose we are given and probably takes a good few weeks to wear off. I wouldn't write off the Rituximab quiet yet Tricia. When is your next infusion cycle due? Do they routinely do the second cycle 6 months after the first as they do at my hospital? I have recently met a lady at the hospital who was happily going a year between infusions - and a chap who was getting a maximum of 4 months benefit and needing infusions every six months so it really does seem to vary person to person. Sorry that you had a reaction to the flu jab too - that happens to me as well and we just don't need it on top of everything else do we?

Really hope the Ritux does work for you Tricia - and that you get more benefit Juju after your second cycle.

Thinking of you both.

Tillyx

[Tricia-P]

Hi

my Rheumy nurse has put in appts for me in january so that will be 6 months, she did say the second set of infusions seemed to make the big difference, I was previously on Humira which gave me huge relief but came off to have an op on my spine ended up lost feeling to both legs so 2nd op then by the time the wound was healed and i went back on humira it just didn't kick in. I may ask if I can have a steroid jab to keep me going, the drug they use in the injection form apparantly doesn't have the destructive effect on bone that prednisalone does. Juju I wish you the best with the 2nd infusion, and hope that all goes well with you Tilly. By the way do you get cold sweats with steroids? tricia P xx