Rituxin question

forme

Hi all,
Just a question. For those of you having rituxin maint, is it the same dose/strength as when you had it with cvp-r or chop-r. Just wondering.
Lisha

allmost60

Mine is...
Hi Lisha,
I get a copy of the precription my onc sends to the chemo nurses each time I get my infusions. I compared it to my last CVP-R infusion in Dec to the maint R infusion given in Feb, and it shows the R dose to be the same. I also remember looking at the bag of Rituxan hanging during my infusion and it was the same size as all of my other treatments. I'll ask the chemo nurse on Monday when I get my next dose of R, and get back to you in case I've read the prescription(paperwork) incorrectly. Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

COBRA666

Rituxan
Lisha,
It is the same. I checked the bag for strenght and dosage. John

allmost60

COBRA666 said:

Rituxan
Lisha,
It is the same. I checked the bag for strenght and dosage. John

Hey stranger..
Today was your second R infusion...assume all went well. I've been thinking of you all week not seeing any posts. You have always been the best at lifting spirits and giving hope! Thanks for always being here for us...you be my hero! Eight months ago you were the first to welcome me to this group and never once have you let me down since..."THANKS" buddy.
Take care..Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

miss maggie

COBRA666 said:

Rituxan
Lisha,
It is the same. I checked the bag for strenght and dosage. John

Rituxan
Dear John,

Once again you came through with important info. Even though I am in remission, and my DX
does not call for maintance treatment, who knows for the future.

Many thanks Love Maggie

yesyes2

miss maggie said:

Rituxan
Dear John,

Once again you came through with important info. Even though I am in remission, and my DX
does not call for maintance treatment, who knows for the future.

Many thanks Love Maggie

Rituxan
HI,

The dosage for rituxan for NHL is 375mg times the formula of body mass index x 2. But it is the same formula for first line treatment and maintenance. So I received 635mg each time for my NHL, 6 x RCHOP and before that every 8 weeks as maintenance until my recurrance. However, for my RH my dosage is 1000mg x 2 every 6 months.

Hope this helps,
Leslie

allmost60

yesyes2 said:

Rituxan
HI,

The dosage for rituxan for NHL is 375mg times the formula of body mass index x 2. But it is the same formula for first line treatment and maintenance. So I received 635mg each time for my NHL, 6 x RCHOP and before that every 8 weeks as maintenance until my recurrance. However, for my RH my dosage is 1000mg x 2 every 6 months.

Hope this helps,
Leslie

Go to gal
Hi Leslie,
Well...I now know who to go to with questions about Rituxan. Is RCHOP a stronger chemo than CVP-R? I was wondering... if I should need chemo again, will RCHOP be a second line chemo they could use? I'm always wondering what the next step will be...guess it will depend on what transpires and where the cancer shows up again....right? I receive 600mg of Rituxan given at 50mg per hour. I really value the information you share Leslie. Thanks so much. Have a good weekend friend...Love, Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

dixiegirl

allmost60 said:

Go to gal
Hi Leslie,
Well...I now know who to go to with questions about Rituxan. Is RCHOP a stronger chemo than CVP-R? I was wondering... if I should need chemo again, will RCHOP be a second line chemo they could use? I'm always wondering what the next step will be...guess it will depend on what transpires and where the cancer shows up again....right? I receive 600mg of Rituxan given at 50mg per hour. I really value the information you share Leslie. Thanks so much. Have a good weekend friend...Love, Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

What's next?
Yes, RCHOP is harder than RCVP, the missing drug is Adriamycin sp? and it's supposed to be really hard on your heart.

My onc gave the choice of rchop this time but agreed with me that I didn't get such a strong response from the cvpr so it didn't seem like the best option to use for this relapse.

The rituxan only treatment was helping for a while, and of course you know where I am at this point. I thought I would let you know the list of options we discussed for me.

RCHOP
Treanda/Rituxan
Zevalin or Bexxar
RICE
SCT

You my dear have already gone longer in remission that what I did at the start. I think you're in this for the long haul missy.

Take care,
Beth

allmost60

dixiegirl said:

What's next?
Yes, RCHOP is harder than RCVP, the missing drug is Adriamycin sp? and it's supposed to be really hard on your heart.

My onc gave the choice of rchop this time but agreed with me that I didn't get such a strong response from the cvpr so it didn't seem like the best option to use for this relapse.

The rituxan only treatment was helping for a while, and of course you know where I am at this point. I thought I would let you know the list of options we discussed for me.

RCHOP
Treanda/Rituxan
Zevalin or Bexxar
RICE
SCT

You my dear have already gone longer in remission that what I did at the start. I think you're in this for the long haul missy.

