Rituximab Round Three

**Sangye** · 02-04-2011, 03:48 AM

I started my third round of rtx yesterday. (1st was Oct '09, 2nd was Mar '10). It went exactly the same as the others-- got extremely pale and weak within an hour, could barely stand the rest of the day due to extreme weakness.

I'm happy to say I still tolerated the rtx just fine, though. We pre-treat with benadryl and 100mg solumedrol (equiv 156mg oral pred) to prevent allergic reaction.

I don't feel bad today other than being very shaky. My rtx notes from prior treatments say I always felt much better the day after, but 2 days after the infusion things get awful for 4-6 weeks. At 6 weeks I had improved energy and decreased pain. I also saw that many of the Wegs symptoms (eg pain) worsened during those 6 weeks before getting better. I totally forgot all of that, other than I felt better after 6 wks. This is why it's important to keep notes!

Also, I had minimal sweats and swelling from the big hit of solumedrol because I took my usual 20mg lasix (diuretic) morning and night and an additional 10mg when I got home from the infusion. Really makes a difference.

I've been having such bad joint pain lately. The 100mg solumedrol didn't even touch it yesterday!

This round we're only doing 2 infusions, 14 days apart. In the past I've done weekly infusions for 4 wks.

**Jack** · 02-04-2011, 03:53 AM

Fingers crossed for you Sangye. I hope it does the trick and that perhaps you don't suffer as much this time around.

**Sangye** · 02-04-2011, 04:26 AM

Thanks Jack. I was so excited this morning when I got up feeling not so bad. Then I read my notes and saw it always does that. But I'm hopeful that the 2 week break in between infusions will make things better. If not, at least I know it'll all be better in 6 weeks.

**ScreaminMeanie** · 02-04-2011, 05:45 AM

Fingers crossed that this really knocks down the WG without knocking YOU down!

**Palmyra** · 02-04-2011, 06:00 AM

Good luck to you Sangye...and hey, if you feel better than you thought you might, thats a plus, right? Only one more to go!

**DEE** · 02-04-2011, 06:06 AM

HOPE TOMORROW BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT DEEx

**BrianR** · 02-04-2011, 08:14 AM

This is going to work for you Sangye. I know it!

**NicShaf** · 02-04-2011, 09:02 AM

Best of luck sangye!

**pwc51** · 02-04-2011, 07:01 PM

Best wishes Sangye.

What is the experience of others with rtx? I thought it was more 'benign' than cyclophosphamide although equally effective? It is possible I might be switching to it!