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Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful

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15 years 6 months ago #1742 by hairball01
Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful was created by hairball01
My 1st 4-week Rituxan regimen was in mid-2008. It was a success. In late 2009 I tried 3 months of N-plate and the results were marginal at best. I Just complete my 2nd 4-week Rituxan regimen on 2/1/10 and so far..... it has been a total failure. Research on the web indicated up to 60% of those opting for retreatment will not be successful. I am currently on 20mg Prednisone until we can develop Plan B.

I am anxious to hear from those who have had a retreatment, was it a success? If not, what was the alternative treatment.
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15 years 6 months ago #1745 by eklein
Replied by eklein on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
My second Rituxan treatment was successful (almost two years so far of remission) but I can't use it again, I had an allergic reactiont to the last infusion. My next treatment will probably be imuran - apparently success with Rituxan predicts success with imuran. I hope it won't be necessary!
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
15 years 6 months ago #1746 by
Replied by on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
Haven't had it - my friend did 3 years ago, she needed 8 infusions, her count is still up there.

You might want to post this in the Adults With ITP, Treatment - General section where more people will probably see it.

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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15 years 6 months ago #1777 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
Yes, my second go round with Rituxan was successful. The second time (one year after the first), I only had one infusion. That was 5 years ago and counts are still good. I've had two drops in the 60's, but counts rebounded on their own. I have been on Prednisone since then though - between 5 and 20 mg's a day, so that might also be helping.
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15 years 6 months ago #1991 by hairball01
Replied by hairball01 on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
Sandi
Note that I have also listed this topic in another Category as was suggested. Don't know why I used this category on the first place.

Glad to hear your 2nd go round was successful, but curious that you only had one infusion. I thought the regimen was a 4-week event.

Please confirm that you have been on Prednisone for 5 years. I am hoping to totally discontinue the stuff when the 2nd round of Rituxan kicks in. And I also hoping that a continuing Rituxan retreatment (every 6 months) will be successful. AT 20mg Prednisone, I typically sleep less than 6 hours. I'm up at 5:30am waiting for the newspaper. Maybe I ought to get a delivery route.
  • 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 6 months ago #2024 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
I had the full four Rituxan treatments the first time, but after the third infusion, I developed serum sickness. Serum sickness occurs usually around 21 days after the drug is first infused. At the ER, I was misdiagnosed as having a virus, so I had the fourth infusion since the ER doc didn't get the connection.

The following year, I was having Rituxan again and developed serum sickness after the first infusion. Serum sickness tends to occur faster after a person is exposed to the drug a second time. That's why I only had one infusion that time...no more Rituxan for me. Thankfully, I was properly diagnosed that time.

Yes, I've been on Prednisone for 5 years. It's for Lupus though, not ITP. I'll be on it for the rest of my life and let me tell you, I have gone from hating it to absolutely loving it. I couldn't function without it.
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15 years 6 months ago #2032 by hairball01
Replied by hairball01 on topic Re: Rituxan Retreatment-Not always successful
Sandi, I guess we're not in a 'black and white......one size fits all' situation. Maybe someday we may see some difinitive solutions. In the meantime we seek what works and appreciate the efforts of those who have gone before us.

Question: Are you aware of any dedicated organzations seeking funding specific to ITP research? Some of the medications for ITP are spin-offs from NHL and RA reserach.

As for ITP, I've been working for years remodeling old houses. Haven't had any serious injuries. But today I just about cut the end of my index finger off cutting a bananna. Maybe I'll start wearing gloves more often.
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