CIDP – Rituxan treatment?
-
-
AnonymousMay 28, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I seem to remember that some-one (or more) wrote about successful treatment of CIDP using Rituxan alone and\or combined with some other medication. This was on the “old” forum sometime between January this year and the hacking of the forum.
It would be very nice if that\those person(s) could retell his\her\their story(ies), because it is important information since so few are yet to get this option.
Hopefully
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 5:40 am
Hi, Allaug.
DocDavid used Rituxan and it worked wonders for him (he said: ‘It arrested my CIDP and the Americans are using it a lot. I wrote it up in “Practical Neurology” August 2005’), and there’s a comment on one of the threads on the UK forums that says that Eric Vance had good success with it as well.
DocDavid also had a write-up on it in [I]Reaching Out[/I] No. 55, Winter 2004. I’ll need to sort out copyright, but if possible I’ll scan the text and post it on the UK forum.
Deb
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 9:04 am
[QUOTE=eightplusfive]DocDavid also had a write-up on it in [I]Reaching Out[/I] No. 55, Winter 2004. I’ll need to sort out copyright, but if possible I’ll scan the text and post it on the UK forum.
Deb[/QUOTE]
I do have that text as a pdf file including a picture of DocDavid walking his daughter down the aisle. I could e-mail it to you,. Last year someone on the German GBS forum asked me to translate it into German. It was published in their quarterly magazine. No idea how they dealt with copyright.It took me a few months to realize that the person in the article was the same as our DocDvid. I told him about it then on the UK forum.
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 9:33 am
Yes, thank you, Norb;) and Deb – but I think I know all there is to know about DocDave’s recovery.
What I’m after is to find out if there are more cases like him, and to hear their story – like Eric Vance for instance – on what indications they got Rtuxan, and, of course Norb, how they paid for it. I don’t remember if EV is British, American or what, but the economic question is easier solved in the UK than in the US, so experiences in this regard is of more interest with CIDP’ers from the States.
I really hope this thread will get some answers:)
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 10:24 am
Allaug, I asked Eric a few months ago how he managed to receive Rituxan and how he paid for it. He sent me an e-mail in April telling me that his neurologist fought with his insurance company, BlueCross Blueshield, for over a year. They denied it because it was not approved by the FDA for CIDP. His oncologist then mentioned a program called SPOC (Single Point of Contact Reimbursement) with the drug company. He contacted the company and was approved for a one time initial treatment since he met all the criteria.
I wrote to the drug company over a month ago asking about this program. I have not heard from them yet.
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Hi, Allaug.
I wasn’t sure you had seen DocDavid’s thing in [I]Reaching Out[/I] since it was a couple of years ago, and I couldn’t recall if David had put the same info on the forums or not–my mind’s not as good as it used to be (I keep blaming that on the CIDP, since it couldn’t have anything to do with my getting older:D).
At any rate, I checked Eric’s Web site ([url]www.ericvance.net)[/url], and couldn’t find anything specific about Rituxan.
And now, back to those with answers!
Deb
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 3:02 pm
sorry to have been out of touch for so long.
Yes, I am continuing to have improvements with the Rituxan. next infusion this friday, 2 June 2006, i think it’ll be the eighth.
Details of the financial aspects are as stated above. fought insurance for around a year. finally approved by SPOC, mysteriously approved by insurance 1 week later. never have been sure why/how that happened.
rituxan schedule was 1 infusion each week for 4 weeks from mid august 2005 through mid september 2005.
stopped all IVIG treatments (was on twice/week schedule) when we began the rituxan.
began really getting worse within 2 weeks so we went back to once weekly IVIG at the beginning of september 2005.
saw neuro 2 weeks after the last rituxan infusion and i was still losing ground.
went to 3 times/2 weeks IVIG schedule.
just before holidays i realized i was getting much stronger although i was on a less frequent IVIG schedule than before rituxan.
oncologist and neuro convinced rituxan is working, saw oncologist again in early december 2005 when he put me on a rituxan infusion every 2 months schedule (that would have been the 5th infusion in december).
neurologist drops IVIG back to once weekly.
rituxan infusion february 2006 (6th infusion).
rituxan infusion april 2006 (7th infuxion).
awaiting this friday’s infusion which will be the eighth.
so far, around 7 to 10 days post rituxan infusion i begin to feel stronger. i continue to gain strength for about one to two weeks and then hold steady until next rituxan infusion (so far).
that’s about it i guess -
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Thank you, Eric, very informative!
You mention an oncologist – that’s a cancer specialist, isn’t it? As far as I know, CIDP isn’t usually connected with any form of cancer, except perhaps when you are dx’ed as having MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Uncertain Significance) too.
Is this the case with you, or is the oncologist there for other reasons?
If you please, I might have other question later.
Norb, If I were in your situation, I would have called this SPOC, if it’s possible, and asked if they had received my letter, and what had been done about it so far – but then I’m not the patient patient type!:mad:
Good luck:)
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Allaug, when we discussed Rituxan, my neurologist referred me to an oncologist/hemotologist. She told me that only an oncologist , a cancer doctor, could prescribe Rituxan, at least here in Colorado. It is considered chemotherapy and only approved for non-Hodgins lymphoma and some other cancerous diseases like Waldenströms macroglobulinemia. He checked for both and ruled them out. However, the blood tests did show a very small amount of monoclonal antibodies suspected to be MGUS – in addition to the PDN. But it probably wasn’t sufficient to justify the high cost of Rituxan.
You are right, I should get off the pot and call the company.:o
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I had cidp symptoms that became worse over the years. The IVIG/cellcept treatment I was on for years was no longer working. I went through the same insurance fight as Eric, but luckily they didn’t take as long to approve Rituxan.
I was unable to walk without help, and the atrophy in my hands and feet was also getting worse. I took my initial Rituxan once a week for four weeks, and then every 2 months maintanence dose thereafter. I felt improvement after the first week and by the fourth week i was walking again. That was a year ago or longer, and so far I have not lost ground except for the time I got pneumonia and the cidp kicked in to high gear.
btw, rituxan is much less expensive than ivig longterm in my case. One would think insurance companies would jump at the chance to stop paying for ivig.
-
AnonymousMay 30, 2006 at 2:38 pm
John, how very nice to hear that Rituxan has worked so succesfully for you!:)
But I have some questions:
Do you still have some symptoms left?
Do you still get Rituxan every second month?
Have any of your doctors ever told you what might cause your CIDP?No wonder your CIDP kicked into high gear when you had pneumonia, because your immune system produced a lot of (mildly put) cells and\or protein that trigger the CIDP when it fought the pneumonia. The same thing happened to me once when I got food poisoning.:eek:
I have a hunch that many more CIDP’ers might benefit from medications like Rituxan, Cellcept and Cyclosporine if the doctors bothered to have a cell-count performed. If the immune system has an abnormal number of B-cells, Rituxan might be the answer, if there is too many T-cells the two others might help. Of course things might not be as uncomplicated as this, but for some, maybe it is.
And, of course, you are SO right about what is most expencive in the long run! The insurance business would save a lot of money if they opened their eyes and started calculating with some new numbers!:p
All the best
-
AnonymousMay 30, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Yes the symptoms for me now are the atrophy and constant fatigue. I have permanent distal weakness due to the atrophy. I did have slight reflexes in my knees a week ago for the first time since 1996. I do not know if this means I am getting better, but maybe just not getting any worse. Either way I am happy.
The doctors have offered no cause for my cidp. The thing I heard that makes the most sense to me is this: autoimmune diseases are hereditary. Not necessarily the same autoimmune disease, but autoimmune disease in general.
I had strept throat during a very stressful time in my life. At this time I noticed the very tips of my pinkies were numb. So, likely the illness and the stress together worked on my predisposed immune system to give me cidp. Thats my theory anyhow.
I am still getting my Rituxan every 2 months as a maintenance dose. My neuro feels that this is necessary as do I. I dont know if I stopped the Rituxan if I would be okay or not. I will not let a doctor or anyone else gamble with what I have left as far as useable healthy nerves and muscle.
I asked about the B cell count and the oncologist told me that would be a very complicated test (probably expensive and they couldnt get reimbursed for it). They take counts of red and white, and both are normal and undisturbed with Rituxan.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask, and I will give you any information I have.
John
-
AnonymousMay 31, 2006 at 10:30 am
[QUOTE=JohnC] The thing I heard that makes the most sense to me is this: autoimmune diseases are hereditary. Not necessarily the same autoimmune disease, but autoimmune disease in general. [/QUOTE]
John, one theory I found in the medical literature about auto-immune diseases is called molecular mimicry with a genetic predisposition present. It is pretty complicated but I’ll try to explain it: When our immune system looks at a foreign intruder (antigen), a microorganism or even immunization, it only looks at a small part of the long chain of amino acids. What part gets looked at depends on our genetic makeup. Since there are only 20 different amino acids that can be used as building blocks by the intruder as well as our own body, it is possible that one section of the intruder, the one that gets looked at, is identical to our myelin. And bingo, auto-immune disease starts provided it gets missed by another self-protection that is built into our immune-system (that part I don’t really understand yet).There has been a lot of research in this area. For example, researchers have been able to induce an auto-immune disease (encephalomyelitis) in rabbits by injecting them with parts of the hepatitis B virus which shares a section of just six amino acids with myelin.
I am attaching a simplified picture that illustrates it. On the left you see the antigen with a sequence of 5 building blocks and on the right is the myelin with 5. The sequence for both is different. But if you look at the middle part, the part that gets looked at, it is the same on both sides.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/Autoimmunity.jpg[/IMG]
-
AnonymousMay 31, 2006 at 11:29 am
Allaug,
Yes, the oncologist is the one who has to be in charge of administering the rituxan. Since rituxan was originally developed for non-hodgkins lymphoma and oncologists are more experienced at giving it, I guess they would rather have the oncologists administer it. 🙂
-
AnonymousMay 31, 2006 at 4:00 pm
John, Glad I was clear enough. Sometimes I get carried away, you know.
What I forgot to point out is this: There have to be at least two or three conditions for an autoimmune disease: Heredity alone is not enough. In addition there has to be a trigger like a virus infection and a malfunction of our immune system that stands on guard and destroys anything directed against our own body. The article doesn’t mention that last part, I believe. That is mentioned in another article in the book: “How the immune system recognizes the body”. -
AnonymousJune 1, 2006 at 11:39 am
[QUOTE=Allaug]Norb, If I were in your situation, I would have called this SPOC, if it’s possible, and asked if they had received my letter, and what had been done about it so far – but then I’m not the patient patient type!:mad:
Good luck:)[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Allaug, for kicking me in the butt. I just called Genentech and got the information I needed on their Single Point of Contact Reimbursement program. I need to go back to the oncologist or find another one willing to precribe it and get involved in this program. They gave me a special website that explains it all. I printed out many pages to take to the oncologist.Basically, they don’t give you Rituxan for free. They assist you or your doctor in obtaining reimbursement through your own insurance or, if that fails, through some charitable organization. This is what I believe happened in Eric’s case. His BCBS insurance company ended up paying.
The site is: [url]www.spoconline.com[/url]
-
AnonymousJune 1, 2006 at 5:24 pm
How nice to hear you’re “on the road” again, Norb! I’m crossing fingers and toes and everything crossable for you!
I’ll have to get back to the scientific stuff at a later point, it’s past midnight and I have “Delight” to share on the UK forum. Do I see you there again soon?
-
AnonymousJune 1, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Allaug,
My experience with Cidp/MGUS and Rituxan is this:
I was diagnosed in June of 2004. My neuro began with Plasmapheresis and it helped a wee bit with strength. I heard from one of the Posters about his experience with Rituxan. I asked my neuro whether I could try it. He had never heard of it for my dx but he was willing to ask the oncologist. Subsequently I was treated with infusions once a week for four weeks with the intention I would get another series in six months. However, in six months I had moved from MD to IL and my currrent neuro would not refer me for treatment since I am holding and not worse. Upon stopping plamapheresis I began to lose ground. At that time I was put on Prednisone 80 mg. which picked me up well. I have been gradually and slowly tapered off of it.Over a period of time now I have not deteriorated and have some sensory return as to temperature and feeling (pin prick) in my feet and lower legs which I did not have before.
Recently I saw a new oncologist for the MGUS oversight. She has heard of the Rituxan and is willing to do some research on the study that was running at NIH. If there are positive results, she will talk to the neuro and hopefully I can get the second series.
Thanks for asking your question. I, too, was hoping to hear from more folks who have tried Rituxan.
Peace,
Pat -
AnonymousJune 2, 2006 at 9:11 am
John, here is some more food for thought: Remember I mentioned earlier that they found that the hepatitis B virus shares a sequence of six amino acids with myelin. After writing that I remembered that I heard from a number of people on this and other forums that they either had hep B or had received vaccinations against, myself included, before they came down with GBS/CIDP. Coincidence? I don’t know. I suspect hep B is not the only one that has something in common with myelin given that there are only 20 different building blocks, i.e. amino acids.
-
AnonymousJune 2, 2006 at 10:52 am
Norb, I can not remember exactly, but I had some sort of immunization about a month before coming down with the symptoms. The Hep B thing sounds very familiar to me. I will try to get my medical records from the doctor that gave me the immunization. I am betting that I had a hep b vaccine.
-
AnonymousJune 7, 2006 at 9:36 am
I’m sorry it’s been a while, but I tried to check out something that suddenly seemed to confuse me concerning MGUS. I thought that the monoclonality referred to me having an abnormal number of B-cells that produced the IgM which is the culprit in my and Norbert’s case. When I was treated – 4 Rituxan infusions 28 days apart combined with 70mg Fludarabine orally for five days each time – this would kill off the surplus B-cells and ths also reduce the IgM that was “eating away” on my myelin sheat.
I must have read something somewhere that made me think that perhaps the monoclonality referred to the high level of IgM, and I sent an e-mail to Pam Sherwood, who is an immunologist, and asked, but her answer really made me no wiser.:confused:
I really wonder what makes Rituxan work for CIDP-patients, because as long as my dx was CIDP there was no mentioning of Rituxan as a possible treatment. It’s so good to hear that there are people who have benefitted from Rituxan when it comes to treating CIDP too, but we have to know a lot more before Rituxan can be a usual part of CIDP treatment. Perhaps if a lot of CIDP’ers wrote to the company that makes the drug and tell them there might be apossible new marked for Rituxan, they would do som research in the field!
-
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Hi Allaug,
I cannot reply from experience, but as a caretaker of a daughter w/cidp, I research this topic in anticipation of future treatments to discuss w/neurologist.
I really wonder what makes Rituxan work for CIDP-patients, …… but we have to know a lot more before Rituxan can be a usual part of CIDP treatment.
Here’s a link to Neurology Journal containing the full article discussion of Rituxan/CIDP that you might like to take with you, next time you see Doc. It is one of several (sorry – don’t have links readily available atm).
[url]http://jnnp.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/74/4/485[/url]
Also, I came across a drug company that is actively working to patent a compound drug specifically for CIDP. Ceptor claims to develope drugs exclusively for orphan diseases, and has CIDP in their lineup. May be worth keeping an eye on.
[url]http://www.ceptorcorp.com/[/url]
One more thing – I don’t understand much about MGUS / igM, but I had saved some info – mabe it is of use to you or Norb. I found it on the FDA site while looking for gbs/cidp.Therapeutic Exchange Plasma Collection of plasma from patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre and who have developed high titers of IgM antibody to Cytomegalovirus Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City
4040 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
License 0302cd
-
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Thank you very much, CD, for the interesting links.:)
I was, and I think Norb too, especially grateful for the first link. I have read the abstract earlier, but haven’t had access to the whole text. I didn’t take time to read it all before writing this, but as far as I know from the abstract, this is research concerning Rituxan treatment for what Norb and I suffer from:antiMAG IgM PDN, which has most symptoms in common with CIDP, but has a more closely defined cause.
The Ceptorcorp site was very interesting, and gave more than just a glimmer of hope to those who suffer from CIDP.
All the best to you and you daughter
-
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for the links from me, too, CD. Actually, the test indicating a high level of antiMAG IgM in my blood was done at the lab at the Department of Neurology at Washington U. This department is headed by Dr. Pestronk, the principal author of the journal article.
While Allaug was able to get Rituxan in Norway, here in the US I’ve run into a wall so far. Rituxan here is only approved by the FDA for nonHodgkin’s lymphoma and similar malignant diseases. My insurance company, Aetna, considers it experimental for CIDP and won’t approve it.
IVIG and steroids have not helped me much but I have not given up. I probably will see another oncologist willing to prescribe Rituxan as a medical necessity. Another route I mentioned on this thread earlier is to work with the Rituxan manufacturer directly. A third one is my effort to get the US Department of Labor in Washington to accept my claim under Workers’ Comp since my CIDP started while a federal employee as Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. They rejected it earlier because they had no record of my complaint about numbness in my feet.
This morning I filed for an appeal hearing submitting a sworn statement asserting that my current neuropathy started in 2001 in Thailand. I am hoping that it might be easier to get the right treatment through them instead of a private insurance company. If accepted I’ll probably be the first CIDP patient ever under Workers’ Comp.
-
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 6:57 pm
[QUOTE=Allaug] I thought that the monoclonality referred to me having an abnormal number of B-cells that produced the IgM which is the culprit in my and Norbert’s case. [/QUOTE]
Allaug, I am still pondering what you said. Didn’t have much time to really think about it yet. We just returned to our house in Ft. Collins yesterday for a five day retreat from babysitting in Denver and the unusual heat wave. Sleeping in a partitioned garage without windows in 38 Celsius (100F) isn’t much fun. Here we have airconditioning. -
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Allaug, here are my first thoughts. I think I did this before. Under normal circumstances, an antigen stimulates our immune system to generate [b]several different[/b] antibodies matching different sections of the amino acid chains of the antigen presented to them by (I think) macrophages via an MHC molecule. The structure of MHC differs from person to person, hence our genetic predisposition for CIDP or PDN.
Each of these antibodies comes from a different B-cell. I don’t know how it is possible to determine that a particular group of antibodies goes together and thus make a determination that they are [b]polyclonal[/b]. That may be a question for Threads.
Now, if there is a malignancy, just one single B-cell may get out of control and proliferate creating large amounts of monoclonal antibodies. My thinking is that in our case, antiMAG IgM neuropathy, there was an immune reaction to an antigen at one time, possibly a bacteria because they are the ones usually targeted initially by IgM rather than IgG. The immune system started to create a group of [b]polyclonal [/b] IgM antibodies. Only one particular one out of the group attaches to MAG. It still cannot be called [b]monoclonal[/b].
-
AnonymousJune 8, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Allaug, here are my first thoughts. I think I did this before. Under normal circumstances, an antigen stimulates our immune system to generate [b]several different[/b] antibodies matching different sections of the protein chains of the antigen. Each of these antibodies comes from a different B-cell. I don’t know how it is possible to determine that this group of antibodies goes together and thus make a deterrmination that they are [b]polyclonal[/b]. That may be a question for Threads.
Now, if there is a malignancy, just one single B-cell may get out of control and proliferate creating large amounts of monoclonal antibodies. My thinking is that in our case, antiMAG IgM neuropathy, there was an immune reaction to an antigen at one time, most likely a bacteria because they are the onres usually targeted by IgM. The immune system started to create a group of polyclonal antibodies. One of them attaches to MAG. It still cannot be called [b]monoclonal[/b].
-
AnonymousJune 9, 2006 at 5:44 am
It’s still puzzling me, Norb.
At one point, up until recently, in fact, I saw it this way: For one reason or another (not important here), my B-cells started to clone themselves i.e. making exact copies in a cancerous way. My haematologist said I could say that I had “a non-agressive cancer”. Monoclonal – the M in MGUS – means that all the cells have the same nucleus. The B-cells produce, among other things, the antigen IgM, which in my case has the flaw that it marks a protein in my myelin sheat (“nerve-isolation”) like it marks a virus or bacteria (antibody) for the macrophags (“killer-cells”) to take care of.
An abnormal number of B-cells produce an abnormal amount of IgM – an IgM spike – which marks the protein (MyelinAssociated Glycoprotein = MAG) all the time, so the macrophags has been attacking my myelin constantly, destroying it slowly but surely until I ended up with very CIDP-like symptoms. This is called Proteinaemic Demyilinizing Neuropathy. So my diagnose makes sense:”antiMAG IgM PDN”.
But from somewhere I got the impression that the IgM cells were the monoclonal ones. :confused: :confused:
Rituxan takes out the B-cells, and it has helped me enormously, but as far as I know does nothing regarding the IgM, so that’s why I don’t understand how the IgM could be the monoclonality?What do you say, Norb – or anyone?
Couriously:rolleyes:
-
AnonymousJune 9, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Allaug, all different types of antibodies, IgG, IgM etc are produced by mature B-cells, also called plasma cells. Rituxan takes out [b]all[/b] B-cells thus reducing the number of IgM antibodies including the autoantibodies eating our myelin. Strangely enough, according to the article by Pestronk, IgG antibodies are not reduced. Therefore we are still protected against infections.
I think the excessive “cancerous” antibodies produced by MGUS are [B]not[/B] the same as the antiMAG IgM antibodies attacking the MAG portion of the myelin sheath. The US in MGUS means “uncertain significance”, in other words we don’t know what it does. I’ve been diagnosed with minor MGUS [b]in addition[/b] to the antiMAG IgM neuropathy. To have antiMAG IgM’s does not mean these are monoclonal. Out of a range of polyclonal IgM there is one that happens to like our MAG.
In fact, a monoclonal antibody in the serum, also called M-component (M for myeloma) does not necessarily indicate that a person has a cancerous condition like multiple myeloma. The M-component appears in people’s serum as they age. It is also called benign monoclonal gammopathy. (From “Case studies in Immunology” by Rosen-Geha)
I also remembered again – seeing it in this book – how we can tell polyclonal from monoclonal antibodies. Polyclonal immunoglobulin shows up as a smear in electrophoresis. Monoclonal ones show up as a tight band. In the attached picture on the left shows normal serum, on the right a monoclonal IgG band of a person with multiple myeloma.
BTW, in my previous post I was wondering how it is posssible to identify which polyclonal antibodies in one cluster of antibodies directed against a particular antigen belong together. I now realize that this cannot be done with simple methods like electrophoresis.
Hope this helps and doesn’t cause more confusion.
-
AnonymousJune 9, 2006 at 7:50 pm
After I added the previous post, I came up with another puzzling question.
My blood tests show that I do not have any monoclonal antibodies. However I do have a significantly larger amount of IgM antibodies (twice). A large number of these react to MAG (myelin associated glycoprotein), hence my diagnosis of antiMAG IgM neuropathy, also called PDN. Now, presumably, my immune system at one point reacted to an intruder, an antigen (virus, bacteria, immunization) and started producing a series – let’s say 100 – of differently shaped antibodies, each one targeting a different segment of that same antigen. One of the 100 happened to match the shape of the MAG. Bingo, my CIDP (PDN) started. Eventually my immune system must have gotten rid of the intruder, the antigen. Unfortunately, the MAG on the myelin is always there – at least for a while and my immune system eagerly continues producing the antiMAG IgM antibodies.
My puzzling question is what happened to the other 99 kinds of IgM antibodies? There is no longer any use for them. But they apparently continue being produced or else the antiMAG IgM would show up as monoclonal – or not?
Confusing? It is to me. Allaug, where is Threads?
-
AnonymousJune 10, 2006 at 7:38 am
Threads is Pam, the immunologist, I have her e-mail address, and I don’t think she’ll mind if you wrote her directly. Send me a mail if you’d like her address, Norb:)
It seems that what you and I have in common concerning our dx, is the “twisted” IgM. The reason for the overproduction of this antigen is different, and one should think that the IgM that is faulty in me is another than the one in you, and this might not be so strange, since you know there are so many IgM’s. Perhaps that’s the reason why your motoric nerves are attacked, while “my” IgM destroys mostly sensoric nerves.:(
-
AnonymousJune 10, 2006 at 11:55 pm
This post is way above my head, also so much of the time I was at my very worst back in 2002 it was actually my husband listening more than me. But at Mayo where I was inpatient for 3 months after my very rapid decline, I remember having so many tests (bone marrow biopsies twice, nerve root biopsy which was actually a surgery on my back to remove spinal nerve roots, sural nerve root biopsy) all done just so they could rule out lymphoma & leukemia.
When I switched care to the U of M after Mayo said they had exhausted all treatments (PP, IVIG, & steroids), I did ask my new neuro about rituxan. I remember him talking all about the B-cells vs. the T-cells, & he said that rituxan would not work for me. Then he proceeded to give me the large dose cytoxan protocol. I am very happy that it arrested my CIDP, but often wonder if the damage done those first 9 months would have been less had I been given this protcol much sooner.
But I was given PP, IVIG, & steroids all within the first 3 months, PP right away in April while I was still fully functional, & IVIG once I has had deteriorated to a wheelchair. Why is it that some seem to suffer axonally damage so quickly, & others just myelin sheathe damage, even though their nerves can be attacked over & over again? I think I knew from the very beginning that my damage would be axonal, even though all of the neuros at Mayo were telling me that I would get back to normal. I guess only we truly know what we are feeling?
Also, given a choice I would much rather have sensory damage as opposed to motor damage. I never minded being “numb” from the neck down, it is the lack of strength that I mind the most. Also, I assume the fatigue would be much less with sensory damage?
Pam -
AnonymousJune 11, 2006 at 10:28 am
Hello Pam, sorry you had to go through all this. I was wondering what your experience was with the cytoxan. Besides the rituxan, this seems to be the only other option vailable to me. IVIG and steroids just didn’t do it for me. So far I am very hesitant to agree to the cytoxan because I am afraid that the side effects are worse than the disease itself.
I don’t have a clue why some people tend to have more sensory and others more axonal damage. All I know is that my variant, antiMAG IgM neuropathy, also called PDN, tends to be primarily sensory, progressing slowly. It doesn’t attack the myelin directly but MAG, a protein associated with myelin. From there the myelin gets damaged. How I don’t know. After five years of sensory damage, only this year am I experiencing the first motor impairment, so far not really serious. But if they can’t find a way to arrest the progression, I am afraid I’ll also end up in a wheelchair.
an ex-Minnesotan
P.S. what did you think of the neurology department at the Mayo clinic? We’ve been to Rochester several times but never inside Mayo.
-
AnonymousJune 11, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Norbert,
I guess technically I was at St. Mary’s Hospital, which is affiliated with the Mayo Clini. But all of my neurologists were from the Mayo Clinic. I was not all that impressed, as I saw mostly interns at the hospital, although I did see my main neuro at like 5:30 every morning. After having seen Dr. Gareth Parry at the U of M I would never go back yo the Mayo Clinic. They are very good at diagnosing, but very conservative at treatments, at least for CIDP.The last neuro I saw there basically told me there was nothing more they could do for me & that the nerve destruction would just keep progressing & eventually I would die when it went into my diaphragm & lungs. It was Dr. Parry who put me on the cytoxan protcol & I really had no side effects. For me it was no different than the 44 IVIGs I had already sat through weekly.
If you want details, just send me a private email.
Pam -
AnonymousJune 13, 2006 at 5:20 am
Dear friends, it is good to be back. I have been a little off colour in hospital intensive care for 8 weeks, all due to complications of kidney failure. I own the copyright of both articles please feel free to post them up if they are of any interest to others. DocDavid
PS how do I add my avatar?
-
AnonymousJune 13, 2006 at 10:55 am
[QUOTE=DavidBod] feel free to post them up if they are of any interest to others. DocDavid [/QUOTE]
DocDavid, glad you are back. Since I have your article in pdf format, I thought it would be easiest if I copied it to my site and give the link here. It is totally separate ferom my website. Hope this is OK with you.
[url]http://www.bluemarble.de/GBS_CIDP/DocDavid_Rituxan.pdf[/url]
-
AnonymousJune 13, 2006 at 10:58 am
[QUOTE=DavidBod] feel free to post them up if they are of any interest to others. DocDavid [/QUOTE]
DocDavid, glad you are back. Since I have your article in pdf format, I thought it would be easiest if I copied it to my site and give the link here. It is totally separate from my website. Hope this is OK with you and the others on this forum.
[url]http://www.bluemarble.de/GBS_CIDP/DocDavid_Rituxan.pdf[/url]
-
AnonymousJune 14, 2006 at 11:23 am
When I was going through it these also were on Rituxan
John Crambes Tullahoma, Tennessee. 1999 Drug firm pay.
