I have been trying to get approved for a month now. My insurance keeps rejecting. Mine is BCBSNJ, who is yours? I'd love to know what supporting documentation they used since Rituxan is a off label drug. As for the Cellcept, I've used it for a year, plan is to keep using it even if we do the Rituxan. Check out all the conversations about Rituxan, many of our regulars have used it. Good Luck, you have a lot to deal with as a young lady. BTW, even us "older" folks get frightened with some of those possible side effects!

I just had a Rituxan infusion Monday. Had five in 2006 and four a couple years later. Have three to go this time. Have had no side effects. I get 130 cc Solumedrol infusion, Tylenol and Benedryl just before the Rituxin infusion. It works for me and I hope it does for you too. Good luck!

@ircaptbob i have an illinois medical card for insurance. I am thinking since I am lucky enough to get the approval I should go ahead with the infusion. I realize all medications can have very intimidating warning labels. If I only read the bad part, I probably wouldn't take any. Which would be ideal. I hope one day not to have to take anything.

I'm sure you were surprised when things moved so fast and you were expecting a little more conversation before treatment decisions were made. I do think your doctor wouldn't have moved ahead without thinking that was absolutely the right treatment path for you. If it were me, I would move ahead since you are approved.

IRCAPTBOB - It might not be your insurance company as much as your employers policy. I used to work in the BCBS system and we have hundreds and hundreds of different policies we administered. The employer picked the level of coverage they wanted to offer. If you company has an "independant" policy, the terms might be even more strict.

I know Rituxan isn't approved for treatment of myositis and that might be the kicker for you. I've also heard the manufacturer offers grants to patients that insurance won't pay or they can't pay. Perhaps have your doctor check that route.

@lexisgirl-I do believe I will be opting to take the infusions. I have an appointment on the 22nd. I am taking that to ask my questions and reach my final conclusion.

i totally agree w/you lexisgirl about employer health insurance. i work for coventry health care & it is really important to review your health plan & coverages because employers can knit pick the little details if they want to.

good luck w/your appointment rave713. it's great that you're bringing all your questions. i pray things go really well for you!

Just an update-Decided to at least try Cellcept. I have heard some people say they have done well with it. Doctor really couldn't give me a definitive answer as to what I should take. I figure I can at least try this step and if it doesn't work out go on for the infustions.

Good luck. I hope the cellcept works really well for you with no side effects!

@rave713..Cellcept not so bad. Took it for > 2 years w/little problems. Biggest problem is supposed to be diarrhea. I had opposite problems (steriods over rode cellcept). Also best on empty stomach so timing can get hairy and it's alot pills/big ones too.

Hope infusion went well!! Lately, i'll try just about anything. All the side effects suck and to be perfectly honest...think the odds are equally bad for them all (infection wise).

I'm on Cellcept with little side effects. I've lost a lot of hair, but I had VERY thick hair, so I'm ok with it. Otherwise I had no issues with it. I take 2000mg a day and it's not working without a little pred, so they might up the dose. 3000 mg a day is the max a person can take.

NOTE: My pharmacist told me that taking Mycophenolate (Cellcept) with calium will lower the effects of the Mycophenolate. My dr confirmed. Take Cellcept in the am, and Calium in the afternoon. :)