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Working while doing Rituximab

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7 years 6 months ago #62859 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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7 years 6 months ago #62860 by kae0603
Replied by kae0603 on topic Working while doing Rituximab
I was concerned about that as well. I did mine through mid Dec-Mid Jan. I didn't get sick due to it. I work in an office as well. They will give you steroids that help. The best I can describe it is you will feel bad enough to WANT to lay around and do nothing but not nearly bad enough to justify it. For me I was exhausted. I physically was drained. Walking the 6 minute walk to town was more than I could do without a rest. (in my defense it is uphill haha) BUT...I didn't get colds, didn't get nauseous just worn out. You can live normally just slower if that makes sense.
Feel free to reach out any time you want. Good luck!
  • 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 6 months ago #62862 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Working while doing Rituximab
Moe - I thought I saw the exact same question a few days ago.

It is fine to work while receiving Rituxan. No mask is necessary.

I was always fine to go the day after the infusions. On the night of my fourth infusion I got a high fever, but it was gone by morning so I went to work. Other than that, I felt fine.
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7 years 5 months ago #63128 by Droopy1982
Replied by Droopy1982 on topic Working while doing Rituximab
I just finished my fourth treatment last week (1st set of treatments). I am in the military and work in an office that has a lot of differant people coming in and out. I also have two little girls at home that were actually sick the week before I started treatments. Everyone differs but I never wore a mask and was never sick. The only thing Rituxan and the pre-meds did was to wipe me out the day of treatment and then the next day I would be almost back to normal. Hope this helps!

Side Note: Rituxan also tanked my counts. I got my count checked the day before each treatment and my counts starting the second week were between 11k-12k. I can sit around 40k's with no meds.
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7 years 3 months ago #63764 by Sinfoniarc
Replied by Sinfoniarc on topic Working while doing Rituximab
I work in the treatment room pretty much regardless of what I'm getting. The Rituxmab did doodly for me, which is kinda frustrating as I know a lot of people have had great results with it. I received it while still getting IVIG (although not at the same time). Sort of at a crossroads right now. Doctor is considering a drug called Imuran but I'm not sure if immune-suppressants are the way to go.
  • Hal9000
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  • Give me all your platelets and nobody gets hurt
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7 years 3 months ago - 7 years 3 months ago #63766 by Hal9000
Replied by Hal9000 on topic Working while doing Rituximab

Sinfoniarc wrote: I work in the treatment room pretty much regardless of what I'm getting. The Rituxmab did doodly for me, which is kinda frustrating as I know a lot of people have had great results with it. I received it while still getting IVIG (although not at the same time). Sort of at a crossroads right now. Doctor is considering a drug called Imuran but I'm not sure if immune-suppressants are the way to go.

Obviously you have a good IVIG response. AFAIK, if you also have a good steroid response then Imuran can be a good choice. But... When I asked my doctor about it, she immediately started talking about adverse events from it - then reminded me how much safer Promacta/Nplate are, in terms of adverse events.

Forum member 'julia' reported remission after taking low dose (50mg) Imuran for three years. Typical dose is 2 mg/kg a day.
ITP Types and Treatments by HAL
  • 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 3 months ago #63767 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Working while doing Rituximab
Sinfon - I've taken Imuran (not for ITP though) and the side effects were awful. I was sick all the time and could never kick it. My doctor wants me to go back on it and I keep refusing. I'm done with immunosuppressants.
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