Connie Connor Massecheusets
Fweng Chapel Hill. IgG MGUS . ANAN 1:160
ShellyW Rio Rancho. New Mexico. Dr. Ronnie Garner Albuquerque. New Mexico
KathyC Illinois. Dr Ronnie Garner.
Tona Huiner
I have not heard from them lately and can only hope the improved suffiently to leave the forum. DocDavid -
AnonymousJune 14, 2006 at 2:56 pm
I am still here doc. Glad to see you back. The only setback I had was when I got pneumonia. The cidp hit me fast and hard during that time. I lost some more hand function in a matter of days that has not returned. Other than that its been pretty steady with the Rituxan infusions every 2 months.
John
-
AnonymousJune 14, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Hi Doc,
I’m still here too. After 8 infusions of Rituxan I am definitely a little stronger. but I am now on Cytoxan, 3rd treatment two weeks ago. I haven’t gotten worse which I’m happy about we are going to try to go 3 weeks between ivig next month.{wish me luck}. I did not have to worry about payment for Rituxan as I joined a trial for the drug. I have lupus also.
connie -
AnonymousJune 14, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Hello , best wishes to all .
I,m both a care giver as my wife has CIDP for more than 20 years and now myself a chronic polyneuropathy , under study. She was one of the first patient to receive IVG in Florida , it took a while to convince the neurologist . She does produce M protein , no sure yet if it is anti Mag
I’m trying to collect as much information as possible on Rituxan , IVG and CIDP , I ‘m reading the reports of Eric, Dr David and others users.
So far none of the local neuroologist are familiar with Rituxan and will not prescribe it, my wife also is afraid as she suffered complications (Acute Renal failure.(Acute tubular necrosis) , But now after 7 hemodyalisis renal function is back to normal…
It was secondary to hemolysis during plasmapheresis , (rare occurrence, really unkown what event cause the breaking of her red blood cells during the plasmapheresis . the renal was not due to the IVG , ) . She use non sucrose (Gamunex) , I trying to convince her to use Rituxan , but we want and pin point thru a neuro panel the type of monoclonal she produce, plan to send the blood to Washington University in St Louis , to Dr Allen Pestronk . There are several articles in the literature about use of Rituximab , Dr Pestronk wrote one of them. If her polyneuropathy is definetly associated with IGM antibodies , and with experience of users and reports in medical literature , then it will be worth a try …I will be back in a few days…
Wonderful people here , and we REALLY need to help each other . Forgive my english , as it is not too good..(As second language) ..lol Juan
. -
AnonymousJune 15, 2006 at 10:19 am
Juan, welcome to the forum. I am sure you”ll find it very helpful. Your English is fine.
As far as I know, there are only two on this forum with antiMAG IgM, Allaug in Norway and I. I was diagnosed with it at Dr. Pestronk’s lab at Washington University last August. I received IVIG’s with only small improvements. I had to stop taking Prednisone two months ago because it had bad side effects. Now I am getting IVIG again. I am still hoping to get Rituxan some day. The main problem with it here in the U.S. it is only approved for cancerous conditions like nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Insurance companies normally will not pay for it and it is difficult to find a doctor who is willing to fight for you. -
AnonymousJune 21, 2006 at 6:04 am
Very quickly, then: One may say that CIDP is the chronic “cousin” of GBS. CIDP stands for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinizing Polyneuropathy. Of course there are a lot to say about the similarities and differences of these two. My illness is another “cousin” of the two others.
-
AnonymousAugust 28, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Greetings,
I have got back to reading this forum as life forced me to concentrate on other things. I have had a chance to read the Rituxan posts tonight and I also have an IgM Lamda form of monoclonal gammopathy. This forum has answered and created more questions for me. I glad I read it.
My Neurologist has directed to my Oncologist that he wants me to take Rituxan, to see if I will benefit from it. I have a bad infection in my left foot and am on IV anti-biotics, that seems to be working. I will have to wait until the infection is eliminated. The Drs. are trying to get the insurance or anyone else to pay for the treatments.
We’ll see what happens…Paul.
-
AnonymousAugust 30, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Just realised that I missed these posts about Rituxan and Norb and Allaug’s discussion and questions about the excess of antibodies and so forth.
We had been in Germany and I returned with another wearing health issue so I missed out on the forums a lot.
Must read some of it again and think!Paul the Pastmaster. Try reading my PDN site at [url]www.pdn-info.co.uk[/url] about neuropathy with monoclonal gammopathy or paraprotein. There are some parts I need to update when I find the time and freedom from pain. That’s been bad recently, inflicted by mini-lows. 2 other neuropathy associates in our area have been similarly affected. Carolyn B described herself as zombified by it! I recognised the accuracy of the description.
-
AnonymousNovember 9, 2006 at 1:59 pm
I just finished a second round of Rituxan – once a week for four weeks.
Now my neurological problems are worse. I don’t remember this happening with my first round. However, at that time I was also on Predinsone. Has anyone who has received Rituxan experienced this exacerbation?
Peace,
Pat -
AnonymousNovember 15, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Hi Everyone,
Sorry to have kept away for so long. I was the first person to try Rituxan through my doctor back in April 2003. I currently receive Rituxan avery 12 weeks. It has kept my symptoms at bay and I have hit a plateau, which I am o.k. with since I can now function at about 92%. During the winter months, I also have IVIG treatments every 6 weeks to keep me from getting all the bugs that circulate at a high school of 2800 students! My first treatment I went into anaphaltic (sp?) shock about 45 minutes into the treatment. It was really scarry, but I got through it and have never had another reaction since. They now give me everything under the sun before the treatment to prevent a reaction. I do not have paraproteinaemia. If I can answer anyones questions, flee free to e-mail me. By the way, the last time I had a treatment the nurse mentioned a new drug called Orencia that targets T-cells.
Shelly -
AnonymousNovember 20, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Dear Shellyw.
Sorry I’ve taken so long in commenting on your post, which I find very interesting. Is more of your story to be found anywhere else on the Net? I would very much like to know how you became the first one to get Rituxan for CIDP.About this new drug Orencia, – is this an option for you? And if so – alongside Rituxan or instead of?
Hope you are quicker in responding than I was:o 😮 !
All the best
-
AnonymousNovember 20, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Shelly, your post got me interested since up to this point I have not been able to get Rituxan because it is not approved for CIDP. I just looked up ORENCIA hoping it might be an alternative for me. What I found out: it is a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, “a biologic that works at the T-cell level, blocking one of the signals that causes a T-cell to become active”.
Because Orencia affects T-cells, it does not appear to be an option for me in my opinion. With my variant of CIDP, antiMAG IgM, my problems are B-cells. “Threads”, an immunologist who used to post on this forum, even was concerned that in my case suppressing T-cells with Prednisone may be counterproductive. There are some types of T-cells, so called T-Suppressor cells, that keep B-cells under control, she explained. Orencia might in the end just have the same effect as Prednisone.
-
AnonymousNovember 21, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Hi Allaug & Norb,
I was diagnoised in June, 2001 with CIDP. After reaching 80mg of Prednisone daily and receiving IVIG treatments without any relief of symptoms that were spriling downhill quickly, my treating doctor began giving my Cytoxan treatments along with the IVIG. It began to turn the disease around, however after 15 months of that grueling regimen my doctor suggested trying Rituxan along with Cellcept. I was hesitant for several months but after becomming depressed about all the time I was spending hooked up to an IV, I decided to try it. I got pneumonia about a year after being on Rituxan and Cellcept. I stopped taking the Cellcept and have not taken it ever since. The Rituxan seems to be keeping me on the up side by itself. (so far, knock on wood!) My doctor is Dr. Ronnie Garner. I believe I saw someone reference him earlier in the post. Norb-maybe the new drug I mentioned earlier is just for rheumotoid arthritis – I was on my way out from a treatment and the nurse mentioned it to me. They treat a lot of people there and she may have thought that’s why I was there. I’ll check into it more for you when I’m there next week and let you know. -
AnonymousNovember 22, 2006 at 10:19 am
I have been missing out on this thread having been distracted by a family death and supporting 2 new CIDP cases, one having a difficult time.
Reading through again I was reminded of an article ‘Management of Inflammatory Neuropathies’ by Dr Robert D M Hadden and Professor Richard A C Hughes of London. It appeared in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2003;74:ii9.
It is online at [url]http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/74/suppl_2/ii9[/url]
Of interest to this thread is:’About 10% of patients with an acquired demyelinating neuropathy have a paraprotein. When a paraprotein is detected, the patient should be investigated with a skeletal survey looking for an isolated plasmacytoma that may be surgically excised, and a bone marrow biopsy looking for myeloma, etc. Treatment of the cause of the paraprotein may improve the neuropathy. Most paraproteins are monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain significance (MGUS), and not usually treated, but the paraprotein concentration should be monitored regularly looking for a rapid rise that may herald malignant transformation. Paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathy is a heterogeneous group of conditions. The following may be distinguished.’
It continues:’The best defined and most common syndrome is a slowly progressive, predominantly sensory neuropathy associated with IgM paraprotein, in which the paraprotein is a monoclonal antibody to myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG). Electron microscopy shows characteristic widely spaced myelin. There is often a postural tremor. The disease usually progresses slowly over years and is rarely disabling. Nerve conduction studies usually show uniform symmetrical conduction slowing and with notably prolonged distal motor latencies. Treatment is difficult. Mild slowly progressive disease is best left untreated. In more severe cases, IVIg has a transient beneficial effect (level 1b evidence). Fludarabine and rituximab have seemed effective in small series of severely affected patients.’
Norb and others we should note: “the paraprotein is a monoclonal antibody to myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG)”. paraprotein/monoclonal gammopathy!:rolleyes: -
AnonymousFebruary 9, 2007 at 4:03 pm
This thread has been dormant for a couple of months, but it seems to be the right time for it to be reawakened.
There is much relevant information here for you, Grant, and perhaps forr other newcomers too.
BTW Norb, when looking through the posts I saw our discussion about where the “clonicity” was – the B-cells or the IgM. Last time I saw my hematologist, he explained to me that the IgM was a protein and thus not consisted of cells, just molecules, so it certainly was the B-cells that cloned themselves – or itself, if you like.
-
AnonymousFebruary 11, 2007 at 9:54 am
During the last six and a half years, my husband John has had PP, 80mgs. prednisone, and Avonex. Last winter, under the care of a new neuro, he started Imuran and IVIG. Small improvements, but in early summer, he started Rituxan…he was able to get it since he also has MGUS. Four treatments, a week apart, then another last month. Skin biopsies and a whole gamut of other studies showed objective improvement with the Rituxan. The oncologist is willing to treat him every 4 months, but neuro wants every 6 months. He also suggests a monthly IVIG as a bolster.
I have to say that John has felt much better, both physically and mentally, since the Rituxan. He still has pain in his feet, but not the excruciating pain he had prior. I hope that more people will be able to benefit from Rituxan.
-
AnonymousFebruary 24, 2007 at 10:22 pm
What side effects did you get from Rituxan? It seems that a lot of ppl are willing to try this drug for CIDP and the ones that already tried it are very happy with the results. My husband had an EMG done on Friday, after 7 months of azathioprine (100mg a day) he can’t show or feel any improvement but he could feel some electric shocks in his lower legs with the EMG which he did not feel 7 months ago. We’ll see the neurologist on Monday for a full report from the EMG and we are thinking to suggest Rituxan. Please it is very important for me to know from your experiences what to expect with Rituxan. thanks for any input
-
AnonymousFebruary 25, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Dear Daniela & Hubby
First round of Rituxan (+fludarabine) made me queazy for a couple of days, after that I had no stomach trouble. My worst side effect was that the nerve-pain, especially in my hands got very much worse from about a couple of hours after the infusions (4 in all – each a month apart), and lasted a few days before going down to normal. Pain is still my worst symptom, but it’s much better – if I remember my Neurontin 4 times 600mg a day – than pre Rituxan.
Good luck to you!
-
AnonymousFebruary 25, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I have had two infusions of rituxan now and experienced some fatigue the following day after each, but no other side effects. A few days after the second infusion I sensed some increase in energy and overall well-being for several days, which was then completely reversed by my regular infusion of IVIG, which completely wiped me out.
My question to those who have received rituxan: Did you continue on IVIG and did you experience any similar problem? This experience is way too limited to draw any conclusions, but it has me a bit concerned. Any thoughts from anyone?
Grant
-
AnonymousMarch 3, 2007 at 1:33 pm
This may be old news for most but for other newbies like myself this may be of interest. Mayo Clinic is conducting clinic trials for patients with neuropathy associated with paraproteinemia(also called MGUS neuropathy). I guess I am not to post web addresses but the info can be found by searching Mayo’s clinicaltrials.edu site. It is IRB Number 1191-04. The rituxan is supplied free of charge. Along this line, has anyone ever posted the cost of rituxan? Is it more than IVIG?
GREAT FORUM!
Morris -
AnonymousMarch 4, 2007 at 9:20 am
[B]Morris[/B], thanks so much for posting the info about the Rituxan trial. I am definetely going to contact Mayo to find out details. I’ve been trying to get Rituxan for some time without success because it is not aprroved for CIDP. I think one of my diagnosis says I have MGUS but I have to wait to check my records as soon as I get back to the US later this week.
-
AnonymousOctober 10, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Hi friends,
This is my first posting to this discussion board so I don’t really know exactly what I am doing. Nevertheless, I’ll give it a try because I would really love to find someone else with the same thing as I have recently been diagnosed with: IgM MGUS. I drew the short straw in the statistic of 1 out of 5 with MGUS having peripheral neuropathy, which was the reason I went to see the doctor in the first place. After about a year of blood tests and EGM tests, etc. they narrowed it down to IgM MGUS.
I can still walk (albeit a bit awkwardly), but I had to give up running. It is in both my feet and hands now.
The hospital has prescribed Rituxan and Roche has agreed to lower the cost a bit. However, Mr Roche will still be able to afford a fine new car after a couple of series of injections. They are quoting about $16,000 less 10% for a one month series of four injections.
First though, the hospital took a blood sample today for the Antimag test (anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein). The results should be available in 3-4 weeks.
I have spoken to the Mayo clinic about a trial they have specifically for this. Surprisingly there are only 6 members in the trial. (I thought these trials were with hundreds of people). There is another trial underway in France, but that is not quite so easy for me to get to (I live in Canada).
I’ve done a lot of research into all of this stuff, along the way thinking I had CIDP or Charcot-Marie Tooth, etc. Other worse self-inflicted diagnoses have guaranteed more than one night without sleep.
The Mayo clinic mentioned people with various stages of neuropathy damage, and I am wondering how bad this can get. At this stage, I have to hold on to the wall when I close my eyes in the shower so as not to fall over. And I am not too good on the roof anymore cleaning the gutters. I fell with a chainsaw in my hand a few weeks ago so my wife stays clear of me when I am cutting wood now. Also, no more water skiing and I almost killed myself trying to skate backwards last winter on the ice.
So….if anyone out there has IgM MGUS, it would be great to share stories and learn as we go.
Good luck to all.
Andrew -
AnonymousOctober 11, 2007 at 11:42 am
Hello Andrew. Welcome to the family. Several of us on the forum have AntiMag IgM including myself. As you probably know, this variant of CIDP ( sometimes called PDN – paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathy ) is a very slowly progressing form.
Mine started with slight numbness in my toes back in 2001. Now, I can no longer drive. I have to use a rollator to walk and balance because my feet are totally numb and there is some numbness up to my knees.
About a year ago, my fingers started going numb too. Today, I can only hold a cup if I use both hands. I drop things all the time. I cannot put caps back on medicine tubes, type, or do any fine motor work at all. For typing, I now use a dictation program called Dragon Naturally Speaking. In addition, my tongue is getting numb.
I’ve been trying to get Rituxan for about 2 years but insurance would not pay because, here in the U.S., it is only approved for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Rheumatoid Arthritis.\
About 2 years ago my neurologist sent me to see an oncologist in Denver to rule out Waldenstroem’s, a slow growing form of lymphoma. This can sometimes be the underlying cause of AntiMAG IgM. Back then, the oncologist could not find enough evidence to confirm it, but suspected that evidence would develop.
Just a few weeks ago, I saw another oncologist here in Fort Collins where I live. After many blood tests, he did a bone marrow biopsy and found lymphoma…not significant enough yet to be Waldenstroem’s, but enough to show that cancer is my underlying culprit. After that, he ordered a PET scan to check for any metastasized cancer.
It came back negative.He was then able to get approval for Rituxan which I will be starting on Monday. I am really hopeful that the treatment will bring an end to my now quickly worsening symptoms. I am aware that there are a number of reports of success with Rituxan but it doesn’t work all the time.
It may be too late for my feet. If the nerve axons are damaged they may or may not grow back. I am hoping that at least my tongue and hands will improve.
So, hope this gives you some information you were looking for. If you want to read more of my story in detail, there is a link below with my signature. Keep us posted about how you are doing.
-
AnonymousOctober 14, 2007 at 11:43 am
[QUOTE=JohnC]The strange thing for me is, I have no MGUS. The rituxan works better for my cidp than any other drug previously taken.[/QUOTE]
John, actually this does not surprise me all that much. Rituxan gets rid of B-cells which in many cidp cases create, when activated, the antibodies which damage the myelin.Since Rituxan is not approved for cidp, there probably are only few or no reports about its effectiveness for this disease. How did you manage to get it?
-
AnonymousOctober 14, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Well, I was in a self funded group insurance plan when I began Rituxan.
Im on medicare now, and they will under no circumstances pay for rituxan for cidp. The reason I was allowed to continue on it is because the makers of rituxan have a program called spoc. The main requirement is you make under 80k a year. No problem there since being on disability. [url]https://www.spoconline.com/spoconline/rituxan/SPOC/index.jsp[/url]
I am not quite sure about if I so easily flipped over to spoc because I have previously taken the medicine and had good results or if they will do it every time a doctor sees potential for the drug off label usage.
edited to say I love my doctors and nurses for many reasons, but maybe the biggest is they never stopped fighting for me when I became bedridden and could no longer walk, or even feed myself.
-
AnonymousOctober 16, 2007 at 6:13 pm
[QUOTE=JohnC] Im on medicare now, and they will under no circumstances pay for rituxan for cidp. elf.[/QUOTE]
I finally received copies of all my medical records yesterday. There I read that my doc actually tried Medicare with my original CIDP diagnosis and they said NO. I also was told that Medicare never pre-appproves anything. If charges are submitted with a non-approved diagnosis they just reject it. Good thing you have found a different way.
Yesterday I had my first Rituxan treatment with the new Medicare approved diagnosis of “B-cell lymphoma” which appears to be the underlying cause of my CIDP with antiMAG IgM. Everything went well, 3 more weekly treatments to come.
-
AnonymousOctober 16, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Norb
Congratulations on the Rituxan treatment! From everything I have read in connection with treatment of MGUS IgM, the drug seems to have positive effects. I also read your web site which was really interesting and informative. Most of all, it highlights to me the need to do things as quickly as possible because there seems to otherwise be no way of stopping the relentless nerve damage and progression of the neuropathy.
I am still leaning towards enrolling in the Mayo clinic trial even though it means almost commuting between Toronto and Minneapolis. It would at least cover two series of injections (approx one year) before I would be subject to costs of about $30,000 per year.
You know all those wonderful things you hear about the medical system in Canada? They are true if you drive drunk headfirst into a wall on a motor cycle…but forget about medication for IgM MGUS.
Let me know what the side effects are like with the Rituxan (if any). I am most interested to hear. Also, how soon you can notice any improvement. Good luck with it, Norb. I sure hope some sensory nerves recover.
Andrew -
AnonymousOctober 17, 2007 at 10:59 am
Andrew, I’m glad you found my website helpful. About the trial at Mayo Clinic, it was my understanding that they’re only looking for patients with MGUS unless they have two trials going on. From another CIDP patient I heard that they only have six patients in the trial. I don’t know how they’re doing this trial but normally half of the patients get the medication and the other half get a placebo. So you never know what you’re going to get. By the way, Mayo Clinic is in Rochester which is about another 1 1/2 hours from Minneapolis.
The treatment with Rituxan on Monday went well. I had no reaction at all during the treatment except the double dose of Benadryl make me sleepy. Only at home did I get a little bit of a temperature and very mild body aches much less than what I often get from IVIG. The next day I felt normal again. There will be three more treatments during the next three weeks. At this point I do not know what the further treatment plan is. I have no idea how long it would take to see improvements if any. Nerves grow back about one millimeter a day. I’m not sure if this also applies to the myelin. It will take a lot of patience during the next weeks and months waiting for results.
-
AnonymousOctober 18, 2007 at 8:08 am
Dear Andrew!
I haven’t been in here for a while, so I haven’t seen you posts until now.
I’m happy (and sorry) to be able to welcome you to our rather exclusive “club”. You might have read some of my posts, so you know perhaps that I was diagnosed with antiMag IGM PDN about three years ago, and got Rituxan\Fludarabin (another chemo) in the spring of 2005. My protocol was a little different from what’s usual in the US – and Canada. I also had four treatments, but 28 days apart. After the last treatment, I started to improve almost at once, but it has been a slow process (I believe, Norb, that myelin grows somewhat faster than the nerve-axion itself), and my motoric disability (walking, hands\arms tremor) have improved fastest and best, while the nerve pain is still there, more managable now, but if I forget my pain-killers (2400mg a day of Neurontin + some extras: paracetamol, codein, amitriptyline) I am really reminded of the fact that my nerves are not healed – yet. I can also have days that are quite painful even if I remember to take all my medication, and then I feel like I’m bruiced all over my body while my hands and feet are burning like h e l l.
Perhaps I should mention that my neurologist does not agree to my diagnose, because he says they haven’t found any antiMag, but my hematologist, who is the one that found out enough to give me the right treatment, says that either the amount of antiMag is too small to show up on the tests, or there is another aspect concerning my IgM that does the damage. He and I agree that the important thing is that when the chemos killed off the huge amount og IgM in my blood, I started to recover almost immediately.
-
AnonymousOctober 18, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Allaug, if the anti-MAG IgM did not show up on tests, do you have any idea how your hematologist determined what you have? My neurologist two years ago had my blood tested for anti-MAG IgM. The titer was 140,000 compared to less than 1500. So there was no doubt about it. I have no idea why she suspected it to begin with. I don’t think the test is routine. Perhaps she based it on the slow progression and the fact that my symptoms were only sensory.
-
AnonymousOctober 19, 2007 at 3:56 pm
The thing about my diagnose was that after having discussed my symptoms with you and “Threads” on the Forum and by e-mail, I found out from among other sites KenS’ homepage on the Internet that what seemed the most obvious diagnose for my condition was antiMAG IgM PDN. I can’t remember what or if my hematologist had mentioned any diagnose, except that my bone-marrow looked very similar to a condition called Cryo-globulinemia (or something like that) and he had treated this illness using Rituxan+Fludarabin, and thought that it might be worth a try to see if he could use the same medication in my case. As you know, his theory worked!
On my first consultation with my hematologist after I had found the diagnose, I asked him “I do have antiMAG IgM PDN, don’t I?”, and he answered “Yes, you do.” Even though my neurologist doesn’t agree, I think the hematologist knows more about these things than him, so I stubbornly stick to my PDN diagnose, especially because when the IgM spike went down after my treatment, my symptoms gradually subsided too!
I can’t wait to hear how your body reacts to Rituxan, Norb, and I wish you all the good luck in the world!:) 🙂 🙂
-
AnonymousOctober 28, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Tomorrow I’m going to have my third Rituxan treatment and the fourth and last one the week after that. Except for a very slight temperature after the first infusion I had no reaction whatsoever. Last week they did a blood analysis and my white blood cell count had not changed at all. I don’t know if that really means anything but I expected it to go down. Rituxan is supposed to get rid of B-cells which make up around 5% of the white blood cells in serum. There is no change in my symptoms so far but I think the myelin needs time to regrow. So I have not given up hope yet.
I wonder if it was a good idea to get the IVIG so close to the Rituxan. The oncologist thought it would give me extra protection against infection but what if it interferes with the Rituxan.
[B]Allaug[/B], somewhere you said that you noticed improvements pretty quickly. Was that after the first of your 4 monthly treatments or after the last one. What was interesting is the fact that you also received Fludarabin at the same time. This seems to be a chemo drug used for B-cell lymphoma which is my diagnosis for the underlying condition.
-
AnonymousOctober 28, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Norb,
I don’t know the reasoning behind who gets rituxan & who gets chemotherapy, but I know that the reason that Dr. Parry prscribed cytoxan (chemotherapy) treatments for my CIDP was to wipe out my immune system. In other words, he kept me on monthly cytoxan infusions until my white blood cell count was down to almost 0. Then we stopped & waited to see if the CIDP was arrested (it was) & then it was a waiting game to see what nerves I would get back.I finished chemo in Sept of 2003 & could feel more strength in my arms & legs by that winter, but didn’t get in to rehab to actually try walking until the summer of 2004. So for me it was very slow. The nice thing is that it was my last treatment of any kind. I was left with residual numbness below the knees, foot drop, lack of balance, & some weakness & numbness in my hands. But I do go out a lot, can drive again, go to water aerobics twice a week. I guess I lead a pretty normal life for someone of 54, but I do need a lot of sleep still, & guess I always will.
I hope your improvement comes faster, as we all know this illness is different for everyone. Best of luck…
Pam -
AnonymousOctober 29, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Norb,
I think that it’s not a coincidence that to be a patient and to be patient is the same word in English;) ! I can’t remember noticing any improvement in my condition until after the last round of medication, and as you say that was more than four months after the initial round, so the drug had had all that time to work on my B-cells. My hematologist who was in charge of my treatment, told me that he had given me Fludarabin too, because he had noticed that this combination gave better results when administered to his Cryoglobulinemia patients than Rituxan alone. I am his first patient with “our” disease, so he had no experience to help him in my case, but the origin of both diseases are very similar, so he thought it was worth a try to give me the same treatment.I guess you have an “IgM-spike” (lots of IgM made by the B-cells) too, Norb, and the hight of this spike, or the amount of IgM, has been the focus of my blood-tests since. Half a year after the termation of the treatment, the IgM value was normal, and it has been on the same level ever since.
Pam,
Rituxan is also a chemo-drug, but as far as I could find out, it works against T-cells (who seem to be, at least one of, the culprits when it comes to CIDP), while in Norb’s and my case it’s the B-cells of the immune-system that need to be “done in”. We would probably get worse if given Cytoxan, just like we get worse if we are treated with steroids. We need our T-cells to keep the over-multiplying B-cells in check, if the T-cells are knocked out, our B-cells behave like the proverbial mice on the table! -
AnonymousOctober 29, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Pam, most likely it’s the fact that it is only approved for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis plus the very high cost that people with CIDP cannot get it. Also I don’t know if it’s appropriate for typical CIDP since it only targets B-cells. I understand that T cells also play an important role. Cytoxin depresses the entire immune system and can be pretty rough on you. I don’t think I could handle it since I am 20 years older than you. It sounds like it worked pretty well for you.
Today I finished my third round of Rituxan without any reactions. I compared the new blood analysis with last week’s. This time the lymphocytes went down 14%. That sounds like good news since the B-cells take up between 11 and 16% of the lymphocytes. The rest is T cells and many various others.
One more treatment to go.
Take care
-
AnonymousOctober 30, 2007 at 11:24 am
Allaug, yes, I need to be a patient patient. It is difficult sometimes after having struggled with this disease for so long and now finally seeing the [B]possibility[/B] of light at the end of the tunnel. You noticed I emphasize “possibility” because I still don’t want to get my hopes up too high. I am glad you clarified [U]when[/U] you actually saw results. Somewhere long time ago you said you saw results soon after. So I kept thinking this is the third week of getting Rituxan and nothing is happening — Allaug saw results quickly — that means it is not working for me. I know we all are different but our minds aren’t always rational.
BTW, we just got a new supply of delicious Jarlsberg imported from Oslo. It was $10 for 1000 grams.
-
AnonymousOctober 30, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Norb
I sure hope that the Rituxan soon shows improvement for you.
