Originally Posted by
me2
Hi mrtmeo,
I haven't seen anything in the literature on the cumulative effects of Rituxan use either. I think a lot of the discussion between practitioners we are not privy to.
Perhaps my doc is thinking of what Sangye said in the discussion in the link up above- "Dr Seo said that rtx seems to work better/ longer the more times you get it, but he also has said that it may stop working if you get too much"
Not only do you get cumulative exposure to Rituxan but you get cumulative stress on the body (and mind) from Solumedrol. Continued hammering of the immune system is not really good. I don't completely understand the dangers of Rituxan use but I do understand the basics enough to know that we only want to use it just as much as is needed- and not more.
I have seen the thinking on this evolve since it was first used and I see it continuing to evolve. Just as I saw an evolution in Cytoxan protocol. 36 years ago I was put on Cytoxan for two years. This is not common practice anymore.
It is my understanding that the more Rituxan you use the more risk you have of serious infection. My doctor has expressed fear to me of using Rituxan more than just what is necessary and me getting a serious infection.
As a last comment on the evolution of treatment. Currently , my six month "booster shot" of Rituxan is one dose. I do not have any sense that I would be doing better if I had more doses- this is just my hunch.
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