User Reviews for Rituxan intravenous

I was diagnosed with RA when I was sixteen, so almost 21 years ago. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have been on prednisone for over 6 years now. The Remicade helped a lot, but quit working after a few years. Rituxan is one of my last options. I have severe migraines usually, and it seems that they have intensified on the medication. I have had the two starting doses. Between the migraines and severe nausea, I have been in bed most of the time. Not sure if it is worth it. Going to be talking to a neurologist to see if it is the Rituxan making it worse. Does anyone else have these problems? My RA is very severe. I have been on disability now for 5 years. I also take Tramadol and Phenegran to help, and I take Simvistantin for my migraines. It just seems like I'm taking more and more medication when I was trying to take less. So frustrating. I am hoping the nausea will get better, and that my migraines will become manageable again because as of right now, I don't feel like I am even living. One doctor told me that I would just have to choose between a life of pain or a life of medication with side effects.... VERY depressing news.Read More Read Less

I went into my first infusion with a little bit of problems, but the second dose was a little bit worse. I experienced major fatigue, whole body hurts and it's making it hard for me to function because of brain fog and it is hard to concentrate to do what I need to do in physical therapy. It has not been a week from my last dose so hopefully things get better over time.

I have stiffperson syndrome for approx. 10 yrs,. It is an autoimmune disease,1 in 1 million people can get, which affects muscle function. I use many other medications but Rituxan IV has relieved me of most pain for numerouse months for the past year.

Although the medication has so far worked for me, I had a bad reaction during the 1st infusion with swollen face, forehead, hives, rash, and high blood pressure. The infusion had to be stopped and after treated with Benadryl, I was able to continue without side effects.

I have been on RITUXAN infusions for several years. This medicine is the only thing that keeps me walking. THANK YOU RITUXAN

I'm supposed to start retuximab within a couple of days and am somewhat nervous about starting treatment. I was misdiagnosed for 13 years with RA, then PA, before a biopsy finally confirmed Amyopathic Dermatomyosititis, but damage from so many years of uncontrolled inflammation caused a very rare side effect of Dystrophic Calcinosis Cutis. I'm quite literally turning to stone as all my subcutaneous tissue is calcifying. Was on Humira for years, then rheumy switched me to Embrel. Within 4 weeks of starting Embrel, the first lumps came. I now have over 1,000 lumps all over my body in every place that was chronically inflammed. I gotten blood poisoning twice from microscopic breaks in the skin which required 3 operations and 12 days in patient. I live on pain meds oxy & morphine, just to have a life. Fatigue is a huge problem, and so is walking. So many calcifications in my feet its like walking on glass shards. I don't know what the long term side effects of this drug can be and that worries me as its suspected Interferon/Ribavirin my have caused my husband death from liver cancer that metastasized to the bones. I have very little faith left in the medical establishment and don't trust doctors at all. Do anyone know about any long term side effects of Retuximab infusion therapy? I'm 61 years old.Read More Read Less

I've tried Humira, Remicade, Orenica...several with no relief. Had my second dose of the first treatment with Rituxan last week and already feel a big improvement! However, like a few of you, I had a reaction with my first dose and after waiting and then slowing the drip had a better go of it. Here's hoping this one works!!

I am about to receive my third treatment of Rituxan. On my first, I did have a reaction within 30 minutes of starting the first IV. They stopped the IV and waited about an hour until the symptoms disappeared and slowed the drip and I was fine. Rituxan is working for me! I have tried just about every biologic and I thank God that Rituxan is working on me and I feel like I do not have RA anymore!

I had my first infusion three weeks ago for MS treatment. Had Tranverse Myelitis in 2006; recovered and now symptoms have returned and getting worse over past year and a half. Trouble with my left leg makes walking look labored and with a limp. I also have vision issues. Leg and vision issues become even more intensive when overheated or over-exhausted. I give it middle-of-the-road effectiveness and satisfaction because I won't have blood work for another four to five months to see how it's working. Rated ease at a "3" because of the scheduling, time off work, time for infusion, etc. After doing a great deal of research and reading reviews on every site possible, I was very nervous to begin treatment. I had no issues with the infusion. The Benedryl made me tired enough that I rested for most of the time and after I got home. Total time at infusion center was five hours, but that included getting prepped. I was told that since I'm using for MS treatment (and only receiving once every six months), they will treat me as a first-time patient each time; the risk still goes down for a reaction, but it's possible so they're careful. I appreciate that! 36 hours after infusion, my walking, leg mobility was NORMAL!! Was praising God for the miracle. When I woke on day 3, all symptoms had returned. Still praising God, but disappointed that I didn't have continued results. I'm hopeful that this med will keep symptoms from getting worse, but was cautioned not to expect improvement. Read More Read Less