Update here is that they took the Antimag blood test and sent it to Missouri for testing and I am waiting the results, which will determine whether I can take the Rituxan. I have had numerous emails back and forth with the Mayo clinic about their trial, but it is now sounding like it would be more expensive to join the trial than to stay home here and pay for the drug. It all boils down to the cost for the testing at Mayo. Although the drug would be paid for by Mayo, I would have to cover the cost of the testing (EMG, bone marrow, spinal tap, etc). Cost estimates are close to the cost of the Rituxan. Here in Toronto, the testing is all covered by medicare, but not the drug. When you factor in the travel costs, it ends up costing less to take it here. Too bad..because it would have been good to get a second opinion from the Mayo clinic and in addition, they have such a good reputation.
I’ve written the Ministry of Health here in Ontario to plead my case regarding coverage for the Rituxan.
Otherwise, am heading with my wife tomorrow to Australia and NZ for three weeks (combination work and some days vacation). The flight is awful because my feet swell up like balloons – numb balloons. It is really uncomfortable but as long as it does not do further harm, I guess I can live with it.
I have an apointment with a physiatrist when I get back. Could be that they will make an evaluation on disability. Driving is becoming a bit scary now because I can’t feel the pedals any more, unless I push hard…which is not wise in city traffic!!
Good luck with the Rituxan.
Best regards
Andrew -
AnonymousOctober 30, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Dear Allaug
I am sorry that I did not reply to your message before this. I am still learning how to use the forum and had not noticed that there were other pages before page 9! Also, hello to others who wrote in reply to my first message.
I was thinking that emails would appear every time there was a posting but I guess not, so I will check the forum more often.
Thanks for your patience.
Kind regards
Andrew -
AnonymousNovember 9, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Hello Andrew, I hope you had a good trip to down-under. When you get back let us know how you’re coming with your treatment.
I finished the last of four weekly Rituxan treatment November 5, again with no side effects. The oncologist wants to repeat the treatment every six months over a period of two years. So the next time we’ll be in May 2008. He could not tell me how long it might take to see improvements with my neuropathy – if the Rituxan worked. I have an appointment with my neurologist on Monday and will ask her. She will do an exam and EMG to establish a new baseline.
My hands are as numb as ever. While Carol my wife was in Denver for a few days babysitting, I kept busy fiddling with our computer. I managed to mess up the monitor cable bending one of the pins and had to get a new one after she came back. I’m not sure she really understands why it is so difficult for me to stay away from things. Sometimes it’s just hard to be patient.
-
AnonymousNovember 9, 2007 at 8:25 pm
[QUOTE=JohnC]That seems conservative considering I get mine every 2 months. I am curious to know why he chose this schedule. If you know, or could possibly find out, that would be great.[/QUOTE]
John, I won’t see the oncologist again until early next year. I don’t know how he came up with this schedule. Basically, he is trying to treat the lymphoma and not so much the neuropathy. The protocol is probably the one for lymphoma. Of course my priorities are just the other way around especially since the lymphoma seems to be minor at this point.Are you getting Rituxan to treat CIDP?
-
AnonymousNovember 11, 2007 at 5:52 am
[QUOTE=JohnC]That seems conservative considering I get mine every 2 months. I am curious to know why he chose this schedule. If you know, or could possibly find out, that would be great.[/QUOTE]
Hi John
The schedule that Norb mentions is exactly the same as the one I heard from two other sources…one the neurological department at my hospital in Toronto and the other from the Mayo clinic. I should qualify that though by saying that that rythm is for starting treatment and they would evaluate the performance of the Rituxan to make sure it is working and likely to decide if every 6-months is the appropriate timing. Could it be that tests you took showed that it works, but that the effects wear off after 2 months?With Rituxan not covered by Canadian health care for the treatment of IgM MGUS, your comment that a treatment every 2 months is what you require is kind of scary. That works out to almost $100,000 a year. Way more that I can afford!!
Would your doctor be able to comment on how the 2 month interval was arrived at?
-
AnonymousNovember 14, 2007 at 9:47 am
It is pretty simple for me. Over the last several years I have shown a steady decline. My cidp is always there. The doctors intent is to slow it down, and if they over do it in the meantime, they feel its worth the risk (as do I). I have had remission of proximal symptoms, but never any sensory symptoms.
We have discussed scaling back when I felt I could. I have gone 3 months before with no bad result, but then again there have been times when I went 2 months and felt little positive change. In the overall picture, it seems best to get the infusion every 2 months.
-
AnonymousNovember 14, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Two days ago I saw my neurologist in Denver to establish a new baseline before — hopefully — the Rituxan kicks in. The neurological exam and the EMG showed what I already knew: my symptoms have gotten a lot worse during the last few months. If it works, with the anti-MAG IgM neuropathy symptoms should be getting better in a few months rather than weeks, she told me. Progress depends on the extent of myelin and nerve damage. Normally, improvements happen in reverse order. My tongue was the last to be affected. It should be the one to get better first. After that the hands and then the feet. In the meantime she wants me to get an electric scooter because she was concerned about my safety watching me maneuver with my rollator.
-
AnonymousNovember 15, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Norb, A power chair is great, I have a Jazzy 600. I can go anywhere independently for a change, and you dont get so tired out. I can really hit the Mall in Sioux Falls, leaving hubby on a bench watching girls.
One warning, unless its just a lady driver. Your walls and woodwork may take a beating!!!! I had it a year last July and no problems. It is a heavy duty to get around outside. Now if I could just figure out how to get it and me down the river bank to our pontoon. I had several bad falls and I feel very safe with the chair. Good luck and hope you meds work. I am still waiting to hear from Mayo. Patience“““““Regina
-
AnonymousNovember 25, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Norb,
I can’t believe you got approved and have already finished the treatments, that is great.
Dell’s dr. sent me an email saying Dell’s b/w still showed high lymp. and elevated SED. He wants him to take Rituxan.
Of course, my husband and I are very nervous. Dell is 3-1/2 years old. I am going to post the question to the dr. regarding b cells or t cells. What other questions should I ask????
Dell has been doing quite well for the past few months. Our new regiment is ivig every 3 weeks, solumedrol each week.
Another question, since I have 2 other school age children that can bring home all kinds of yucky things to Dell, if ivig is increased to every 2 weeks while on Rituxan, will that help?
Also, have the ppl. that have taken Rituxan gotten sick with flu/colds easily? Out of all my concerns, sickness and the fact that the first 2 treatments are dangerous are my main concerns. I know those are just minor things, lol.
Thanks for any help ya’ll may be able to give.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousNovember 26, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Good news on the completion of the Rituxan treatments, Norb. I just learned today that my anti-mag test came back confirming that I have elevated IgM levels in the blood – 30 times normal. Small wonder the peripheral nerves are taking a beating. So I am booking Rituxan treatments ASAP. They say that there are some openings available here in Toronto in December.
Unfortunately I have been unable to find anyone who will cover the cost…neither the Ontario Ministry of Health nor my insurance company Sun Life. I guess that what is needed is enough success stories to reach a point where the drug is approved as a standard treatment for antiMAG IgM.
That’s the latest from here.
Andrew -
AnonymousNovember 27, 2007 at 7:02 pm
[B]Andrew[/B], the good news about the anti-MAG results you received is that Rituxan may actually help. The bad news as we both have found out is that insurance won’t pay for this kind of neuropathy unless there is an underlying disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In my case there are no obvious symptoms for the lymphoma and only a bone marrow biopsy provided the evidence. My neurologist already indicated two years ago when the anti-MAG was first found, that there may be an underlying disease of lymphoma. Since the oncologist I saw then could not find any obvious symptoms and was not willing to do the biopsy, I never got the Rituxan then. I’m wondering whether this path might be something for you to pursue.
[B]Lori[/B], according to an immunologist who posted on this forum a couple of years ago, B–cells are not always involved in CIDP. Since Rituxan only removes these cells, it may or may not help for usual CIDP. I hope it helps Dell. The primary task for B–cells is to destroy bacteria, fungi etc. It is not involved in the fight against viruses. For these T cells play the major role. So if Dell catches a cold from his siblings after Rituxan treatment , he still will be able to fight it as he normally would. You need to watch out for bacterial infections like sore throat, ear, unusual sores on his body or in his mouth. My oncologist believed that the IVIG would provide me with extra protection. I received one just before the Rituxan treatment. Since the immunoglobulin has a half-life of four weeks or so and continues to provide protection for some time, I did not receive another one during the Rituxan treatment. My neurologist I saw afterwards decided I should not receive any IVIG for the time being to see if I show any improvement.
-
AnonymousNovember 27, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Hi Norb
Thank you for the replies you sent to Lori and me.
I have a couple of questions/comments as a result of both replies.
I looked up non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on the internet and it showed that Rituxan has had encouraging results in the treatment certain types of B-cell lymphoma. That is good news. You make a good point that a bone marrow biopsy should eventually be taken to determine if there is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But for the first Rituxan treatment, I can’t wait any longer because the rate of nerve damage seems to be increasing and I am keen to stop the progression ASAP. I am going to continue lobbying for financial coverage, especially if the treatment is successful. Some day, somehow I believe that coverage will apply.
I found your comments on the B-cell versus T-cell effects to be interesting too. Question: if one were to pick up a bacterial infection while treating B-cell CIDP, would antibiotics still be effective? Clearly one must be more careful washing hands, etc in the first place to avoid bacterial infections, but sooner or later it will probably happen and hopefully it is not something untreatable or serious like pneumonia.
Another question I have been asking myself for a long time is “How did I get this?” I have thought back to the days when I loved the smell of gasoline when my Dad refilled the car, or getting new shoes in the shoestore where they had an xray machine for viewing the foot bones to see if the shoes were too tight. Or the summer job up north where they sprayed a mixture of DDT and deisel fuel each morning to get rid of mosquitoes. Or rubbing mercury into a nickel to make it shiny. Something must have triggered the mutations to start the MGUS. Do you know of any surveys or work that has been done in this area?
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousNovember 28, 2007 at 7:40 am
Andrew,
I’m so sorry your Rituxan will not be covered. I need my drs. nurse to start the process of calling the insurance co. in case we do decide to do this. We are not totally convinced yet.
Do you have private insurance?
After Dell got this disease, it made me realize how wonderful insurance is. Poor children in Mississippi get medicaide but the your state and only the neighboring states take it. When we went to John Hopkins for a 2nd opinion on treatment, they would not take the medicaide. Although we have private insurance, we have that too since Dell is disabled.
In our state, and all states are different, you could make a million dollars a year but if you have a disabled child, you still qualify. They pay for everything the insurance does not and we NEVER get a bill for anything. They are even paying for his diapers. At least bills is something we don’t have to worry about with his disease because I have lots to worry about without them.
Lori
-
AnonymousNovember 28, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Like I have said in other posts. I have the chronic progressive form of cidp, with no elevated protien levels or other abnormalities in blood or spinal fluid.
Medicare recently decided to pay for my Rituxan citing the drug has been found helpful in cidp. I am assuming the other insurance companies will follow suit, but it may take some fighting and time.
-
AnonymousNovember 28, 2007 at 7:03 pm
[B]John,[/B] if I remember correctly what has been posted before, Medicare in some regions refused to pay for Rituxan. It seemed that not all are on the same page.
[B]Andrew[/B], antibiotics should work independently of B–cell levels. I have no idea how severe a bacterial infection can become if the primary defense provided by our immune system is missing.
I don’t think there is any clear link identifying a cause for lymphoma. However, if you google lymphoma and toxins you come up with a number of hits. “A study published in last week’s American Journal of Epidemiology reveals a link between hair dye and lymphoma risk.” This is one of them. Between the ages of 14 and 25 I was exposed to toxic fumes from my father’s leather work. I don’t see how it could be the cause for the lymphoma 50 years later. But then again it could have been low grade for many many years.
-
AnonymousNovember 29, 2007 at 9:05 am
I was supposed to see MY hematologist yesterday, but unfortunately he had to go to a meeting, so I talked to another blood-specialist. He was very nice and fortcoming, and gave me serious answers to all my questions, which were among others that MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy og Uncertain Significance) was a “benign” lymphoma that only involved B-cells piling up. It could develop into Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma or Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, however, so all MGUS patiens ought to be monitored twice a year. Not all MGUS patients get nerve-damage, but the doctor said that IgM that the B-cells produce, could have other properties than anti-MAG that destroyed myelin. He promised to get back to me on that.
A few weeks back I saw my neurologist (just down the corridor from where I was yesterday) at the same hospital. It had happened before that he refused to listen to me concerning the diagnose the hematologist and I agree upon. The same thing happened this time. When I mentioned it he said rather dismissively “It’s not in your medical journals!”. I tried to explain how we had reached this diagnosis, but he repeated that it was not in my journal. Yesterday I got the chance to see what HE had written in my journal and here is what it said (from memory, and a bit falteringly translated into English): “She (I) had been reading quite extencively and had a lot to say about B-cells and T-cells.” Full stop and finish! I’m not quite sure if he is sarcastic here, or just plain ignorant; perhaps the former to mask the latter. No wonder he never sends me a transcript of my journal after my visits with him, something that my hematologist always do.
Medical journals are supposed to be open to the patients too, so I’ve asked for transcrips of my papers from my consultations with my neurologist – I’m looking forward to reading THEM!
-
AnonymousNovember 29, 2007 at 9:52 am
Allaug,
That was funny. He’s probably scared you are learning more than he already knows, lol.
Yesterday, I spoke to Dell’s immunologist/allergist and he explained more about Rituxan. He said the B cells regenerate at a very fast pace and he would hope that if Dell did get sick, he “thinks” he would be able to fight it off.
He recommended getting a CAT scan before the Rituxan is started, to mke sure there are no hidden infections that will go crazy once the B cells are killed off. Dell has been fighting colds for about a month now. He just can’t seem to get rid of it, even though he’s on ivig.
If you have anything to add to my understanding of Rituxan before we meet with the neuro next Thursday, pls post something. I am leaning more towards it but still am very scared.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousNovember 29, 2007 at 10:46 am
Allaug.[QUOTE]A few weeks back I saw my neurologist (just down the corridor from where I was yesterday) at the same hospital. It had happened before that he refused to listen to me concerning the diagnose the hematologist and I agree upon. The same thing happened this time. When I mentioned it he said rather dismissively “It’s not in your medical journals!”. I tried to explain how we had reached this diagnosis, but he repeated that it was not in my journal. Yesterday I got the chance to see what HE had written in my journal and here is what it said (from memory, and a bit falteringly translated into English): “She (I) had been reading quite extencively and had a lot to say about B-cells and T-cells.” Full stop and finish! I’m not quite sure if he is sarcastic here, or just plain ignorant; perhaps the former to mask the latter. No wonder he never sends me a transcript of my journal after my visits with him, something that my hematologist always do. [/QUOTE]
I think that the problem may be that even a neurologist or whatever consultant can get to be out of their depth. For many of them both CIDP and our PDN are something entirely new. In our area of West Yorkshire with a rather large population there is only one neurolgist who has a very special interest in and is an expert in CIDP and PDN. Other neurologists must/should contact him for advice/support, if they are wise. After all the inflammatory, demyelinating neuropathies are very rare.
I have been in hospital recently, partly because I had been getting excessive neuropathic pain and along with another problem had become worn out. I tell this to illustrate the point about rarity even for a neurologist. A charge nurse (male = of sister) told me a junior doctor had gone to the trouble of checking on my PDN and discovered it as being 1 in 6 million. About right I believe.
The wise consultant who meets something new seeks advice from someone else. The unwise is dismissive and does not get the help that the patient needs.
Oh, a consultant (for the geriatrics that includes me) did work out a probable explanation for my extra nerve pain. That’s another story.:rolleyes:
-
AnonymousNovember 30, 2007 at 10:49 am
[QUOTE=Dells mom]
Yesterday, I spoke to Dell’s immunologist/allergist and he explained more about Rituxan. He said the B cells regenerate at a very fast pace and he would hope that if Dell did get sick, he “thinks” he would be able to fight it off.[/QUOTE]
Lori, I’ve read in several places that it does take quite some time for B-cell levels to return to normal.Here is one of them:
[url]http://www.lymphomation.org/rituxan.htm[/url][QUOTE]How long does it take normal b-cells to recover?
Rituxan kills both normal and malignant b-cells that express CD20. Precursor cells from which new b-cells are generated do not express CD20 and are not affected. B-cell recovery begins at approximately six months following completion of treatment, and median B-cell levels return to normal by 12 months.[/QUOTE]They do not explain why that is. I suspect it has to do with the half-life of antibodies. After four weeks there still should be one half of the Rituxan antibodies in circulation killing B-cells. After four more weeks it would be one fourth etc.
Bottom line, in my opinion it would be wise to watch out for infections for several months after treatment.
-
AnonymousDecember 5, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Norb, Allaug, Dell’s Mom, JohnC, kenspdn, and everyone else on this Forum…
Thank you!! The knowledge which one can gain from reading the postings on this forum goes far beyond what most doctor’s, drug companies, insurance companies, etc. are willing to share. I have learned a lot in the short time since joining and am extremely appreciative.
Unfortunately I don’t have much to add to the common knowledge right now, but am happy to report that I will get my first infusion this Friday at 8:30 am. WAHOO!!! Next three are one per week finishing up on Dec 27th.
Coverage: my corporate health and dental care plan administrators (part of the corporate benefit package) have indicated that they do not cover drugs which are normally administered in a hospital! What a joke! My benefits administrator is appealing to them on the basis of this being a “drug of exception”. (knowing the cost, I doubt that she will have much success).
Still no reply from the Ministry of Health. Bureaucracy at it’s best!
At least it is deductible from income taxes (here in Canada where we are overtaxed to begin with) and the drug company has given a discount under their patient assistance program.
Never mind…if it works…then it is worth every penny to me.
I am off to rejoin the YMCA this afternoon so that I can get some cardiovascular exercise at the same time as the treatments. The physiatrist at TGH has also prescribed a balance clinic to help improve my balance. I feel that the three (Rituxan, YMCA and balance clinic) should provide a good combination toward recovery.
I’m not going to sign up for the Boston Marathon yet (ha ha), but I’m really optimistic about the Rituxan, even more so after reading Norb’s posting about half-life and effectiveness.
Andrew
PS. New sensations in the last few weeks: pushed both gas and brake pedal at the same time in a rental car two weeks ago – no damage; dropping things a lot these days including my blood test request form that blew all over the parking lot before I could finally grab it; have now quit curling because it is getting a bit dangerous. -
AnonymousDecember 5, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Andrew,
Please let us know how things go. I’m excited for you.
Tomorrow we go to the neuro. for our regular 3 month appt. and to talk about the Rituxan. I have some questions written down. My husband will come to the appt. too, it’s too hard to explain things to him if he’s not there. He always asks the questions that I did not ask, lol.
Lori
-
AnonymousDecember 6, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Hi Lori
When you get this, you will have probably already had your family appointment with the neuro. I hope it went well.
One question you may have asked, and this also goes back to a post by Norb on page 9, is how many Rituxan treatment sessions one can take. Norb mentioned 4 infusions per month, every 6 months, for two years…so that is 4sessions total (16 infusions). I also saw something to that effect in the literature published by Rituxan on one of the links suggested by Norb.
Does anyone know if there is a limit? Could one conceivably take it for the rest of one’s life? Otherwise, after the last session, I would think that the same old B-cells would start to build up again as usual resulting in the IgM concentration growth (and peripheral nerve damage again in some cases).
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 6, 2007 at 5:16 pm
[QUOTE=JohnC]As far as I know I will be taking it the rest of my life if I can afford it.[/QUOTE]
Let’s hope it costs a LOT (as a function of the years you have to take it)!!
Surely the cost will come down when a generic equivalent becomes available someday, or the patent runs out and there is more competition. -
AnonymousDecember 6, 2007 at 5:53 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew]Surely the cost will come down when a generic equivalent becomes available someday, or the patent runs out and there is more competition.[/QUOTE]
I’m afraid that’s never going to happen. Rituxan is not a chemical that can be duplicated by other companies at lower cost. It’s an engineered antibody and the process to make it is very complicated.
As far as taking it for life is concerned, there’s always the hope that the B-cell (cells) producing the auto antibody is a rogue one and we’ll be eliminated by the Rituxan for good. But regardless, it’s considerably cheaper than getting IVIG on a monthly basis and also makes it less likely to run out of good veins.
-
AnonymousDecember 6, 2007 at 6:03 pm
[QUOTE=Allaug]Norb –
Thanks for enlighten me\us on the half-life of Rituxan antibodies[/QUOTE]
Allaug, I need to add one caveat. I don’t know if and to what extent our immune system tries to eliminate the Rituxan. After all it is half foreign. I’m not sure if it is possible for our antibodies to attach to other antibodies and mark them for destruction. If this was possible it would, of course, reduce the half-life I mentioned.It is known that our immune system produces millions and millions of B-cell’s each one with a different shape of antibody matching a different antigen including compounds that don’t even exist in nature. Rituxan is one such compound.
-
AnonymousDecember 6, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Norb,
You sound like you need to get your degree in B-Cell production or something like that, lol.
Andrew,
We had the appt today and we did talk about maintenance. He said he’s never had a child on a maintenance dose but I don’t know how long he’s been using the Rituxan.
Some questions and comments we talked about:
He has had a child younger than Dell (3-1/2 years old) on Rituxan.
He had one child, I can’t remember the disease, it starts with an M, he said he is doing “remarkably well.”
No one has had a bad side effect yet and no one has gotten real sick with cold, flu, etc.
We talked about if we should go on it when the summer starts because of the other 2 children bringing stuff home to Dell. If summer was a couple of months away, it would be great but I don’t want to wait 6 months to start.
We asked if any of his other CIDP patients (I know of 2 others with CIDP) has gotten on Rituxan. He said all of the others are doing good and don’t need the drug. He said Dell is doing good but not where he wants him.
We asked a question that he did not know the answer and I appreciate that he tells us he doesn’t know. Since he’s on solumedrol each week and that is bringing his immune system down, should we come down from the steriods.
Has anyone talked to their dr. about that? If Rituxan is destroying your B-Cells and your immune system could be in trouble if you get sick, should you start tapering off of the steriods before you start the Rituxan treatment?
Something he said that was very interesting. He said not to let Dell play in the mud, garden, plant anything. He said cats could urinate and poop on the bushes and ground and that would not be good for Dell. So…….if any of you clean a litter box, you need to speak with your drs. about this.
Thanks,
Lori -
AnonymousDecember 7, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Back from my first infusion today. The nurse was super and there was one other patient in the room also getting a Rituxan infusion so we could compare notes and have a few good laughs.
All went extremely well although I feel a bit zonked right now…tired and lethargic. I had a slight allergic reaction about 1/2 hour into the infusion and started sneezing with runny nose – but the nurse cut back the pace a bit and the allergy cleared up and the rest was fine. She monitored temperature and blood pressure regularly.
Next infusion is Thursday. Watch out B-cells! The Rituxan mercenary is coming to do battle!!
Have a good weekend
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 9, 2007 at 11:20 am
[QUOTE=Dells mom]Something he said that was very interesting. He said not to let Dell play in the mud, garden, plant anything. He said cats could urinate and poop on the bushes and ground and that would not be good for Dell. [/QUOTE]
that makes a lot of sense. These places are full of bacteria.Looks like my immune system is still able to handle viruses as I expected. I’m just getting over a cold with a runny nose. There was nothing unusual about it. It was rather mild and took about a week. I probably caught the virus during a family reunion in Michigan over Thanksgiving. There were three children under 10.
I definitely would be concerned about being on steroids the same time he is receiving Rituxan. Ask your doctor about it.
-
AnonymousDecember 9, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Andrew look at this Canadian website. I don’t understand the lingo but you might. It’s about Rituxan and one area talks about which province covers it or not.
[url]http://www.lymphoma.ca/rituxan.htm[/url]
ON Covered Rituxan is covered according to eligibility criteria by Cancer Care Ontario.
[url]http://profiles.drugcoverage.ca/en/default.asp?DrugID=93[/url]Sue
-
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I don’t think it’s that amazing, Lori. Like I said earlier, Rituxan does not interfere with our ability to fight viruses. It’s just the bacteria we have to watch out for.
Some lymphoma patients are getting a combination treatment of Rituxan and chemo. I don’t know about CIDP. I also don’t know if the effects of steroids on the immune system are as severe as standard chemo like cyclophosmamide (cytoxin). And then there’s Dell’s age to be considered also.
I wish I had an answer for you, Lori, but I’m no expert. What did the immunologist say?
-
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I was just about to call the immuologist. I guess if he doesn’t have an answer (if Dell should come off of Solumedrol before Rituxan is started), I will get the 2 doctors talking by email and let them hash it out. If I can’t get anything with the 2 of them, I guess I’ll email Dr. Parry.
Thanks Norb,
Lori
-
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 1:10 pm
[QUOTE=norb] He said not to let Dell play in the mud, garden, plant anything. He said cats could urinate and poop on the bushes and ground and that would not be good for Dell.
These places are full of bacteria.
.[/QUOTE]It could actually be worse than that…my nephew was playing rugby and skinned his leg when he fell. Within a few days flesh-eating bacteria had driven his temperature way up and without quick medication, he would have lost his leg or worse. As it was, they had to do surgery and close it with a skin graft. Bottom line is that there can be some dangerous bacteria in the soil.
-
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 1:32 pm
By the way, and thanks to excellent links provided by Sue, I discovered through progressive links the following about Rituxan…The chimeric anti-CD20 antibody is produced by mammalian cell [B](Chinese Hamster ovary) [/B]suspension culture in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic gentamicin.
[ATTACH]1101[/ATTACH]
Aren’t they cute?? 😀
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Andrew – very interesting stuff you found out concerning how they make Rituxan – no wonder it’s expencive when you take into consideration how much work it must have been to find out all the scientific knowledge behind it and then how expencive it must be to produce the medication itself. (Poor, sweet animals 🙁 ).
The first treatment they gave me – when they had given me the CIDP diagnose – was steroids, (80mg a day for a month before tapering it down) which made me considerably worse. This was because, I found out later, my erratic B-cell(s) got better conditions to multiply when the T-cells in the immune system was knocked out by the steroid. So I take it, Lori, that Dell does not have MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Uncertain Significance).
I do not catch more colds after the Rituxan treatment than I did before, but then again, I have not been especially prone to colds since my twenties.
-
AnonymousDecember 10, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Hi Allaug
I guess we have the same thing! So far they have not given any indication that I have CIDP or anything else. Only the IgM MGUS, which of course I discovered because of the peripheral neuropathy which is perfectly symmetric and is attacking both feet and hands (hands came after the feet). It is somewhat more sensory than axonal, but nevertheless, there is some weakness from the axonal damage too.
I am interested in determining more about why they prescribed Rituxan treatments for you 28 days apart, whereas I will get the same as Norb got…one infusion every week for 4 weeks, then 6 months off before the next series. Were the 28days apart treatments for maintenance or were they the initial ones?
My second infusion will be on Thursday. Call it the “four infusions of Christmas”, I guess
Kind regards
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 11, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Dell will also get one infusion per week for 4 weeks. The dr. said they could do it over 8 weeks but he’d rather try the 4 weeks.
I spoke with the immunologist today. He is emailing our neuro. I asked if Dell needed to be off solumedrol before Rituxan. His thinking is this: Since Rituxan is given to lymphoma (spelling) ppl and they already have a compromised immune system because of the lymphoma, Dell would in general, be just like them since he’s on solumedrol and it’s bringing his immune system down.
He did speak again that since Dell has been on solumedrol for so long, there could be a lingering infection that is “hidden” and when we kill the b-cells, the infection would go crazy.
Our neuro. said he would do a chest x-ray to make sure there is no lung infection but I could see us, in the end, doing a CAT scan before the Rituxan. We’ll just have to wait and see what the drs. figure out.
He also said it sounded good to him to wait until the cold and flu season was behind us to start, maybe around March. The neuro. stated Dell could not be sick before the Rituxan is started. Also, the immuologist agrees a ivig treatment needs to be given 1 weeks before the Rituxan.
Andrew,
Good luck with your treatment. Hope you have just as good of luck as with the first. Keep us posted.
Lori
-
AnonymousDecember 11, 2007 at 4:12 pm
In my posting on this thread 11-29-2007, I told you that I recently had an appointment with a hematologist at the National Hospital of Norway. Since then a lot of new and very interesting information has been posted on this thread and two others: “Nerve Regeneration Breakthrough” and “Scientists Discover Key Myelin Sheat Component”.
