Using Truxima, side effects
I am considering using Truxima. Methotrexate, Leflunomide and Embrel have not worked. Only Ptednisone 7.5mg has helped. Started with Methotrexate, I was losing weight and muscle mass. Stopped after four months.
Hi,
!
It sounds like you have definitely tried many meds! I wish it wasn't such a game of trial-and-error to find the right treatment. And, when it comes to methotrexate, it seems like it's either a great fit or a terrible one; no middle ground. Stopping it was probably the best decision for your situation.
I know one of our health leaders has tried Truxima and she shares a bit of her experience here -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/insurance-surprises. I bet other community members have used Truxima and I hope they see your post and chime in here with their experiences with the medication. I assume you've done some research on Truxima, but I wanted to share this information from the Mayo Clinic ( a source I trust) on the medication -- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/rituximab-abbs-intravenous-route/description/drg-20452349. I do hope if you try Truxima, that it's a good fit for you and brings you come lasting results with minimal side effects!
Best, Erin, Team Member.I just wanted to chime in and say that I have been on a low dose of prednisone for years, and probably will be for life. Between 4-10mg a day, depending on need. That, combined with a biologic, has seemed to do the best that I can expect from modern medicine right now, but it is enough I feel like. At least for now! It takes a long time to find the right combination of meds for your individual illness - it took me over 20 years! It's frustrating but it can be done. If there's anything else we can do to help, let us know! Above all, just know you are not alone - so many of us have been where you are! Keep on keepin' on, DPM 
Hi
. Just to follow up on what Dan said about the time it can take to find the right treatment, I want to share this story from another community member: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/stories/hope. I'm sure you are aware that the Truxima is a biosimilar to Rituxan and you'll notice that if you swap those names this member has a treatment timeline very similar to yours. They credit the treatment with saving their life and hope you find similar outcome. Feel free to keep us posed on how you are doing. Best, Richard (Team Member) I appreciate the remarks and the information. Because medications have not improved my RA at all, except for prednisone. I am looking into the Setpoint System which has just been FDA approved.
Hi
. The SetPoint vagus nerve stimulation treatment is really exciting and has the potential to be a game changer not only for RA, but for many autoimmune conditions and patients. For anyone interested, here is the press release about the FDA approval: https://setpointmedical.com/setpoint-medical-receives-fda-approval-for-novel-neuroimmune-modulation-therapy-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/ and here is an article from Smithsonian Magazine on the technology and implications: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-implanted-device-could-offer-a-long-elusive-drug-free-treatment-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-180987121/. If you are able to discuss this with your doctor and potentially get to try it we would love to hear about it. Best, Richard (Team Member)
