I am surprised your doctor did not tell you. My first infusion set it took 3 months to the day to feel the effects. I was on prednisone the whole time, gained a huge amount of weight, and had to wean off the cortisone for a month.

The good news is after several years on the drug, it actually took immediately this round. So don't give up. I don't know why it takes so long, but it does. Hoping it works for you.

Hi Jenna, we are on almost the exact same meds. I started Rituxan January of this year with much protest on my part due to the possible side effects that could occur and it just seemed like a stronger biologic. Since I have been through so many of the other biologics and they have topped working, I decided to give Rituxan a try. With the 1st set of Rituxan I had to go back in 4 months to the Rheumatologist because I was uncomfortable, in pain every night and taking Tramadol. The doctor changed me to MTX and took away the Arava and kept me on Plaquenil which I have been on for many years. I had my second set of Rituxan a little earlier and that was in July - August, so I got the second set a month earlier which can be done. So far I am okay with occasional stiffness, but can deal with it with elevating my legs when I come home and whirlpool tub therapy which I have in my home and Tramadol as needed. So far Rituxan seems to be working. For each person it depends so if your doctor did say how long it would take it would be an estimate. For some the medication can kick in sooner than for others. Please give us feedback on how you are doing. What other biologics have you been on as usually Rituxan is used further than the road after other biologics have been gone through.

It took a couple of months for the first two treatments to get good results, but after that, it's been continually good, not perfect, but close enough. No side-side effects, major or minor. Be patient. I don't know anyone (nor does my rheumy) anyone who has immediate results. Maybe you won't feel the huge jolt, since you're taking those other drugs. Good luck.

I've been on Rituxan off and on for at least 4 years. It's worked better for me than any other biologic I've tried. I don't remember how long it took to work after my first infusion. Now it kicks in within a couple of weeks and lasts for about 3 months. I get it every 6 months. This is the only drug that gives me relief. I really haven't had many side effects from it. I'm tired the day of the infusions but that is more likely from the benadryl.

this was a really helpful thread to read for a "non-responder"like me.it's hard to hold on to hope when you've literally taken every med out there.i just finished my 3rd dose of actemera and see NO results.should keep going with it?

peppyest - How many doses does your doctor say to try? I tried Orencia for 9 treatments because it was supposed to work after 8. It didn't work and I switched back to Rituxan.

Kendra, you said you "switched back to Rituxan." Why did you switch off Rituxan to orencia, and how long were you on Rituxan before you switched to Orencia, or whatever drugs you were on between Rituxan doses?

I agree with Kendra's question. What does the doctor say? It can take a while for these things to kick in. I have a friend who is doing well on Actemra. Her doctors started her at "half dose" and kept her there for a while (sorry, I'[m not sure how long), before moving her to a full dose. Don't know what was going on there, but maybe check with your rheumy, peppyrest, about dose.

Kendra, when you say that the Rituxan lasts you for 3 months, how do you handle the other three months until you are able to receive the next dose?

shielap - I switched from Rituxan to Orencia because I was only seeing improvements for 3 months after each course of infusions. So I had to wait 3 more months of those improvements slowly going away before getting another infusion. I was on Rituxan for about 2 years before trying Orencia. Orencia didn't work at all and I needed some relief so I went back to Rituxan.

Christine - The other 3 months seemed to be terrible when they were happening. Since I tried Orencia and saw no relief I realize that I had enough relief from Rituxan to make it worth taking. The first 3 months I feel great. I wear heels occasionally, I am able to walk more, and I can use a can opener without much pain. The other 3 months are those things slowly going away. I no longer feel like I can wear heels and I need help with the other things. I realized that I am doing better than I would be if I wasn't on Rituxan at all. Without Rituxan I would have never felt like I could do those things in the first place. I get through those 3 months waiting for the next treatment and taking naproxen when I need it as well as my normal methotrexate.

Thanks Kendra, the reason i asked is because the first dose set i received only held me for four months. I was so stiff that I could barely move and my legs hurt. I called my doctor and went in and they worked out a schedule so I could receive the Rituxan one month earlier and that helped. so far a little pain here and there especially when I stand up too long. I just take my Tramdol when I can and rest. What else can we do?

I had my first rituxan infusion Monday. Tuesday I felt great. Today I feel awful. I feel nauseous, my legs feel weird and I have fluid in my feet, knees and hands (fear of fluid buildup made me very reluctant to do this). Anyone have any experience with this and will it go away. Right now I really don't want to do the second infusion.

Again great helpful posts from you all...I did go ahead and had the 4th Actemera infusion even tho I wasn't seeing any results with the previous 3.I'm now wondering if I should try the Rituxan again ,I only
took one dose of it.My choice.I got sick and stayed sick for 3wks after the first dose.I was never really sure if it was the rituxan or not.
At this point alot of pain,desperate to taper prednisone and willing to try just about anything that would beat down the RA.Thx,Kathy

Today I think I have a flare up as all my joints hurt more than in 2 years don't know if it's related to the rituxan or not

Happy thanksgiving everyone

It's been 10 days since my first rituxan infusion and I hav been feeling awful- joint pain, muscle pain, tinnitus, generally not feeling well- I really am afraid to get the 2nd infusion- anyone else have this reaction don't know what to