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Date: 24.03.2012
From: kylee

Subject: anybody on ritumax infustion

hi saw my rhummy to have knee drainned im currently on weekly dose of entanercept (embrel) i have been on this for over a year seemed to work but the last few months flares are back. he is thinking of putting me on ritumax infusions. just woundered if any body uses it how long does in take to be given. rhummy not had chance to spk to me yet and has given me an appointment for when the steriod injection runs ot to see how my joints are b4 we make any descitions
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Date: 24.03.2012
From: sandy

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

Hi Kylee
I've been on rituximab for about two years now.
When I have it I usually have to be at hospital for about 9am and usually manage to leave between 8 and 9pm and the same again 2 weeks later but thats it for 6 months so its not bad at all! You have to have a steroid infusion first then the rituximab infusion.the steroid takes about half an hour and the rituximab can i think be as quick as 4 hours and then you would have to wait an hour before you're allowed to go home (i've never managed this coz i always have to have the drip slowed to the slowest rate due to my reaction - hence going home at 9pm!)Its the best drug i've tried - it seems to really work for me,I hope it works as well for you,good luck x
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Date: 24.03.2012
From: kylee

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

many thanks for your reply nice l i have been told by my rhummy so far was the name of the drug. do you still get a low immune system with it like other meds. do you need regular blood test at all
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Date: 25.03.2012
From: sandy

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

hi kylee
yeah you do get a low immune system - i must
admit that i tend to catch a lot of bugs that are doing the rounds - but if i weigh that up against how bad i used to be compared to how i am now its worth it!Its not a miracle cure,I still have bad times,but before the rituximab I was in a mess every day i could barely think straight I was in so much pain.I have a bit of a bad reaction when I first have the infusion (blood pressure through the floor and sickness - I tend to feel rotten for about 2 weeks after both sessions)but as the drug kicks in it actually works and i feel loads better.
you do have to have regular blood tests but we all have to do that anyway with the methotrexate so its fine.honestly if you get a chance to try it i would go for it- it really does help!.take care x
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Date: 26.03.2012
From: kylee

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

many thanks sandy i shall be seeing rhummy in few weeks when steriods are out my system. fingers crossed ill be better on the infusion than the anti tnf treatment
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Date: 23.04.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

I think Rituximab is brilliant. Only problem for me, like Sandy, is that this winter I've had cold after cold so I've spent a lot of time off the methorextate which isn't ideal, however *touch wood* I haven't suffered much by this.
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Date: 25.04.2012
From: Adrian Lloyd

Subject: Re: anybody on ritumax infustion

Great information for me. Thank you for sharing.
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