As I told on November 29, the hematologist I saw said that there could be other properties of the B-cell than anti-MAG that attacked the myelin sheath. This made me think that maybe I lacked, or something concerning the B-cell destroyed this JAM-C molecule that holds the cells of the myelin sheath together. It’s a pity that the doctors at the Hospital are so busy that I have to wait for the appointment in the beginning of May 2008 to ask them.
Another thought I have had after my last consultation has to do with the fact that the MGUS lymphoma stems from one – and only one – damaged B-cell. That’s why it’s called “Monoclonal” (one clone). Over the years the daughter cells of this one “Mother” keep multiplying while other normal B-cells die off after having completed their mission. Because of this my system was full of B-cells that created havoc in greater and greater number, and perhaps they also kept “intruders” at bay, but not in a normal way. Slowly but surely – and then faster and faster – they attacked my peripheral nerves with devastating results for me. But then RITUXAN\FLUDARABIN came and killed them all off (“Kill B-ill”;) ) and if I’m lucky there are no other flawed B-cells laying in ambush in my bone-marrow at any point in the future, and then there will be no relapse of my MGUS either. If this theory holds, I will not need to replenish the chemo’s unless a new flawed B-cell emerges and starts to clone itself once more, and this will be the case for MGUS in general, just like people with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma get cured by (bigger doses than we get) Rituxan, in many cases once and for all.
Enough from me to-night: Bye-bye:)
-
AnonymousDecember 11, 2007 at 8:25 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]
Good luck with your treatment. Hope you have just as good of luck as with the first.
Lori[/QUOTE]Thanks Lori
I’ll let you know. I feel really good today…more energy than usual and I don’t know why. When I was running regularly, sometimes it meant that I was going to catch a cold a day or two later. I could never figure out why, except that it must have been some sort of immune reaction thing. Maybe I had MGUS already and the antibodies became otherwise occupied fighting the cold germs instead of attacking me? I really hope that it is the Rituxan that is making me feel better today. We’ll see I guess.Good luck with deciding on the solumedryl for Dell. I must confess to you that all of that is way over my head so I am unable to even make an educated comment. All I can do is wish him the best.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 12, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Allaug, that’s a good explanation of what’s going on with the “B-ill” cells. This is my hope also that the rogue one is gone for good. However, at our age there is a good chance that some bad ones will come back after a while creating monoclonal antibodies. But as long as their receptors don’t match any of our own body molecules there won’t be any problem. Remember what Threads the immunologist posted last year:
[QUOTE]As we get older, it is not that unusual for the odd B cell clone to misfire and fail to die when they reach the terminal IgM stage. They produce moderate amounts of IgM antibody that is low specificity, and as long as the antibody doesn’t stick to anything it is harmless. Apparently in some cases the antibody does react with a myelin component, hence causing the damage that you have unfortunately observed[/QUOTE]
I also understand that this slow growing (indolent) lymphoma which I have, has a tendency to come back after a while. My guess is that this is the reason the oncologist wants to repeat the Rituxan treatment every six months.
-
AnonymousDecember 12, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I have a question for Norb or Allaug or anyone who knows…since I developed the peripheral neuropathy, I notice that my feet are very dry and so are my fingers. I used to have a certain amount of moisture in my finger tips, but now, quite often if I drop something, it is as much due to dry fingers as it is to lack of feeling. And my feet are certainly much dryer. Is there an interrelationship between nerve cells and the moisture in feet and hands?
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 11:28 am
Andrew, it’s difficult for me to say. I have not noticed anything unusual. On the other hand, the humidity on the front range here in Colorado is so low that most of my skin is pretty dry, especially in winter. I’ve never read anything about a connection between sweat glands and neuropathy.
-
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Well, I did find something on this subject, which makes me think that there is something to it…but not a lot. It’s not really that important…just an observation. I also notice a lot of tinitus these last couple of years, but maybe that is just another nasty side-effect of the aging process. Either that, or too much Led Zeppelin back in the 60’s!! Ha ha.
[B]Manifestations of Peripheral Autonomic Insufficiency in Patients Suffering from Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathies [/B]
Abstract We tried to characterize the frequency and significance of manifestations of peripheral autonomic insufficiency (PAI) in clinical cases of [B]acute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies (AIDN). [/B]Forty patients with the above diagnosis (21 men and 19 women, 16 to 72 years old) were examined. To detect symptoms attributable to PAI, we used Birkmayer–Vein tables; these data were compared with the results of electroneuromyographic (ENMG) examinations. In 38 and 2 cases, clinical manifestations of AIDN corresponded to the Guillain–Barre and Miller–Fisher syndromes, respectively. According to ENMG data, changes in the peripheral nerves and neuromuscular junctions corresponded to axonopathy, myelinopathy, and a mixed damage (myelinoaxonopathy) in 18 (45%), 14 (35%), and 8 (20%) patients, respectively. The following disturbances in the sphere of autonomic control were observed: orthostatic hypotension, in 28 cases (70%); tachycardia in the resting state, in 24 cases (60%); hypertension in the reclining position, in 16 cases (40%); [B]hypohydrosis of the skin on the limbs, in 18 cases (45%); [/B]dyspepsia, in 8 cases (20%), and enuresis, in 3 cases (7.5%). Manifestations of PAI began to be observed in the earliest stage of the disease and were preserved within the period of recovery of the motor functions; they were more intensive in the cases of a severe clinical course of polyneuropathies. The severity of autonomic disorders strictly correlated with the level of axonal degeneration (characterized according to the ENMG data). The treatment used (i.v. injections of immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, use of vasoactive and neurometabolic drugs) not only improved the state of the motor sphere but also decreased the intensity of PAI symptoms. Thus, in the cases of AIDN not only thick myelinated fibers of the peripheral nerves but also a significant proportion of thin fibers responsible for the control of automatic functions are subjected to damage. PAI is rather frequently observed in patients suffering from AIDN, and the level of its manifestation reflects the severity of the disease and intensity of damage to the peripheral nerves.
Regards
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Reporting back on the Rituxan treatments…I had the second treatment of four yesterday. The Rituxan was mixed as a double dilution so that they had to speed up the pump feed rate (and let me go to the bathroom in the middle). It took 7 hours, so absolutely no side effects. However, when I got home it was the same as last week. My feet felt swollen and I felt a bit groggy, and got a lousy sleep, reading most of the night. Now I’m waiting for the second or third day after infusion to see if I get the big energy boost same as after the first infusion. I guess everyone is different, but maybe it is nevertheless useful to post the experiences.
Have a good weekend
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Andrew,
I would like for you to continue to post how you are feeling after a treatment. It helps to know, maybe Dell will feel the same way.
After an ivig treatment, we carry on as usual but I know with the Rituxan, he’ll probably lay around a watch more tv. He loves it way too much but it’s my fault. When you’ve had a sick child, tv entertains them and keeps them quiet.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Hi Lori
That is very encouraging. Thank you. I felt a bit foolish writing that last post because it was all about me and my experience, whereas lots of others have had Rituxan. But knowing that it can be helpful to you and Dell, I’ll gladly report back on each of the treatments.
I just went out and did some Xmas shopping and I’m feeling better now. Maybe to the Y tomorrow for some cardiovascular on the elliptic trainer.
Also, nothing wrong with TV as long as it isn’t soap operas!!! Ha ha.
I’m sure Dell has learned a lot from TV.
Have a good weekend. We have a snowstorm coming on Sunday with a foot of snow expected. I’ll need to save some energy for shoveling on Sunday. For sure it will be a white Christmas here.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Here is something that may be of interest to all you “anti-MAG IgM people”, namely Allaug and Andrew. It is from a book that unfortunately costs $200:[I][B] Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves By Norman Latov et al[/B][/I]. it has interesting chapters on MGUS and antiMAG. I copied one of the paragraphs that was especially of interest. According to it B-cell capable of producing antiMAG antibodies are already present at birth. T cells could possibly play a role when a B-cell clone gets out of control. This would raise the question of a possible infection as the trigger.
You can look at the pages at:
[url]http://books.google.com/books?id=KUQcqhYBipUC&pg=PA178&lpg=PA178&dq=antimag+igm&source=web&ots=Yox3fETloa&sig=-m4L8z4u0sDmUycbA_j8-suUQfg[/url]
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antiMAG%20Pathology.jpg[/IMG]
-
AnonymousDecember 14, 2007 at 10:31 pm
[QUOTE=norb]Here is something that may be of interest to all you “anti-MAG IgM people”, namely Allaug and Andrew. [/QUOTE]
Hi Norb
You struck gold!! That is really interesting stuff, but in many places “over my head”. I have to really study it tomorrow to get a better understanding.
Thanks for finding it.
Regards
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 15, 2007 at 3:22 pm
New member ( been reading posts for couple of months now)- trying to absorb all of the info here- particularly related to Rituxan. I was diagnosed in July 2007 with CIDP and have been thru two rounds of IVIG ( 5 consecutive days each ) and 4 Plasma Exchanges in 2 week period with NO sign of improvement. Been on prednisone since July various dosages and started Imuran about 3 weeks ago. Neurologist noted last summer that I had elevated IGM level and said that may be why I was not responding too well. Feet numbness and pain gets worse by the week. – Anyways to RITUXAN- Late in October he tried to get me approved for Rituxan on recomendation of a consultion Neurologist,but my Ins. Co. Rejected- as noted in threads- they are looking for CANCER to be involved to use the Rituxan not approved for CIDP. After rejection Dr. said that he was thinking maybe we should wait to pursue Rituxan with the Ins. Co. as he felt it might be TOO agressive a treatment with TOO much risk and we should continue more conventional treatments for now- this is when I went on Imuran and he increased Prednisone dose.- At this point I THINK the ” risk ” would be well worth it. Becoming concerned that when I get better MAY not get back the feeling in feet! My take on most of posts is that if you can get the Rituxan – take it – am I reading this right? ( I see another specialist in Boston in early Jan.- and guess my Dr. will want to have his opinion before we make changes but I am beginning to feel that I MUST become more agressive in treatments to be taken ) – SORRY this post was sooooo long- i should have started posting sooner !
Jim M
Wilbraham, MA -
AnonymousDecember 15, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Welcome JimM!
You said your neuro’ told you you had elevated IgM. That may be a sign that you have too many B-cells in your immune-system, which again might mean that you have MGUS (“Monoclonal Gammopathy of Uncertain Significance”). This is a (non-malignant) variety of lymphoma (cancer – don’t feak out, now – it’s really “good” news – of the lymphatic system), that your insurance may approve to cover the cost of Rituxan – that’s how Norb eventually got his insurance to pay for it. Ask your doctor on your next appointment to test you for this. It might involve a bone-marrow biopsy, but that is not as bad as it seems.
[QUOTE]Feet numbness and pain gets worse by the week[/QUOTE] This is just what happened to me (++) when they gave me prednisone, because steroids takes out T-cells in the immunesystem, something that makes the B-cells proliferate even faster.
Hope you can make heads or tails of this, Jim – feel free to ask if there is anything at all you need to know. We might be able to answer it between us, there is a lot of knowledge and experience behind the names here on the Forum.
Good luck!
-
AnonymousDecember 15, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Thanks
So much info to try to soak in! – I was seen by Hemotologist after the elevated IGM level and he ruled out Cancer- When I saw references in threads about Norb and the lymphoma i misread, or assumed there was a Cancer involved- did not realize that the lymphoma could be non-malignant. Will definately check this out when I see my Dr. next week.
Thanks again
Jim M -
AnonymousDecember 16, 2007 at 11:23 am
Welcome JimM to the club. I am also fairly new here but the support and information provided by fellow forum members has been incredible. There are some really knowledgeable people here, like Allaug and Norb.
I am taking Rituxan right now, and like you, could not get coverage for it – neither from the Ontario (Canada) health care system, nor from extended coverage with my employer. I’ve heard different excuses like “it is still experimental in the treatment of MGUS” and “coverage does not apply to any medication which must be given in a hospital (or clinic I guess)”. So I have been calling it the “4 infusions of Christmas” because it will have to be my Christmas present from the family this year!!
I am still learning, but I understand that you need to be careful about some medications because if there is any misdiagnosis, the medications could be more detrimental than helpful. If I understand it correctly, IVIG can target T-cells, which otherwise have been postulated to have a controlling effect on the B-cells. Therefore, suppression of the T-cells will allow B-cells to flourish resulting in increased IgM levels and further neuropathy. I hope I have that correct.
I am hearing lots of good things about Rituxan, also used for Rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. So my fingers are crossed. Allaug and I seem to have the same thing – IgM MGUS (PDN).
Keep posting because, like I said, there is a wealth of knowledge here in this forum.
Gotta go back out and shovel again. We’re in the middle of a snow storm!
AndrewPS. Was at a family Xmas party last night and heard that there is a possible link between non-Hodgkins lymphoma, MM, WG, MGUS, etc and a monkey virus SV40 that was accidentally introduced in polio vaccines from about 1955to 1963. That would correspond with the timing that I received my polio vaccine. I checked this morning and I’m not growing a tail or anything, but this could be one possible source of the growing incidence of NHL.
-
AnonymousDecember 16, 2007 at 2:48 pm
As someone with the IgA variant of PDN/MGUS neuropathy all this is shooting over my head!
I do not have a clue about the B cell involvement in mine.
As an aside, when I was in our local hospital for a week at the end of October, a junior doctor who had looked at my notes apparently checked out PDN on the net and in textbooks and came up with a figure of 1:6million. So she told a charge nurse. What he did not know was whether she meant incidence or prevalence.
I was in hospital having become worn out by pain and another problem. The pain, solely in my feet, is more than neuropathic pain though. Seems akin to the problems of arthritic/rheumatoid sufferers. I reckon that over the 14+ years of the neuropathy the working parts of my feet have become worn.So Norb and Allaug if your B cell and T cell research throws light on the other than your anti-MAG IgM PDNs then I will be interested.
-
AnonymousDecember 16, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Ken
In the book that Norb mentioned “Immunological and Infectious Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves” by Latov, Wokke and Kelly, there is a section titled “Polyneuropathies associated with myeloma, POEMS, and non-malignant IgG and IgA monoclonal gammopathies” page 225. I tried to look at the book review but those pages are blanked out. Maybe if someone has a copy they can advise you on the content of that section.
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 20, 2007 at 1:21 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew]You mention also that you are now diagnosed with CIDP. I am confused about the CIDP relationship because I was thinking that MGUS was a form of CIDP[/QUOTE]
it is a bit confusing. Some scientists consider MGUS and anti-MAG neuropathy a variant of CIDP, others prefer to treat everything as a separate category. Some even came up with a new name for the same thing: PDN (paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathy). My neurologist’s comment was that there are some who want to have their own niche. She didn’t. So she simply diagnosed me with “[B][U]CIDP [/U][/B]with anti-MAG IgM, possibly MGUS” . No matter what they call it, all these variants are [U]chronic[/U], [U]inflammatory[/U], [U]demyelinating [/U]and are a [U]polyneuropathy[/U], which is what CIDP stands for. -
AnonymousDecember 20, 2007 at 5:38 pm
It’s been six weeks now since I’ve completed my last Rituxan treatment. I have not noticed any change yet except the numbness in my tongue seems to be less concentrated in one place, more diffuse, not as severe. But I don’t expect any improvement for quite some time. Even if the Rituxan successfully eliminated the aberrant B-cell producing damaging antibodies, there still could be anywhere between 20 and 40% of the original anti-MAG antibodies in circulation attacking the myelin. We just have to be patient.
Considering different people may react differently, here are excerpts from two case studies with opposite outcomes. The first one a 72 year old man:
[QUOTE]Treated with rituximab (375 mg/m2 for 4 weeks), the patient presented at follow-up (3, 6, 8 and 11 months later) a progressive improvement, more evident starting from 6 months after therapy. Eventually, he was able to walk unassisted for a short distance. He regained full functionality at upper limbs and was able to perform his daily activities (shaving, washing, eating) independently. The IgM/k protein significantly decreased (total IgM 1.3 g/l). Electrophysiological studies improved, but only 8 months after therapy mild signs of reinnervation appeared. At month 13, the haematological parameters persisted stable, with no need of maintenance therapy. The dramatic improvement after rituximab administration seems to support a role of B cells in the pathogenesis of CIDP, at least in cases associated with IgM lymphoproliferative diseases, regardless of the presence of antibodies to peripheral nerve antigens. Source: “Rituximab-Responsive CIDP”. C. Briania et al, Departments of Neurosciences and Clinical Immunology, University of Padova, Padua; Italy, 9 February 2004) [/QUOTE]
And here excerpts of the other case, a 73 year old woman:
[QUOTE]Rituximab was started in a dosage of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, anti-MAG antibodies titer was unchanged, whereas … IgM titer… decreased. At 1-month follow-up, clinical picture and disability had markedly worsened. The patient became wheelchair-bound because of ataxia, strength of distal muscles in the limbs worsened… Clinical picture was unchanged at 6- and 9-month follow-up…
Despite complete inhibition of CD20+ cells and decrease in IgM level, anti-MAG titer remained unchanged. This might imply that pathogenic antibodies were produced either by CD20+ cells at maturative stages (plasma cells – Norb) when rituximab is ineffective or by different B-cell subpopulations. As rituximab may induce a worsening of the clinical picture in some patients, further studies addressing the features of potential responders are warranted before larger clinical trials in anti-MAG. Source: Broglia et al. “Worsening after Rituximab in antiMAG Neuropathy”. Muscle & Nerve, Volume 32, Issue 3, Pages 378-379 [/QUOTE] -
AnonymousDecember 21, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Norb
Brilliant! Finally someone has cleared up this confusion I had of MGUS vs CIDP and a lot of other names. I even feel like more of a member to the CIDP club now that I know that I have it too!Also, thanks for the two case studies on effectiveness of Rituxan.
I had my third infusion of Christmas yesterday and all went well in the clinic. It was a carbon copy of the other two, after I left the clinic. I felt very sluggish and wacked out. So I went to bed early and slept well for about two hours. Then tossed and turned for the next 4 hours and finally got up at 4:45 am. I don’t know why it does that to me. I even took a Gravol in the middle of the night but it had no effect. My feet felt very heavy and I had the stocking and glove syndrome, but I believe that is just a bit of an allergic reaction which customarily goes away the next day (or subsides to its normal level I should say).
Have a good weekend and not too much dancing. You might step on someone’s toes and not even know it!! (Joking)
Merry Christmas all
Andrew -
AnonymousDecember 21, 2007 at 5:36 pm
To be accurate, MGUS can be an exception. One may have MGUS without obvious symptoms, usually discovered through a blood test. In that case a “sick” plasma cell won’t quit producing identical antibodies that are harmless. In our case MGUS results in antiMAG IgM antibodies doing the damage we experience. Only then can it be considered a CIDP variant. This is my understanding of it.
MGUS can be a [U]symptom[/U] of or be [U]related to [/U]underlying diseases including lymphoma and myeloma. It says in the literature that it may [U]develop[/U] into these but I think my way of describing the relationship is more accurate. Lymphoma and myeloma in their advanced stages show more serious symptoms including repeated coughs; colds and other infections; unexplained bruising or bleeding; swollen lymph glands; pain; night sweats; and weight loss. Fortunately, The B-cell lymphoma I have apparently got caught at a very early stage.
Andrew, your reaction to the Rituxan isn’t that unusual. After all, it is a foreign protein your immune system obviously is trying to fight. I don’t have a clue why I didn’t react as strongly as you did. Maybe your immune system is more vigilant than mine.
-
AnonymousDecember 21, 2007 at 5:45 pm
To be accurate, MGUS can be an exception. One may have MGUS without obvious symptoms, usually discovered through a blood test. In that case a “sick” plasma cell won’t quit producing identical antibodies that are harmless. In our case MGUS results in antiMAG IgM antibodies doing the damage we experience. Only then can it be considered a CIDP variant. This is my understanding of it.
MGUS can be a [U]symptom[/U] of or be [U]related[/U] to underlying diseases including lymphoma and myeloma. It says in the literature that it may [U]develop [/U]into these but I think my way of describing the relationship is more accurate. Lymphoma and myeloma in their advanced stages show more serious symptoms including repeated coughs; colds and other infections; unexplained bruising or bleeding; swollen lymph glands; pain; night sweats; and weight loss. Fortunately, The B-cell lymphoma I have apparently got caught at a very early stage.
[B]Andrew[/B], your reaction to the Rituxan isn’t that unusual. After all, it is a foreign protein your immune system obviously is trying to fight. I don’t have a clue why I didn’t react as strongly as you did. Maybe your immune system is more vigilant than mine. 😮
Happy holidays, better get some leather gloves that aren’t quite that tight. I looked at the CIDP store in NeverNeverLand but they were all out. Have to put up with them a while longer until the Rituxan finally kicks in.
-
AnonymousDecember 22, 2007 at 4:35 pm
[QUOTE=norb] I don’t have a clue why I didn’t react as strongly as you did. Maybe your immune system is more vigilant than mine. 😮 [/QUOTE]
Hi Norb
I figured out the insomnia thing. I was looking up the description of Solumedrol, which they pump into me for a half hour before the Rituxan. It says:[FONT=”Century Gothic”][B]Possible Side Effects[/B]
Side effects that may go away as your body adjusts to the medication and do not require medical attention unless they continue or are bothersome: increased appetite; indigestion; [B]nervousness or restlessness; trouble sleeping; headache[/B]; increased sweating; [B]unusual increase in hair growth on body or face.[/B][/FONT]I better go shave again too. The werewolf is back. Hey, maybe my bald head will get some needed new growth. Positive side effects!
Cheers -
AnonymousDecember 29, 2007 at 7:33 am
Update on treatments: I had the fourth infusion on Thursday and everything went well. I had the usual side effects of sleeplessness but evidently due to the Solumedrol and not the Rituxan.
Now comes the waiting period to see if it will work.
I found a slide show on the internet titled “An update on the diagnosis and treatment of dysimmune polyneuropathies” which mentions Rituxan treatment and results at: [COLOR=”Blue”]http://www.institut-myologie.org/e_upload/ppt/LEGER-05-r-a.pps#315,1,An update on the diagnosis and treatment of dysimmune polyneuropathies[/COLOR]
Maybe you have already seen this before, but it does also mention the time factor for reduction of B-Lymphoctytes in slide 58 as “from first month up to 6 – 9 months”.
Norb, your news about an improvement in the numbness in your tongue is encouraging. I’ll report back if and when I see any changes to my feet or hands.
Have a happy, safe and HEALTHY New Year
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 2, 2008 at 10:18 pm
From postings by Norb and Andrew appears that there are [U]no significant [/U]side effects from the Rituxan treatment ( Are you keeping anything from us?:) ). My neurologist has been hesistant as he feels it may be TOO aggressive at this point. Got to admit when he referred to it as a ” Chemo ” drug it did scare me- but I am getting desperate. Good to hear no hair falling out or constant nausea. He has me scheduled to see a Dr Gorson ( CIDP expert in this MA ) in Boston next week and agreed that if Gorson recommended and we could get Ins. Co. approval we would go ahead with Rituxan. I hope I am still walking by then! It seems to me that Rituxan is becoming pretty widely accepted in CIDP world- as noted in these forums and on other Web Sites. Do our Doctors and Insurance Companies ever come here- I am new to forums but it seems many of you have more information than our doctors!
Jim -
AnonymousJanuary 3, 2008 at 7:06 am
Hi Jim!
I’ll like to corroborate what Norb and Andrew have said about side-effects of Rituxan treatment. The main reason why the side-effects are so insignificant when it comes to treat “our” disease is that the dosages are so small compared to the amount given for malignant lymphomas. Don’t let the word “chemo” scare you, it’s just like other medicines – the higher the dosage the more likely unpleasant side-effects occur. But of course the chance of getting noticabe side-effects varies from person to person!
-
AnonymousJanuary 3, 2008 at 11:56 am
[B]Jim[/B], don’t worry. We are not hiding anything. I don’t understand why doctors insist on calling it chemo. Chemo is a [U]chemical[/U] compound attacking cancer cells [U]anywhere[/U] in the body. Rituxan is a [U]biological [/U]agent only affecting B-cells [U]within[/U] the immune system and nothing else.
Now two months later it doesn’t seem like there has been any treatment at all. As a matter of fact, it appears as if my symptoms continue to get worse. The numbness in my tongue did change some time ago but it is still there. As time goes on it is becoming ever more difficult to maintain a hopeful attitude. I have to keep reminding myself of the case studies where recovery takes a very long time.
[B]Andrew[/B], thanks so much for posting the link to the PowerPoint presentation. Interesting statistics not that I was able to retain much of it. What did stand out was that only four out of seven patients on Rituxan showed improvements, not exactly encouraging. Interesting was the breakdown of CIDP patients by gender, always more men than women, most extreme in Norway and Italy with three times more men than women. [B]Allaug[/B], it’s clear you are an exceptional person 😀
Wishing all of you the best for the new year.
-
AnonymousJanuary 3, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Norb
Thank you for posting including the update on your status. I have to say that my symptoms have got worse too in the last few weeks but it is only 4 weeks now since my first infusion. I have therefore been thinking so far that it is too early and that the full quantity (fourth infusion) of Rituxan has only been in my system for a week now. I sure hope that your symptoms stabilize and start to improve soon, Norb. All of the underlying theory suggests that the elimination of the Beta Lymphocytes will stop production of the IgM. I wonder if the time lag is not only due to the slow elimination of B cells, but also if there is a time lag while some of the IgM has already bound to the MAG protein in our nerve myelin, but not yet actually killed it. That, together with the IgM still running around in the blood stream, plus new IgM being produced by B cells not yet targeted by the Rituxan would perhaps explain the continued deterioration for a while until the overall balance switches in favour of normal B cell functionality. Maybe even after our blood results show low levels of IgM, there will still be some lag. Who knows.
This is some roller coaster ride, Norb, but we gotta stay positive. I am clinging to the results of those 4 out of 7 as my hope for the future. If they told me I need to spend another $16,000 tomorrow for 4 more infusions starting next week, I’d pay!!
We can beat it!!
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew]. I wonder if the time lag is not only due to the slow elimination of B cells, but also if there is a time lag while some of the IgM has already bound to the MAG protein in our nerve myelin, but not yet actually killed it. [/QUOTE]
That makes a lot of sense. The anti-MAG antibodies are not the ones doing the damage. They simply mark the spot for the complement system to come in and finish the job. When activated, the complement system, a group of enzymes, releases cytokines. Cytokines are molecules involved in inflammation causing phagocytes to destroy the myelin. Here is a graph showing part of the process as it applies to CIDP. In our case there is an additional level that might increase the delay. Myelin is not attacked directly as shown here but MAG which in turn results in myelin damage.Thanks for the words of encouragement. I needed that,
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antibodies.jpg[/IMG]
-
AnonymousJanuary 4, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Norb, what you explain in the previous posting about the IgM having only marked what the phagocytes come to destroy if you get an inflammation, makes me recall something that happened during Christmas 2000, before I had had any medical attention at all concerning my pain and fatigue. I got a stomach-bug, and even if it didn’t last long, I had the most horrible pain all over my body, almost like I had been set on fire. I remember I had to let myself fall down on the living-room floor, because the pain – and nausea -were excruciating. As soon as I got the bug out of my system, the fire was extinguished too and my pain-level returned to normal.
Andrew, I too had a look at the powerpoint presentation you gave the address to. I guess it originally was accompanied by a lecture, because it was very hard to get any information out of most of the pictures alone. I would especially have liked to get some additional information on the figures in the table where Norway is mentioned. Does it say that Norway only has 155464 inhabitants, or what?
And Norb – of course I’m exceptional – I have a disease much more rare than CIDP even:rolleyes: ! -
AnonymousJanuary 4, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Norb, you wrote: “Interesting was the breakdown of CIDP patients by gender, always more men than women, most extreme in Norway and Italy with three times more men than women. Allaug, it’s clear you are an exceptional person.”
Well Norb I think that we have known that for some time?
I feel out of place on this thread though being one of these rare ones with IgA PDN. The literature usually says that there are too few cases – about 10% of all PDNs – for anything conclusive to be written! I could tell them that some of us get a lot of pain however. 😡
-
AnonymousJanuary 7, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Although there has not been any change in my symptoms since I last posted, this may, however, be a good sign. Today, at the oncology’s office I received copies of my last blood tests. It appears that the M antibodies have decreased significantly during the first three weeks of receiving Rituxan. Of course, I have no idea if this also includes the bad ones.