I have had RA for 27 years. I was on embril for several years, but developed an alergey to it. I have had 1 infusion of Ritoxan, and wish I had not let my Dr. talk me into it. It has been 1 month since the 2 infusions and so far I have suffered from 2 bouts of horible mouth sores. Each listing about a week. It is so bad that I am unable to open my mouth wide enough to eat. I drink liquids through a straw, no solid foods. So far I have lost 12 pounds (I was not over weight before) I am unable to sleep much because of the pain. I have a medical card for Marihuana and that controled my pain better than any drug. Read More Read Less

During treatment, I went into anaphylactic shock.

My Dr. Put me on a two yr maintenance program with Rituxan. After a 6 month treatment with 4 drugs. My scans were looking good lymph nodes shrinking but then I developed a lung reaction, shortness of breath, etc. this is a very rare side affect from long term use. So I didn't get to finish out my 2 yrs and my Dr. Will never give me the drug again. Needless to say after 10 yrs and having been on 8 different chemo drugs , I have been allergic to 3. I start chemo again on May 15th, after 1 year of my last treatment. Praying for a cure or just a drug to keep it from coming back so soon. Read More Read Less

Treatment for CIDP caught very early and RA after having it for 9 years. Day 1, surge of energy from the pre-steroids. No sickness or side effects. Day 8, felt that my RA was leaving my body. Joints were not swollen and pain was gone. Second Infusion same thing with the energy. I felt it immediately from the steroids. By day 8 I was missing the steroid effect a lot. I felt like my body was tired but not sleepy. My body rested without pain. By day 15, I started a little flare but kept to a min. Was really thinking that steroids were the best thing and missed them. (knows better. All in all I am doing much better for RA. About CIPD, stairs are still really hard for me to do. Not for lack of energy but lack of muscles. I don't have the ooomph that I used to have but I am not feeling like my arms weigh 2000 lbs either anymore. My neuropathy is unaffected. It will be 2 years before we know if it made a difference. 2 doses and done is better than so many of the others. Best RA drug that I ever had. I only had TFN blockers before this one. Mayo Clinic Likes this one for CIDP so I am taking it. Read More Read Less

Received first infusion of Rituxin as a first course of treatment for his CLL. Treatments lasted one month. All seemed to go well. Now, one month later, he has a terrible body rash on back, stomach, arms & legs. The rash is so red & itchy. Oncologist suggests putting him on a Methylprednisolone for 21 days. We shall see.

I was diagnosed with low grade B cell lymphoma/ MALT type stage IV in Sept. 2014. Which started in stomache and now it is in both lungs. I've had 2nd round of Rituxan and not sure how o feel about it. Doctor and review I have read indicate that I shouldn't have side affects yet during first infusion I broke out in rash, meds took care of that yet I have leg pains tiredness andcontinuous headaches everyday. Tingling in hands, pain in chest area and back and sometimes with no energy. When I mention to the doctor and nurses they tell me the Rituxan does cause side affects! Well then is it just me, is it in my head, the Rituxan or the lymphoma that is causing all of these things. The nurse says some people even work full time while in this med?! What's wrong with me? Maybe someone can give me some feedback. ThanksRead More Read Less

I am 59 years old and have had RA for 20 years. My doctor put me on Remicade as soon as it was approved and mostly it worked pretty good. I have also tried Orencia, Humeria, Actemra, methotrexate - to no avail. I received my first dose of Rituxan almost two weeks ago. I had a severe reaction within 30 minutes of the administration of the IV. They stopped the IV, gave me oxygen and gave me a steroid shot. After symptoms subsided, they restarted the IV and I have been fine and feeling fine for almost two weeks. I get my second dose in 4 days. I am praying for good results, but a little scared at some of the things I have read here. As all you RA sufferers know, we would try almost anything to not suffer with pain and inflammation. I have been pretty fortunate that I always find something to get it under control, without resorting to daily doses of prednisone (hate that drug and refuse to take it daily). However, I have NEVER had a reaction to any infusion and did with Rituxan. Wishing you a life without pain!Read More Read Less

I have had four treatments of infusion at hospital over around 6-7 hours including flushing over a period of one year. I am now in full remission and only taking 20mg Arava daily to stay pain and swelling free.

Minimal side effects. Tiredness for 48 hrs, bloating, constipation.