Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.

About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
going to pass out after I stagger.  I have been able to just hold on to
something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
appreciated.

I am looking forward learning more from you all.  FInding this group on
Lupus is new for me.
I have been diagnosed for over ten (10) years now and have managed to
keep working with the help and cre of my Rhuemie.  We have been
unsuccessful in ever getting off the predisone.  Every time we below 6
mg I experience a full flare - yuck!

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In article <1153036317.942850.100150@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com>,
NorCalLupie <miller2g@pacbell.net> wrote
>Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
>become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
>Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
>diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.
>
>About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
>frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
>going to pass out after I stagger.  I have been able to just hold on to
>something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
>appreciated.
>
Sounds like falling blood pressure. I am not a doctor, however, and I
suggest you consult yours soon - don't wait until your next routine
appointment.
--
Andy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group]
See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more!

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Hi and welcome to the group. It's been quiet out here for the last couple of
weeks but there are some wonderful knowledgeable people who I'm sure will
jump in and help. I know there are several folks who live on higher doses of
predisone than they want.

BTW, weekends are always quiet out here so hang tight and you'll see some
responses.

I'm one of the few who can just eat aspirin like candy when things get to
really aching. My doc does not want to put me on anything very strong if I
can get by with just aspirin. I've had some lengthy discussions with my doc
on the subject and I come away a little frustrated but willing to keep the
status quo for as long as possible. I guess that makes me one of the lucky
ones when it comes to lupus on a daily basis.
Bev


"NorCalLupie" <miller2g@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:1153036317.942850.100150@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com..
> Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
> become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
> Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
> diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.
>
> About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
> frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
> going to pass out after I stagger.  I have been able to just hold on to
> something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
> appreciated.
>
> I am looking forward learning more from you all.  FInding this group on
> Lupus is new for me.
> I have been diagnosed for over ten (10) years now and have managed to
> keep working with the help and cre of my Rhuemie.  We have been
> unsuccessful in ever getting off the predisone.  Every time we below 6
> mg I experience a full flare - yuck!
>

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Hello and Welcome, I was infused with Rutuxin about 2 yrs ago to help
with my Platlets. They used to drop to 1,000 or less which isn't good
because then I couldn't breath and would end up in the hospital. I was
infused 3 times and my platlet problem has not been a problem since
then. Thank god. While being infused in the hospital they would give me
a shot of Benadryl so that I wouldn't feel dizzy.Are you being infused
in the office? You should ask about Benadryl, A shot works faster and
then you close your eyes and try to sleep. Hope this helps
Feel better
Maureen
NorCalLupie wrote:
> Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
> become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
> Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
> diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.
>
> About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
> frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
> going to pass out after I stagger.  I have been able to just hold on to
> something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
> appreciated.
>
> I am looking forward learning more from you all.  FInding this group on
> Lupus is new for me.
> I have been diagnosed for over ten (10) years now and have managed to
> keep working with the help and cre of my Rhuemie.  We have been
> unsuccessful in ever getting off the predisone.  Every time we below 6
> mg I experience a full flare - yuck!

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Quotes from :  =
http://www.rxlist.com/drugs/drug-52..d=3D5206&drugn=
ame=3DRituxan+IV

"Headache, nausea, facial flushing, or dizziness may occur. If any of =
these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist =
promptly."

"A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek =
immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic =
reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble =
breathing."=20

"If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or =
pharmacist."

I have no experience with this drug but would adhere to the above advice =
if I were experiencing your side effects!"

Good luck to you and sending hugs for you too!

from Shelagh     @     http://clik.to/lupus




> NorCalLupie wrote:
Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
> become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
> Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
> diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.
>
> About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
> frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
> going to pass out after I stagger.  I have been able to just hold on =
to
> something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
> appreciated.
>
> I am looking forward learning more from you all.  FInding this group =
on
> Lupus is new for me.
> I have been diagnosed for over ten (10) years now and have managed to
> keep working with the help and cre of my Rhuemie.  We have been
> unsuccessful in ever getting off the predisone.  Every time we below 6
> mg I experience a full flare - yuck!