Here are the numbers:
September 9: 525
November 5:473This is a 10% reduction. Normal range is 60-300 MG/DL.
Some of this may be the IVIG getting flushed out of my system. IgG was reduced by 50% during the same time period. Antibodies in serum consists of about 80% IgG and around 8% IgM.
I don’t know how to interpret all these numbers but I just hope that it is something positive. I had blood drawn again today and should get the results in about a week. I hope that the IgM will be down even more.
-
AnonymousJanuary 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hello to everyone,
Norb, that is great about your bloodwork.
I just emailed the dr. that we are going ahead with the Rituxan in March. We want the cold/flu season as much out of the way as possible.
Dell has 99.5 elevated temp tonight and had the same 13 days ago. I’m sure it’s his disease kicking in.
The immunologist told me on the phone yesterday that he emailed the neuro. and they both decided he did not have to go off the solumedrol before the Rituxan.
Please let me know if there is anything else we need to know before we dive into Rituxan with our 3 year old. I wish he could decide what medications he got, I hate making this decision but I guess that’s why God made me his mom.
Love to all,
Lori -
AnonymousJanuary 9, 2008 at 4:00 pm
[QUOTE=norb]Here are the numbers:
September 9: 525
November 5:473This is a 10% reduction. Normal range is 60-300 MG/DL.
[/QUOTE]
Hi Norb
congrats on the improvements. Sounds like you are making progress and I’m happy for you.
I am at the stage you were at a few weeks ago. Seems like it is getting worse instead of better (symptomwise). I am in France right now and had to walk home from the subway tonight and I felt like Lurch on TV. My feet were clumsy and numb and people were passing me on both sides as I struggled along trying to go as fast as I could. But each step made a big clunking noise and if I had paint on the soles of my shoes, it sure would not have been a straight line.
I am a bit concerned after reading your numbers above. My test results from earlier in May showed 3.11 and 3.73 g/L (equiv to 311 and 373 MG/DL). These numbers are not really far out of the normal range so I really question how they came up with the IgM MGUS determination. The only thing which is clear is that they found anti-MAG IgM in the subsequent testing. I guess the best thing to do is to find out the results of my blood test from last week to see what the levels of IgM are.
It sure is easy to have second doubts about things in this game.
Au revoir from Lyon
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 9, 2008 at 5:53 pm
My initial level of IgM pre Rituxan was 4.0 g\L.
Then I had 4 infusions of Rituxan (accompanied by 700mg of Fludarabin orally for five days each time) 28 days apart. I don’t think they did any blood-work during the treatment period – at least I don’t know of any.
When I went back to check my condition four months later, my IgM level had gone down to 1.3, and I have had my blood sampled every six months after that (since September 2005), and it has been between 1.1 and 1.4 on all occations.
Hang in there guys – don’t give up hope after such “short” time.
Best wishes and fingers crossed (I can do that now:D ) for you both!
-
AnonymousJanuary 10, 2008 at 12:02 pm
[QUOTE=Allaug]When I went back to check my condition four months later, my IgM level had gone down to 1.3, and I have had my blood sampled every six months after that (since September 2005), and it has been between 1.1 and 1.4 on all occations.
Hang in there guys – don’t give up hope after such “short” time.
Best wishes and fingers crossed (I can do that now:D ) for you both![/QUOTE]
THANK YOU Allaug for your post. That is certainly encouraging. That is one of the super things about this forum…to hear the success stories of others and to regain hope.
We’ll beat this thing!
Thanks again Allaug.
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Hello:
I have some questions that maybe Norb or Allaug can help with. As background, I was diagnosed with CIDP in 2004, with slowly developing motor and sensory impairment. My diagnosis was adjusted to CIDP Lewis Sumner variant in 2005 due to the asymmetric nature of disability. I have received IVIG on a weekly or bi-weekly basis since 2004, which slows progression, as progression demonstrably speeds up on the occasions treatment was interrupted. In late 2005 I was switched to high dose IV Solumedrol, which triggered a massive exacerbation that left me severely disabled for 8 months, I was returned to IVIG in Mar. 06 and I am still quite disabled but measurably better than before.
My immunoglobulin levels were measured twice. In Aug. ’04 my IGM level was 244. In Sept ’05 my IGM level was 400.
On both occasions an electrophoresis detected no paraprotein or monoclones. I had a second lumbar puncture with isoelectric focusing of the CSF and serum in Mar. 06 which revealed Oligoclonal bands in the CSF, but none in serum. I also had a bone marrow biopsy in Mar. 05 that was reported to me as normal.
As is with Norb, Andrew and Allaug, my pure IGM count is high, and was acknowledged as such by a specialist in his written consultation report – however, no mention of MGUS has ever been noted to me verbally or in any medical record by anyone.
I wonder if IVIG therapy raised my IGM count, thus its coincidental to the treatment?
What do you make of this? I also find it odd that Solumedrol was so devastating, and that IVIG is really only modestly effective – which seems to have parallels to Norb and Allaug’s experience?. Is MGUS something other than just an elevated IGM count?
I have been seen by very top specialists at UCLA, Mayo Clinic and UCI. Th elevated IGM count was discovered and noted by UCI and seen by Mayo doctor, I’m assuming, with as I’ve said NO MENTION OF MGUS or its possible relation to the CIDP.
My main issue is that I am pondering suggesting moving to more powerful treatments beyond IVIG to try to really knock this disease down, and I believe there are clues in my story that might lead to the correct choices, if a doctor can just put the pieces together. I’m 45 years old.
Your thoughts?
-
AnonymousJanuary 10, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Billt – I have a few ansvers for you.
IgM is produced by B-cells in your immune system. You don’t get too high IgM level if there is not too many B-cells. Only too many B-cells cause MGUS. That is one B-cell that keep dividing – therefore Monoclonal i.e many cells made by one, all are the same cell, as in cancer, only this is in the first stage not malignant, but they can turn dangerous, so you’ll have to check that every 6 months or so. Normal B-cells dies after a short while after having produced a small amount of IgM. It puzzles me that they didn’t find any monoclones, but then again I surely don’t know everything!!
The level of IgM that you mentioned (400) is the same as I had pre treatment, only put in a different ratio – put a comma before the zeroes.
Solumedrol is a steroid, and the same thing happened to me when I was treated with high doses (100 mg a day) of Prednisolon – also a steroid. I got ten times worse! That’s because the steroids kill the T-cells of the immune system, and some of them keeps the B-cells in check, so when the T-cells are more or less gone, the B-cells divide even more rapidly.
There is mostly IgG in IvIG, so it doesn’t directly increase the IgM, and they really don’t know how IvIG works, but if it takes out the T-cells, it can indirectly affect the IgM level. My first IvIG made me better, the next two made me worse.
This is what I am able to contribute at the moment.
Just ask more questions if you want, perhaps I know more that might interest you.
Good luck!
-
AnonymousJanuary 11, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thank you for your note Allaug. As I understand now on further research, one can have an elevated IGM count as a result of an infection of some sort, but I know at the time that my count was taken I had no such infections. However, this does point to the fact that one could have increased IGM levels without monocloned antibodies, in other words a polyclonal increase in IGM.
I think I am going to remind my doctor of this elevated level of IGM (400) from Sept. 05, and ask to have another quantitative immunoglobulin test run. If its still high, or even higher, maybe another electrophoresis to again look for monoclones.
I have read in the medical literature of instances where it took several investigations to uncover monoclonal proteins. My diligence on this is that I believe it might radically alter my current treatment path towards rituxan or stronger chemotherapy drugs, to force a remission.
-
AnonymousJanuary 11, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Billt, I’ll try to add to what Allaug already explained. I still don’t understand it all and I will fill in the blanks with assumptions that make sense to me. There is a huge number of B cells in circulation at all times, each one with a different receptor that can be compared to a lock, each one fitting a different intruder, a different key. Once one or several of them actually encounter an intruder, they get activated and start producing antibodies with lock combinations that fit the keys on the intruder. Apparently, there are always some activated B cells, called plasma cells, producing antibodies. Usually, they die after four to five days. The antibodies in circulation at any given time come from many different B cells, they are polyclonal. A high count of IgM as we experienced does not indicate whether they are all polyclonal or include monoclonal ones coming from one single parent cell. A SPEP (serum protein electrophoresis) test separates the antibodies by type (IgG, IgM etc) and different receptors (locks). A more or less straight line on the graph would indicate that all antibodies are polyclonal. A spike (M spike) indicates monoclonal antibodies also called paraproteins. Here is an illustration:
[IMG]http://myeloma.org/images/content/spike.gif[/IMG]
if the spike is pronounced like here, it could indicate a more serious condition like myeloma, lymphoma etc. if it is very small and other conditions can be excluded, it would be considered MGUS. There still could be the possibility of an underlying condition and a bone marrow biopsy could provide more information. In my case it showed a slow-growing lymphoma. The Rituxan I am receiving will hopefully take care of it and also the resulting neuropathy.
Usually the MGUS antibodies are harmless because their receptors don’t fit anything. Unfortunately, in our case they are M antibodies fitting the MAG component of myelin. There is a special blood test which shows the existence of antiMAG IgM.
Sorry about the long story. I hope I did not confuse things too much or was being redundant.
-
AnonymousJanuary 11, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I forgot to say in my last post that my MGUS was first established after at least three bone-marrow biopsies, and only after a proffessor of hematology had worked on the last biopsy. He was the one who suggested that Rituxan should be tried – together with Fludarabin. He made it clear to me that he had been much more successful in beating diseases caused by monoclonal B-cells when he combined the two medicines.
-
AnonymousJanuary 12, 2008 at 7:37 am
[QUOTE=Allaug]I forgot to say in my last post that my MGUS was first established after at least three bone-marrow biopsies, and only after a proffessor of hematology had worked on the last biopsy. He was the one who suggested that Rituxan should be tried – together with Fludarabin. He made it clear to me that he had been much more successful in beating diseases caused by monoclonal B-cells when he combined the two medicines.[/QUOTE]
Hi Allaug
I did some research and found a paper at [COLOR=”Blue”]http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/reprint/bloodjournal;98/1/41?hits=10&FIRSTINDEX=10&SEARCHID=1&gca=bloodjournal%3B98%2F1%2F41& [/COLOR]which mentions the use of Fludarabin for treatment of WM where there is marrow involvement in the elevated levels of IgM . Maybe that is why, after the three bone marrow biopsies your doctor suggested use of Fludarabin in combination with the Rituxan.
I never had a bone marrow biopsy and am now wondering whether I should ask my doctor for one to determine whether either they should include Fludarabin in my treatment or whether, as in Norb’s case, it is actually NHL along with the MGUS. My next appointment is in late February, so I guess I’ll wait until then to ask.[QUOTE=Norb]Here is a table with the results of my blood tests.[/QUOTE]
Norb…in your table, you say 4 x 80 mg of Rituxan. I am trying to determine what my dose was and the pharmacy receipt says 80 ML Rituxan vial 10 mg/ml per dose. Would that not be 800 mg? I tried to go back to the Rituxan literature, but it says recommended 375 mg/sq m (I assume body surface area) and it would take a long time with a tape measure and calculator to figure out my body surface area (just joking…they use some conversion based on weight)!
Also, in seeing the Nov-07 antiMAG IgM figure of 15.24, I wonder if that is not just a different unit equivalent to 152400 for comparison with the Sept 05 measurement of 130000?Have a good weekend.
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 12, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Andrew, the oncologist ordered a bone marrow biopsy based on the results of an immunofixation: “small monoclonal IgM lambda within a polyclonal increase in immunoglobulins.” Apparently, that was sufficient for him to do the biopsy and order Rituxan. It wasn’t based on the elevated IgM. What do you hope to gain from a biopsy?
Now I am confused about the 80 mg. I remember being surprised about the small amount. They mixed it right in the office so I don’t have anything in writing. I will ask them again when I go back next time.
About the anti-MAG test: it says [U]Index[/U] 15.24 which doesn’t tell me anything. I’m still waiting for an answer from the lab. But regardless, this weeks reading will be important. If it is down it would indicate that the Rituxan is working.
I hope you are having a good stay overseas even if you can’t always walk a straight line 😮 . I’d love to go back to France some day, lots of good memories, love the language and culture. My first marriage was in the Ste Madeleine Cathedral – long time ago.
-
AnonymousJanuary 13, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Andrew, you were correct. It was 800mg each week. I looked up e-mail correspondence with a friend in Switzerland who received Rituxan just one day after I did. We are keeping each other up-to-date. Just like me he has not seen any improvements so far.
Thanks for catching my mistake.
-
AnonymousJanuary 13, 2008 at 12:12 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]we are going ahead with the Rituxan in March. We want the cold/flu season as much out of the way as possible.[/QUOTE]
Lori, this is a very good idea. When I reported I came down with a cold and got over it pretty quickly, I celebrated too soon. It came back twice since then more a nuisance than serious. I also had cold sores twice something I have not had in years. Now I am having second thoughts about what I thought I knew about B-cells and virus infections.
Take care.
-
AnonymousJanuary 13, 2008 at 12:22 pm
No worries Norb
I liked your table and was constructing one for myself, but I got stuck on that part.
Re bone marrow biopsy, you are probably right. No sense going through that procedure if its not useful or necessary. I guess the most important indicator will be the IgM levels and B cell levels when I next see the doctor.I googled the Church of Ste. Madeleine and found the Basilica in Vézelay, France. Is that the one you meant? If so, it sure sounds quite impressive.
I’m back in Toronto now, amazed to see all the snow I shoveled is gone and the grass is green. Somehow I doubt that old-man-winter is totally gone yet.
Bon weekend
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 13, 2008 at 1:06 pm
[QUOTE=norb]Lori, this is a very good idea. [/QUOTE]
Lori
I agree with Norb too. Last year in November 2006 I came down with the worst cold I have ever had. To make it worse, I was traveling at the time. I now chalk the severity of that cold up to my whole immune system being out of whack as the B cells were making all the extra IgM. Actually, because of that cold and a subsequent flu shot, the doctors initially thought I had GBS, but after reviewing the history of the neuropathy, it was clear that it had begun prior to the cold or the flu shot.
I have often wondered about the symptoms I was going through for the last couple of years prior to Rituxan. I seemed to get a lot of cankers which were actually cold germs that first manifested themselves in my mouth, before going to the throat and on down into the lungs as a cough. I told the doctors about this sort of first-line-of-defence and they said it was normal as a immune type reaction. But in years gone by, colds always seemed to start in my throat (sore throat) and not in my mouth. For some reason, maybe Rituxan, I haven’t had that problem lately.
While traveling last week there were people coughing all around me on the plane and I even wore a mask on one flight, but so far (touch wood) I have not come down with a cold yet. Maybe my immune system is getting back into balance.
On another note, one thing I noticed in the last couple of years too is tinitus. I asked the doctor about this but he said it didn’t ring a bell with him (sorry for that pun). I tried to do a search to see if there is any connection with CIDP, GBS or MGUS but could not find anything.
Anyway, bottom line after all that verbosity is that I think Dell should take all precautions to avoid colds so that when he does get the Rituxan, he is healthy. Stay warm, avoid crowded areas, and wash hands often. I now carry around a small container of disinfectant (Purell) which I use in airports or public places. I feel like Jack Nicholson in “As good as it gets”.
Good luck to Dell
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 14, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I just had a very weird conversation with a staff member of the neurology department. I had asked for a copy of my last blood test done on Jan 2. I was told that it would cost me $50, so I said “no thanks”. They wanted to know why I wanted it, and I said that it was to track the IgM levels and white blood cell count. Then they said that IgM levels were not part of the blood test. Instead the monthly blood test is being performed to see if it is OK for me to continue to take Rituxan. They said that they are tracking my bone marrow function and liver function to see if I have a reaction to the Rituxan.
I am stumped as to why they are not tracking IgM levels. I thought that was the whole purpose of the expensive exercise.
I have an appointment with the neurologist in early March and will ask again at that time. But maybe in the meantime I should go pay for electrophoresis myself and get a separate blood test done.
This is very confusing. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? It feels as if the patient should be the last person to know anything.
Thanks for your comments.
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 14, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Norb and Andrew,
Norb, thanks for the chart. I think I will print it out and show my neuro. He will be very interested in it, I’m sure.
Andrew,
You are so lucky not to have gotten sick on the planes. Our friend flies from Saudi to Mississppi a few times a year and ALWAYS gets sick. If it were me, I’d have a mask on the entire time.Dell has been doing great lately, no colds but I will knock on wood too. We are doing the ivig every 3 weeks to keep a hold on the colds. He has had 99.5 twice since Christmas and we know it’s the cidp and not a sickness.
Andrew,
Regarding the bl/w. Instead of paying for the test on your own, can you request your neuro. write an order for it? I would leave a message for him with the nurse and see what he says. If my insurance would pay, it’d go that route first. Good luck,
Lori -
AnonymousJanuary 14, 2008 at 7:37 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]Andrew,
Regarding the bl/w. Instead of paying for the test on your own, can you request your neuro. write an order for it? I would leave a message for him with the nurse and see what he says. [/QUOTE]Lori
Thanks for the advice. You and my wife Marian must be talking together because she said the same…so I have done exactly that…leaving a message with the receptionist.
We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, they’ve moved my next appointment forward to mid Feb due to conflicts for both the doctor and me. That’s good because I’m preparing a list of questions for her.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 15, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Andrew, I think to charge $50 is outrageous and probably a way to discourage patients from getting their records. I have a huge stack of records from different places, never paid a penny, no eyebrows raised, no questions asked.
The blood tests showing types of anti-bodies have been ordered by two different hematologist/oncologists and not by my neurologist. I don’t know what the name of the test is.
I finally received an answer from the lab which was not very informative. All they said was that they are measuring optical density and compare it to a standard solution. They suggested to check with my physician to find out more but I know he has no idea. I’ve used a spectrometer measuring optical density before in a lab so I have an idea what they’re talking about. Apparently the index number they gave means that the anti-MAG is about 15 times normal.
By the way, I just updated the chart to give better information about the IVIG’s. Unfortunately, I did not keep a record of the exact dates. Which I should have.
Take care.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/blood_tests.jpg[/IMG]
-
AnonymousJanuary 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I think I’d also have fallen flat on my back if I’d been charged between Norwegian kroner 250-300 for a printout of my hospital tests. I can agree with Norb on the reason why they do it!
As for what your current blood-test shows, I think that the bone marrow function has to do with the number of monoclonal B-cells, which again has to do with how much IgM is produced. If the Rituxan works, the number of B-cells will go down and the IgM accordingly. They have to monitor your liver function to see how it copes with the medication.
On the other hand, I can fully understand the fact that you want to know if your IgM goes down as soon as it is available, and that it should be montored and followed as closely as possible. My blood tests have always included the different globuline-levels.
All the best from
-
AnonymousJanuary 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Thanks Allaug and Norb for good sound advice and explanations.
After reading both of your replies, I believe that I should wait for my next appointment in mid Feb and at that time ask for
1. blood tests to include the different globuline levels
2. a retest of the anti-MAG IgM.
This last test is done, I think in Missouri. Our medical system pays for the testing which apparently costs about $600. The only cost to me is the Purolator which is $50.
Norb, you mentioned that your anti-MAG levels were 15 times normal. When I was last at the doctor’s, they told me mine were 30 times normal. I have not seen the absolute result and will ask for it the next time I’m there.On another note, today was the worst day for me so far in terms of numbness. While walking in bare feet, I did not feel confident with my balance. So I can state without a doubt that the Rituxan has not yet kicked in, but that will take time and maybe another series of treatments given the elevated levels of anti-MAG initially. I hope I don’t sound depressed because I am not (yet). Maybe if the whether is better tomorrow, the numbness will be better as well!! And there is no pain, which is a blessing after reading what some on this forum are going through.
By the way, I came across another trial in the use of Rituxan for the treatment of Neuropathy with anti-Mag antibodies. It was being conducted by the NINDS in Bethesda, but on further searching I found a site whcih indicated that the study had been completed. [url]http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00050245[/url]
I wonder how we could get the findings of this trial?? I’ll see what I can find out.Andrew
-
AnonymousJanuary 15, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Andrew, if your anti-MAG test is being done in Missouri, it most likely is the same place where my first one was done in 2005: the neuromuscular institute at the Washington University in St. Louis. They report results in absolute numbers, again without unit of measure. If I divide my 140,000 by the normal range of less than 1500, I get 93 times normal. This is probably correct. I’ve seen numbers in the millions.
The director at that institute is Dr. Pestronk. You may have seen his publications on the use of Rituxan in the literature. I found their website very interesting. [url]http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromuscular/antibody/mag.html[/url]
I expanded my chart one more time adding information about symptoms.
-
AnonymousJanuary 17, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi Norb – thank you for your excellent answer to some of my questions a few days back.
I noticed something else from my records that may or may not have any consequence. In Sep ’05 my quantitative immunoglobulins tested high at 400 for IgM, as I posted earlier. At that time my IgG count was 1460, which is on the upper limits of normal. Then, six months later in Mar. ’06 I had a second lumbar puncture, as a Mayo Clinic doctor wanted to have a multiple sclerosis panel run just to make sure.
This LP detected very well-defined oligoclonal bands in my CSF, which indicate abnormal synthesis of gammaglobulins in the central nervous system. These bands are a marker for MS, but also can indicate inflammatory conditions in general. My CSF protein count was 55, and my diagnosis of CIDP Lewis-Sumner variant remained. Another part of an MS panel is to measure IgG levels in the serum and the CSF to look for ratios that are out of whack. In my case the ratio was within normal.
However, the IgG level in my blood was only 320, which is well below half the lowest limits of normal (694-1618)
So, in Sep. ’05 my IgM was 400 (high) and IgG was 1460 (upper limits of normal). Then, six months later my IgG had dropped way down to 320. IgM was not measured at that time.
Additionally, since early of ’05, and to this day, my WBC runs low. I have a CBC run prior to every IVIG infusion, and the WBC typically runs between 2.0 to 2.5, with low neutrophil counts of around 1.0.
Maybe these are pieces to a puzzle, maybe not.
-
AnonymousJanuary 19, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I keep looking at this thread to learn from you all. Especially interesting is Norb’s chart. I should know but how long ago is it since your problem started Norb?
Similarly with all of you – Allaug, Andrew etecetera.
I ask because I have just completed the update form for the CIDP Network here in the UK. At least 2 others are PDNers rather than ‘pure’ CIDP.
I wrote that when I was eventually diagnosed I was told that it was believed that it ‘is slowly progressive and mainly sensory’. True enough but after 14+ years the progression is very definitely in pain and not particularly neuropathic pain. Chaotic disorder in the behaviour of the motor nerves leading to the muscles in my feet is causing very painful cramping of the tendons. Does that ring any bells with you anti-MAG folk?:( -
AnonymousJanuary 20, 2008 at 2:33 am
Lori,
Right click on the chart, then select “copy image”. You can now paste it into a word document. It won’t copy into notepad. If you don’t have word, then you can select “save image as” and print it from your saved file.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes, and hugs to Dell
cd
-
AnonymousJanuary 20, 2008 at 8:34 am
Ken’s question about when it all started, is hard to answer definitivly. As early as 1995 I can remember a tingling sensation in my legs, I noted it in a diary I kept at the time, but so much else -and worse, especially mentally -was going on at the time, so I didn’t see any doctor about it. The pain, that eventually turned out to be nerve pain, slowly, but surely grew worse and worse, not in a “linear” fasion, but when it hit, it became more and more unbearable and more and more frequently so. When I couldn’t stand it anymore, in the fall of 2000, I went to my GP and told him that I suffered from this terrible and unexplicative pain, mostly in my legs and feet, but sometimes also all over my body, exept in the front of my torso. The answer I got was something I’ll never forget and never forgive him, for that matter: “There is so much pain that we (you) just have to live with.” So I had to tell him that he had to send me to a neurologist. He did that – and the rest is history, as they say.
-
AnonymousJanuary 20, 2008 at 12:17 pm
[QUOTE=kenspdn]. Especially interesting is Norb’s chart. I should know but how long ago is it since your problem started Norb?[/QUOTE]
Ken, it all started in 2001 while in the Peace Corps in Thailand. During my exit interview with the nurse I reported a slight numbness in my toes. I pretty much ignored it for the next year or so. It gradually got worse. In 2005 my feet were totally numb. A year later my hands started to get affected also. There is a detailed chronology on my CIDP website if you’re interested.
[QUOTE].. motor nerves leading to the muscles in my feet is causing very painful cramping of the tendons. Does that ring any bells with you anti-MAG folk?:([/QUOTE]
no, it doesn’t. Reading about the pain you and other folk have to endure makes me realize how fortunate I really am. I just have a very slight ache in my calves most of the time which I usually ignore. It probably is caused by my labored gait pushing the rollator. -
AnonymousJanuary 20, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I first noticed something peculiar when I was running in about August 2006. It felt like I had blocks under the balls of my feet. Of course in retrospect, this was numbness of that part of my feet. My doctor shrugged it off, but things got worse fairly rapidly toward the end of the year when my toes felt numb. Then began the series of tests toward the final diagnosis in about September 2007. When I look back, I have to say that I was experiencing weakness months before August 2006, but I mistakenly chalked it up to other reasons like being out of shape. Today I can walk without a cane, but I have some balance issues, numbness in feet up to the tops of the calves, in my hands, and weakness in lower legs and feet.
Like Norb, I am very fortunate in not having any pain. Might I say “comfortably numb”?
Rituxan treatments are the only medication I have had, 4 infusions of 800 g each in December. Am now waiting patiently for improvements. For the first three weeks after treatment, it felt like things were continuing to get worse despite the treatments. However, things may have stabilized now (I hope). Time will tell.
Andrew
-
AnonymousJanuary 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Dear Norb,
Glad to hear you are still safely using your rollator. Some time back I visited your web site and it inspired me to pull out of my depression and get back on track with my treatment.
You suggested I introduce myself to everyone but I am not sure this is the proper forum (thread?) in which to do so.
Meanwhile, I came across this url with regards to Rituxan and thought I’d share it here. the first thing I saw was a banner at the top of the page reading Contact us for help getting your insurance to cover treatment, the address is [url]www.cidpusa.org/rituxamab.html[/url]
Best regards to all, -
AnonymousJanuary 22, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I finally received the missing results for the last blood tests. Anti-MAG IgM dropped by 20%. This is the same percentage as all of the IgM. I’m trying to understand what this might mean. Rituxan removes B–cells and following treatment antibodies would get depleted slowly since no new ones are being produced. I expected this to happen faster since the half-life of IgM antibodies is 5 – 10 days and it’s been two months since I finished treatment. It is quite possible that the Rituxan did not remove all the B- cells and some of them are still producing antibodies.
Regardless, the fact that the overall number of IgM dropped by the same percentage as anti-MAG IgM seems to indicate that Rituxan got to the aberrant B-cells along with the good ones. Does this make sense?
The numbers also mean that there are still 80% anti-MAG IgM in circulation. This would explain why symptoms have continued to deteriorate.
PS I updated the chart I posted earlier. I also included the results of the immunofixation.
-
AnonymousJanuary 22, 2008 at 12:42 pm
[QUOTE=norb] Anti-MAG IgM dropped by 20%.
[/QUOTE]Hey…that’s great news Norb!! Its working! Simple math says 10% drop per month = 10 months to elimination. However, I guess the Rituxan has a life expectancy too and maybe you will be due for another infusion sometime to finish the outlaw B-cells off once and for all.
I drew the following chart to show what may possibly be a representation of how the Anti-MAG levels fall during a series of treatments:
[ATTACH]1121[/ATTACH]
BTW, To attach a chart, I discovered that you can use Irfanview (free photo viewer) and simply paste the chart into the Irfanview frame and save as a jpg. Works great.
Andrew
-
AnonymousJanuary 22, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Andrew, yes, it is pretty encouraging. I am due for another treatment in April and as you were saying hopefully this will take care of whatever is left. I’m still not sure whether we are dealing with just one aberrant B-cell or many.
Here is what I did to convert the spreadsheet to a JPEG file: I used printscreen and pasted it into Photoshop. There I cropped it, reduced the size and saved it as JPEG. There may be other photo editing programs that would allow you to do the same thing, I’m not sure. Or there may be easier ways I’m not aware of.
