Ritixamab

[Wolf1]

Hi. I’m due to start Iv Ritixamab - peoples experiences would be welcome xx

[HelenL75]

I had my first ritixamab IV in March this year took a few weeks to kick in but felt loads better afterwards doc just booking me in for round 2 next month - good luck 👍🏼

[Wolf1 in reply to HelenL75]

Awww sounds good!! Any side effects?

[HelenL75 in reply to Wolf1]

Not for me luckily so fingers crossed you’re the same 👍

[Sarahjj87]

Hi

I’ve had 2 x 2 iv infusions of rituximab they were 6 months apart. I always felt fine when having the infusions but the next day I would be really flushed and flu like symptoms. I always rest the day afterwards and then felt fine.

I hope it goes well for you the rituximab worked brilliantly and I am now 18 months down the road from my last infusion.

Good luck

Sarah x

[dfehilly]

Hi I had 2 infusions in jan 18 all went well no side affects. I had another infusion in June and 6 days later I got rushed to hospital w a viral infection. So pls b very careful after. I don’t know how long but be careful . Good lock

[Melba1]

Good luck! I had two infusions in jan and feb this year, no nasty immediate reaction but 3 days later had palpitations and very increased heart rate on standing (but that is just my reaction to almost every drug so very unlikely!)

It had a great improvement on my brain and nervous system, stopped the fevers and almost all of the lupus symptoms (although I was also on steroids - but had been on them anyway and the biological seemed more effective) BUT the only thing it didn’t seem to help with was the fatigue which I found the worst and desperately wanted to improve. However, about 4/5 months after the treatment the fatigue improved dramatically. I had started methotrexate 6 weeks earlier and thought it was this that had improved the fatigue but my rheumy and immunologist both said they thought it was the delayed reaction to the rituximab.

There is an increased risk of infection but there is with all the immunosuppressive medications. I didn’t get any infections after rituximab but I have had a lot on the methotrexate.

It could make a massive difference to you and is one of the safer medications with least side effects

X

[Alex97]

Hi, I have Behcets and sweet syndrome and rheumy wants me to start this drug on Tuesday and another dose in 2 weeks time - after a try with nearly every other immune suppressant they are hoping this drug will treat the 2 conditions!

[Wolf1]

Thanks all of you. I’ve been on all the usual immunosuppressants too! On Mycophenolate now. Just so fed up abc went quality of life xxx