Rituxin Questions and Exeriences

I haven't' been on in a while. I just want to know some more information... I just started this semester of school in taking 14 hours and I work as a waitress... If my levels drop again I have decided to do rituximab/rituxin. My hematologist told me if I drop to a certain number I'll begin treatment and I'm getting closer and closer to that number. I want to know other people's experiences... Did you have to take time off from work/school? Precautions? Useful advice? I would love to hear y'alls experiences.

When I had Rituxan, I took off the day of the infusion because it takes about 4 to 6 hours. I was fine to work the following day.

Like Sandi said I took the day off. Now I had to drive 1 1/2hrs to get the treatment center so it made it very boring for anyone who went with me. That said I recommend you always have someone drive you too and from. On one of my treatments I went alone and made a plan to stay with a friend overnight so I didn't have to do the drive right straight after treatment.


I highly recommend Rituxan just because it gave me a 6 year remission. The treatment for me had minimal side effects.


You see I chose to keep my spleen many years ago when a research study came around involving Rituxan I qualified. Right now I am doing Rhogam to keep my counts up but am hoping I'll be able to do Rituxan again.


Side effects for me: first treatment had an issues with a reaction they stopped the infusion gave me drugs to counteract my reaction than started the drip going again a little slower. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th treatment went off without a hitch. For the first 24hrs after treatment I would feel tired and drained you know that feeling like your coming down with something your not 100% but can't really put your finger on what is bugging you. Than no issues after that it has been 7 years since and no sign of long term effects.