Side Effects of Rituxan

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Comments

  • catwink22
    catwink22 Member Posts: 281
    #22
    COBRA666 said:

    Just for the heck of it
    Cat,
    I am sure you don't remember,but you and Merrywinner were the first to respond to me about 2 years ago when I first posted. I know one thing,I was scared to death.Funny how we remember stuff like that,HuH? Most probably do remember who responded to them first as well. I guess that is the most important post at the time. John

    Sure do!
    Oh yes John I remember your first post lol! You were so concerned about the statistics, boy have we come a long way!

    I do remember my first post too, I think Merrywinner and Dixiegirl - Beth were the first responders for me. How funny that the term "first responder" seems to fit so well! I was definitely anxious about my treatment and they so helped me calm down. Wonder how they're all doing?

    Ha ha I liked your "welcome wagon" title too in your other post, also seems to fit so well! If we only knew then what we know now right?
    Cat
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #23
    catwink22 said:

    Sure do!
    Oh yes John I remember your first post lol! You were so concerned about the statistics, boy have we come a long way!

    I do remember my first post too, I think Merrywinner and Dixiegirl - Beth were the first responders for me. How funny that the term "first responder" seems to fit so well! I was definitely anxious about my treatment and they so helped me calm down. Wonder how they're all doing?

    Ha ha I liked your "welcome wagon" title too in your other post, also seems to fit so well! If we only knew then what we know now right?
    Cat

    I remember
    Cat,
    I also remember seeing your previous picture with the little girl and thought for the longest time it was your daughter. Then you said it was your grand daughter. Talking about looking young!!!. John
  • catwink22
    catwink22 Member Posts: 281
    #24
    COBRA666 said:

    I remember
    Cat,
    I also remember seeing your previous picture with the little girl and thought for the longest time it was your daughter. Then you said it was your grand daughter. Talking about looking young!!!. John

    Photo shop!
    Ha Ha! Thanks John!! It's amazing what you can do to photos nowadays! O believe me, I probably look a lot older in real person. (Hence the dark lighting lol) I certainly feel as though I have aged a ton in the last 3 years, thank goodness for Loreal!
    Cat
  • Avantgardener
    Avantgardener Member Posts: 32 Member
    #25
    Rituxan
    Good morning! I have the marginal zone B cell lymphoma, diagnosed on 4/13/12, and I had my first Rituxan infusion that same day. I'm scheduled to have it once per week for 4 sessions - I've had 3 so far, with the last one due this coming Friday. After that we'll see how things look; I might have more but not sure yet.

    I've had almost no side effects from it and feel very well. Immediately after the infusions I get a slight headache and have a little bit of a "spacey" feeling and some tiredness. Tylenol takes care of the headache, and I find that if I lie down and rest for a couple of hours I'm OK afterwards. I've also had very mild chills right after the infusion, but it's very manageable, and again if I just lie down I'm OK pretty quickly. The very first session I had a low grade fever of about 100 degrees for maybe an hour, but that never happened again.

    I'm not a medical professional, and this is based solely on my reading, but my understanding is this: Rituxan is not chemo in the way that most people think of it - it's a genetically engineered antibody that attaches to the CD20 protein that is on your body's B cells, which are a type of white blood cell that is part of your immune system. The antibody attaches to the protein like a key in a lock, and once that happens the B cells go to the spleen and are destroyed. It targets both healthy and malignant cells, the idea being that in time it will wipe out all of your B cells and your body's own stem cells will then make a new crop that is (hopefully) healthy. Rituxan also seems to have some beneficial effect on T cells, which isn't understood as well. Rituxan doesn't utilize the very toxic chemicals used in more traditional chemo treatments, such as CHOP. Since it works in such a different way, the side effects are minimal for most people, although in rare cases they can be very serious. You can read all about this on the Web, it's easy to find.

    By now you must have at least started your treatments. How did it go? I hope you're feeling well and that it's working for you.

    Best of luck, I will be thinking of you.
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,812 Member
    #26
    Avantgardener said:

    Rituxan
    Good morning! I have the marginal zone B cell lymphoma, diagnosed on 4/13/12, and I had my first Rituxan infusion that same day. I'm scheduled to have it once per week for 4 sessions - I've had 3 so far, with the last one due this coming Friday. After that we'll see how things look; I might have more but not sure yet.

