The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

After Rituxan

onlytoday
onlytoday CSN Member Posts: 609 Member
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hi all,

Went to the onc yesterday for a check-in. Finished Rituxan only therapy at the beginning of October, for Stage 4 Marginal Zone. She said that we are keeping the lymphoma at bay for now. New blood work in a month and more blood and a visit in January.

I was hoping for the R word but I need to take what I can get. It's funny, I always have considered myself a very patient person but this darned disease is really pushing me to the limit. Everything feels very open ended with a lot of UNKNOWN. It's just hard.

I keep getting upper resp infections or sinus infections and she did say that is a result of the Rituxan. I also am having a lot of concentration issues but she said that is anxiety. Could be - I'll go with that. Thought that was related to the Rituxan as well.

So onward and upward. All in all I'm a blessed woman. :)


Thanks for listening and always being there. You guys are the best!

Donna
Like Care

Comments

  • JoanieP
    JoanieP CSN Member Posts: 573
    #2
    Rituxin
    Hi Donna,
    I take anxiety pills (prescribed for restless leg ) and they really help . Also the Onc put nme on Effexor (antidepressant) for feeling warmand cold but that helps great too. Hey I used to blame my forgetfulness on blonde brain, then chemo brain and now I am using Rituxin Maintanence as an excuse. We are blessed. There are so many medicines to keep us in remission. Joanie
    Like Care
  • allmost60
    allmost60 CSN Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #3
    JoanieP said:

    Rituxin
    Hi Donna,
    I take anxiety pills (prescribed for restless leg ) and they really help . Also the Onc put nme on Effexor (antidepressant) for feeling warmand cold but that helps great too. Hey I used to blame my forgetfulness on blonde brain, then chemo brain and now I am using Rituxin Maintanence as an excuse. We are blessed. There are so many medicines to keep us in remission. Joanie

    You can take both?
    Hi Joanie,
    May I ask what anti-depressant you are taking? I take 1 Xanax tab at bedtime(0.5mg). I am having severe hot flashes,(all of the time) since being taken off of my hormone pills 2 months ago. I was thinking of asking my doctor about taking Effexor, but worry about taking 2 different types of anti-depressants. Also...does the Effexor make you drowsy or lethargic? I don't want to take something that will add to my fatigue during the daytime hours. I don't have any form of depression and never have... the Xanax was prescribed to help me sleep at night. After my chemo is finished I will also be on Rituxan maintenence..( shot every 3 months) for the next 2 years. If my memory is right, Beth said Effexor really helps with her hot flashes. Thanks for any info you can share with me.
    Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
    Like Care

Discussion Boards