Glad the Oncologist seems both knowledgeable and hopeful. Do you feel less rattled about your initial blood tests and the possibilities? These meds we take are no joke. They make one thing better but mess up three others.

How is your well?

I liked him and all the staff. He really took his time with me and explained everything simply but without treating me like a child. I do feel good. It makes sense that if my #s were ok before, ya know? Well completed yesterday - praise God- but power screwed up on pump. Resolved this morning! Should be drinkable by tomorrow - woot!

I had a reaction to infliximab, where my all my blood counts took a dive. Actually, I had a reaction 2 separate times. The first time, I broke out in hives, my primary care doc ordered the blood tests, that caused concern. WBC was 1.5, neutriphils were way low. I had a bone marrow biopsy that was negative, and since I had another drug introduced after the infliximab, the team of "wise" doctors decided that was the culprit. Very soon after I restarted infliximab, I developed a fever of 103.5, and took a trip to ER. My WBC was low and ultimately dropped to 0.5. ABN was low. Can't remember the clinical number, but I remember calculating that I must have had 2 neutriphils. Six days in hospital, neupogen injections to boost my neutriphils, massive IV antibiotics and steroids, and that episode ended well. My rheumatologist concluded that all anti-TNF drugs were similar enough that I stood a chance of having the same reaction, so straight to Rituxan.

Sorry, I forgot to add that the diagnosis was drug-induced bone marrow suppression.

Holy Crap Joline! 6 days in hospital??? I would lose my mind. I've not gotten sick since RA and been warned with this low ABN to be even MORE careful as there's nothing in me to fight infections. Even to be careful with small scratches and open bug bites, etc. Postponing my next tattoo was a no-brainer. Is Rituxan infused, pill or self-injectable?

Rituxan is infused, 2 infusionsseprated by 2 weeks, given on 4, 5 or 6 month cycles. I'm at 5 months. It comes with pre-meds (benedryl, solumedrol and tylenol, which I'm told help most people avoid infusion reactions. I've never had any problems, but know of others who have.

I've gone for years barely thinking about thinking about RA, because Rituxan has been so good. I develop flare-like symptoms after 5 months, which is why I'm on the cycle. However, today, I had a long drive to see another doctor, whose office is down the hall from my Rheumatologist. I did some shopping, then had a brutal drive home, in the sun, with backed up traffic, afraid to overheat my car by turning on the AC. By the time I got home, after 1 3/4 hours, I ached in virtually every joint, almost like my early days of RA. The irony is that I stopped in my Rheumatologist's office to bring up the topic of scheduling my next infusion. The scary part to me is that it's only been 3 months since my last infusion. I have no plan B if Rituxan fails me.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

I pray it is the Enbrel

How are you doing Susie? Hope everything is okay. Been recovering from elbow surgery so have not been posting.

Having some almost good days and some bad days being on no meds at all. Just waiting for next blood draw to see where we are (end of July).

Good luck Susie, hope it clears up!

Maybe it will be smoldering like mine. My blood work got better when I lost 30 pounds dieting, really surprised the oncologist.

Well I've lost 40 since labor day. No more. I feel better, but it hadn't changed my bloodwork at all.