Rituxan questions

Love this website and forum - don't feel so overwhelmed and confused reading all your posts/info.

Diagnosed in June after unexplained bruising. I'm 66, otherwise healthy female. No symptoms other than bruising - feel fine- no fatigue. Numbers have been 24-37 (mostly mid-20s, but also one 48). Being weaned off predisone (down to 10mg from 60) since it's not helping. Had bone marrow biopsy.

Today's count was back down to 26 so hematologist wants me to start Rituxan next week. I'd have liked to just keep watching numbers and not do anything since I'm always leery of meds, but like/trust him, so now I'm wondering how many have experienced the chills/fever/fatigue associated with it and how long it lasts. He told me I may not see results for some time after the last infusion, but I'm hopeful by some of your reports of success earlier.

I strongly suspect my ITP may have come from severe stress this year (out of state sister diagnosed and died of stomach cancer, mother hospitalized, lots of long distance travel to hold everything and everyone together) and wonder if that means once the stress levels off, my odds of remission or "cure" are increased. I've read many of your posts on stress so I know there's no definitive answer...just looking for any input/suggestions since this is all so overwhelming.

Thanks for being there - it's nice to know I'm not alone!

Hi Judy - glad you found us.

I had Rituxan in 2004, I think. I only had fever and chills one night after the fourth infusion. The rest of the time I felt fine. I did have serum sickness (unrelated to the fever night), but that is a rare reaction. Fever and chills are not all that common; most people have no side effects or if they do, it is during the infusion and is controlled quickly.

I had a response by the day of the last infusion. Counts went from single digits the week before to 150k. The average response time is 4 to 12 weeks after the first infusion. A few people have had responses before that.

Stress may or may not be a factor in triggering ITP, but the ITP does not usually go away when stress is reduced. Remissions are very possible, but are mostly due to treatments. I'm sorry to hear about your sister.

I have tried prednisone with no results. Now have rituxan. No problems with it except first infusion. They managed it and with in an hour no problems.

I had 6 doses of Rituxan in 2010 because the severity of my case ; My doc. decided I needed an extra two doses besides the normal four doses. The transfusions went smooth. I had some side effects after the fact like fever, body aches, no appetite! I went into remission about 3 weeks after my last dose... for 2yrs 3months

Welcome, Judy and J. Sorry to hear about your sister, Judy and your mom.

I did Rituxan in 2010, I think. Have been in remission since. Had absolutely no problems with it at all. Hubby took the first day off as suggested by the doctor. With each infusion my counts went up and was actually surprised I still got the 4th dose.

I'm on my third round of Rituxan, had long remissions from the first 2.

During the first infusion of each round I had chest pains that turned out to be severe reflux. Each time they had to stop the iv for about half hour and give me malox and tums. Then later in the first infusion of each round got itching inside my throat, ears, and eyes. They slowed down the drip and gave me hydrocortisone. The first session took 7 hours.

But, after the first session each time no problems and took 4 hours or less. Now I'm pretreated with a stomach acid reducer, benedryl, and hydrocortisone in the iv, also Tylenol by mouth.

wow...thanks, that's all good to know in advance...just in case! Good luck to you on this round!

Rituxan left me feeling run down but other than that no biggie. I did how ever have a bad reaction during the first infusion but they stopped the drip gave me some benadryl and something than started the drip back up with no issues!

Just recently came out of a nice long remission!

I have had two rounds of Rituxin. I tollerated the first 4 treatments just fine. Approximatly 16 months later I had a second round of treatments. I had a reaction during the first treatment of this round, chills, shaking, hard to breathe, tightness in chest. Treatment was stopped and meds were given. Treatment restarted about an hour at a much slower rate. The rest of the treatments went fine.