All About Rituximab

[Jack]

Great news!
Peeing means a lot in life when you are a renal patient, but beware of blocked catheters. Very distressing! :unsure:

[elephant]

Yahoo and so happy for him!

[Sangye]

Great news!
Peeing means a lot in life when you are a renal patient, but beware of blocked catheters. Very distressing! :unsure:
I had that happen in July... distressing indeed.

[Gina Poole]

I have insurance with UHC and am in the process of getting approval for Rituxan. I should know next week. However, I did see on their policy information of 2010 that Rituxan was approved for treatment of Wegeners. See the below website link for more information. I am a bit anxious on getting their approval. When were you denied? When did you finally get approval? Thanks!


Gina Poole




Link to unitedhealthcare policy on rituxan....

https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policies/Drug%20Policies/Rituxan_policy.pdf

[elephant]

That is wonderful Gina, yes let us know if they approve you.

[Sangye]

It's interesting that the coverage summary from United Health Care only quotes a couple of very small research studies using rtx for Wegs. They don't mention RAVE or RITUXVAS-- two large studies. Most important is that they have rtx on their list of drugs approved for Wegs, though. I don't know if that means it'll automatically be approved instead of ctx, or if you'd have to fail on ctx first.

[Gina Poole]

Yes, I already failed on Ctx. I have been on it for 3 years and keep flaring up about every six months. Can't seem to get under 100 mg of cytoxan without flaring. My Rheumy said the cytoxan was starting to wear on my body and my blood-work was bad last month. He got worried and is eager to start me on Rituxan. Hopefully I'll get approval for Rituxan and then maybe it will work! I am hopeful. It appears that many have responded to it. Just so tired of flares.

Gina Poole

[Sangye]

You've been on ctx for 3 years??!! Do you know that there is a lifetime limit on how much ctx you can take, and that the recommended treatment is 6 months?

[elephant]

You have been on Ctx a long time. Do you see a Wegeners Specialist? It is so important because CTX is so hard on your body and causes many problems later in life. I am so glad I go to the Cleveland Clinic , Ohio and see Dr Langford. I drive 10 hrs to get there, because I know I am getting the best care for this disease. Your WG has not been controlled, sorry your going through this.

[Gina Poole]

I know, pretty bad huh! Luckily I got my embryos taken out prior to the cytoxan regiment so having babies later shouldn't be an issue. The cytoxan is finally starting to take it's toll. I am concerned about the whole bladder cancer-thing. Cross one bridge at at time right? I just want that Rituxan to work. I feel hopeful.

[Sangye]

I hope rtx works well for you, Gina. It's been great for me. I can't take ctx again due to bone marrow toxicity.

[ScreaminMeanie]

That is wonderful news for you, Gina!

It's also wonderful news for me, since I also have United Health Care. I wonder what "proof" there will have to be that CTX is either ineffective or not tolerated before they will okay the RTX? I cannot get my medical records from 1991-1992 (already tried), so there's no record of how badly I tolerated CTX - just my personal anecdotal evidence. I'm just thinking ahead in case the MTX doesn't work, or for future flares.....