Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I had my second Rituxan infusion 3 wks ago tomorrow.I had also
started MTX at about the same time frame.I've tried MTX in the past
and it caused sinusitis etc every time.I thought I'd give it the good
fight and try MTX again as I know it's used in combo with the Rituxan
but I was wary...for good reason.The day after the infusion I had a
low grade temp ,malaise...felt awful.Things got worse and I then started in with nasty sinusitis symptoms.I finished a course of antibiotics and
am left with these lingering symptoms...new & different headache,
eyes ache,new & worsened fatigue,maliase...no temp now.
I think that maybe my immediate symptoms were side effects but
clearly other things kicked in.I have a history of sinusitis,so that didn't
surprise me.What worries me now is that I may have rebooted some
stealth virus ,bacteria or something.it's just as if someone flipped a
switch after the Rituxan/MTX. and I'm not kicking this .Have an appt
with Rheummy Dr tomorrow but don't expect much.My WBC's are always elevated,been for yrs and I'm told it's the prednisone...now my Platelets
are on the high end of normal and that just seems to get thrown in the
basket with the high WBC's.I have a history of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.,I'm 20 yrs out from that so not really worried about relapse.
My intuition leans more toward chronic infection which has possibly
been reactivated.We all know Rheummys don't go THERE so will
be curious what input I get from him tomorrow.Any input?
Thanks and Take care,Kathy
started MTX at about the same time frame.I've tried MTX in the past
and it caused sinusitis etc every time.I thought I'd give it the good
fight and try MTX again as I know it's used in combo with the Rituxan
but I was wary...for good reason.The day after the infusion I had a
low grade temp ,malaise...felt awful.Things got worse and I then started in with nasty sinusitis symptoms.I finished a course of antibiotics and
am left with these lingering symptoms...new & different headache,
eyes ache,new & worsened fatigue,maliase...no temp now.
I think that maybe my immediate symptoms were side effects but
clearly other things kicked in.I have a history of sinusitis,so that didn't
surprise me.What worries me now is that I may have rebooted some
stealth virus ,bacteria or something.it's just as if someone flipped a
switch after the Rituxan/MTX. and I'm not kicking this .Have an appt
with Rheummy Dr tomorrow but don't expect much.My WBC's are always elevated,been for yrs and I'm told it's the prednisone...now my Platelets
are on the high end of normal and that just seems to get thrown in the
basket with the high WBC's.I have a history of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.,I'm 20 yrs out from that so not really worried about relapse.
My intuition leans more toward chronic infection which has possibly
been reactivated.We all know Rheummys don't go THERE so will
be curious what input I get from him tomorrow.Any input?
Thanks and Take care,Kathy
But don't get shingles. Those meds don't work with a suppressed auto immune system. I hate to pull a sharon on you, but taking zinc stopped most of my infections. You may be past that point at this time. But I thought I was too.
Sometimes it really is about building up the health of the body, and not blaming everything on RA or meds. But I don't process food well, so for me vitamins and minerals were an answer to prayer for infections. But not for RA, Sigh!
ABX...augmentin this time...he said I wasn't on the ABX long enough
for the sinusitis.I think he's right...I've heard about the zinc thing
before.Is there a specific dose you're on?take care,Kathy
I have round 2 of rituxan this friday and other than getting a bit hyper from the large amount of prednisone that I was premedicated with no problems at all. Infact, unlike you I actually felt almost euphoric the first few days after the first treatment. I was told that was the prednisone not the rituxan.
Good luck with your next go round and keep u posted of your progress. marcia