Lupus Support Group
Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.
I was officially diagnosed with Lupus today but have known for years that it was a likely possibility. I'm starting Plaquenil tomorrow but was also given information about Rituximab and asked to consider it. My main issue is I have chronic neutropenia and there is a chance this could help it (although no guarantee). I'm not really a textbook case for Lupus or for the typical patient who would use this med but am wondering if anyone has used this medication to help bring up their white blood cell count? Pros/cons? My mom came to the appointment with me and wants me to go through with this treatment. I don't have to decide anything immediately, my issues have been ongoing for quite awhile and relatively stable all things considered but trying to get different opinions and experiences and do my own research before I commit to a decision either way. It will be months before I can do it even if I want to as will have to go through an approval process for funding.
I went through a course of Retuximab Infusions, together with Cortocosteroid-Infusions in 2008, two years after I was diagnosed with end stage kidneyi failure.in connection with a severe MCTD-SLE-flare-up caused by the onset of menaupause.
My problem with Retuximab and Corticosteroids was, that I also suffer from severe drug-intoleerance and many allergies and the Retuximab infusions, together with the Corticosteroid Infusions made myready existing flare-up even worse and it took me a few years to recover from the bad effects it had on my body.
Mind you, my body reacted only so badly to the Retuximab because I suffer from severe drug-Intolerance and many allergies.
At the same time another lady sI knew, suffering from SLE/MCTD, underwent the same treatment and the Retuximab- and Cortocosteroid-Infusions improved her quality of life a lot and she even went in for more treatment of the beneficial treatment hen the effects of her Retuximab-Corticosteroid-Infusions had worn off.
What I am saying, is that the same disease affects different patients with different results. One person's poison is another person's best medicine. It all depends how your body takes to it.
I do hope you find more information from other people and I do wish you the best of luck, Kristina..