@teammayo1 I’m away from my computer right now but I have calming answers for you, I promise!! I’ll be back in about an hour.

You’ve got this and have more strength than you know!! So, schedule the appointment. Face things head on and the rest you’ll deal with one day at a time. Deep calming breaths in the meantime. Hugs, Lori! ☺️

@teammayo1 I took the opportunity to scan back through your previous postings so that I had some information about your lung condition, Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis which is an autoimmune disease.
My goodness, you’ve been through the wringer with this condition! Anything to do with lessening the severity and avoiding those lavage treatments would make a good argument to try the Rituximab.

It’s a very commonly used medication for a host of autoimmune reactions in our bodies. I know, reading all the disclaimers of some of these meds is scary berries. Drug companies are required to list all possible side effects, when in reality, the greater majority of the population has no negative side effects at all. The benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to saving a life.

Because Rituximab is an immunosuppressant, it may increase your risk of illness. So in my opinion, just keep practicing similar good health practices that you did during Covid to keep safe. You don’t have to self isolate, just use caution. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections, wash your hands often, wear a mask when in groups of people who haven’t been vaccinated, etc.. So in essence, nothing will change from what you’ve probably been doing all along. ☺️

Really, from my experience, I walked out of the clinic each time with nothing but a sore bum from sitting. My infusions for “R” were once per week for 4 weeks. But my situation was much different than yours so don’t base your infusion sessions on mine. I honestly had no side effects at all and it did the job of calming the B-cells from attacking my spinal cord.
Is yours a one-time treatment for the 8 hours? Or do you have other sessions?
It may be repeated in the future as this lasts several months in the body.

Also, have a list of questions for the nurse practitioner who will see you before your infusion and also ask the RN’s who administer the Rituximab. They’re your best source of information regarding your treatment plan.

Have I MORE than answered your questions? 😉
Please feel free to ask anything…

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Now, more information if you’re interested…cuz this is all ‘stuff’ I learned in my complicated immune system journey! LOL

In a large nutshell, our immune systems are comprised of components with the sole job to “seek and destroy” potential invaders.
Antigens are molecules that ride on the backs of the invaders and trigger an immune response as soon as they are recognized by the B-cells.
However, the B-cells in our blood can also produce antibodies to antigens that are ON OUR OWN cells or, autoantibodies, and this can be a component of various autoimmune diseases.

In rides Rituximab to the rescue! It specifically suppresses the overly excited B-cell creation and keeps them in control so that they aren’t responding as aggressively to the antigens causing the issue. In this case, your PAP. There are studies showing a good response, after several months, in helping with the symptoms of PAP. It reduces the inflammation causing your auto-immune reaction.