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chemo?

  • server
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  • newcreationchangingdaily
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15 years 4 months ago #4975 by server
chemo? was created by server
Is Rituxan a chemo drug or not? I remember when I first got the results of my BMA and the doc mentioned Rituxan his nurse gave me a paper and the 2nd line on it said that it was NOT a chemo drug.(can't find that paper now!) But then I go to my local hospital for treatment and every nurse is calling it a chemo drug. They use masks and robe thingies to cover up. They tell me that I have to flush the toilet 2X after using it and no one should drink or eat after me...etc. And the drug is listed at chemo.com as a chemo drug. I asked the nurse last week about it and she said no it isn't and she would find me more info. Didn't happen though. So what is it?
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Blessings,
gretchen
15 years 4 months ago #4978 by
Replied by on topic Re: chemo?
Why not go straight to the horse's mouth? Call them and ask.
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15 years 4 months ago #4983 by Ann
Replied by Ann on topic Re: chemo?
It is a monoclonal antibody which suppresses part of the immune system. It would probably be called chemotherapy when used to treat cancer but not when used to treat ITP. You don't need to take all those precautions they talk of like flushing the loo twice and people not eating with you. That's just nonsense.
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15 years 4 months ago #4998 by eklein
Replied by eklein on topic Re: chemo?
I remember reading that Rituxan was technically 'bio-therapy' not chemotherapy. I wonder if that is because of how it is made? It is part of the meds given to some cancer patients during chemotherapy which might be why some of the nurses were confused.
Erica
And she was!
Diagnosed May 2005, lowest count 8K.
4/22/08: 43K (2nd Rituxan)
10/01/09: 246K, 1/8/10: 111K, 5/21/10: 233K
Latest count: 7/27/2015: 194K
  • 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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15 years 4 months ago #5004 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: chemo?
Rituxan is not chemotherapy. It is immunotherapy. Rituxan only targets B cells and T cells.

Chemotherapy:

"Any normal cells in the body that divide fairly often will be affected by chemotherapy. Some of the cells of these tissues will die off and take time to be replaced. This includes tissues such as

Hair and skin
The cells in the bone marrow
The cells that line the inside of the mouth and digestive system"

Big difference.


I was never told to flush the toilet twice or take any of those precautions.
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15 years 4 months ago #5016 by snowgoose
Replied by snowgoose on topic Re: chemo?
Hi Server,

From what I understand, and as Sandi said it is an immunotherapy drug, and as Ann said when used in conjunction with other chemotherapy drugs it is part of a chemotherapy regime to treat Lymphoma. This treatment is called RCHOP - consisting of Rituxin,Vincristine,Cyclophosphamide,Doxorubicin and Prednisolone.

I remember sitting in the Haematology Day Ward having a infusion of Rituxin,and the man next to me receiving it also as part of his RCHOP treatment.

Vanessa :)
  • server
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15 years 4 months ago #5044 by server
Replied by server on topic Re: chemo?
thank you for the clarification. I'm gonna research all those big words you all used! B)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Blessings,
gretchen
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