Reviewer: RGDHG, 35-44 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
2011 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatomyositis, interstitial lung disease, Asthma, Sjogrens and GERD. I have taken every RX available, biologics including Humira, Acthar and IVIG to no avail. On high doses of Prednisone orally and by IV at ER. My last chance drug is Rituximad. I have had two infusions two weeks apart. Second infusion great! First infusion scratchy throat- cold sym ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
2011 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatomyositis, interstitial lung disease, Asthma, Sjogrens and GERD. I have taken every RX available, biologics including Humira, Acthar and IVIG to no avail. On high doses of Prednisone orally and by IV at ER. My last chance drug is Rituximad. I have had two infusions two weeks apart. Second infusion great! First infusion scratchy throat- cold symptoms- given IV-Hydrocortisone and IV Benedryl - waited 30 minutes and finished infusion. RA pain in the AM has greatly subsided. Have few headaches, sensitive/itchy scalp, shell fish/fresh fruit allergy (itching). Had blisters in my mouth - bottom of feet sore. But really help with RA pain!!! I'm feeling better and cautiously more active. Can't venture out much because of immune system being extremely low with Rituximad, Prednisone and Azathiaprine meds. But feels god to get rid of some of the pain.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: Renee007, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I just finished my fourth infusion. One a week for four weeks. Rituxan was given to me in this manner to treat for severe RA and Vacillitis. The infusions went much smoother than I expected and although I am still tapering down from prednisone I feel like I have my life back. I went from not being able to get out of bed and missing work at least twice a week to being able to go daily and do all ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I just finished my fourth infusion. One a week for four weeks. Rituxan was given to me in this manner to treat for severe RA and Vacillitis. The infusions went much smoother than I expected and although I am still tapering down from prednisone I feel like I have my life back. I went from not being able to get out of bed and missing work at least twice a week to being able to go daily and do all the physical things I want to do. Not sure how much prednisone (still on 15mg daily) is playing a part of this relief and how much the Rituxan is. The next few months will tell the whole story. My only side effect has been some tingling in my hands, feet and lips.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: LabRatRay, 45-54 Male on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Patient)

Comment:
I had bad reaction to the infusion. I experienced myalgia and arthralgia after the infusion. I was told this would be temporary condition lasting a few months at most. It has now been 6 years and am still suffering. I am in chronic pain and am taking narcotics. According to my doctor when the reaction was reported, this was unheard of by the drug rep. Deeper research has revealed that this pr ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I had bad reaction to the infusion. I experienced myalgia and arthralgia after the infusion. I was told this would be temporary condition lasting a few months at most. It has now been 6 years and am still suffering. I am in chronic pain and am taking narcotics. According to my doctor when the reaction was reported, this was unheard of by the drug rep. Deeper research has revealed that this probably happens in about 1 in 10,000 patients. Lucky me. My doctor was even unaware of this possible side effect. The specialist at the NYU Joint center say they have seen too many cases similar to mine.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: maggie3965, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
Diagnosed 07/2004, at age 47 yrs old & began with Methotrexate & a lot of other meds; can't recall all of them now. I was on Humira Injections for 4.5 yrs & then it began to stop working. Lab numbers began going up. So, the Rheumatologist began Orencia, only used 1.5 yrs, never really began to work. He then switched me to Rituxan. It began to work within 1 month, if not sooner. I ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Diagnosed 07/2004, at age 47 yrs old & began with Methotrexate & a lot of other meds; can't recall all of them now. I was on Humira Injections for 4.5 yrs & then it began to stop working. Lab numbers began going up. So, the Rheumatologist began Orencia, only used 1.5 yrs, never really began to work. He then switched me to Rituxan. It began to work within 1 month, if not sooner. I have severe RA, I have used since 2.2011. Has been a wonderful change!! No side effects, take infusions every 16 (& 18 weeks). Thank you!!!
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: RAGIRL, 45-54 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I am a 49 year old female who was diagnosed ten years ago with RA, Fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's disease. I also have type II diabetes,and high blood pressure. I had to quit my job as a teacher because of my conditions. I have been on disability for two years. I recently took two infusions of Rituxan two weeks apart. Each time, I took Benadryl and aspirin before the IV. The only side effect that ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am a 49 year old female who was diagnosed ten years ago with RA, Fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's disease. I also have type II diabetes,and high blood pressure. I had to quit my job as a teacher because of my conditions. I have been on disability for two years. I recently took two infusions of Rituxan two weeks apart. Each time, I took Benadryl and aspirin before the IV. The only side effect that I experienced was that my blood sugar went really high. My starting sugar was 170, by the end of the infusion it was up to 372. The second time, we didn't take a before reading, but my ending sugar was 575. Both times I took extra insulin and it went back to normal in about a day. I don't feel remarkably different. I am still experiencing pain in my wrists, hands and fingers, but my feet seem a little better. I take Lyrica and Cymbalta and Opana for pain daily. I still am experiencing bouts of severe fatigue, sleeping 15 or more hours a day usually for 2-3 days in a row. Rarely do I feel well--good days are few and far between. I have very little energy to do anything. I have had a few headaches since the infusion. I will not take any more Rituxan for six months. I was expecting more -- and I am surprised that I didn't have any major side effects, but I didn't have any major improvements either. Maybe it will kick in later, but it seems to me that if it was going to do anything for me, it would have done it by now. I don't know what I think about getting another infusion in six months. I have been on all the DMARDS and biologics; I was one one of the first people in my hospital to use Actemra and I tried and rejected Zeljanz before they even got their commercial on TV!! There aren't any more drugs for me to try unless some new ones get approved. I am scared to know what all of these drugs have done to my body.
Hide Full Comment