-
AnonymousJanuary 23, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hey Ya’ll,
Since Dell does not have Anti-Mag (he’s 3 years old), do you think his b/w will be any different than yours.
What will the dr. be looking at? If you want, I can post some of his current b/w. Basically, his b/w looks the same each time. They dr. is not happy with the lympocites so maybe he’ll be looking at those numbers.
Are there any b/w the dr. might not KNOW TO RUN that we should run. His dr. has been prescribing Rituxan for many patients but Dell will be his first CIDP patient to be put on Rituxan.
Thanks for any feedback.
Love, Lori -
AnonymousJanuary 23, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Hi Lori
I am by no means a hemotologist ( I can’t even spell the word). But I kept the list of all the blood tests they made me go through when they were trying to diagnose the cause of my numbness. Here they are:
[U]Biochemistry[/U]
Glucose (fasting)
Creatinine
Uric Acid
Sodium
Potasssium
Chloride
AST (SGOT)
Alk. Phosphatase
Bilirubin (total)
Urinalysis (chemical)
[U]Hematolgy[/U]
Blood film exam
Hemoglobin
W.C.B. count
Hematocrit
VDRL
[U]Other[/U]
ESR
ALT level
Platelet count
Serum immunoelectrophoresis
IgG, IgA, IgM quantitation
Serum CK
Serum folate
RBC folate
Serum Vitmin B12
ANF
RF
Serum protein
Serum albumin
Serum calcium
Serum magnesium
anti-ds DNA
TSH
anti-GM1 ganglioside antibody
C3, C4
ACE level
cANCA
pANCA
2 hr glucose tolerance testI think that you can get information on the blood tests online to see what they are all for.
In addition, on separate occasions, they took a blood sample and sent it away to a lab (in my case in Ottawa) to determine if it was a genetic problem. They also sent a sample for Anti-MAG testing at University of Washington in Missouri.I’m sorry I cannot give any advice, per se. Just a list of what they measured for me. I guess if the doctor skips any of the above, you can check them out to see why those particular tests are run and whether it might be appropriate for Dell.
I hope it works out OK
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 23, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hi Lori, are Dell’s CBC and metabolic panel values normal? Mine usually are except eosinophils which have been high since I started having symptoms in 2001. There possibly is a connection to the anti-MAG IgM and the underlying lymphoma. Eosinophils are supposed to fight parasites and cancer. Lymphoma is kind of a cancer. After we came back from Thailand in 2001, I had endless tests for parasites but nothing was found. At that time we did not know about the lymphoma. None of the doctors so far have been able to confirm a connection between my eosinophilia and anything else.
I did not have as many tests as Andrew. I had special tests to detect the anti-MAG IgM and anti-GM1 ganglioside. In addition SPEP (serum protein electrophoresis) and immunofixation to show the IgG, IgA and IgM levels as well as a possible M– spike indicating a paraprotein or monoclonal antibody. Anti-MAG IgM is such an antibody. These are the most important ones in my opinion. In order to get these expensive tests done, there has to be a suspicion of a paraprotein based on history, symptoms and progression of the neuropathy.I had a few other tests done which also are on Andrews list. Some of them usually are only ordered by a hematologist/oncologist and not a neurologist.
I hope I gave you a good enough answer. If you want to talk to me on the phone, let me know and I’ll
sent you the number. I am usually home most of the time since I cannot go anywhere. Carol broke her left hand a few days ago. Since she’s left-handed and my hands are pretty useless, we both are stuck at the house. We did arrange for meals on wheels for the next few weeks. So at least we won’t starve.:D -
AnonymousJanuary 24, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Andrew, my reaction to your chart was: oh no, I don’t want it to take that long. But today Carol found an excellent more recent PowerPoint presentation in PDF format. The depletion of anti-MAG IgM after Rituxan treatment is shown for nine patients. After the 12th month one of them was still at 100%. But see for yourself.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antMAG_depletion.jpg[/IMG]
Here’s a link to the presentation:
[url]http://myeloma.org/pdfs/Kos2007_Nobile-O.pdf[/url]
-
AnonymousJanuary 25, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Congrats to Carol for finding that chart and presentation. That was for sure the missing information in our knowledge base. My chart was totally a guess, but surprisingly, if you look at the Anti-Mag level I showed after 12 months at 30%, it was not far off the grouping of levels after 12 months in the offical chart at ave 40%. I assumed a second dose of Rituximab which may not be realistic.
It was interesting to note in slide 16/48 of the presentation that some patients had double doses of Rituximab with a lower % improvement than single doses. Of course, with such small populations, the statistical validity of any conclusion regarding the effectiveness of double doses would be questionable.
I have often wondered, assuming there is a noticeable decrease in Anti-Mag antibody, whether there will be another series of Rituxan treatments or a maintenance dosage of Rituxan every so often to maintain the Anti-Mag IgM behold the threshold level associated with the PN. I guess time will tell.
Again, thanks to Carol for finding that excellent report.
Have a good weekend
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 27, 2008 at 10:48 am
[QUOTE=connie connor]i also had the rituxan treatment but it was no help.[/QUOTE]
Hi Connie,
Do you also have anti-MAG IgM like Allaug, Norb and I? I realize that ours is a variant of CIDP, but not exactly the same, and therefore the function of the Rituxan may not be identical.
Best regards
Andrew -
AnonymousJanuary 30, 2008 at 11:54 am
[QUOTE=Andrew].
It was interesting to note in slide 16/48 of the presentation that some patients had double doses of Rituximab with a lower % improvement than single doses. [/QUOTE]
I found that curious, too. One possible explanation might be a stronger reaction by our immune system to the higher dose leading to a faster elimination of Rituxan. The fact that I had a slight fever after the first infusion indicated to me that the immune system does in fact react to the Rituxan.
[QUOTE]I have often wondered, assuming there is a noticeable decrease in Anti-Mag antibody, whether there will be another series of Rituxan treatments or a maintenance dosage of Rituxan every so often to maintain the Anti-Mag IgM [/QUOTE]
Since anti-MAG is still present after 12 months this would indicate that there are still aberrant B cells in circulation. Another treatment would make sense. In my case, I’m scheduled for one in April. However this is supposed to treat lymphoma as the underlying disease. A slow-growing lymphoma like mine tends to come back after a while.A few days ago I found a table showing a breakdown of half-life for different types of antibodies. While it is three weeks for IgG, it is only five to 10 days for IgM. This sheds quite a different light on the significance of the chart showing depletion of IgM.
-
AnonymousJanuary 31, 2008 at 1:33 pm
[QUOTE=norb]
A few days ago I found a table showing a breakdown of half-life for different types of antibodies. While it is three weeks for IgG, it is only five to 10 days for IgM. This sheds quite a different light on the significance of the chart showing depletion of IgM.[/QUOTE]Hi Norb
Surprising!! I did a search after you mentioned the half life of IgM and came across a similar table. Now I am trying to get a grasp of what this means in layman’s terms!!
Mathematically it means that after 10 days half the IgM are gone and the rest not far behind (down to 3% after two months and all gone in three months or less).
That might explain the very different results of different Rituxan patients. The whole key to success would be the elimination of the rogue B-cells, because the lives of the IgM are short, but until the faulty B-cells are gone, the anti-MAG IgM is still being produced. Some patients must have been “luckier” than others in that the Rituxan randomly found the rogue B-cells sooner and results were dramatic.
Do you think that is the explanation (in my simple terms)?
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 4, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Andrew,
that’s the best explanation I can come up with. I wonder about the Rituxan. Since it is IgG its half-life normally should have been about three weeks. However, it binds to the B-cells and also gets attacked by our immune system. As a result it’s halftime probably is less than that.No improvement yet here. On the contrary, my hands seem to be worse still. Walking with the rollator has become more and more difficult over the last few months . A few days ago I finally got a power chair. Unfortunately, we have not figured out yet how to fit it into our car. So I’m limited to the house and a few miles around the neighborhood. Of course, a few months from now I won’t need it anymore.:D
-
AnonymousFebruary 4, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Hi Norb
Sorry to hear that you are now having to resort to the use of the power chair to get around. A good friend of mine who has MS also has a power chair which has been great for him. They bought a van and had it converted so that the chair can be lifted into the van. But I agree with your last sentence…you should not need it for long.For me, I’m not sure whether things are still deteriorating now or not after about 6 weeks since the Rituxan. Certainly there is no noticable improvement. I believe that I may be getting used to the loss of sensation in fingers and toes now that it is a normal day-to-day thing. Some days seem better than others but so do some days feel worse than others.
I did the math based on a half life of 20 days for Rituxan and indeed the second series of infusions after somewhere around 6 months (or a little less) makes sense. I guess that could vary as the Rituxan is depleted also by the body’s own immune system.
I tried to do some research on the internet and came across a study by A Pestronck et al titled “Treatment of IgM antibody associated polyneuropathies using rituximab”. Have you had a chance to read this study?
BTW, have you heard anything from Allaug lately? I wonder how she is making out…whether she has noticed any improvement from the Rituxan.
Take care and keep the faith,
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 7, 2008 at 12:38 am
Dr. Latov suggests a 6 month cycle for maintenance, I am almost 14 months since my last infusion, protein is coming down slowly.
so I may revisit this treatmentI dont think the progenerator B- cell thesis holds particularly given the half life of IgM and the efficacy of rituxan in serum. I suspect its the memory issue and non serum based B-cell keeps this as a life long issue.
even with profound immuniosuppression the literature suggests relapses.
Norb my original pessimism for this course of therapy has been lessened, hang in there it may take a awhile
-
AnonymousFebruary 7, 2008 at 11:10 am
To all my friends,
I have not been on the site in the last week or so.
Norb, I will send you Dell’s latest b/w results after I have them faxed today. We have been batteling a horrible diaper rash. He’s never experienced anything like this. For the past 2 days, he has not left the couch. It hurts to move.
The neuro. called him in the yeast med. you take by mouth, fluconozole, but I have to take him into the peds. office today, although I was trying to avoid it. The home health nurse called the neuro. yesterday and described the rash over the phone.
The peds. office will disenfect a room for us. Anyway, I’ll get back with ya’ll today or tomorrow with results.
We are still shooting for March for Rituxan.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousFebruary 7, 2008 at 5:26 pm
[B]Lori[/B], poor kid That sounds terrible. I hope he gets over it soon.
[B]Michael[/B], your comment about memory B-cells got me to do some research since it sounded pretty plausible. I found another possible explanation: long-term plasma cells. Up until now I thought plasma cells in circulation were short lived, only about four to five days, but this article presents a different story:
[QUOTE]In addition to memory B cells and memory T cells, which reside mainly in the peripheral lymphoid system, animals retain plasma cells, preferentially in the bone. The continued production of antibodies by these long-lived plasma cells is crucial for immunity, because such antibodies provide immediate protection without the requirement for clonal expansion and differentiation of B cells….. Plasma cells in the circulation are presumed to have a very short half-life, with their persistence dependent on gaining access to a limited number of specialized survival niches. (Nature Reviews Immunology 6, 785-790 (October 2006) | doi:10.1038/nri1938 David Tarlinton “B-CELL MEMORY: ARE SUBSETS NECESSARY?”)
[/QUOTE] -
AnonymousFebruary 8, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Norb,
I finally got the b/w results. I’m only listing the things that are out of wack. Dell is only slightly better. He walked a little today but is asleep on the couch now. I’m waiting for the peds. office, they cultured it yesterday.
Creatinine low 0.2 normal 0.5-1.4
alkaline phosphatase high 140 normal 38-126
HGB low 11.6 normal 13-17
HCT low 34.5 normal 38-48
PLT, auto high 443 normal 130-400
MPV low 6.6 normal 7.4-10.4
lymph% low 14.9 normal 20.5-51.1
mono% high 12.2 normal 1.7-9.3
eos high 8.7 normal 0-5
mono high 1.1 normal 0.11-0.59
SED rate high 21 normal 0-20
Eosin high 0.8 normal 0-0.7These are the normal b/w that is done each month. I guess when the time comes for Rituxan, we’ll do additional, but I’m not sure.
Write if you have any questions,
Love, Lori -
AnonymousFebruary 10, 2008 at 11:41 am
[QUOTE=Dells mom]I finally got the b/w results. [/QUOTE]
Lori, I don’t know much about these items. Have you talked it over with his doctor? What stood out for me was the eosinophil value since mine has been high ever since I started having CIDP symptoms. The only comment I got from my neurologist was: “fascinating”. What I did find out was that eosinophils fight parasites and possibly cancer. Years ago I had endless tests for parasites and nothing was ever found. I wonder if the eosinophils have anything to do with the low-grade lymphoma I was diagnosed with last year. I don’t have any outward symptoms like swollen glands etc. except the neuropathy. But lymphoma means that there are B-cells proliferating out of control. I did have a whole body MRI/CT scan which was negative for any cancer. -
AnonymousFebruary 10, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hey Norb,
The definition of eosinophils: “white blood cells of the immune system responsible for combating infection and parasites in vertebrates. Also control mechanisims associated with asthma and allergies.”
As soon as I read what you said about swollen glands, I remembered our neuro. telling me a few times that Dell’s glands were swollen. At one time (when we were going back and forth to the hosptial 1 day a week) they stayed swollen for a longer period.
Because of the eosinophil number ALWAYS being high on Dell, we took him to allergy dr. He’s done some additional testing there and everything that he’s done just points to allergies, him saying Dell has ecexma, etc.
Now, I’m worried. I think I’ll do some additional digging.
Today is day 5 of his rash. You can not believe how bad this has been. I think I will start a post about it. I would like to know how he got so much yeast in his system or did it get bad because of his immunity being down because he’s on solumedrol.
Thanks for the post.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousFebruary 13, 2008 at 1:13 pm
[B]Lori[/B], the rash not going away could easily be the result of the Solumetrol since it lowers the immune system. I’m not sure pursuing the issue with the eosinophilia will get you anything especially since the numbers aren’t really that high. Like you said, it’s probably just a reaction to allergies. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
If there is in fact a connection with any underlying disease like lymphoma as I suspect in my case, the Rituxan should hopefully take care of that. I have no idea how common something like that would be in children.
-
AnonymousFebruary 13, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Earlier in this thread I posted a chart showing depletion of anti-MAG IgM following Rituxan treatment. Since I could not access the original article I contacted the author directly. Dr. Susanne Renaud in Switzerland just send me copies of the study and a second follow up one using twice the amount of Rituxan. The second one was published last year in “Neurology”. Here is one very interesting finding:
[QUOTE]At month 1 B cells in peripheral blood were undetectable and this effect persisted until month 9 when B cells began to remit.[/QUOTE] If any of you is interested in getting copies of these two articles, please, send me an e-mail. -
AnonymousFebruary 13, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi Sue
That is a very interesting article you came across. A friend of mine has MS so I will pass it along to him. There are several different types of MS and I’m not sure if he has the same type as the control group in the trial. Nevertheless, it seems like a completely new direction of research into the disease. It sure is amazing to see the progress they are making in medical research these days.
Will you be going to the GBS/CIDP hike at the Kortright Center in May? I guess it is quite a drive from Cornwall.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 14, 2008 at 9:09 pm
[QUOTE=norb]Dr. Susanne Renaud in Switzerland just send me copies of the study and a second follow up one using twice the amount of Rituxan. The second one was published last year in “Neurology”.[/QUOTE]
Norb
Thank you (dankeshane) for sending me the two studies. I read through them both carefully and tried to draw some of my own conclusions other than the statistical results of “4 out of 8” type conclusion. For anyone reading this message, it may not make much sense unless you have read the studies. Nevertheless here we go…I was able to equate the patients from study 1 (single dose of Rituxan) with those of study 2 (double dose of Riutuxan). Patient 1 from study 1 declined to join the group for study 2. Patient 7 from Study 1 unfortunately did not make it through study 2. The rest were in the same order.
Looking at the Study 2 results of the patients,#2, #3, #4 and #7 all did very well. It is hard to draw any similarities between them based on sex, age, or disease duration at study entry.
I wonder about the duration between the infusions of the two studies of almost two years. B-cells were undetectable up until month 9 after study 1 infusion, so they must have been way up at close to normal again after almost two years. I wonder if this could be considered a sort of time lost? If the levels had been kept low by maintenance infusions, would the results have been better?
Another casual observation I had was that I have never heard the number 100% in any study (except the decline in detectable B-cells). Does that mean that there is no 100% cure? I should not sound negative, but I had hoped that somewhere we would read about a patient who was cured totally and eventually regained total nerve function. Of course, any improvement is to be appreciated, but it would be nice to know that someone somewhere regained full strength and nerve sensation.
Finally…the most significant observation of all for me! It hit me like a ton of bricks. In the references for the second study, reference number 6…Bril V, Ellison R, Ngo M, Bergstrom B, Raynard D, Gin H. Electrophysiological monitoring in clinical trials. Roche Neuropathy Study Group. Muscles Nerve 1998;21:1368-1373.
My doctor is V Bril.
The drug company that supplied my Rituxan is Roche.
I hope they are both right!!Evidently we are still in the middle of the experimentation stage with this drug Rituxan for treatment of antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein.
What are your thoughts on this, Norb?
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 16, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Andrew, yes, the results are rather disappointing and not as positive as I’ve seen in other studies. Somehow I was hoping for a magic bullet. I was trying to find an explanation of the neurological symptoms score and the neurological disability score. The study lists as the source a book by Dyck which costs over $400. An abstract of a Japanese study mentions a score of 69. The scores in Renauds study ranging from +16 to -21 don’t make any sense to me without knowing what they are based on.
In another place of the study improvement of strength of 13% after one year and of 23% after two years was mentioned. I assume she means physical strength. I must have missed something because in this context Dr. Renaud all of a sudden talks about 16 and 21 patients each for study one and two. All other data refers to nine patients only.
Although no explanation is given for the limited depletion of anti-MAG IgM (see earlier graph posted by me), I am no longer surprised by that based on data I found elsewhere. Plasma cells in circulation have a life span and IgM has a half-life of only four to five days. Since according to the study one month after the Rituxan treatment B-cells are no longer detected and only start coming back after 8 months, no B-cells should mature into new plasma cells producing antibodies. IgM therefore should decline much faster than shown in the study. Even after 8 months antiMAG IgM does not decline to zero. The median is 59% of baseline after phase I and 16% after phase II (double dose of Rituxan 2 years later). The problem are so-called long-lived plasma cells. According to another study I e-mailed you a few days ago, in addition to memory B-cells some plasma cells (active B-cells) remain in the bone marrow fo more than 20 years producing antibodies. Since plasma cells no longer have CD20 markers, Rituxan cannot remove them. Dr. Renaud did not react to this specific issue in her e-mail to me.
Overall, I question the usefulness of the study as far as we are concerned.
-
AnonymousFebruary 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Hi Norb
Well, I tried to get through the paper you sent regarding Survival of long-lived plasma cells. Even the abstract was somewhat difficult to understand, but at least it does explain one thing regarding the B-cells. As you say, the plasma cells can live on for 20 years and Rituxan does not attack them because of the missing CD20 marker.Regarding the NDS and NSS scoring, I could not find the exact definition, but I did find a couple of things including a similar type of scoring form, as follows:
[ATTACH]1133[/ATTACH]
It may be a bit hard to read given the 41 kb maximum size. The text reads:
[COLOR=”Blue”]Form used for obtaining the neurologic disability
score. For obtaining a raw neurologic disability score
as used here, the values in the columns marked
“Right” and “Left” are added together. The total
scores for motor function and sensation represent the
degrees of motor and sensory disturbance, respectively.
The scoring system is as follows: no deficit (O), mild
deficit (l), moderate deficit (2), severe deficit (3), and
complete absence of function (4). A score of 0 indicates
no neurologic disability, and a score of 64 corresponds
with full disability.[/COLOR]I also downloaded a paper by Dyck which includes the following statement:
[COLOR=”blue”]Assessment of neuropathy. Neuropathy symptoms and
deficits were evaluated prospectively by a neurologist
(P.J.D.) using a standardized approach. His neurologic
record was used to determine the Neuropathy Symptom
Score (NSS) (abnormality ≥ 1; the range of possible
scores is 0 to 18) and the Neuropathy Disability Score
(NDS) (abnormality ≥ 2; range of possible scores is 0 to
244).[/COLOR]I guess there must be a scoring form like the one attached which was developed by Dyck et al, but I was unable to find it. And, $400 seems a bit too much to get the form. Also, it seems like there are a few scoring methods available.
I was able to locate the reference to 16 out of 21 patients in the strength test. It came from a study done by A Pestronk et al titled Treatment of IgM antibody associated polyneuropathies using rituximab.
I guess we have to keep looking for longer term study results as well as other information regarding the harm which those plasma cells can continue to inflict long after all the B-cells have been depleted. If that information is in the paper you sent, then I apologize for not seeing it. It was pretty “heavy stuff” for me.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 18, 2008 at 4:06 pm
To all my friends with IgM MGUS, I have an appointment tomorrow with my neurologist. She is one of the top neurologists.
So I have prepared a list of some questions as follows:
[COLOR=”Blue”]
• When will we do tests to determine levels of IgM and of anti-MAG?• Findings show that after differentiation, plasma cells formed from mature B-cells do not carry the CD 20 marker and can last up to 20 years in the bone marrow producing antibodies. Rituxan only targets cells with the CD 20 marker and therefore does not target the plasma cells. What part do the plasma B-cells play in the continued production of anti-MAG, after precursor B-cells have been eliminated by Rituxan prior to differentiation? Is there any way to reduce the plasma cell count?
• Do you have a copy of the forms used for Dyck’s Neurological Symptom Sign (NSS: 0 to 18) and Neurological Disability Sign (NDS: 0 to 244)? Would be useful for correlation with Studies by Susanne Renaud.
• What kind of program for repeat dosage of Rituxan do we envisage. Single dose, Double dose, maintenance dosage, frequency?[/COLOR]
My question for all is whether you have additional relevant questions which need to be asked at this time. If so, let me know.
If I succeed in getting answers, I’ll for sure let you know.
Regards
Andrew -
AnonymousFebruary 18, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Andrew, these questions are great. Off the top of my head I cannot think of any additional ones you might want to ask. I’m curious to find out what her answers will be. Please, don’t mention my name because she might end up hating me for contributing to this.:eek:
I just send a personal e-mail to Dr. Dyck at Mayo Clinic asking for a copy of the score criteria.
Here another comment about Dr. Renaud’s study: the changes on the NSS and NDS are not very meaningful without knowing the original scores. This might illustrate what I mean:
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/RituximabNDS.jpg[/IMG]
Let’s take patient number two: if I interpret the number given in the last column correctly, he improved by 21 points. If his original score was the maximum of 244, in other words totally disabled, his new score would be 223. With a 5% improvement he still would be pretty disabled. However, if his original score was 21, his new score would be zero or completely symptom-free; a 100% improvement.
-
AnonymousFebruary 19, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hello to all my friends,
The clock it ticking. We have heard we are going to the hospital 2/29th for Dell’s first infusion. Now, I’m scared.
It’s really all the unknown things and 2 years down the road, I hope I can look back on this and say “it wasn’t so bad.”
I’m more worried about germs than anything. My husband and I have talked about ppl. taking their shoes off before coming into the home (tracking in junk on their feet).
Dell has had a rough couple of weeks. He had the butt rash going on with a stomach ache. The stomach ache continues but not as bad. Thursday, he fell and got stitches. Yesterday, we dropped off urine and poop to see about hemocult (negative), ova cysts and parasited and pathogens in stool.
I’d like to get all this sorted out before the Rituxan.
Just wanted to keep ya’ll posted.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousFebruary 19, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hi Lori,
good luck to you. I can understand your anxiety. Carol and I were anxious too but everything turned out okay.Taking off shoes in the house is a very good idea. Also make sure to ask your visitors to do the same thing. This has been a custom in our house for many years ever since we came back from living in Thailand. Nobody there wears shoes around the house.
Don’t wait too long to see a doctor if he starts having any kind of infections. About 2 weeks ago or so I hurt my right big toe. It was bleeding quite a bit. I don’t know how it happened because I don’t have any feeling in my feet. A few days later it started to look infected. I put antibiotic cream on it but it didn’t seem to get any better. I decided not to wait any longer and saw my primary doctor who prescribed oral antibiotics. The infection is pretty much gone by now.
Take care and a big hug for you and Dell. -
AnonymousFebruary 19, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Hi everyone
Well, no matter how much you plan something and map it out in your head beforehand, it never seems to go like that in the end, does it?
The meeting started off with questions about my improvement since Rituxan. I said that I had not noticed any improvement, but that things have not deteriorated either.
Then they decided to do another EMG. As a reminder, my only other EMG was last May, and I had Rituxan in December. The discovery from this EMG and from vibration testing was that things had deteriorated. In fact the vibration test levels on my feet were double the values of last May. So I tried to explain that there could very well have been significant deterioration prior to the Rituxan and that this would likely exceed any regrowth or repair of nerves, which is a slow process.
Then they did strength tests and I gave it all I could, to which they said that I had improved in strength!! Wow.
Then the neurologist came back into the room and we talked about the coverage for Rituxan and what I wanted. I said that Rituxan looks like my best chance for a cure based on all my readings and that I am therefore in favour of more Rituxan, even if I have to pay for it with my pension savings.
So…here is the interesting part…I will get a 375 mg maintenance infusion of Rituxan once per month for the next three months with monthly follow-up visits to monitor results.With regard to the list of Questions, they took a copy and said that they would get back to me.
One final note…I have been encouraged to write to my member of parliament to pressure our medical system to provide coverage for Rituxan in the treatment of anti-MAG MGUS. In my opinion, once we have breached the dike in one spot, the rest should start to cave in…private insurance, medicare, etc.
So…more Rituxan…more chance to knock down those B-cells.
I asked about avoiding travel due to the immuno-suppression, and the answer was that I should continue to do what I normally do, like avoid crowded places, get plenty of rest, etc. I found this answer to be a bit naive given that an impaired immune system is an invitation for bacterial infection. But then, it was not the neurologist who said this…it was the technician.
Andrew
-
AnonymousFebruary 20, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Andrew,
The tech. said you could continue to travel and things? Do you wear a mask?
Our plan for Dell is to keep him out of places but if we do bring him anywhere, he will wear a mask. We FINALLY found pediatric masks. They are real cute.
Right now, he wears one into the school (to p/u his siblings) and the drs. offices and hospital. I don’t put one on him now in Walmart, I feel like we are doing ok as long as ppl. don’t come up and touch him. He rides in a stroller so he doesn’t touch those nasty carts.
You, being a man, are you shaking hands alot? I would keep germ x with me if I were you. It’s in my console in the van, I use it EVERYTIME I pay for something at a window, touch a door of a store, etc.
Looks like we have to postpone the Rituxan. Took Dell to dentist this morning, he needs 2 teeth filled and 1 crown. I am down about it all but tomorrow is another day. lol
Norb, You wrote about the infection. We have a horrible staph epidemic here. My best friend’s uncle has it in his heart, an ancquaintance passed away this week from it (she lives about 4 miles from us) and our bookeeper’s brother in law died in December. I don’t think these ppl. are getting it in the hospitals, it’s everywhere. I don’t know if they have traced it back to Hurricance Katrina or what or if it’s a national problem.
I’m waiting to hear back from either the neuro. or the dentist about the Rituxan.
Love to you all,
Lori -
AnonymousFebruary 29, 2008 at 11:10 am
Good morning, all….
Yesterday I spent some time with Liz (codystanley), and we were just talking about Rituxan. My husband John (CIDP/MGUS) received Rituxan in June 2006 at the New York University Cancer center. Medicare and his supplemental insurance covered it, because of the MGUS. He had really good results and had a single infusion in January 2007. We hoped to be able to continue with periodic infusions, but we’ve been unable to get it covered under Medicare. Instead he gets 3 IVIGs each month, which helps, but hasn’t had the same effect as the Rituxan. We too wonder why Rituxan isn’t available to CIDP patients, especially in terms of the comparative savings over IVIG. -
AnonymousFebruary 29, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Emily, Rituxan is not approved by the FDA for CIDP/MGUS, only for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and I believe rheumatoid arthritis. There are trials going at Mayo that will take quite a while.
The only reason I received Rituxan last October after two years of trying was a new diagnosis of lymphoma. Medicare and my additional insurance paid without any problems. I’m due for another treatment next month.
