Hello Papamark, I have been on Rituxan for a couple years,have not had issues with hand cramping. Have you tried wearing gloves? There are times when driving on longer trips will cause hand issues and I find the gloves helpful. Mowing the lawn tends to REALLY hurt my hands, and, again, the gloves help.

Have you switched to Rituxan from another DMARD? Muscle cramps are not a common side effect associated with Rituxan - so it could be that what you were on previously was more effective in treating your RA.

Welcome Papamark -

Let me start by I do not take nor have I been any of the biologics as yet - may have to as time goes on, but really don't want to - probably just being thick headed -

Hand cramps - oh yeah. Foot cramps - yes sir. I spoke to all 4 doctors and after much advice, etc. I started eating a banana a day. Now keep in mind, I don't like 'um, but it helped so I keep doing it.

When the cramps were really bad, we bought 2 pair of DreamTime Cozys for our hands and a pair for my feet. You pitch them into the microwave for a minute or so, they get hot, ya tak'um out and wear like mittens (I like watching Downton Abbey with them on)

Hope you find what ya need for relief.

Be well
Bluedogs2

The hand cramps may not be a side effect of the med but if you are on a lot of different meds like I am you need to have your magnesium, potassium and B12 levels checked.

I was eating a banana a day and swore by it for a long time. Then when it stopped working looked up some facts on the meds I take and found that nexium (Non RA med) depletes the body of magnesium and B12 over time with long time usage. I added both of those to my morning meds (lowest doses available) and my levels are now fine when checked..

You can try the lowest dosage of magnesium to see if that helps but check with your doctor to have the levels in your blood checked before you take too many supplements. Supplements are fine in moderation but I have seen too many people do more damage to their health with popping them like candy..

Buddhacat - perhaps I should have clarified better. Rituximab is considered to be a biologic DMARD - some call it a biologic - whatever term you wish to use, but in the long run it is a drug that is disease-modifying. Either way, I apologize, I should have added "biologic." I also should have clarified what I meant by if switching drugs was the cause of hand cramping. If hand cramping hasn't been present before, it could be that it is showing up because the Rituximab is not as effective, for this particular patient, as prior treatment, allowing for more signs and symptoms of RA to manifest. The efficacy of drugs all vary from person to person. It was just a suggestion to consider. As far as hand cramping not being a common side effect, it's not common. I didn't say not possible, just not common, and it would be best to explore the possibilities with a rheumatologist. Again, I should have specified. My apologies for any confusion. I didn't mean any offense at all.

Chances are, you have what I have...trigger fingers in your hands. Basically, tendinitis in the palm tendons that cause the fingers to involuntarily pull inward and then you can't get them back out. RA thing. You can have the tendinitis in the back of the hands as well that make the fingers snap outward as well.

A few cortisone shots will help. Call your doc.

hugs..........Jen

Thanks to all of you wonderful people out there I knew if I asked informational people I would get real good information from people that are in the same boat as I am. I have done or tried some of the things suggested, But there are some I need to try But thanks for the answers you gave me