    I've had almost no side effects from it and feel very well. Immediately after the infusions I get a slight headache and have a little bit of a "spacey" feeling and some tiredness. Tylenol takes care of the headache, and I find that if I lie down and rest for a couple of hours I'm OK afterwards. I've also had very mild chills right after the infusion, but it's very manageable, and again if I just lie down I'm OK pretty quickly. The very first session I had a low grade fever of about 100 degrees for maybe an hour, but that never happened again.

    I'm not a medical professional, and this is based solely on my reading, but my understanding is this: Rituxan is not chemo in the way that most people think of it - it's a genetically engineered antibody that attaches to the CD20 protein that is on your body's B cells, which are a type of white blood cell that is part of your immune system. The antibody attaches to the protein like a key in a lock, and once that happens the B cells go to the spleen and are destroyed. It targets both healthy and malignant cells, the idea being that in time it will wipe out all of your B cells and your body's own stem cells will then make a new crop that is (hopefully) healthy. Rituxan also seems to have some beneficial effect on T cells, which isn't understood as well. Rituxan doesn't utilize the very toxic chemicals used in more traditional chemo treatments, such as CHOP. Since it works in such a different way, the side effects are minimal for most people, although in rare cases they can be very serious. You can read all about this on the Web, it's easy to find.

    By now you must have at least started your treatments. How did it go? I hope you're feeling well and that it's working for you.

    Best of luck, I will be thinking of you.

    Rituxan
    Based upon my limited reading, Avantgardner is exactly right regarding Rituxan, and how it works as a monoclonal antibody. My main side-effect with it was muscle pain and feeling like I had the flu most of the time. Have a device for checking your temp, since a normal temp essentially rules out flu. I required Loritabs, but there may be lesser ways of dealing with flu-like symptoms. I have read differing things about how long it can be amdinistered. It may be that since a maintenance routine is at a lower dose and frequency, that treatment can go longer, but I am not certain. Rituxan is also perscribed for rumatoid arthritis, but I am not sure of the FDA recommended duration. As I have written elsewhere, chemocare.com is an excellent source of info on all of the FDA approved chemo drugs used in the US. I hope you do very well with the treatment, and have no side effects. Max
  • brdlegs
    brdlegs Member Posts: 3
    #27
    cbpgill26 said:

    I am so filled with anxiety. First Chemo on Monday! I am confused is the rituxin given along with regular treatments or separate? Port tomorrow. Dear Lord what a battle. Thanks for your reply. Hugs.

    Rituxan is awesome
    Hang in there, Rituxan is a wonderful drug. I had 8 treatments one week apart, and it worked well and quickly. The Port will be very helpful no more poking you all the time. May I suggest taking relaxing music or movie to watch during your treatment. Use some visualization also, imagining the bad cells getting zapped and leaving your body forever. It is a battle, but God has promised to always be with us, He will not leave you or forsake you. HUGS to you.
  • brdlegs
    brdlegs Member Posts: 3
    #28
    nonnie94526 said:

    Non-Hodgkins
    I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in February of 1996, over 6 years ago. I had a bone marrow biopsy and was told I had Stage 4 B Cell Lymphoma. My oncologist suggested a two year program using rituxan. At the end of two years, we started the treatment plan all over again. In all, I was given rituxan for 4 1/2 years. I had not felt comfortable with my oncologist for a long time and went to Stanford for another opinion. I changed oncologists at that time and have been going to Stanford ever since. I truly believe my old oncologist was only concerned about making money. My new oncologist said I should have never been on rituxan for more than 2 years. She specializes in Non Hodgkin's lymphoma. I got very very lucky. Since changing, I have not been on any medications and I have had no problems. I see my oncologist every 6 months now for tests, blood work up, etc.

    To answer your question, I had no problem with rituxan. I liked to have my treatment early in the morning so as to not use up any more of my day than I had to. My husband and I went out for lunch after every treatment. It never made me sick or made me feel bad. The worst part is sitting there for 4 hours. Just a little tired from the benadryl.

    I guess I just want to say always, always, get a second opinion. If you have the right doctor he/she will encourage you to get that second opinion. If you feel uncomfortable with your doctor, get another one and believe me, being diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma is not a death sentence.

    NH
    Thank you for posting. I too was diagnosed with NHL stage 4 in Nov. of 2011. I had 8 treatments of Rituxan and will discuss maintenance therapy with Rituxan at my follow up appointment next Wednesday. I have Splenic Marginal Zone B cell. Thank you for the encouragement. What type of NHL did you have? Also, I have been told that I can never fully get rid of this, rather it can be kept in remission? Does that sound right?

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