-
AnonymousMarch 1, 2008 at 9:10 am
In Jan 08 I visited this thread because my moms docs at The Clinic decided to give rituxan along with an IV steroid ( sorry I forget the name)
Here is my moms story ….. My mom was a healthy 57 year old woman……..GBS dx Aug 07 CIDP dx Sept 07 she was on prednisone, cellcept (which is supposed to take 6 months to start working- whatever that was supposed to do) IvIg every week sorry don’t know the dosage. In Aug she was completely paralized she could only speak & barely swallow she had a loading dose IvIg then she did great she was sent to rehab for about a week to get her walking back steady and swallowing & she was home early Sept then maybe a week later SMACK completely paralized within 2 days back to The Clinic where they started the Plasma Pharesis Wow no response it was horrible my mom was blinking for yes & no it was scary!! So after the 5 treaments with no response they switched her to the IvIg and slowly this time a response they said she was really at her worst so that’s why it took so long to come back she was there for about 3 weeks another does of IvIg before she left. Now she is on that list of meds back at rehab for about 2 weeks and they have her set up to get the IvIg every 2 weeks
she only made it 10 days tingling & numbness is back & she was sliding back down hill so back to The Clinic they change her to a higher dose steroids
60 mg & up her to IvIg every week & back to rehab she is doing great with the rehab walking with a walker 50 feet transfering with a transfer board on her own she is feeling great except for her blood pressure the higher dose of steroids is throwing her blood pressure up to roughly 190’s over 110’s so the stupid doc at the rehab takes her off the steroids ( which we now know was her defense to the CIDP along with her IvIg) she is still doing well though & is actually sent HOME!!! the first week of Dec. (In a wheelchair but transferring on her own ) She is doing well for about 2 weeks getting the IvIg at home once a week but little by little sliding downhillwith transferring, feeding herself, bowel control So…… First week in Jan. back to the clinic
They are angry ( that’s putting it nice ) to learn that she is off the steroids & explain that is the reason she is doing worse. They give her the IvIg & NO response now we are worried this has always worked before. So they discuss the Rituxan & we accept & she gets her first dose along with the IV steroid on Friday Jan 11 08 No response but they tell us sometimes it takes a few doses so Fri Jan 18 08 the next dose we think a little better but her respirations are getting worse this is our worst fear she never lost her breathing before CIDP is known for this & we have been blessed not to have to deal with this But now they are discussing intubation with us & she refuses. They explain this will be a last resort they will work with her she agrees understanding we will not leave her like this if she isn’t getting any better within a certain time frame we would let her go. Fri Jan 25 08 she gets another Rituxan treatment. She fights with all her might on Mon. Jan 28
I leave school Rush to The Clinic because the Nurse tells me they are moving her to ICU to intubate sometime later that day ( I made an hour & a half trip praying to God please just let me make it there) I got there and they were getting ready to move her to ICU they let me go in I started talking to her telling her I love her & she wrinkles her forhead like she is trying to open her eyes & wriggles her chin like she is trying to talk I tell her Shhhh just rest mommy I’ll be here all day just rest now. Then the alarms start going off & in come three nurses her blood pressure monitor reads 254/137 they are yelling Darlene open your eyes and doing a sternal rub Nothing I start yelling Mommy open your eyes they pull me out of her quad & I hear overhead Code Blue Henry 62 Bed 12 That’s Mommy!!!!! I start screaming & begging Please NO!!!! They drag me into the hall about 50 Doc’s and Nurses are running in & out A doc walks up to me & says that she ahs a bleed in her frontal lobe and they have to due surgery right away they are rushing her by me I scream I am right here mommy be a Big Girl!!! I call family my father, my brother, everyone starts arriving 3 hrs later they come out & say she had a complete right side bleed it was much larger than they thought. They left the bone flap off because of swelling in her brain & the first 24 hrs are critical. My father & I stay through the night. At 6:45 the Doc comes walking over to my father & I & says there has been a complication she just had another large bleed on her left side that she has less thatn 5 % chance to make it through another surgery & even if she did there is so much pressure & where the blled is she would be a vegetable we declined the surgery & asked him to make her comfortable called family & went to say goodbye this was the hardest thing I have ever done she was my best friend for 32 years & I was not ready to let her go! She was an amazing woman!!!!! It has been a month & her birthday is on March 4th that will be another rough day my days are still blurring together and I am trying to be strong for my children Trenton 12 & Christian 7
I want them to remember how great she was & I will love them like she loved me with ALL my heart!!! -
AnonymousMarch 1, 2008 at 9:23 am
Sorry about the post I was gonna say something about the rituxan and just started typing and couldn’t stop I guess I just needed to tell her story it’s only been a month that she’s been gone & everyday is a struggle.
I think Rituxan was starting to do a little she was getting back a little movement in her hands I know it’s not alot but they had said it would take up to 4 or 5 treatments she only got 3………Her respiratory system was just shutting down…….It was her time to go no matter what they gave her God had decided Jan. 29th 2008 was her day
She fought till that last day she instisted CIDP would not win!!!
You all keep fighting!!!!!!!!!! -
AnonymousMarch 1, 2008 at 11:34 am
Adina,
thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a family member is difficult enough, but losing someone in such a traumatizing way is even more difficult. I’m sure it will be a very long time for you to get past all this. Clearly you are a strong person because you know the importance of caring for your children and the future. You story touched both of us. Please, know you are in our thoughts.Norbert & Carol
-
AnonymousMarch 4, 2008 at 12:26 pm
It may not be much but there have been some minor improvements since I received Rituxan treatment in October. My tongue is almost back to normal and a few days ago I noticed that I can feel the keys on the keyboard again with my fingertips. I am still almost completely dependent on my power chair and cannot walk without support. I should receive results of yesterdays blood tests in about a week. Hopefully the anti-MAG IgM went down even more indicating that it’s helping.
A friend of mine in Switzerland received Rituxan at almost the same time as I did just one day later. By now his anti-MAG IgM went down by 50%. His neurologist told him last week that it may not be until in June before he sees any improvements.
It’s difficult to be patient.
-
Norb,
I am so happy there is good news. Although they are baby steps, they are steps. You have been patient and optimistic for a long time, so I know you can do it still! Best of wishes and good thoughts are sent your way.
Dawn -
AnonymousMarch 4, 2008 at 8:05 pm
To all my friends,
Friday was Dell’s first treatment. We were happy to be put in icu and watched very carefully. Dell did fine. Almost at the end of the treatment, his temp went to 100.1 and his blood pressure went up a little.
After the treatment, we were put in a regular room for his ivig treatment.
As the Rituxan was going, the dr. came in. He said he had not received the results from the CD subtypes for the lympocytes. I called and got them faxed to the icu. He said he could not understand the lab results, he was not used to reading that labs numbers. He stated if the CD19 numbers were low, Rituxan probably would not do any good.
I wish we had know this before, if we had seen the numbers, we could have maybe opted not to do Rituxan.
He redid the CD’s but when we were released from the hospital, the numbers were not yet completed. I just emailed him to see if they were in.
Dell has a higher temp than normal tonight, 99.9. I gave him tylenol. Did anyone experience a fever days after their treatment?
Norb, glad to hear your tongue is almost back to normal.
Adina, That was a very touching story. The drs. seem like they tried their best.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 12:00 pm
[COLOR=”Navy”]This is the continuation of the e-mail exchange with Andrew while the forum was down. This one is from Andrew. It was not me who ran [/COLOR]
Hi Norb
I am now getting more and more convinced that there is some improvement in my condition since Rituxan. It does not feel like the stocking effect comes as high on my legs anymore (up to the knees) and I feel like I have more strength – especially endurance. Yesterday I even went for a short run and survived OK. So I think that I’ll go along with the maintenance Rituxan treatments, but I may try to hold off until April/May/June so that there is a gap of 4 months since the infusions of December. From the literature, knowing that the B cells are wiped out until about month 6 to 9, I can’t understand what the maintenance dosages of Rituxan are supposed to do. If they were free, it would be a simple choice (like taking aspirin).
Take care,
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 12:15 pm
[COLOR=”Navy”]While the forum was down, Andrew and I continued our discussion and exchange of experiences via e-mail. Here are some excerpts that might be of interest, not necessarily in the order in which they were sent. The text in blue is mine, and the one in black is Andrews[/COLOR]
Hi Norb
I did some searching on the internet for the natural flora and discovered a wonderful site at [url]http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/[/url]
It even contains an excellent description of the immune system. From this, I noted that the author talks about plasma cells having a life of only about a week. It would be interesting to know how one might differentiate between the 1-week plasma cells and the long life plasma cells. They must have different functions. Perhaps the long life plasma cells are indeed memory cells, whereas the 1-week plasma cells are innate cells. ????The part about the natural flora makes for fascinating reading. I had no idea that we are all filled with such a cocktail of bacteria, starting in the mouth and going all the way through.
It seems that there is a balance in the natural flora which can be affected by things like antibiotics for one. Hence, I figure that this balance may have been changed as a result of the Rituxan or the after effects of the Rituxan on the immune system.
I can’t help but think about how much it would mean to me to be able to sit down across from a doctor who really really knows all about IgM MGUS and the treatment with Rituxan. Certainly the neurologist does not know, because it involves so much more than just nerves. The hematologist does not know because it involves the immune system. Would this be the type of thing one could learn about from a trip to Chicago for the GBS-CIDP conference? Have you been to one of them?
Best regards
Andrew[COLOR=”Navy”]Hi Andrew,
I ran into a problem with my infected toe. After six days of antibiotics it was still not back to normal. Yesterday I decided to go back to see my primary doc. She referred me to a podiatrist. Last year I lost a toe nail which was slowly coming back but severely ingrown. He said because of reduced blood flow bacteria found a niche under it which antibiotics could not reach easily. He pulled off the nail. I hope he’s right. (he was)[/COLOR]
I went for a long walk today. Felt good. I believe some strength is returning, but the sensory neuropathy is unchanged. Also, I had a brain wave last night. Ever since the Rituxan in December I have had minor stomach cramps, rumblings, and gas. It ocurred to me at about 4 am this morning that every night I have yogurt before I go to bed and this is made with a bacteria (albeit “good” bacteria). And we know that the level of B-cells is reduced due to the Rituxan, so whatever part the immune system plays in digestion of bacteria bearing foods is probably reduced. Same might be said for milk and cheese. So today I started on a mini diet eliminating the dairy products (except milk on my cereal – a must). Actually, my stomach feels better already. Have you heard anything about this? If you think it is of use to others, I will copy and paste into a posting on the forum under the usual “CIDP – Rituxan Treatment?” thread.
Take care
Andrew[COLOR=”Navy”]Hi Andrew
No, I have not heard anything about what affect Rituxan might have on the intestinal flora. I’m not sure that our immune system has any influence since these bacteria probably only populate the matter inside the intestines and not the tissue itself. Antibodies on the mucous membranes prevent micro-organisms from entering.
Take care
Norbert[/COLOR]Hi Andrew
[QUOTE]I can’t help but think about how much it would mean to me to be able to sit down across from a >
doctor who really really knows all about IgM MGUS and the treatment with Rituxan……..[/QUOTE][COLOR=”Navy”]Yes, I know. It’s been very frustrating for me to get good answers. My own oncologist knows everything about cancers and Rituxan but he tells me to ask my neurologist when it comes to anti-MAG IgM neuropathy. As far as he’s concerned the possibility that Rituxan might help with the neuropathy is only secondary to treating my lymphoma. My neurologist actually never set down with me and talked about the immunological part of it. The best answers I ever got were from an immunologist. She participated in the forum for a while probably for professional reasons. This was before the forum was attacked and all the data was lost. Allaug was able to retrieve two of her answers to me. I reposted them but I’m going to include them here in case you missed it.
Tonight I watched a show on the Discovery Health Channel about one of our forum members who came down with GBS. It was pretty interesting but it did not go into a lot of detail about the pathology. Taking off the commercials it probably was only about 20 minutes, too short to get into it. A lot of it was just drama, interviews etc
No, I have not been to the GBS/CIDP conference. Heard good reports.
Take care
NorbertHi Andrew
The short-lived plasma cells are the ones in circulation while long-lived ones stay in the bone marrow. If I remember correctly, the author of the article I mailed to you earlier suspects that these are some kind of memory cells which stay around in addition to memory B cells.
[/COLOR] >
\
[QUOTE]Whereas the 1-week plasma cells are innate cells. ???? [/QUOTE][COLOR=”Navy”]They are part of adaptive and not innate immunity. More about that later.
I read somewhere some time ago that there are more micro organisms in and on our body than our cells. Also, the immune system is more active in the intestinal area than any other place. I still believe that this doesn’t go any farther than the intestinal walls. Within the material inside the intestines antibodies would simply not be able to perform their function. Inside the walls they protect our body from intruders.[/COLOR]
[QUOTE]Have you had any noticeable change in your condition since the Rituxan? I was thinking that my strength was improving, but today my fingers feel more numb than usual. It might just be from allowing them to get too cold while outdoors during this sub-zero temperature.[/QUOTE]
[COLOR=”Navy”]I have not noticed any improvements yet. However, Carol seems to think that my hands are getting better. I don’t feel it. Andrew, I would expect that you see improvements much faster than me because your symptoms seem to be less advanced than mine. I also read something to that effect about other patients. To give you a more detailed picture of my symptoms here is a link to a caregiver’s guide Carol just wrote]a few days ago. She will be going to Denver next week for a few days and every other week after that to help out our daughter and her two children. She hired a neighbor girl to come over every day to check on me. The guide is for her.
[url]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/Norbert/CIDP/Caregiver/caregiver.html[/url].
See pages 5 and 6
Take care
Norbert[/COLOR]Hi Norbert
I had a bit of a cold this week, so it is hard to tell whether my neuropathy is any better or worse at the moment.
I am frustrated with my Neurologist. In answer to the questions I prepared, the neurologist’s staff clerk (the word nurse would be too complimentary to him) called me today to say that they do not want to test for IgM or antimag because the two tests would tell us nothing. “The only true test of the Rituxan is whether or not the symptoms get better”. He says that if I do not improve, then the test for IgM and antimag would have been useless and unnecessary.
Have you ever heard such crap? I now wonder whether anyone in the neurology department knows what Rituxan does, other than to reduce neuropathy.
So I won’t be able to compare notes with you two on blood test results following the Rituxan.
Maybe I can order them and pay myself. I’ll check out that possibility.Take care
Andrew[COLOR=”Navy”]Hi Andrew
Of course, they are correct in saying that the final proof will be in improvements and not in test results of the anti-MAG IgM. On the other hand, we would like to have some indication that there might be a chance for improvements. The anti-MAG IgM tests would be such an indication. Seems a lot easier here in the US to get those tests some might consider unnecessary.
Back to the innate immunity:
1. Innate or inborn immunity is also called natural resistance. It is our first line of defense. It is nonspecific, has no memory, and is not self-limiting (does not stop). It cannot tell the difference between different antigens. It has two parts: external and internal. The external part consists of the skin, body secretions and mucous membranes preventing the penetration of pathogens into host tissues. For example: the skin (better if oily) prevents penetration of most pathogens. Once pathogens enter the body, internal immunity takes over. It consists of physiological barriers, phagocytosis, and inflammation. Cells involved are monocytes, eosinophils and phagocytes.
2. Acquired immunity is also called antibody mediated immunity. It is our second line of defense. It develops during a host’s life time and is based partly on the host’s experiences with antigens. It is specific, has memory, can distinguish self from non-self, and is self-limiting (except unfortunately not completely in our case). Cells involved are the lymphocites, that is the B cells and T cells. Macrophages, the complement system and inflammation also play an important role.Take care,
Norbert[/COLOR]
-
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]As the Rituxan was going, the dr. came in. He said he had not received the results from the CD subtypes for the lympocytes. I called and got them faxed to the icu. He said he could not understand the lab results, he was not used to reading that labs numbers. He stated if the CD19 numbers were low, Rituxan probably would not do any good.
I wish we had know this before, if we had seen the numbers, we could have maybe opted not to do Rituxan.
[/QUOTE]Lori, Rituxan has nothing to do with CD 19. It attaches to the CD 20 marker on B cells. I checked my text again but it is not quite clear on these particular markers. They belong to a group of differentiation markers involved in cell development. When B cells are activated and develop into plasma cells, the ones spitting out millions of antibodies, these markers disappear. The text says that CD 19 [U]or[/U] CD 20 are expressed. That sounds like it’s either one or the other. On the other hand, the blood tests I had done before treatment found monoclonal antibodies with both CD 19 [U]and [/U]CD 20. It’s quite confusing.
Regardless, what your doctor told you does not make a lot of sense to me. Perhaps the assumption is that low CD 19 also means low CD 20, not enough for Rituxan to target.
This might be of interest: in this study of patients who received Rituxan treatment one month after treatment no B cells could be detected in circulation. They started to come back after eight months.
By the way, B cells [U]are[/U] involved in defending against [U]viruses[/U] in circulation – among other intruders. T cells, on the other hand, fight viruses which have invaded our cells. I got this wrong in an earlier post. So be extra careful. The oncologist asked me Monday if i had any indication of the flu. I said “no but there isn’t much you can do about it except wait it out.” He answered “yes there is. You just have to take medication as early as possible.” So if that happens to Dell you should see the doctor right away.
-
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 2:47 pm
[QUOTE=Billt]Hi Norb:
Do you mean, literally, that you went for a run – as in jogging? If so, then that is quite impressive.[/QUOTE]
don’t I wish. I’m using a power chair and can only walk a few steps holding onto whatever I can find. Andew must have mentioned that. I couldn’t find it in the earlier post. He did mention a walk somewhere.By the way, the text in blue is mine, and the one in black is Andrews.
-
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi Gabrielle, like I said it wasn’t me who ran. That would have been a miracle at this point. Or it would have happened in my dreams – which is sometimes the case. Wishful thinking!
I am anxious to find out how Dell is doing. If you followed this thread he’s the little boy who just received Rituxan. He does not have my anti-MAG IgM variant of CIDP but common CIDP (for a lack of a better term.) But the way I see it Rituxan should work for him just the same.
Take care
-
AnonymousMarch 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I just read through your outbluemarble story which was a little humbling. Everything started out so benign. I am still a newbie with all of this but spent 8 months thinking it was all going to go away until I got my correct diagnosis. I realize things area changing with me, but in very small amounts. Like fingers numb, and not being able to type well, outside of the walking problems. I did read about Dell too, and will be curious as to his outcome. My neuro is quite amiable and willing to do what I have asked so that is good. Take care, and you live in one of my favorite places in the US:) I spent so much time hiking out there and skiing. I love it there…
-
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hello to all,
Thank you for your concern for Dell. We had the 2nd treatment yesterday. All went well, actually better than first, although first wasn’t bad either, just 100.1 and a slightly elevated blood pressure towards the end of the 1st.
Horrible time at hospital, nurses passing the buck, didn’t get started with treatment until had been there for 6 LONG HOURS, but that is another post, lol.
Don’t have much to pass along, Dell has had 2 very soft stools but that could also be from solumedrol, it does it sometimes but not always.
Below is the emails my neuro. and I have been sending back and forth. I’m not good on the computer so I can’t color code them like Norb can, lol.
_________________________________________________________________
DEAR LORI,
YOUR CHILD HAS A DISORDER THAT NO OTHER CHILD HAD SO YOUNG. I GOT THE RESULT OF CD19 (SAME AS CD20): ABSOLUTE COUNT 357 (N: 300-1600) AND 18.7% (N: 14-44%). WITH RITUXAN I WOULD EXPECT A DROP OF CD19 TO 0.1-0.6%. THE RISK OF PML IS SO LOW THAT IT GETS PUBLISHED WHEN IT OCCURS. YOU ARE MORE AT RSIK TO BE KILLED IF YOU TAKE THE CAR AND DRIVE EVERY DAY. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE.
THANKS,Paul Maertens
1505 Oak Bend CT
Mobile 36609
USA—–Original Message—–
From: Lori Massey
To: [email]paulmaerte@aol.com[/email]
Sent: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 7:13 am
Subject: from Dell’s mom, againHey,
I have a serious question that is upsetting me. What is the chance Dell could develope progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy from Rituxan?
I know it’s mentioned in a MS bulletin.
Also, if the CD 19 is low, are we going to continue with the next round of Rituxan? If the number is low, I would not want to take another round. I might be making a mountain out of a molehill but this is my baby and I’m worried to death. I know all medictions have side effects, just like tylenol but this is a drug that not many ppl. have taken.
Thanks, Lori
_______________________END OF EMAILS____________________________We did b/w before we started Rituxan, last Friday. Yesterday we did some more but I don’t think I have the rusults. I haven’t had much sleep but I will look through my stuff from the hospital.
Norb,
What b/w do you think you would be interested in seeing? I have CD2,CD4,CD8,CD19,CD56 and absolutes of each. Also have CD4:CD8, they come together on the lab report.I asked the dr. what his other patients on Rituxan looked like, (b/w) but he had not done b/w on them each week, like he’s doing on Dell.
I’ll keep you all posted. Thanks for the tip on the flu. I ordered 2 boxes of pediatric masks today. He wears them when we go into the general public.
Thanks for all your love, prayers and help.
Lori -
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hi Lori, I’m glad you posted the e-mails between you and your doctor. As far as CD19 (read B-cells) is concerned, there’s nothing to worry about in my opinion. First of all, they were within normal range to begin with, just a little bit on the low side. This probably is due to the Solumedrol which suppresses the immune system. Like your doctor said we actually [U]want[/U] them to go down with Rituxan treatment. Mine are probably down to almost zero 4 months after my treatment. That’s the goal. CD2,CD4,CD8,CD56 are markers on T cells and other immune system cells. They’re probably monitoring them because of the Solumedrol to see how his immune system is doing. Other than knowing what they are I don’t know how to interpret the numbers.
Hang in there. I can imagine how tough it must be for you with a child that young. I keep thinking about our three year old granddaughter Sydney and how terrible that would be. Carol just came back last night from babysitting her in Denver. I couldn’t go with her because I’m depending on my power chair now. She told me that Sydney kept asking for me. Do you have a picture of Dell?
-
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hi Lori, I’m glad you posted the e-mails between you and your doctor. As far as CD19 (read B-cells) is concerned, there’s nothing to worry about in my opinion. First of all, they were within normal range to begin with, just a little bit on the low side. This probably is due to the Solumedrol which suppresses the immune system. Like your doctor said we actually [U]want[/U] them to go down with Rituxan treatment. Mine are probably down to almost zero 4 months after my treatment. That’s the goal. CD2,CD4,CD8,CD56 are markers on T cells and other immune system cells. They’re probably monitoring them because of the Solumedrol to see how his immune system is doing. Other than knowing what they are I don’t know how to interpret the numbers.
Hang there. I can imagine how tough it must be for you with a child that young. I keep thinking about our three year old granddaughter Sydney and how terrible that would be. Carol just came back last night from babysitting her in Denver. I couldn’t go with her because I’m depending on my power chair now. She told me that Sydney kept asking for me. Do you have a picture of Dell?
-
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hi everyone
Sorry for the time away from the forum. Thanks to Allaug and Norb for continued dialogue via email while the forum was down. After the forum came back up again I had to make a business trip and was lucky to go skiing with my family and some of my inlaws. The only trouble I experienced was tremendous pain in my toes towards the end of the day, probably from lack of use resulting from changed gait and other neuropathy related imbalance. But the pain came and went so I was able to stop now and then to let the surge subside and then continue on.Lori
[QUOTE]Thank you for your concern for Dell. We had the 2nd treatment yesterday. All went well, actually better than first, although first wasn’t bad either, just 100.1 and a slightly elevated blood pressure towards the end of the 1st.[/QUOTE]
Glad to hear that Dell is getting the Rituxan and I sure hope it works soon. I think you are doing the right thing by asking all the questions. We are thinking of you and Dell.Adina…thank you for sharing the story of your Mom. I know what you must have been going through because I lost my Dad last year, partly because he was sent home from hospital in a terrible condition and when he was readmitted, it was too late. Initially he was in for pneumonia, but must have suffered some mini strokes in there and was unable to swallow and his blood chemistry went crazy. But my Dad was quite a lot older than your Mom, and it does not seem fair that you lost your Mom at such a young age. Your children will appreciate the memories of their grandmother.
Norb,
[QUOTE]there have been some minor improvements since I received Rituxan treatment in October. My tongue is almost back to normal and a few days ago I noticed that I can feel the keys on the keyboard again with my fingertips.[/QUOTE]
That’s great news!! Especially to hear that you have experienced an improvement in the sensory neuropathy which is so important. I was thinking personally that I had noticed an improvement in motor neuropathy, but I could not detect any sensory changes. What is your status with regard to further treatments. Will you get more Rituxan in April?News from today…
Do not trust anyone who tells you how wonderful the Canadian health care system is. After my neurologist refused to check my b/w for IgM levels or anti-MAG, I had a blood test today so that they can monitor my liver and bone marrow for damage from Rituxan. I asked at the clinic if they could measure IgM and IgG levels and offered to pay for it out of my pocket. Answer is that they are not allowed to run any blood tests without instructions from the doctor. Maybe I will go to a separate clinic next week while I’m in New Orleans and have the tests done there.Take care everyone and keep getting better!!!
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Andrew,
My sister calls the places that offer walk-in service, “doc-in-the box.” Maybe you can go to one of those places. There is one in my home town that cost a flat fee of $40. The dr. is not affliated to the hospital so this is his only source of income. Can’t believe he could stay in business but he is.
I live about 1-1/2 hour from New Orleans. What are you going to do there and how long will you be there. I can’t promise anything but would love to meet you.
Norb,
Thanks for the info on the CD’s. This stuff blows my mind. If we were talking about how to make cakes and the chemistry between salt, baking powder, baking soda, I’d have no problem but baking a cake is alot easier than figuring out cidp.
As I’ve told ya’ll in the past, I am almost computer stupid so I can’t send photos. I will try my best to get a neighbor to help.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Just wanted to write some things after reading Norb and Andrew’s back and forth.
Regarding flora: I give Dell a primadophilus pill every day to keep good bacteria in his system. He’s also taking zinc. The immunologist said the zinc is very important.
Andrew: Can’t remember if you go to an immuologist but if not, I’d make an appt. with one.
Regarding antibiotics: Don’t forget to get your antibiotics when doing dental work. Dell’s PT’s husband had a bone marrow transplant about 1 year ago. He has to have 2 teeth out and the surgeron did not know he should have an antibiotic. Blows my mind!!!!! Thank God they emailed their dr. at MD Anderson and they said, “of course you need an antibiotic.”
Our neuro. told us the other day, he’s hoping to kill the bad guys and when they come back, “he’s hoping they will have forgotten their memory and forget they were bad cells.”
Just wanted to put my 2 cents into the conversation.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 8:30 pm
News from today…
Do not trust anyone who tells you how wonderful the Canadian health care system is. After my neurologist refused to check my b/w for IgM levels or anti-MAG, I had a blood test today so that they can monitor my liver and bone marrow for damage from Rituxan. I asked at the clinic if they could measure IgM and IgG levels and offered to pay for it out of my pocket. Answer is that they are not allowed to run any blood tests without instructions from the doctor. Maybe I will go to a separate clinic next week while I’m in New Orleans and have the tests done there.Take care everyone and keep getting better!!!
Andrew[/QUOTE]
Hi Andrew,
We’re in Vancouver, and my husband’s neurologist gave him a requisition for Athena labs in the States to check his levels. He got it done at the local BC Biomedical lab, but we paid approximately $1200.
Laurel -
AnonymousMarch 7, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I just received the results of my blood tests from Monday except the anti-MAG IgM is still outstanding. This time I created a graph to make it more visual. The results are very encouraging. The decline in antibodies is steady and IgG pretty much parallels IgM. I’m anxious to see the anti-MAG IgM number. It would have been interesting to see the numbers for B cells and T cells as is being done in Dell’s case. But it is too late to ask for it now since I don’t have a baseline.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgM_IgG_Graph.jpg[/IMG]
-
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 11:21 am
[QUOTE=Dells mom]I live about 1-1/2 hour from New Orleans. What are you going to do there and how long will you be there. I can’t promise anything but would love to meet you.[/QUOTE]
Hi Lori
thanks for the suggestion re “doc-in-the-box”. I have looked for a New Orleans diagnostic clinic in the yellow pages and there are a few listed so once I get there I’ll make some calls….that is if I get there. We are having ANOTHER snow storm today and flights are delayed and canceled. It has gotten so that we need to shovel the snow way up in the air to get it over the banks along the driveway. What a winter!!I will be at a conference in N.O. and it is always a really intensive week with meetings from 8 am until I go to bed (not exactly the “Big Easy”). I’d also love to meet you and hear more about Dell but to be honest, it may be quite difficult for me to get away. I’ll try to get a better reading on the situation once I get there.
