Getting pregnant after Rituxan

[Yvonnea]

Has anybody got pregnant after Rituxan?
I know it is a very new treatment for weggies so maybe there is no real research yet, but just wondering.

[drz]

Has anybody got pregnant after Rituxan?
I know it is a very new treatment for weggies so maybe there is no real research yet, but just wondering.

It is also widely used in cancer treatments too so there must be some reports some where.

[Palmyra]

I have saved this article for awhile...it is not from a scientific journal, but I am sure a quick google scholar search could pop up more info:

Pregnancy After Rituximab- Ready, or Not?

[Sangye]

I've never heard that it affects fertility. There isn't any reason why it would. Also, unlike chemo it doesn't linger in the body.

[Palmyra]

Sangye,

The article I referenced above suggests that it may have long term affects that might affect the fetus, and recommends waiting one year before trying to conceive. If so, that might make it a bit difficult to avoid a flare during that year wait period, plus an additional 9 months of pregnancy. I have not heard that suggested by any of my daughter's physicians....it is a sore/sad subject for her.

[Sangye]

Oh, I was referring to rtx actually causing infertility or remaining as a toxin in the body for a long time the way chemo does.

It makes sense that they want women to wait a year. Hard timing though, since that's when the rtx would wear off and a flare might begin.

[Yvonnea]

Thanks for the input. Yeah hard decisions to be made. But first I have to concentrate on getting into remission

[Brooke]

My husband and I would like to have another child. I am going to ask my doc at Mayo about it. If it has to be one year after Rituxan, that means April 2012 is when I could get pregnant. I hope I am healthy enough and stay that way. I will be 31 by then.
If it is not a good idea to have another child, that is okay too. Health comes first.

[Palmyra]

Please keep us posted regarding what your specialist at Mayo advices regarding pregnancy and Rituxan. Brooke, your attitude is so very commendable. More power to you sister. I wish my daughter the same strength.

Much love,
Palmyra Jane

[delorisdoe]

I would assume that your daughter will have that strength by 31-espeicialy dealing with this disease. I am unable to have more children due to cytoxan. I have one daughter and that makes it ok. She wishes she had a baby brother.