Rituxan Body Aches

I know body aches are a common side effect of Rituxan. When I was treated with Rituxan back in 2009 (19 years old), I did not experience any aches or pains whatsoever. 3.5 years later, I am being treated with Rituxan again (now 22 years old). I experienced severe muscle and possibly joint pain during and after the infusion yesterday (I say possibly joint pain because my entire body hurt, from head to toe, and I don't know if what I perceived to be joint pain was really just pain in small muscles, including the muscles that control my freakin' toes). The pain has somewhat subsided today, but is still relatively significant. Could some of you share your experience with Rituxan and body aches? How long did the pain last? I work part time and am a full time student with deadline after deadline coming up, and I'm worried that the pain will continue to distract me from my work work and schoolwork. Thanks!

Each time I had a Rituxan infusion I had more side effects, and more serious. That is the opposite of the usual pattern. I didn't have any joint pain but I did feel achy a few hours after the infusion.

How many infusions have you had this cycle? You could get a lasting remission from only one or two. I had to stop the second time after two infusions, and I'm in remission now for four years.
Erica

Thanks for sharing! Yesterday was my first infusion of this cycle. I'm sorry to hear you had more side effects as you had more infusions, but I'm so happy to hear that you've been in remission for 4 years now!

So if you want to stop at one infusion, and see if you get a boost, or if you have more problems with the next one, there is a very good chance you will get all the good effects from the dose you've had. The doseage they use is based on cancer doses, not ITP.
Erica

I would have said it could possibly have been serum sickness, but it wouldn't happen during the first infusion. I've heard of people feeling flu-like a few hours after Rituxan, but not during the first infusion. Honestly, I don't know what it was. I'd be careful with the next dose.