1st Rituximab is done!

janie68
janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
edited 24. Aug 2010, 14:32 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello everyone!

Well I survived. Got there at 8.30am, I was soon hooked up to for a steriod infusion after a quick exam by doctor. Then the rituximab was started. After a couple of hours, I started to get a tickly throat and runny nose so I alerted the lovley nurse Jackie and it was stopped until my obs had recovered and my rash on my face had subsided. :(

Then I was started up again with no further probs but the nurse could not increase the rate much more due to my obs increasing. I did worry that it was going to be stopped altogether but the doctor luckily said no unless I reacted again.

I eventually went home at 4.15.

The nurse Jackie and health care Kath were lovely and I was offered endless cups of tea and had a 3 course lunch! Wasn't bad!
Feel as though I got a hangover today but that is to be expected so PJ day today! :D

Just got to go through it all again in 2 weeks time but it''ll be worth it I'm sure.

Thank you to you all who gave me much needed encouragement and advice and to Rose, the cake did melt a bit but was scrummy! I felt that you were there with me and gosh I got tears now! :)

Have a lovely weekend

Janie xx

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm so glad to hear it went well - it is a doddle really! 3 course lunch - wow! MAke sure you have plenty of rest today: these meds are much heap powerful, so give your body a chance. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie,

    Glad it all went reasonably ok and they took care of you. I really hope you start to feel the difference soon. Remind us when you go again in two weeks for pocket duties. Fingers crossed you feel better tomorrow and get an improvement very soon. Cris x
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi janie

    I too am glad it went ok. Hope you feel alot better tomorrow.

    Love julie pf x :)
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done Jane. I was with you in spirit apart from when I had to do my DLA forms with CAB. So enjoy PJ day...
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • shiningstar
    shiningstar Member Posts: 40
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Glad it went ok and fingers crossed that you see some real results soon.
    Love SS
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie and Well done!
    So glad it all went well for you yesterday and that you were so well looked after at the hospital.
    I've got everything crossed for you that it works!
    Love Tilly x
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you everyone

    I am feeling pretty rough now but I know that means it's doing it's job, killing those b cells.
    Please be ready for more pocket duty in 2 weeks along with Iris if you're free!!

    Enjoy your weekend everyone
    Janie
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie

    Sounds quite an 'interesting' experience!!! Glad that you were in good hands.

    I really hope it does you some good. Please let us know how you go on ...

    Marion x
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie, Sorry you are suffering today. So glad that it went ok ish for you. Will be there in two weeks though :D
    Hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Hang on in there and I'm sure that much improved days are just round the corner for you.

    Lv, Ix
  • roses1
    roses1 Member Posts: 1,850
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie,

    Pleased to hear your feeling positive and a 3course dinner!! its got to be worth it :wink: It was quite warm in there thats why the cake melted you should see the state of me!!! Think i'll have to bring plain cake next time! :D

    hope your feeling better now :) just rest up and take the weekend easy . ((((gentle hugs ))))


    Rose x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie,

    Pocket duties are always available I promise you! I tend to bring a sheep as well though so get big pockets :wink:

    I don't have that drug but I do have Iloprost every 4 months and flower it takes a good 5-7 days to get over it... I still blame all the saline :wink: So rest up and fingers so crossed you will soon feel the benefits and have less pain. A ((( ))) cus drips are evil :lol: Cris x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie

    I hope that you have a restful sleep tonight and feel a bit better tomorrow. These are powerful drugs at work so I suppose it's not surprising that our bodies react to them in some way :wink:

    The two weeks before you're back for the second infusion will soon pass and I'll be following your progress with real interest after each treatment and keeping my fingers crossed for you!.

    What's the pattern of infusion after the second infusion? Did they give you any idea of how soon you might feel any benefit from Ritux?

    I really hope this will help you Janie.

    Iris x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning hun. I hope you are feeling brighter today, but if not, continue to rest. It is the best thing. Thinking of you and dorcas too. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry DD,
    Missed your post yesterday. I'm still feeling rough although it is more tiredness, well exhausted really. I know that all I can do is rest up and let the infusion do it's thing.

    Phew just typing that has rendered me pooped! :)

    Have a nice day in the sunshine everyone

    Janie
  • roses1
    roses1 Member Posts: 1,850
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie,

    How are you feeling today?

    Rose x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That enquiry is seconded by me. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rose & DD

    I'm feeling more like my old self today, but it's the day after mtx so you know what that's like! I didn't expect to feel quite so I'll as I have after the infusion but as I keep saying if it works then it's fine by me! Hope you are both as well as can be

    Janie xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This is better news - I am pleased to hear it. I'm at the dead end of my humira fortnight: stomach stabbing tonight will revive me. I hope! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning janie, I hope all is well. DD (who is now at the thick end of her humira fortnight!)
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie :D

    Glad your rough patch is over flower. not very pleasant eh?:wink:

    I wondered if you'd noticed any difference in your joints?

    (((hugs)))

    Iris x
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning my lovelies

    DD, Did you do your stabbing last night?

    No change in my joints as yet, I think it will be after I have the 2nd infusion I'll notice a difference, hopefully! :)

    I'm off to renew my blue badge today and get my monthly carrier bag full of meds at the chemist, how exciting is that?

    Have a good day

    Janie xx
  • roses1
    roses1 Member Posts: 1,850
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Janie,


    You sound better! I am so glad your feeling more human like :D


    hope you had a good day :D


    Rose x