Rituxan a life saver
I started taking Rituxan infusions 3 years ago along with Hydroxychloroquine and Imuran,so far I'm doing great.I still have fatigue which I can deal with .I'm wondering if anyone else failed other biological and are taking this? It's supposed to be one pf the best alternatives so says my Rheumatologist!
Hi
! This thread has a lot of responses from others with RA who took Rituxan and their experiences (https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/forums/rituxan-infusions). Of course everyone reacts to the same medication differently, but this may give you some of the perspective you're looking for! Warmly, - Reggie, team member I love hearing Rituxan and the DMARDs are working well for you! I get my 3rd set of Ruxience (biosimilar) in July. I feel it has helped me, but because I had a stress filled year, it has been difficult to tell just how much it helped. I'm looking forward to feeling even better after the 3rd infusion now that life has settled down. I am not currently on any other DMARD because of side effects. I Hope you continue to do great!. Jo I began Ruxience in November and am feeling positive results. After a year and of half of trying one thing after another that didn't work, it is wonderful to find something that I can honestly say I feel better. Not perfect, and still have pain and other symptoms, but more like myself and manageable. Less fatigue, rest times between activities are shorter, and I actually feel like doing things! I am hopeful that I will continue to improve a it's only been 6 weeks since my infusions. Trying to make the most of it (as we all know we never know how long it will last) and getting some things done along with some travel planning. I also take hydroxychloroquine and low dose of weekly methotrexate. Would be nice to get off those, but doubt that will happen as I believe it may be the combination of meds that is doing the trick.
, I'm so glad Ruxience is working well for you! I know many of our community members can relate to the medicine merry-go-round of trying treatment after treatment with mixed (or negative) results. I hope Ruxience continues to work for you!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.Hi
. A number of sites note that people start to feel improvement with Rituxan within eight weeks and can continue to see improvement for a while after that. So, hopefully, with the biosimilar you still have a good window for continued improvement. Also you mention combination therapy, so I want to share with you this research article on the increase effectiveness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037499. Of course, that doesn't mean that you may not be a candidate for monotherapy. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), was diagnosed at age two, almost 45 years ago and has used a wheelchair since her teens. Several years ago she started a treatment that brought her inflammation numbers into the normal range for the first time ever and has been able to do monotherapy since. Of course, each person reacts differently to treatment and it will depend on how you continue to respond and the guidance of your doctor. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
