My Question For The Team: Has Anyone Here Had Any Actual Experience As A Recipient Of Rituximab Intravenous Infusion?
Last Spring and Summer, I was taking oral Prednisolone and later, due to that drug’s side effects, oral Medipred, (an analog of Prednisolone.)
In June, my haematologist suggested that I order Rituximab in the possible future event I suffer a relapse.
I did and I had it on hand in the refrigerator, 4 ampules, under a controlled temperature range of 02 to 08 degrees C.
As you know, Rituximab is a very serious drug given intravenously and only under strict, medical supervision
I was very… read more
I have used rutiximab on two occasions. I took rutix infusions for two years during chemo and after while being treated for marginal zone lymphoma. I also had 4 infusions while on prednisone for my WAIHA condition. My lymphoma is in remission, for now.
My wAIHA is not. The rutiximab is a benign medication with little side effects.
My daughter did very well with Rituxan infusions she was very sick and still required 6 blood transfusions and high doses of Prednisone to get her hemoglobin from 4.4 to 14 They had just talked to us about Chemotherapy or removing her spleen luckily her levels started to improve about then!
In the hospital I did not respond to prednisone. I had one rituximab drip and was able to go home in a few days after a modest good response.
Yes, individual differences, not only with the same patient/other patients in response to treatment but also with the haematologist in their opinions.
For example, my first haematologist told me last Summer that I could not use the same treatment, (Prednisolone), later if I had a relapse with my wAIHA.
Subsequently in the Fall in response to my relapse, my second haematologist put me right back on the Prednisolone, begun at a higher dosage, with spectacular results.
The caveat is, as with most any drug, the likely onset of adverse side reactions, as occurred with me only a few weeks into the Prednisolone.
Both haematologists agreed that the dosage should be gradually decreased over time.
I would advise anyone here to take down notes for questions and comments before your next appointment with the haematologist. Come to the appointment prepared!
And lastly, provide your haematologist with as much information on the history of your blood test results over a long period of time as possible so that he or she can establish a baseline and reasonable expectations of what can be achieved/expected through treatments.
Rituximab was not successful for me at all. I am back on prednisone. I had no side effects from it while under treatment or after.
What Experience Have Members Here Had With The Use Of Oral Prednisolone?
What Is A Common Treatment Protocol For Someone With Mixed AIHA?
Has Anyone Had Any Experience With Using "Low Dose Naltrexone" Aka LDN To Deal With Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?