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Date: 31.03.2013
From: kylee

Subject: anybody on rituximax infushion. (may have spelt wrong)

Hi im due to start this drug after being taken off embrel as I have been newly diagnosed with ms. Im gutted my enberel treatment had to stop but now I have ms as wel as the arthritis my rhummy says anti tnfs caan not be used as iI can make ms worse. he is starting me on infusions nxt wk. Was hoping for some info iI how it made u feel have u had any probs. How long did ur first infusion take. My rhummy told me I wld also be on methatrexate. I was on methotrexate a few yrs bk but it didnt agree with me so rhummy only putting me on a low dose to run alongside the new drug. Any advise wld b great x
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Date: 31.03.2013
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: anybody on rituximax infushion. (may have spelt wrong)

hi Kylee , not tried it myself but think few have , the National Rheumatiod Arthritis Society has a booklet about the biologics which is well worth getting , as for Methotrexate , take high dose of folic acid helps with the side effects , I had to stop until given 5mg folic acid six days a week

copy & paste link for the biologics bootlet
http://www.nras.org.uk/help_for_you/publications/publication_detail.aspx?id=a0B80000008XzmxEAC
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Date: 31.03.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: anybody on rituximax infushion. (may have spelt wrong)

Hi Kylee,

I had my first infusion of rituximab back in June and due another course next month. It has made a huge difference to me although it took about 4 months to work, some people feel the benefits much sooner. I went into the hospital about 9.30 in the morning for my first infusion and it took around 6 hours as they have to put it in slowly. They give you a small dose of steroid and paracetamol before the start of the infusion to help prevent side effects I sat on a big comfy chair that you could adjust to lie back and they come over every half hour to check blood pressure and temperature, they gave me soup and sandwiches at lunch time i was still able to get up to go to the loo with it still attached. I took a book with me to pass the time. I had to go back 15 days later for the 2nd infusion as two infusions equal 1 course. The 2nd infusion takes a little less time.

I felt fine all during the infusion, it is common for the blood pressure to drop a bit but they keep checking this anyway. I felt really tired when i got home and was in bed for 8pm that night. I did feel as though my hands were on fire the day after the first dose and my eyes felt burning after the 2nd dose but both these symtoms went away after a day.

Before i had the infusions i was in a state, i couldn't get off the chair and walking was agony so i feel it has made such a difference to me. Some people get flushing after it and some get no side effects.

I am sorry that you now have MS and i hope the rituximab helps you as much as it has me.

Good luck x
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Date: 01.04.2013
From: kylee

Subject: Re: anybody on rituximax infushion. (may have spelt wrong)

Thankyou. Nice to no what to expect when I go for my first treatment I shal keep u updated
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