Benlysta/Rituximab

[jemozne]

Hi everyone!

Has anyone here been treated with any of these 2 drugs? Was reading that there have been some (ongoing) trials with promising results...so i was just wondering.

Hope to hear from you,

A.

[Accam1953]

Hi jemoznE

I have both Sjogrens and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. My oncologist and rheumatologist decided that a course of Rituximab and Chlorambucil would take out The large build up of lymphocytes in my salivary glands. My face was very swollen

, I had the typical dry eyes and mouth symptoms also. Within a few days of first treatment swelling was much reduced. Treatment continued monthly 5 more times. Last was June 2014. No issues for about 18 months however some Symptoms beginning to return. Further treatment likely in next year or 2. Unusually , I am in the small minority of males with SS.

Regards

Accam

[jemozne in reply to Accam1953]

Thanks for answering. Wonder when Rituximab would become largely prescribed. Did you experience any major side-effects?

[Accam1953 in reply to jemozne]

I am in Australia where Rituximab is PBS approved ( cost free) for CLL but not SS. Oncologist and Rheum basically conspired to obtain Rituximab although main reason for prescription was my SS symptoms. Minimal side effects compared with more aggressive chemo therapies I have read about.

[vaderviper]

jemozne..........You obviously are in country other than the USA. Here in the states most people that need Rituximab will never receive it. The reason why........it is classified here as an "orphan" drug which means the vast majority of insurance companies won't cover the cost..........which is $1500 EVERY 2 WEEKS! You can get it if you are a government worker or are very wealthy. Americans pay the highest cost for drugs than any other country in the world. The big PHARMA companies control, pay AND OWN our FDA (which makes our FDA corrupt, and they also own most of our Congress via lobbyist and contributions to their re-election. Being a retired Neuro-Ophthalmologist it disgusts me just how corrupt our FDA and government is. I have seen MANY, MANY patients that need drugs but are able to pay for them (vile, vile, vile). We have a great heath system for those that can afford, but it is now getting to the point where most can no longer afford health care or their meds.

Benlysta is a great drug (the ONLY drug specific for the treatment of lupus) and it works wonderfully in about 35% of the cases.

I know in the vast majority of countries it will be available for most people..........sadly to say it will never happen here in the USA UNLESS WE REMOVE OUR ENTIRE CONGRESS AND REPLACE EVERY ONE OF THEM THAT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF THE BIG WEALTHY CORPORATIONS, PEOPLE AND THEMSELVES..............God willing, it will happen sooner than later.

Good Luck to you.

I am myself disgusted with how medicine is controlled by the FDA and big pharma.

Dr. S. (in the USA)

BTW: Did you know there are now 'CURES" for many cancers that were once uncurable? However our FDA won't allow the treatment to be given because the big pharma companies made sure the FDA won't allow the person who developed them to treat and do studies to prove his treatments. The Dr's name is Dr. Burzinsky based in Houston, TX..........his treatment is called Anti-Neoplastic Therapy. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO WORK! Look him up.

I and some of my colleagues will be spending a fortune in attempting to let the world know just how corrupt our FDA is............WE NEED CHANGES.