Dry skin/mouth Bendamustine/Rituxan

Lori
As of today I’m headed back to the chemo unit with a watchful eye.

Good luck and fingers crossed everything goes smoothly this time. I don’t really believe in luck but hey, everything helps, right? ☺️
Let me know how it goes! Hugs.

Hi @rod54…how’d that chemo session work out for you this time? Feeling ok and no surprises?

Hi Lori
I did have all the chemo therapy this time, had a high BP and HR. I have an appointment with the cardiovascular/Oncology department for further evaluation.
The plan is to continue with my regimen.
Feeling good.
Thank you for asking.

I am about to start the Rituxen immunotherapy and have absolutely no idea what to expect, any knowledge of this would be greatly appreciated
In addition while doing this do I bring something to eat with me? Is my husband allowed in with me etc? Thanks Teri

Welcome to Connect, Teri. @tphearts It can be frightening to start a new therapy when you don’t have a clue what to expect. The fact that you’re getting Rituxan means you’ve already gotten a diagnosis that has you overwhelmed, right? We’ll talk more about that in a bit. Right now, let’s get you started on the Rituxan experience.

This infusion usually takes place in an infusion center in a clinic. There are cushy recliner chairs, either in a larger room with separation curtains or a private room.
Yes, for sure your husband can go along with you. Just so you know these infusions, especially the first one, can take several hours. You may find it’s easier if he drops you off and comes back later to get you.
Take along an activity bag with an iPad, phone, books, hand crafts, food, drinks. Anything to keep you content for a couple hours. (Don’t hesitate to take your chargers along too if you need one.) Often the centers will have snacks, juice, coffee and water available too. And there’s usually a television.
The IV’s are also portable so you’ll be able to get up and walk around or use the bathroom while you’re receiving the drip. It’s all pretty comfortable and the IV isn’t painful.

The first visit can take a while because the drip will be administered slowly to avoid a reaction. I just want to alert you to the fact that most people have a mild reaction to the drip. It’s very common. I had one too, with a weird sensation near my throat. The nurse was right there to add benadryl or a steroid product to the IV which stopped the reaction. Then the drip was slowed even more. From my experience and from others who have shared their stories, this is pretty much a one-time event and doesn’t happen with subsequent IVs.
Teri, if you don’t mind my asking, what is the reason for your Rituximab infusions?

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
I have Lupus and Sarcoidosis for years and been on hydroxychloroquine
The lymphoma is new I will have a couple radiation treatments in between since I already have a compromised immune system I did not know if I would have a worse reaction?

Lori if you don’t mind me asking is it normal to have panic attacks? I have never been a person to have had panic attacks but am getting them frequently now. I was fitted for the mask for the radiation and when it was snapped down and I couldn’t move I had a major panic attack I hyperventilated now I am afraid it will happen again during the radiation I have anxiety thinking about it

Good morning! Hello Teri and a big hug and long overdue hello to Lori!

Teri, my husband had five rounds of Rituxan a year ago. Lori, can you believe it has been a year already?

He also had bendustamine with 4 of those rounds. I wanted to add to the possible reaction of the Rituxan. One of the symptoms of a possible reaction is getting cold. Val did get cold on his first round but nothing overwhelming. It was his second round where he got very cold, and oddly enough, his mid back started to hurt. They stopped his treatment, gave him the magic elixir and within 20 minutes he was back on track. He never had another reaction. Yes, apparently this is pretty normal and definitely routine for the nurses.

Because he was on both bendamustine and Rituxan it's difficult for me to say which one caused the side effects that he did have. All in all, he tolerated his treatments very well and I hope that you will too. As Lori knows from our previous writings, Mr. Crabby Pants did very well during his treatments. Crabby Pants because he couldn't eat rare steak, sushi, and some of the no-no's that he loves. His main side effect was fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. He had to stop treatment one session early because of his low white cell counts but he and his hematologist were in agreement that would be fine as the treatment was successful and his PET CT showed no evidence of disease. As Lori would say "he is unremarkable". He did have dry skin and an added strange "possible" side effect, that has been studied in Rituxan, and that is five squamous cell carcinomas on his forearm. All good now.

Val isn't a "typist" nor a big communicator so it's always me here. If you have any other questions please ask and I'll interpret for him. 🙂

Sending you good healing thoughts!

Sheri

@tphearts, I just want to make sure you see this reply by @valandsheri about using Rituximab. As you can see you just gained a new family. We’re all here to support you.

Oh my gosh, Sheri, I can’t believe it’s been a year already. That’s crazy! I’m so happy Mr Crabby Pants is back to his jovial self!! While no one looks forward to these treatments, they can work wonders! ☺️ Thank you for helping out Teri! Hi to Val for me.