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Working while doing Rituximab

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7 years 10 months ago #62781 by Moe1327
Working while doing Rituximab was created by Moe1327
How safe is it to continue to work while going thru Rituximab treatments? I work in an office, but there are several people who do come into the office sick with a fever. Would I be safe to work with a mask?

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  • 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 10 months ago #62783 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Working while doing Rituximab
I kept working. The only days I ever missed were the days I had the treatments and only because they took so long.

I don't think a mask is necessary. Rituxan targets B cells but you still have a lot of other immune system function. It's not like chemo where you are really immunosuppressed.

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  • Hal9000
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  • Give me all your platelets and nobody gets hurt
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7 years 10 months ago #62796 by Hal9000
Replied by Hal9000 on topic Working while doing Rituximab
Moe, I had Rituxan a little over a year ago. As I remember I had really bad cold symptoms between 2nd and 3rd treatments. Not sure I actually had a cold, just had lots of congestion symptoms. In reading through member stories, I think others have reported a similar experience. So, not to worry if something like that happens.

I was looking through old posts. Would it be fair to say that you don't respond to steroids? Steroids don't raise counts much?
ITP Types and Treatments by HAL

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7 years 10 months ago #62801 by Moe1327
Replied by Moe1327 on topic Working while doing Rituximab
No steroids haven't worked for me. The promacta is keeping them steady, but I have terrible headaches.

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  • Hal9000
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  • Give me all your platelets and nobody gets hurt
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7 years 10 months ago - 7 years 10 months ago #62808 by Hal9000
Replied by Hal9000 on topic Working while doing Rituximab
Have you thought about switching over to Nplate, perhaps for just awhile, to see if the headaches go away with it?

I don't respond to steroids either, but did have a strong response to IVIG - which it sounds like you've had too. Rituxan didn't work for me.

Are you taking the blue tinted Promacta pill (50mg), the red tinted pill (25mg), or the little white pill (12.5mg)? Do you recall the highest count you've had with Promacta?
ITP Types and Treatments by HAL

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Platelet Disorder Support Association

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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.