katdex's Rituximab History

katdex: Sex: F; Data Quality: 3 stars; NMO : 4 yrs; Type: Relapsing NMO; Left Eye : moderate; Right Eye : severe; Sensation : moderate; Overall : severe; Swallowing : moderate; Arms : moderate; Legs : severe; Bladder/Bowel : moderate; Spinal Cord : severe

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katdex's Rituximab is for:

katdex's Rituximab History (Ongoing)
1000 mg Every 3 months Oct 15, 2009 - Last Update

Evaluations
Date	Dosage	Neuromyelitis Optica Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Nov 22, 2011	1000 mg Every 3 months	?
Jun 02, 2010	1000 mg Every 3 months

Date: Nov 22, 2011
Advice & Tips: I was diagnosed with NMO in October of 2009, and began chemotherapy using Rituximab almost immediately. The treatments were VERY hard on my body, and I almost invariably had alarming cardiac/respiratory crises with every session. As stated in my previous evaluation of this drug, it reached a point where the drug was so hard on me that my doctor (and my anesthetist parents) stopped treatment after my treatment in June of 2010. My husband and I moved from South Carolina to North Carolina in October of 2011, where I met with several new doctors in the Asheville area. My new hemotologist convinced me that he could administer my treatments without causing the issues I'd previously experienced. I conceded, and to my surprise, he lived up to his claim immensely. He infused the same drug in the same dosage, but with a totally different method. My side effects (both during treatment and after) were minimized greatly - I had NO cardiac/pulmonary crises, and my recuperation time was cut in half. My opinion on this treatment has improved by leaps and bounds. That being said, however, it is still a VERY powerful drug, and should be used with extreme caution - and only if you have exhausted the less dangerous treatments available.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Jun 02, 2010
Advice & Tips: If you take Rituxan, be VERY aware of the strength of this drug, and of the possible side effects. Also consider that NMO in itself causes a great deal of fatigue and weakness, and that the Rituxan exacerbates these effects 100-fold. I deteriorated very quickly neurologically speaking, so much so that my parents (who are CRNAs) were truly afraid I would not survive the last treatment. Just be cautious, and be sure your body is physically strong enough to endure such risky treatment.