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Rituxan numbers

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7 years 9 months ago #62072 by kae0603
Rituxan numbers was created by kae0603
Hi all!
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season!!!
quick question. I just had my 3rd rituxan yesterday. They of course check my numbers every time I go. My numbers were 171 last week (so after my first treatment in the hospital and the ivig) yesterday when they tested it after having my second treatment last tuesday they were down a bit. Still more than fine, 148, but I guess I didn't expect any drop in the middle of treatments.
do any of you have any experience with this? Is this normal? Since it's still a fine number, good even, not worried about that part more just is this a sign that the treatments aren't actually working for me.

Thanks!
Kathy
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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7 years 9 months ago - 7 years 9 months ago #62073 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Rituxan numbers
Kathy:

Rituxan takes 4 to 12 weeks after the first infusion to work. It's not fast like IVIG, Until it kicks in, your counts will probably drop when the IVIG wears off. My counts during the infusions were like 8,3, 11, 150. It kicked in for me during the fourth week, and that is faster than most.

Hang in there and give it time.
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7 years 9 months ago #62074 by kae0603
Replied by kae0603 on topic Rituxan numbers
Thank you! I suspected that was the case but wanted to make sure!

Happy New Year!
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7 years 9 months ago #62087 by penlyn63
Replied by penlyn63 on topic Rituxan numbers
My experience:

I was at 25 before first treatment. When I went in for my second treatment I had jumped to 143 from the first dosage the week before. Got all excited. Then when I went in for my third treatment I was down to 55. 4th I was down to 42. Subsequent weeks I went to 120, then 93, 68, 50... In the end I ended up back in the cellar and had to get approved for Promacta. So, it was not effective for me.
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7 years 9 months ago #62110 by Astanl9
Replied by Astanl9 on topic Rituxan numbers
I started with a count of 20, stayed pretty steady through the 4 weeks of treatment. By the end I was at 57. Very disappointed. I was so tired and frustrated I skipped my next two appointments and when I went back my count had jumped to 294. I'm leveling out at about the 180's which is phenomenal. It did take 8 weeks from the start of treatment though which I was super suprised about (I and my Drs seemed to expect that at the last treatment I'd start showing improvement) ive been at the 180, 170 levels for a few months now and I'm hoping they'll hold. This year has been an uphill battle with my numbers and relapsing after my spleenectomy.
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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7 years 9 months ago #62112 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Rituxan numbers
Astan - yours was a typical response according to published articles.
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7 years 9 months ago #62113 by kyasseen
Replied by kyasseen on topic Rituxan numbers
Hi Kathy,

Don't worry. Rituxan can take up to 6 weeks+ to kick in. And many months afterwords for the count to stabilize.
I am getting my best counts 4 years out!.
Abuisa
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7 years 9 months ago - 7 years 9 months ago #62132 by Dean
Replied by Dean on topic Rituxan numbers
Rituxan can take several weeks after the last treatment before it can kick in and is not uncommon for counts to fluctuate during treatment. During my first round of Rituxan, my count did not respond very well. Count dropped during treatment, which was quite discouarging being I was so new to ITP (14yrs ago). It took several weeks after the 4th infusion before counts slowly increased. Stay positive, give it time to kick in. I just finished my 3rd round of Rituxan in 8 yrs. My count was 269k two weeks ago. Best response I have had with Rituxan. My first round gave me 18 months of remission, 2nd round 3yrs. Hope this one is even longer.
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The Platelet Disorder Support Association does not provide medical advice or endorse any medication, vitamins or herbs. The information contained herein is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, discontinuing an existing treatment and to discuss any questions you may have regarding your unique medical condition.


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