I take Rituxan.  I am doing very well with it. I take a little bit more than most because I also have had lymphoma. I am currently symptom free from the RA.

Many times I have taken it and I had no side effects. This last time I got a headache and a balance issue. I have had this balance issue before (unrelated to the Rituxan). It just seemed to make it worse.

My latest bloodwork showed a decrease in globulin -just slightly below the lower limit. So I think I will wait a bit longer before I take it again so that can come back up.

The thing about Rituxan is that it takes a long time to get the full effect the first time. Thereafter, it works better and quicker each time.

I have had RA for 20 years. In 2007 I was worse than I have ever been. Sed rate 92, c-reactive protein 1.9. Because of the lymphoma there were limited drugs I could take.

I took the Rituxan in April 2007. My c-reactive protein came down to normal in about 3 months. But, my sed rate did not get to normal (below 20) until 6 months. It lasted all of one month and went up to the low 30s. I took more Rituxan in Feb. 2008. This time I was normal by May and stayed that way. We then went ahead and gave me more in Sept. 2008. I still have no inflammation.

Since July c-reactive protein is undetectable and sed rate is 10 or below.

The hard part about Rituxan is the question of when to retreat.

Another board member, Nikkilynn, had it in June 2007 (had RA for 9 years and no relief) and has been good since then without taking any more.

Some other board members take have taken it more frequently than 6 months.

So everyone is different.

More and more is being learned about the best way to use it.

If the other drugs aren't working, Rituxan is definately worth a shot.

One other warning is that some people are allergic to it and have a reaction during the infusion. Different than other drugs, with Rituxan the reaction gets less with each treatment rather than worse.

Judy

Start 1989, DX RA 1994 On Rituxan, plaquenil, mobic, minocycline- In remission.

I think it's really nice that you're helping your brother in this way.