Rituximab infusion

Teapot

I have had a very bad flare of my rheumatoid arthritis which went in for over 3 weeks. I inject 15mg methotrexate once a week which I have been topping up with paracetamol because if the bad flare. I have cocodamol but try not to take strong med because of constipation and bad piles. I had a consultant appoint this week and he said the methotrexate was not enough but increasing it would cause a nausea which is why I am on low dose. Other meds and injections have not worked for me either. He suggested Rituximab infusion. After blood tests as long as I pass them it would be a 6 hour infusion and then 2 weeks later a 2 hour session.he said this could last over a year but I would still keep taking methotrexate. He gave me a steroid injection which has definitely helped with the flare. I am have bloods done on 16 April so will then hear from nurse with a date. Has anyone else had this infusion that can give me info as to what to expect and did it work. I am 79 and have had RA for many years. Thank you for reading this long post . Hope you are all keeping well.

PJoanne

Hello @Teapot

I found this on the VA website : https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/rituximab/ , it is well worth a read. I don't have experience of this, so hopefully there will be a response from someone who has soon.

All the best Joanne

Teapot

Thank you for this and it does give a lot of info. As you say hopefully there is a member who is using this. I am waiting for blood tests to see if I am suitable but must admit I am a bit nervous about the infusion. Thanks again for replying