RTX and heart damage

[drz]

My rheumatologist ordered the RTX after the cardiac evaluation was done. He did an electrocardiogram which did not suggest any heart disease. I will get the RTX probably next week. I also get IVIG infusions and hope they get along OK.

[Masha]

I also get the Rituxan infusions. Yesterday was my first IVIG infusion, nurse came to my home. First IVIG lasted 4 1/2 hours. Tired last night, nurse advised Tylenol or Advil to prevent headaches. Today I feel fine. Orders are for once a month for a year. I see my rheumatologist tomorrow, my concern is that the Rituxan is causing my need for IVIG.
Sure was nice to have it at home in my own bed.

[Alysia]

I am no longer on rtx due to too low levels of Igg and Igm. I am on Leflunomide/ arava and it works great for me.

[little sister]

I wish I saw this thread before I just posted a new thread. I have to begin immune therapy also. My immunologist is recommending subcutaneous rather than IV. It will be every week in my home and will take 1-2 hours. My IgG, IgA and IgG levels were extremely low (before I began RTX but after plasmapheresis) so that is why immune therapy has been recommended for me. Do you actually often get sick or are they giving you the immuno treatment based on IgG etc test results? I supposedly have practically no immunity to anything and yet I almost never get ill in spite of seeing preschool grandchildren every week. If I do catch something I get over it much more quickly than everyone else! I just don't understand. I'm really dreading the immune therapy. Anyway, I think the RTX relationship to low immune system is unknown and they are making educated guesses. My immunologist referred me to a paper that he wrote with a rheumatologist and nephrologist that specialize in GPA. He said they found that the subcutaneous immune therapy is actually beneficial for GPA patients in preventing relapse. I found the paper and that's not how I read it. I asked my nephrologist and she said that part of the study wasn't included in the paper but they believe it from their experience. So...