Rituximab

It's been a while. For a long time, I just didn't feel like doing anything--even something so simple as getting on the Internet and blogging. I finished the round of plasmapheresis I'm April using the new permacath, but my body was so traumatized from the incident that I didnt feel any kind of functional difference from the round of plasma exchange. After about a month, I was finally about to sleep again, but it was a long several weeks. When the time came for another round of plasma exchange, I was met with resistance from both the local doctors and the insurance company...it took 2 weeks to get the ball rolling again. But here I am now--I just finished my 9th round of plasmapheresis treatments on Monday, and I'm feeling pretty good. With the new clinical trial medicine, and my body being free of the destructive antibodies, I'm better than I've been for months. I go up and down so fast, though. I've only felt good for about 4 days now, but I'm so grateful for the reprieve. I know, however, how temporary it is. The antibodies regenerate fully in about 3 weeks, so if I feel decent for a couple of weeks, I'll be lucky. So, in an attempt to stop the antibody reproduction, I am starting a new therapy today--Rituximab. The purpose of this drug is to kill the B cells which produce the harmful antibody. It is as chemotherapy commonly used to treat lymphoma, but I've been assured that it is mild--I should not expect the usual "chemotherapy" side effects. I've been here in the chemo room for 1.5 hours, and have been told not to expect to leave for another 5 hours...if all goes well. If this therapy is effective and I can tolerate it, I will take it once a week for 4 weeks, then I'll stop for many months--until I need it again. This, in conjunction with the the 3,4 DAP is my best bet for any kind of cessation of symptoms. If this works, I should feel better in a month. And while I know that sounds like a long time to wait, considering the 3 years I've been looking for answers, it seems a small price to pay--IF I can feel better and begin life again. I'm hesitant to get my hopes up too high--it seems that I'm always disappointed when I dare to hope that a new medicine or treatment will produce positive results...but I guess that's all there is in life--hope for a better future. N So, here's hoping.....