Hang in there! I know it's discouraging, especially after seeing immediate improvement, but it takes at least two weeks to kill off the B-cells, which is why they space the infusions 2 weeks apart. In a twisted sense, I was fortunate to have had no expectations, because I had been off RA drugs, only on prednisone and pain meds for 4 months prior to starting Rituxan, so for me, it was business as usual. I have no idea why you'd feel worse, but RA leaves us all guessing. Are you worse than you were before your 1st infusion?

I'll be thinking about you, wishing for the very best.

doug

Thanks Doug:
Yes I think I am worse because I had to stop the Humira which was the injection I took every other weak, so now I think that is out of my system and the Rituxan hasn't kicked in yet. I am thinking about taking a bit more prednisone for a few days and then wean myself off. Its just one week from today till the next infusion but if this is how I will be then its gonna be a LOOOOOOONG week! Thanks for your support!! Elaine

I would do the same thing. Did the same, thing, actually. I was at a maintenance dose of 20 mg, and didn't begin to taper again until the Rituxan kicked in. When I had a subsequent "gap" after the 2nd treatment, I went back up to 10 mg, and then to 20 mg, and finally began my last taper when it kicked in again.

When you do start getting substantial benefit from Rituxan, take special note of how you feel and if you start getting symptoms again, and keep your doctor apprised. It's apparently not unusual for there to be some up and downs.

Best wishes,
doug

My normal dose is only 5 mg, but when I go up to 20 for a few days it really makes a difference....At least it will give me some relief

{{{{HUGS}}}

ELT,
BE CAREFUL! Darvocet has tylenol in it and you are also on mtx. This could be a toxic combo on your liver. I have worked liver transplant and have seen first hand accidental overdose. I would caution anyone on mtx on regular tylenol usage. If you're not on mtx and your LFTs are normal, then no more than 4000mg a day of tylenol. You can do a lot of damage in a critically short time.
I mean no offense, I've just seen horrible things happen with tylenol. I have told many patients that tylenol is the safest drug on the market when used as directed yet can be the most dangerous drug on the market if not.
I hope you're feeling better soon!
Ciao,
Flip

hope you get better soon. hugs, deby

so sorry you are feeling so poorly. All the best to you that your meds kick in soon and have you feeling better!

I sympathize totally. I had to go off my biologic for 2 weeks for surgery last year, and the pain was incredible. To say nothing of the RA nodule on my throat. I had forgotten how bad this disease feels. I couldn't take any anti-inflammatories, because it would prevent the bone from fusing - except it didn't fuse anyway.

Hope the new meds work well, and this will be a fading memory soon.

Thinking of you and hoping the new med will kick in soon and help you to feel much better.
Gentle hugs

I hope you start feeling better soon. Hugs to you!

We'll all be thinking of you! Hang in there!
Sue

I hope you feel better soon.

Thanx to every one. This morning I took 20 mg of Prednisone instead of 5 mg and this evening I feel a bit better. So I will stay here for 2 or 3 days and wean my self down. Next infusion is Thursday so I am hoping that things will start looking up. Thank you all for your support, and Flip, I took no tylenol this am just Darvocet 2 times today. THank you for your concern.

ELT, glad you're having a better day. I hope I didn't come across negative, just concerned..... I've just seen so many oversights with this otherwise safe drug!
Take care!
Flip