Take care,
Beth

Hope so!
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the info. I never reached remission, but doc said the Rituxan maint will "hopefully" get me there. Key word..(hopeful)! On the 14th, I'll be 4 months out from CVP-R. 2nd R-maint infusion on Monday. You knew before your second R-maint that it wasn't working for you? How did you know? How will I know if it's working or not?..No more scans are scheduled until Jan 2011. You don't need to answer right away..you need to rest! I do appreciate knowing what chemo's may be offered if the R isn't working. Thanks again Beth.
Love ya...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

dixiegirl

allmost60 said:

Hope so!
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the info. I never reached remission, but doc said the Rituxan maint will "hopefully" get me there. Key word..(hopeful)! On the 14th, I'll be 4 months out from CVP-R. 2nd R-maint infusion on Monday. You knew before your second R-maint that it wasn't working for you? How did you know? How will I know if it's working or not?..No more scans are scheduled until Jan 2011. You don't need to answer right away..you need to rest! I do appreciate knowing what chemo's may be offered if the R isn't working. Thanks again Beth.
Love ya...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

I'll answer then rest lol
Sue,
I was telling my onc that while I was still very tired from the chemo, I felt GOOD while I was on it. No headaches, sinus, allergy, general crappy feeling. I told him it took knowing what feeling GOOD felt like, that helped me realize that I was feeling like I did before chemo. From that statement he said we'll do a scan to help ease your mind, it was back.

I question things now, pretty much everything. For me, my biggest, baddest, boldest symptom of relapse is drenching night sweats. Now I have one, I call my doctor. I did that in December and we agreed to "watch it" and when it happened again in January I called and requested the scan.

I guess I forgot you never got to remission, was it only you and Fran that didn't from the group? I still thought your response was good though. I know you'll worry, we all do. When I was doing this the first time around they weren't so worried about the radiation. Now the study's are coming out for people like me that went through a lot of scans and chances of second cancers they don't want to repeat scans. All I can say is listen to your body. YOU know what's right and what isn't. Don't put things off. Stay on top.

Now, with that said...I'm going to go cry myself to sleep for a quick nap LOL. No, but I did take a pain pill and I have an ice pack on my port.

Thanks
Beth

allmost60

dixiegirl said:

I'll answer then rest lol
Sue,
I was telling my onc that while I was still very tired from the chemo, I felt GOOD while I was on it. No headaches, sinus, allergy, general crappy feeling. I told him it took knowing what feeling GOOD felt like, that helped me realize that I was feeling like I did before chemo. From that statement he said we'll do a scan to help ease your mind, it was back.

I question things now, pretty much everything. For me, my biggest, baddest, boldest symptom of relapse is drenching night sweats. Now I have one, I call my doctor. I did that in December and we agreed to "watch it" and when it happened again in January I called and requested the scan.

I guess I forgot you never got to remission, was it only you and Fran that didn't from the group? I still thought your response was good though. I know you'll worry, we all do. When I was doing this the first time around they weren't so worried about the radiation. Now the study's are coming out for people like me that went through a lot of scans and chances of second cancers they don't want to repeat scans. All I can say is listen to your body. YOU know what's right and what isn't. Don't put things off. Stay on top.

Now, with that said...I'm going to go cry myself to sleep for a quick nap LOL. No, but I did take a pain pill and I have an ice pack on my port.

Thanks
Beth

Fran and me..
Hi Beth,(you should be resting BTW)...
Yes..so far I think it's just Fran and me that didn't make it to remission after our first line of chemo. John, Tom and Liz got there...(thank goodness!)Late January after my last scan my doc said I was stable, but still had activity in the tumor under my left side colar bone. Thats why he started me early on the Rituxan and is having me do it every other month. Under my left arm and in the fatty tissue next to my left breast it is very tender to the touch and at times feels like it is burning. That area is also a tad bit swollen. I'm glad I see my doc on Monday because he can give me a good pat down, feel up,whatever, and hopefully some feedback if there is anything to be concerned about. I know this may sound crazy, but for some reason I just feel something isn't right...can't put my finger on it or explain it, but definetely have a gut feeling that swelling and tenderness is not something to ignore. Had a sore throat and swollen glands on the left side of my neck for 3 weeks, but that seems to have gone away...tad bit still there, but not as bad. Anyways...it's been 2 months since my last onc visit and I'm eager to go over all of my concerns with him on Monday before my 2nd R-infusion. I do listen to my body and right now I'm just on the fence with what it's telling me. I'm keeping good thoughts, but like you said...there's always that little place in your mind that thinks...Hmmmmm? Hope you have a good nap...Love ya..Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

miss maggie

allmost60 said:

