I have no idea if it's "worked" or "helped" me at all :-/ feel about the same. But this could just be because I haven't had much. Yes please keep us posted about how your first time goes!

@A MyLupusTeam Member It was accurate for me. I received mine at Cedar's Sinai with Dr. Daniel Wallace. Perhaps they have different methods and expectations.

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A MyLupus...

@A MyLupusTeam Member I don't know if this is accurate... I just saw my doctor a few days ago and he said it appears the rituxan has been helping me (from lab numbers). I've only had 2 infusions, neither of which were full doses and more recently than 16 weeks ago (see my previous explanation). I am actually holding off on the rituxan because of the 2 bad reactions I had the second time I got it and because I have mystery hives that come and go, the doctor is worried about giving it to me again if I'm showing signs of an allergic reaction to something.

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A MyLupus...

Honest answer time:

I started Rituxon infusions ~ 3 weeks ago. The first session went well. They did the infusion slowly and did not give me a full dose (I am quite small right now, I don't think they wanted to give too much). It took a few hours but went very smoothly, no reactions or anything. The next day I had some "flu like symptoms" but was told this is normal.

I went for my second infusion 2 weeks after the first infusion. They were planning on giving me a full dose at a faster rate, but still not at the "rapid" rate of 90 minutes. Within the first 15 minutes of the infusion starting I was short of breath and turned bright red. They pumped me full of steroids and Benadryl and got me stable. After I was stable they restarted the infusion but at a SUPER slow rate. 15 minutes into that I started showing the symptoms of rigors (uncontrollable shaking, my Raynaud's appeared) and they pumped me full of more steroids and Demerol. Needless to say they did not continue with any more Rituxon that day.

Just know that the nurses know what they are doing and will jump into action immediately if you do show any signs of an adverse reaction! But there's a good chance everything will go smoothly too :)

Remember all that Rituxan takes about 16 weeks to feel the effects! And then it should last 6-9 months.