Cancer Survivors Network

hi,

its very rare that a treatment should be stopped. some people can have a reaction to it, such as flu like symptoms, if this happens it will be fixed with cortisone and the infusion will be slowed down. dont worry you're in good hands at the hospital, they know what they're doing. let us know how you get on. best of luck.

is the treatment FCR or something different. My husband went throught FCR for CLL
I can't spell them weel but something like Floudoribin Cytoxin and Rituxan
He couldn't take all six treatments they wanted he made it through five treaments.
He is alive and as well as he can be.

He has other immune systems problems unrelated to his CLL.

How is everything going?

Felicia

I just finished an 8 week cycle. Drinks LOTS of water. It helped me keep the side effects(flu-like symptoms) away. By lots of water I mean you should drink at least 8-10 bottles thru out the day. This will keep your veins near the surface-easier for an IV. I was scheduled for a port. I said NO WAY! I drink SO much water and will continue drinking lots of water as I start maintenance therapy in a couple of months. Yes the first one is terrifying-I didn't sleep for two days prior, but was ok. I also go to an oncologist who as part of the treatment, gives me benadryl, 2 tylenol, and an anti nausea medication prior to the Ritxuan. And to ease in the treatment, the nurse injects demerol into the IV line as the Rituxan is being infused. Helped tremendously. I cannot stress enough DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
They did have to stop the first infusion-it's for your comfort. They wait a few minutes and start again. My throat felt like it was closing. I told them, they stopped, waited a few minutes and it was all right and they started again. Peppermint hard candies help with the mouth sores. There is a medication called Caphosol-it really works and is easy to use. My last few treatments started at 100 drips per minute and went to 200 dpm then 300 dpm. I have NHL indolent follicular. This is my 2nd round of it.
Again, DRINKS LOTS OF WATER. Relax, you will get through it. Peace!

Hey,

I too was scared with the Rituxan during my first chemo, but my onc had me take 2 tylenol and 2 benedryl before each treatment. I had no problems. I never had any kind of side effects from the rituxan during chemo or maintenance.

Don't worry, you'll be ok. They will watch you closing and it'll take about 4 hours the first time, then my time went down to 2 hours for the rituxan and about 1.50 for the chemo. I did CVP + Rituxan. Cytoxan, Vincristine, and Prednisone.

My worst response was to the prednisone and the vincristine. As far as I am concerned they are horrible drugs. Hope you do great!

Beth

I wanted to share some info that I received from a great nurse at the Mayo clinic. I was of great comfort to me and helped me understand so much better. I had a simular reaction to the rituxin...itchy throat and roof of my mouth etc. They slowed the infusion down and she explained that I was not reacting to the med but rather to the large number of dead b cells. The rituxin goes after the b cells very rapidly and kills them so fast that the body can't keep up with clearing them out fast enough and they are toxic. By slowing it down it gives the body time to catch up and then all is well. There is much less chance of reactions with future treatments because there are fewer b cells. I found this really helpful and some added proof that it is working.