Thanks Doug for the clarification.

What Doug says! And, nope, no nausea or GI issues that I can connect with Rituxan.

Well here I am just 10 days out from my first infusion.And according to Doug that is another 7 weeks till I start feel better. Once again I feel like crap today, Insomnia again last night , ankle foot, wrist and finger pain. If I had to go to work today I don't think I could, but even if its Saturday I still have to do the laundry, grocery shopping and run after the grand kids. I counted my prednisone pills and I am not due for a refill till October and I don't have enough to ramp it up myself or I will run out before the refill is due. I wonder sometimes how my husband puts up with me...another Saturday morning and I am on the sofa crying....I am so hoping that I start getting some relief. 10 days till we leave for vacation....Please please please let me feel better!

Hey Elaine,

I thought you already had your 2nd infusion. Actually, I didn't tell you that you'd feel better after 10 weeks. I said it took a full 2 months for me to start getting good benefits. That's counting from the 1st infusion. I wish I could give everyone guarantees, but we're all different. I hope you get relief much more quickly than I did.

If you need a refil for a prescription, call your doctor. If you're thinking of ramping up your prednisone dose, make sure you check with your doc. Some people have reported that they get "Medrol dose packs," which give an extra boost of steroids for a short period, like a vacation. Maybe ask your doc about that.

Sorry you're feeling so loust, and I hope you get through this quickly and more easily.

doug

Elaine,
I sure do hope you're feeling better soon, it's been a rough week here as well. Keep up the faith and hope that things will improve. Take care and get some rest!
Rosanne

Hi Elaine:
So sorry that you are hurting. Pain seems to make days into weeks and weeks into months. Give yourself permission to do whatever it takes to be more comfortable but, please, speak to your doctor about pain meds and prednisone. You sound like you are feeling "guilty" for being human. If your husband is a reasonable man, he does not "put up" with you. He loves you and wants you to be pain free, too. Try not to take on more guilt than you already have!!! Flares can disappear as quickly as they came. Hoping that you can enjoy your vacation.
And, Flipstrips!! I just read your blurb. TRIPLETS!!
That's enough to make ME want to go back to bed for a long, long nap! My hat is off to you! They are sure to get those endorphins flowing!

Its 10 days since the 2nd dose of my first round of Retuxan...I felt so good immediately after I was just hoping that it would stick with me. I guess its just one of those days that I am feeling sorry for my self.

2 weeks since I completed the first series of 2 Rituxan infusions. Maybe I feel a little better but I still take my darvocet for pain first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Off to the beach on Tuesday and I sure hope I don't get any worse than I am now...Waiting and hoping it really starts kicking in. I see my Rhuemy on September 1st.

Have a wonderful time at the beach.. Do what you can and leave the rest!

Elaine,
Hope you're enjoying the beach. I did my 2nd infusion on Wednesday and man was I wiped out, thank God I had friends to take care of the babies when I got home as well. It kicked my butt! I think my pain improved a little bit, but I am pretty fatigued. No reaction this time. Too early to tell the response.
Take care and we'll keep up the communication
Rosanne

Elaine, Hope your getaway to the beach is a restful and happy time for you. I am getting aboard the rituxan train in Septemeber. I have to wait 30 days til the Orencia is out of my system. Also, my rheumie wants to do some specific blood test she normally doesn't do.

Hope you feel better soon. marcia

4 weeks out from my Retuxan infusion, still waiting for some relief. Went to the beach and had to pop my Darvocet to keep going!!! I see my doc next week.