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Shelagh wrote:

> Quotes from :  http://www.rxlist.com/drugs/drug-52..name=Rituxan+IV
>
> "Headache, nausea, facial flushing, or dizziness may occur. If any of thes
e effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly."
>
> "A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate 
medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction incl
ude: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing."
>
> "If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or phar
macist."
>
> I have no experience with this drug but would adhere to the above advice if I were
 experiencing your side effects!"

It also says "This medication can lower the body's ability to fight an infec
tion. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection s
uch as fever, chills, or persistent sore throat." and "Tell your
doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fatigue, decr
ease in amount of urine, weakness, fever, chills, pain at the tumor site, jo
int or muscle pain, stomach pain, sore throat."

That's what happened to a lady on the fibro newsgroup. She was getting more 
and more fatigued on it. She ended up with pneumonia (twice, if I recall) in
 hospital, after (I think ) 7 or 8 infusions. She was treating RA and
lymphoma. She sounds so much better now that she's off of it.

PS: nobody go to that newsgroup. It's currently in the worst mess (for other
 reasons), I've ever seen .
J

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NorCalLupie wrote:

> Has anyone received Rutuxin foe arthritis symptoms?  My joint pain had
> become very difficult to manage and after the FDA approved the use of
> Rutuxin my Rhuemie started this therapy on me.  The joint pain has
> diminished dramatically but I am concerned about side effects.
>
> About two weeks after the first infusion, I began to experience
> frequent episodes of dizziness, light-headedness, I feel like I am
> going to pass out after I stagger.

Is it hot where you are? I was having those problems on no pain meds.

> I have been able to just hold on to
> something until it passes but I am concerned.  Any input is
> appreciated.
>
> I am looking forward learning more from you all.  FInding this group on
> Lupus is new for me.
> I have been diagnosed for over ten (10) years now and have managed to
> keep working with the help and cre of my Rhuemie.  We have been
> unsuccessful in ever getting off the predisone.  Every time we below 6
> mg I experience a full flare - yuck!

I don't have Lupus but lots of joint pain. After working (physically)
yesterday, I could barely walk nor sit, nor stand for the pain. Joint and
muscle pain. I took a Sulindac 200 mg and within an hour, I was almost
totally painfree. (some spots did not respond) and I could walk and feel
normal again.  It's supposed to be for osteoarthritis, but it also helps
with me inflammatory joint pains (elbows and shoulders and knees and hips).
and some of the muscle pain.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/sulindac_ids.htm
I do have a history of gastric ulcer, but I take it "with food". Meaning I
take some bites, then take the pill, then finish the meal. I also take a
gastro med.

I can even sit at the computer now (without pain). Beofre I couldn't.

Ask your doctor if it's worth a try..It's mentioned here
http://www.lupus.org/education/brochures/nsaid.html
I'll update if any nasty SE's occur.
J

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Hello and Welcome.  I to have lupus and just found out last week
that I am going to get the Rituximab or Rituxan treatment.  I was DX'd
in Feb of 93 with SLE, I was on Cytoxin and Pred, then went to
Cellcept.  Seems nothing is working for me since I am in the middle of
a flare and am still on 2 grams a day of Cellcept.  I was told this
morning that as soon as my Health insurance agrees to pay for the
Rituxan treatment that I will start.  I was curious to hear what the
treatment was like.  I am a little nervous, but if it helps me get
better and saves my Kidneys, well then I guess I will try just about
anything.  I hope you feel better soon and hang in there.

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Thanks for the reply.  I have had two infusions in the hospital with
all of the prep-meds (Benadryl and Corticosteroids IV).  Don't expect
to have another until the six month point unless we experience a
diminished response.

Do you think my current dizziness could be a side effect of the
therapy?


Shortie wrote:[vbcol=seagreen]
> Hello and Welcome, I was infused with Rutuxin about 2 yrs ago to help
> with my Platlets. They used to drop to 1,000 or less which isn't good
> because then I couldn't breath and would end up in the hospital. I was
> infused 3 times and my platlet problem has not been a problem since
> then. Thank god. While being infused in the hospital they would give me
> a shot of Benadryl so that I wouldn't feel dizzy.Are you being infused
> in the office? You should ask about Benadryl, A shot works faster and
> then you close your eyes and try to sleep. Hope this helps
> Feel better
> Maureen
> NorCalLupie wrote: 

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