Hello to you all, and a Merry Christmas!
Just a quick update on my daughter Caitlin's Rituxan-induce remission. She is now 8 year, 3 months into it, with no signs of ITP.
Diagnosed 10/15/01 with ITP after non-stop menstrual cycle at 14 years old. Needed gyn surgery to stop bleeding, along with hormones, IVIg, and 2 units of blood.
IVIg wasn't very effective for her, neither was WinRho. So she was put on Dexamethasone pulses. (Those three were about the only early options when Caitlin was diagnosed.) Each pulse lasted her 4-5 weeks before she was retreated for plummeting numbers.
After about 10 months, Dex side effects got to be too much. She was afraid to have a period. ITP really got in the way of her life and sanity. We sought a second opinion, Rituxan was mentioned, and we returned to her first hemo with the idea. She took the ball and ran with it!
Caitlin received the standard 4 doses of Rituxan at age 15, in Sept.-Oct. 2002. It was a scary decision, but it has paid off so so well! She hit normal counts pretty quickly---and has stayed up there ever since, through colds and immunizations and the poor eating/sleeping habits of college kids.
I remember those early frightening days well, and want anyone new to know: there is hope! There is so much hope! Know that there are great minds working every day on the problem that is ITP--and great people here to help you with almost anything you need to know!
I'm a blood donor, at Caitlin's request. If you can, consider it.
I'm a PDSA $upporter, too--every little bit helps!
We LOVE Genentech!
And I'm such a fan of you ALL! You folks (and Ron! ) were/are such a great help to us--I still print articles you all post!
To infinity and beyond with those platelets, people!
:kiss: Ann, Caitlin's (now 23) Mom
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