Fran and me..
Hi Beth,(you should be resting BTW)...
Yes..so far I think it's just Fran and me that didn't make it to remission after our first line of chemo. John, Tom and Liz got there...(thank goodness!)Late January after my last scan my doc said I was stable, but still had activity in the tumor under my left side colar bone. Thats why he started me early on the Rituxan and is having me do it every other month. Under my left arm and in the fatty tissue next to my left breast it is very tender to the touch and at times feels like it is burning. That area is also a tad bit swollen. I'm glad I see my doc on Monday because he can give me a good pat down, feel up,whatever, and hopefully some feedback if there is anything to be concerned about. I know this may sound crazy, but for some reason I just feel something isn't right...can't put my finger on it or explain it, but definetely have a gut feeling that swelling and tenderness is not something to ignore. Had a sore throat and swollen glands on the left side of my neck for 3 weeks, but that seems to have gone away...tad bit still there, but not as bad. Anyways...it's been 2 months since my last onc visit and I'm eager to go over all of my concerns with him on Monday before my 2nd R-infusion. I do listen to my body and right now I'm just on the fence with what it's telling me. I'm keeping good thoughts, but like you said...there's always that little place in your mind that thinks...Hmmmmm? Hope you have a good nap...Love ya..Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

Sue and Fran
Dear Sue and Fran,

I think of you both often and always look for your posts. Sue, I hope on Monday everything turns out to be nothing.

All my love and positive thoughts to you. And to you Fran also Love Maggie

dixiegirl

allmost60 said:

Fran and me..
Hi Beth,(you should be resting BTW)...
Yes..so far I think it's just Fran and me that didn't make it to remission after our first line of chemo. John, Tom and Liz got there...(thank goodness!)Late January after my last scan my doc said I was stable, but still had activity in the tumor under my left side colar bone. Thats why he started me early on the Rituxan and is having me do it every other month. Under my left arm and in the fatty tissue next to my left breast it is very tender to the touch and at times feels like it is burning. That area is also a tad bit swollen. I'm glad I see my doc on Monday because he can give me a good pat down, feel up,whatever, and hopefully some feedback if there is anything to be concerned about. I know this may sound crazy, but for some reason I just feel something isn't right...can't put my finger on it or explain it, but definetely have a gut feeling that swelling and tenderness is not something to ignore. Had a sore throat and swollen glands on the left side of my neck for 3 weeks, but that seems to have gone away...tad bit still there, but not as bad. Anyways...it's been 2 months since my last onc visit and I'm eager to go over all of my concerns with him on Monday before my 2nd R-infusion. I do listen to my body and right now I'm just on the fence with what it's telling me. I'm keeping good thoughts, but like you said...there's always that little place in your mind that thinks...Hmmmmm? Hope you have a good nap...Love ya..Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

Pain/Discomfort
Sue, the pain and discomfort you describe in your armpit and breast sound just like me. I'll be waiting to hear how your appointment goes. DO NOT move over this issue with your doctor too fast. Make them slow down, take their time, and come to a mutual agreement on what to do.

You need to let them know your fears, concern, and worry. Ask for a scan, or at the very least ask for one sooner than next January. Keep paying attention my dear! I am with you on this Sue, when I read what you wrote, you could have substituted my name.

Love ya!
Beth

cookingirl

miss maggie said:

Sue and Fran
Dear Sue and Fran,

I think of you both often and always look for your posts. Sue, I hope on Monday everything turns out to be nothing.

All my love and positive thoughts to you. And to you Fran also Love Maggie

Sue and Fran
Thanks so much, Maggie. Appreciate your good thoughts!

Tomorrow and WEd. are long days of chemo - usually 8 hours tomorrow, 5 on second day. But it's my last (hopefully) so reason to celebrate! I'm on pins and needles to see if the mid May scan will show any improvement - waiting times are hard! Now I'm sleepy and headed to bed - will probably sleep all day tomorrow after the Benadryl drip goes in!

Hope you and Sue are doing well and that her scan comes out as she wants this week - Love, fran

miss maggie

cookingirl said:

Sue and Fran
Thanks so much, Maggie. Appreciate your good thoughts!

Tomorrow and WEd. are long days of chemo - usually 8 hours tomorrow, 5 on second day. But it's my last (hopefully) so reason to celebrate! I'm on pins and needles to see if the mid May scan will show any improvement - waiting times are hard! Now I'm sleepy and headed to bed - will probably sleep all day tomorrow after the Benadryl drip goes in!

Hope you and Sue are doing well and that her scan comes out as she wants this week - Love, fran

Celebration
Dear Fran,

I am trying to remember how many hours I was sitting in a chair with my
treatment of Rituxan. Your first treatment of 8 hours is really long. The good
thing, last treatment on Wednesday. Hurrah. If you can, try and enjoy the days
before your next appointment in mid May. Hopefully you will feel well enough to do
so.

Positive energy and love from Maggie