Regarding the need for defense against infections, I have disregarded the words of my neurologist’s clerk. Certainly if our immune system is in any way compromised, we must take extra precautions. Several thousand years ago, man did not live in large urban centres, travel in airplanes or risk exposure to all kinds of internationally prevelant viruses and bacteria. Our immune systems have not adapted as quickly as the change in our social structures, so I believe that we need to take precautions as a general rule, and more so if we have reduced defenses. So I totally agree with you that masks are important in crowded places and one should wash hands often, especially after touching railings, etc in public places.
Back to shoveling the driveway (my new winter sport)!!
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 11:23 am
Laurel and Andrew,
I’m sure you both think I’m crazy and you are probably correct, I read Laurel’s post and thought it was Andrew that was going to New Orleans. Anyway, Laurel, let me know about your plans to New Orleans, we are 1-1/2 hours away.
Norb,
Would it be too much trouble to tell me what page all your graphs are found on. The ones you posted from your bloodwork?
My husband sent a nasty letter to the hospital regarding waiting for 6 hours for our Rituxan treatment to START. He got a reply back and this coming week (3rd treatment) they are putting us into the infusion room where Dell used to get his ivig about 2 years ago. The nurses are wonderful and they love Dell. It will be good to be away from all the crap on the floor of the hospital.
Thanks, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 11:28 am
[QUOTE=laurel]We’re in Vancouver, and my husband’s neurologist gave him a requisition for Athena labs in the States to check his levels. He got it done at the local BC Biomedical lab, but we paid approximately $1200.
Laurel[/QUOTE]Hi Laurel
Ouch!! Was that the anti-MAG test which drove the cost up?
Maybe if I can get a referral from my family doctor to an immunologist, as suggested by Lori, I can get it covered (outside of the treatments being prescribed by the neurologist). Gotta check all the angles.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 11:40 am
[QUOTE=norb]This time I created a graph to make it more visual. The results are very encouraging. The decline in antibodies is steady and IgG pretty much parallels IgM. [/QUOTE]
Fantastic Norb!!
I hope you don’t mind if l send a copy of your graph to my neurologist to show how important it is to track the correlation between the Rituxan treatment and the effect. To me, the neuropathic improvement will be a corollary of the decreased immunoglobulin levels. This is exactly the way I had hoped to follow my treatments (I guess, being an engineer, I love charts).
Norb, I sincerely look forward to the day that you post a message on the forum to say that you have dumped the power chair and have gone back to cane or better. I hope that that day is soon.
Thanks for sharing your progress.
Best regards
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hi all!
Regarding infections, be it viral or bacterial, there has been no change for the worse since my Rituxan treatment in 2005. I have not been suceptible to colds for many, many years, and I can’t remember ever having had the “real” flu. My last BAD cold was in January 2004, just after starting trying out Cyclosporine for what was then thought to be CIDP.
My husband is a high school teacher and he picks up a couple of colds each year, and catches the flu sometimes too, but they never “jumps” on to me.
In my youth I can remember having colds that lasted for months, though. The few times I have had colds the last – at least – twenty years, they have been REALLY hard!
But of course – better safe than sorry, but to repeat myself, it seems that Rituxan did not compromise my immunesystem more than it was supposed to.
-
AnonymousMarch 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Hi Lori,
here are links directly to the place where the graph and the table are stored.[COLOR=”Navy”]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgM_IgG_Graph.jpg[/COLOR]
[COLOR=”Navy”]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/blood_tests.jpg[/COLOR]
Andrew, of course I don’t mind if you use the graph and the table any way you see fit. With 30+ years in computing and having taught project management I like graphs and tables also. I tried to add the data for the anti-MAG IgM to the graph but it didn’t quite turn out because of the large difference in values. Interestingly enough, Excel automatically projected the two missing values but the resulting curve ended up exactly on top of the IgM one. Here is a separate graph with projected values. I will add the missing one from March sometime next week as soon as I receive it from the lab.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antiMAGIgM_Graph.jpg[/IMG] -
AnonymousMarch 9, 2008 at 8:18 am
I have been following this thread since Allaug started it way back in May 2006! As an IgA PDN sufferer for almost 15 years I have felt to be a sort of intruder but the discussion about T cells and B cells has come together for me as my experience has taken a sharp downhill turn in the past year.
Allaug has graciously stated that she had learned from me and my website but I have been learning from her and all of you. Here is my thinking aloud. >
From my own PDN website. “Paraprotein or monoclonal gammopathy is the presence in the blood/serum of an abnormal amount of any single type of protein/antibody/immunoglobulin.
WHAT CAUSES THE PARAPROTEIN? The anti-body producing plasma cells in the bone marrow or lymphoid organs have gone out of control. They have expanded to form benign or malignant tumours. These are, so to speak, locked in an “on” position and secrete or spew out clones of the same, single antibody (or immunoglobulin). This process is known as Monoclonal Gammopathy.”As a matter of information I had gall bladder surgery by keyhole process in mid-February 1993 and in May a small calcaneal spur removal on my left heel. On the time scale of the monoclonal gammopathy and neuropathy occurring I have sometimes wondered.
As has been said on this thread when discussing anti-MAG IgM PDN/MGUS this cloning results from one single damaged B-cell getting out of control and the cloning to create a proliferation of monoclonal antibodies over the years – in my case of IgA antibodies and since mid-June 1993. Although the pathogenesis (what happened) is not clear about IgA PDN/MGUS neuropathy it seems possible or even probable that there was an immune reaction to an antigen, possibly a bacteria, targeted by IgA rather than IgG and my peripheral nerve myelin was attacked. The havoc was limited to my feet and mainly to the sensory nerves, but over 14+ years pain has increased, greatly in very recent years, and walking has become disabled in the past 8 months being severely limited by the muscles cramping much more than previously as the motor nerves are sending chaotic messages to my feet.
As I have indicated on another recent thread there is a relationship between my IgA PDN and anti-MAG PDN/MGUS associated demyelinating neuropathy.
Some IgA PDN/MGUS associated demyelinating neuropathy sufferers ‘can show features similar to anti-MAG IgM patients’. (Cocito et al 2003.)
A joint task force of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the Peripheral Nerve Society reported in ‘Guidelines on management of paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathies’ that “a minority of patients with IgG or IgA PDN have the DADS clinical phenotype (observable characteristics) and associated electrophysiological features”.
Most patients with IgM PDN have DADS clinical phenotype most strongly associated with anti-MAG antibodies. The phenotype is distal (away from the centre point of attachment), acquired demyelinating symmetrical. It is chronic, slowly progressive, symmetric, predominantly sensory involvement, relatively mild or no weakness, ataxia and often tremor.
That description is closely similar to my IgA PDN clinical and my experienced characteristics. Mainly sensory, mild or little weakness, symmetric, slowly progressive. No tremor initially but I have some now, but that could be age related – now 80+ compared with 65 at onset.
I am in mid-spell of the half life of IVIg after 5 days infusions 3 weeks ago. No significant change yet. IVIg targets the T-cells? So perhaps I need treatment targetting the rogue b-cells? It has been helpful to some of you be you anti-MAG IgM or CIDP in some cases.
Your comments please.:confused:
-
AnonymousMarch 9, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hello Ken, [QUOTE=kenspdn]IVIg targets the T-cells?[/QUOTE]here is what Threads, an immunologists, wrote about IVIG a couple of years ago.* I would think what she says about IgM also applies to IgA.[QUOTE=Threads]…the mechanisms by which IVIG work aren’t fully understood. But I think this is reasonable based on what we do know….The antibodies in IVIG are primarily IgG class – that is the class of most normal serum antibodies. One action of IVIG is to downregulate Fc receptors – for the IgG class. There have been other proposed mechanisms for IVIG action and some or all might be a part of the package. But it seems that most of the mechanisms are related to the massive infusion of a lot of IgG constant regions, and are not due to specific antigen binding properties of the IVIG. You can see that it will not have the same effect on IgM specific receptors because there is not a lot of IgM class antibodies being infused.I think this is why it is important to figure out whether someone has a pathogenic IgM causing the disease (and so less likely to respond to IVIG), vs. someone with typical CIDP that happens to have a benign IgM spike in their serum.My speculation is that there are also patients where the disease doesn’t involve a lot of antibody production; that it is primarily T cell or NKT cell mediated, and that those patients are also IVIG unresponsive. The clinical literature has noted that patients with a longer course of disease tend to be less responsive to IVIG, and it may be that for typical CIDP (unlike anti-MAG IgM) the antibody component decreases over time and the T cell component becomes predominant.[/QUOTE]I created a graph for you showing depletion of my IgA. In my case it’s always been within normal range.* My suspicion is that your numbers would be quite different.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgA_Graph.jpg[/IMG]I do hope that you will see some improvement after your IVIG treatment. However to be honest, if my case is any indication, I am not very hopeful. Like you suggested, treatment targeting rogue B-cells might be a better course of action. On the other hand, every patient is different and to try IVIG first appears to be quite reasonable.
Take care. -
AnonymousMarch 13, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hello everyone,
We are at the hospital receiving Dell’s 3rd treatment. They are almost ready to plug him in. I’ll post the work when I get it back, it’s pretty quick.
Boy, there sure is a difference between the infusion room and the floor. On the floor, we would have MAYBE had his pressure and temp. done by now. In the infusion room, they’ve done everything and are ready to hook him up. It would be a couple more hours before hook up time on the floor. It’s a much nicer experience for my husband and I and also for Dell.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 13, 2008 at 9:49 am
Norb,
Thanks for that response. I was hoping for some other responses too. My submission must have been too boring.
As DocDavid wrote in his article for PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY 242 in August 2005. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.ME AND MY NEUROLOGICAL ILLNESS.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
responding to Rituximab.“A search of the web brought me to two sites [url]http://www.gbsfi[/url] .com and http:// [url]www.gbs.org.uk[/url] on which there are many expert patients and a wealth of knowledge.”
Along with him I have always found great help on these forums.
-
AnonymousMarch 13, 2008 at 1:09 pm
We got some of Dell’s b/w but not the CD’s.
WBC 3.5 low range 5.-15.5
Seg neutrophils 66.00 high normal range 23.0-54%
Platelet Count 471 high normal 150-400Sed rate 35 high, normal 0-15
sed has been high for the last few timesEveryone,
Did your wbc go down? I’m concerned with that.Write when you can, I’m waiting to hear about your wbc.
Thanks, Lori -
AnonymousMarch 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I did find the white blood count results. The infu sion Center did their own tests.
According to them the normal range is 4.0 to 10.0
Before the infusions: 4.5
after first infusion: not done
after second infusion: 5.3
after the third infusion : 4.9
after the fourth infusion 5.1They did lymphocytes separately which includes just B and T cells
Normal range is 1 to 4.4
Before the infusions: not done
after first infusion: not done
after second infusion: 1.4
after the third infusion : 1.2
after the fourth infusion: 1.2Do you know what Dell’s WBC was before he started infusions?
As I told you on the phone earlier, his WBC is not dramatically low, in my opinion. A drop is to be expected after Rituxan. I’m surprised that mine didn’t drop.
He will be fine. Take care
-
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 8:06 am
Last night, after we talked, I looked at the info we printed from the computer on [url]www.drugs.com[/url] for Rituxan.
Under Less common, “this medicine may also cause the following side effects that your doctor will watch for:
High blood pressure; low white blood cell countI called the mother of the 17 year old our dr. prescribed Rituxan for lupus and RA. Her wbc was not affected.
His wbc count on 2/29/08 was 9.8, normal (5-15.5). It’s always in that range.
We do ivig next week and I’m going to write dr. today to ask if we can do it earlier in the week rather than wait for Friday. Don’t you think ivig would help the wbc????
Thanks,
Lori -
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 11:16 am
Lori,
the IVIG will give him extra protection against infections but it will not affect his WBC. This is a count of his immune system cells while IVIG does not consist of cells but antibodies. Antibodies are proteins. Since Rituxan reduces B cells significantly, the antibodies produced by them will also be reduced. IVIG replaces what is lost.You can see how my antibodies went down if you look at the chart I published.
Carol and I are thinking of you and Dell all the time.
Take care
-
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I finally received the results of the anti-MAG IgM test for March. At first I was disappointed because it looked like the number went back up to 15.12 (see graph posted 3/8). But then I realized results came from two different labs. Now I consider the data as inconclusive.
I am scheduled for my second series of Rituxan starting April 18.
-
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Norb,
I spoke with the immuoloigist today. I was going to fax results but he was leaving to go out of town.
He said the same thing you did about the ivig not working to help pull up the WBC. He also said as long as Dell’s acs numbers were above 1000, he felt everything would be ok. The acs numbers are the ones to tell if a patient is neuropenic (spelling). Dell’s is 2310.
I have been on the computer all morning to make heads or tails of all this. Sorry to hear your numbers were not what you wanted but you are right about the different labs doing the work.
Don’t you want to get a prescription pad and write your own testing. I hate having to go through a dr.
Love, Lori
P.S. Thanks for your prayers. -
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Hi all
Made it home last night from New Orleans. Before leaving, I took a taxi ride around some of the neighbourhoods that were so badly affected by Katrina. It was a shock to say the least. So many homes totally gone leaving only the concrete slab on grade. So many lives lost that were never counted. So many lives ruined. It was sad. It was also eerie, like a sci-fi movie to see the streets and the curbs, with driveways but only a few houses dotted here and there, mostly brick houses that were too heavy to float away. Painted information on the fronts of the remaining houses tell the number of dead found in the house out of how many total. Some of the remaining houses are occupied, but many are in a state of ruin with clothing and lampshades and things lying outside. You won’t see that that in downtown New Orleans where it looks like it always did, but out in the residential areas on the East side, the real effect of Katrina can be seen. Clearly more money is needed there to help the rebuilding process.Lori, I saw that Dell had his third treatment and it sounds like it went well. That’s good to hear.
Norb, I agree that you should not put much faith in the level of the anti-MAG measured in your last test. Especially since there are a couple of different tests (Western Blot and Elisa). I tried to find information on standard deviation of anti-MAG measurements, but was not too successful. But I did discover that Rituxan is called MabThera outside the USA and a search on MabThera can bring some interesting information. For example, among other things I found a chart showing different types of NHL at the Mabtherea.com website. I tried to attach it but without success.
Also, I actually just downloaded the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Haematology from [url]http://docs.ksu.edu.sa/PDF/Articles34/Article340851.pdf[/url] Lori, you might find some answers in it to questions about bloodwork.
I still don’t have a date yet for my next Rituxan treatment. Yours is coming up soon, eh Norb! That’s great. You’ll soon be running.
Take care all
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 14, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Norb,
We were talking a while ago about the book by P. Dyck regarding measurement of degree of neuropathy. I finally made it through the chapter “Quantitating Severity of Neuropathy” which I sent you and actually found it quite interesting once I was able to grasp the terminology. I jotted down a few take-aways and I’ve listed them below.
• A change in the NDS score of 2 or more is considered significant. This seems important because there are so many measurements involved in the scoring and a 2 point movement found among all the measurements would seem quite possible (higher or lower depending on circumstances)
• VDT (vibration detection threshold) is a useful measurement, especially for repeatability for any given patient.
• NDS scoring is useful in the case of group studies due to the reproducibility and consistency between scorers.
• Nerve conduction (NC) can be effected by carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. and as a result, care should be exercised in evaluating results across a group (lack of consistency between scorers)
For me personally:
• Hypoactivity symptoms are much greater than hyperactivity symptoms. In other words, I have numbness and weakness as opposed to spasms, cramps, burning, prickling, etc. I think you are the same.
• NC test and VDT give a good quantitative evaluation – useful for measuring degree of change (progress/decline)
• Qualitative tests include reflexes, great toe joint position, cotton swab and pin *****. All show current neuropathy and a change in any one would be significant.
• Have Stage 2 – symptomatic neuropathy.
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
Andrew,
I live in Biloxi and we have rebounded much better than LA but when you drive down our once beautiful beach, it is very depressing. Antebellum homes were washed away and can never be replaced. Hardly any food businesses have returned. Don’t know what they are all waiting for. It was such a thriving area before the storm.
Can’t remember what I wrote about Dell’s 3rd treatment but we are glad it’s over with. In the 4th hour, after his temp. went up a little, the blood pressure went crazy. The bottom number at one time was in the 30’s. The nurse took it every 5-10 mins.
After we received the news of the WBC being so low, the dr. has decided there will be no 4th treatment and I am happy with that. This is such a scary thing for us. I thought the 1st and 2nd were supposed to be the bad ones but the 3rd was the worst for us.
I’m being nosy but what did you do in New Orleans? My mom goes there every month for a treatment of Orencia for her RA, at Ochners.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMarch 15, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Hi Lori
Again sorry that I could not get in touch with you while in New Orleans. I had a tough time getting there due to snow storms here in Toronto, and ended up flying from Buffalo on Monday instead of Saturday. Consequently I had to squeeze a lot into the 3 days I was there. I didn’t even try to go to a clinic. I was at a conference and we had meetings all day every day so there was very little time to relax. I only had my tour of the flooded areas while on the way to the airport.My goodness, I am also sorry that I missed your reports on how Dell’s third Rituxan treatment went. That is really scary, especially after things had gone well for the first three hours. I agree with your relief that the doctor has cancelled the fourth treatment.
While in N.O., in the meantime, I heard from my neurologist regarding my request for IgM and anti-MAG measurements. The reply was that there is no correlation between these measurements and my disease. Now I’m wondering what disease I actually have…or why an increase/decrease in anti-MAG would not have a direct bearing on increased/decreased nerve damage. Also, Lauel’s posting about the cost for this test made me wonder whether I shouldn’t keep trying to get it done under our medical system. So I have been working on that line of reasoning.
I hope that Dell’s treatments show positive results quickly. I am very optimistic about Rituxan as are Allaug and Norb. One would have to think that the three treatments would be enough for Dell given that he is not nearly as heavy as I am (gotta get working on that problem).
Have a nice weekend. It’s sunny here but there is still a lot of snow.
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 15, 2008 at 1:49 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew]
Norb, I agree that you should not put much faith in the level of the anti-MAG measured in your last test. Especially since there are a couple of different tests (Western Blot and Elisa). I tried to find information on standard deviation of anti-MAG measurements, but was not too successful.[/QUOTE]
According to the lab reports both labs, Focus Technologies in California and Mayo used Elisa and Western blot for confirmation. In November I called Focus to find out how I could relate the index number to the absolute number I received from the Washington University lab in St. Louis two years ago. I did not get an answer. However when I asked about the method used to determine their numbers they told me they are using optical density. I recalled the research work I did 10 years ago in the biology lab at the college where I used to work. I used a spectrophotometer for the measurement. First I established a reference chart which I used later to read off the amount of protein found in different liquids. I did this twice and came up with different numbers every time so I used the averages to establish the reference chart. Perhaps this happened because I was no expert. On the other hand, it may be difficult for anybody to do procedures like that accurately. This may indicate a certain unreliability in the numbers I received for the anti-MAG IgM. Here a link to the research I did then:
[COLOR=”Navy”]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/Norbert/kombucha/Research/research.htm[/COLOR][QUOTE]I did discover that Rituxan is called MabThera outside the USA and a search on MabThera can bring some interesting information. For example, among other things I found a chart showing different types of NHL at the Mabtherea.com website. I tried to attach it but without success.[/QUOTE]
I knew about MabThera from my friend in Switzerland but have not done any searches on it. The NHL pie chart did come through as an attachment. Thank you. I fall into the “Other” category, none of the others fit me. The diagnostic code my oncologist used also indicated “Other” which was sufficient to qualify for Rituxan.I’ll react to your other post about quantification at a later time.
Take care
-
AnonymousMarch 15, 2008 at 2:09 pm
This is a pretty exciting post for me because, as far as I can see, after 100 posts, one becomes a senior member. That sounds so much more knowledgable and important than just “member”.
The topic for my 100th post is “dirty language”.
I got a big laugh when I looked back at a previous email I had posted talking about neurological tests including one where they poke you with a pin. Not surprisingly, this test is called the “p i n p r i c k” test. The internet decided that I was using a dirty word and changed the phrase to “pin *****”.
My apologies to anyone who would be offended by the pr word. I was using the version from the Oxford English Dictionary. Not the one normally reserved to describe one’s boss!!
Have a great weekend and hi to all the senior members!!
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 1:14 am
I am a care taker for my husband and I have been reading some old threads from 2006 regarding qualifications in order to receive rituxan.
My husband is receiving prednasone and imuran. He has cidp. Not doing well on it. What is antimag igm or monoclonal gammopathy. Everything seems to refer to these things in order to get retuxan. How do we know if we qualify. I know it is not fda approved and I believe only a oncologist can order it. My husband is going to see one next week. Our family doctor is refering.
He is also going to see a wound specialist as his nerve bioposy is now causing an infection . The swelling in his feet has opened it up. The nero told the practicianer to start getting him off the prednasone and stop imuran for one week followed by blood test. His balance is terrible. I am sure from the meds. sweats, dizziness and falling even with a cane. This all happened since on meds.
Doc says he has a severe case. His first protocal is what he is on. We wanted ivig but after he told us Medicare will not pay for it if he does it as an inpatient. Only as outpatient but first times doing this he needs to be in hospital. He is retired and started on Medicare about two years ago. Is there anyone who had ivig in hospital and refused by medicare on payment? please let me know from as many of you as possible.Thanks
Joanf -
AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 7:34 am
Joan,
You need to post the question regarding medicaid paying for his ivig on another post. You will get more ppl. seeing it there.
Your husband needs to go through ivig before they talk about Rituxan. I still can’t believe that stupid doctor did not give him ivig. (I’ve talked to Joan on the phone a few times). The first thing you need to do is get rid of that dr. Then, find a way to get him ivig. That is my opinion.
Good luck,
Lori -
AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 11:47 am
Joan, anti-MAG IgM or MGUS did not qualify me for Rituxan. It is only approved by the FDA for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. However, there currently are studies going on for anti-MAG IgM patients with MGUS at Mayo Clinic. Since monoclonal antibodies may point to an underlying lymphoma, I insisted that my oncologist look for it. He did a bone biopsy and did in fact find some indication of a low-grade lymphoma. As a result I got the Rituxan last October. There are some CIDP patients here on the forum who received Rituxan without this kind of diagnosis. It probably was a case where their doctor was willing to convince the insurance company that it was medically necessary and other treatments failed.
To the best of my knowledge, as far as IVIG is concerned Medicare requires that it is administered at an infusion center on an outpatient basis and not at home. This could be at a hospital or a related facility. Medicare is administered on a regional basis and decisions are not always identical from area to area- at least that’s what it seems judging from some of the posts here some time ago. Medicare in this region never presented any problems for me.
Two years ago my neurologist prescribed prednisone for me to give it a try. She increased it over a short period of time to 80 mg. Two weeks after that I lost control over my legs, lost my balance and had shooting pains all the way up to my neck. I had to start using a rollator to move around. We stopped prednisone right away over a week and everything improved again. Well, it started going downhill again a year later. Now I’m waiting for results from the Rituxan.
Carol, my wife, wants me to tell you that her heart goes out to you. She knows how difficult it can be as a caregiver. She recently contacted the local county office on aging and found out about services and support groups available for caregivers. She suggests maybe there is something similar in your area.
-
AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Joan
Sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. The loss of balance and loss of feeling can be a scary thing. It is all caused by damage to nerves including the proprioceptors which are nerves which provide feedback to the brain as to the position of the muscle. This of course includes muscles in the toes which tell the brain how much pressure is being applied so that the brain can respond by altering body position, etc. The wiring on these machines (called the “human body”) is incredibly complex, and indeed a marvel. But you don’t realize what is happening in the background until something goes wrong.
The damage to nerves can be caused by anti-MAG (anti-myelin associated glycoprotein) which is an antibody which is directed toward the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. This is more predominant in IgM MGUS than other types of MGUS, but not necessarily exclusive.
Regarding coverage, I cannot speak for the USA as I am in Canada, but the similarity between countries regarding drug coverage is significant. For MGUS there is no allowance for coverage of treatment with Rituxan because it is still considered experimental (despite numerous studies and success stories). I personally had to pay for it out of my pocket because I did not want to risk waiting any longer to fight the insurance companies or government. I am doing this separately. But Rituxan is covered for some other health issues like Rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkins lymphoma as mentioned by Norb.
So coverage in your husband’s case may not be out of the question.
There is no guarantee that Rituxan will work for your husband, and it depends on the real diagnosis. Perhaps he should be given a combination of Rituxan and other medication, as has shown success with others. But again, it really depends on what they can find with the blood tests, etc.
One personal thought is that the imbalance and other abnormalities seem worse when the feet are swollen which generally happens to me later in the day but may be all the time with your husband because of his medication.
Sorry if I rambled a bit in this posting. I sure hope that your doctors can pull their act together and get a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. This GBS/CIPD/MGUS is an awful disease because it involves three systems – immunology, hematology and neurology. The experts in one field don’t necessarily understand the other fields. I think that is why there are so many really smart people in this forum – because they are forced to learn about all three in order to understand what is happening.
We are hoping the best for your husband and continued strength for you as the caregiver.
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Joan,
I will start a Medicare thread on the main page with some information that may give a starting point to finding detailed coverage from your state carrier. It will also give others here a central place to share their experiences. Hope it helps in obtaining appropriate treatment for your husband.
As far as ivig, medicare does cover it as inpatient (here in Texas, my daughter had many inpatient treatments which they eventually paid) – is the hospital an approved medicare provider?
best wishes
cd -
AnonymousMarch 18, 2008 at 6:26 am
When 9 days ago I posted [QUOTE]An IgA PDNer thinking forum aloud.
[/QUOTE] I said that I was at mid-point after 5 days of IVIG infusions with no significant change. That is still the case in the 4th week. Somehow I did get more mental energy and stamina than for many months as previously I had reached the stage of being exhausted by ever present pain and the tightness and numbness in my feet.
15 years since it all started. Now I need a cyber discussion with my neuro about what next.:o -
AnonymousMarch 20, 2008 at 7:29 am
Norb and others have been posting on the General Questions forum under MGUS.
I have posted this there but thought it deserved being posted here also:[QUOTE]Just to add to the stock of knowledge of MGUS associated neuropathy that is now known in Europe as Paraproteinaemic Demyelinating Neuropathy – PDN.
In 2006 the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the Peripheral Nerve Society published a report of a joint task force on the management of the PDNs.
You can read the whole of it on a pdf at [url]http://pns.ucsd.edu/Guidelines_paraproteinemic_neuropathy.pdf[/url]
Plenty to read there[/QUOTE];) -
AnonymousMarch 20, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Ken
Thanks for posting the link to that report on recommendations from the various studies. I will add this to my collection of important papers as I prepare for a meeting next month with my neurologist to discuss treatment and the monitoring (or not monitoring) of results.
Regards
Andrew -
AnonymousMarch 20, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hello to all our Rituxan friends,
Please look on the main forum for our news of the day. I am so tired right now but want to do more research and Dell is getting a solumedrol treatment at 10:30 p.m. so there is no reason to lay down for 1 hour, just to get up again.
I don’t guess any of you can be Rituxan experts and CD4 experts, huh?
Thanks for being there when we all need eachother.
Love, Lori -
AnonymousMarch 22, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Hello Allaug,
I too have been asking all my doctors about this course of treatment, since T have heard of the recoveries reported here.It is true that to get Rituxan, you go to an oncologist, or an internist for treatment. I have found a Dr. who is very interested in working with me, but because I have had so many allergic reactions to all the brands of IVIG except for one, we are waiting until that one too starts to fail, and I have no other options. The reason being, there is a 2 year wait to get on IVIG treatment here! But apparently, if you get your neurologist,g.p. and an internist to work on it, it can be done. I get my infusions done at the outpatient oncology unit at the hospital, so the cancer docs are all over… My hands are killing me, I’ve got to go, but keep me posted on your progress.
Best wishes, Jo Marie -
AnonymousMarch 25, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hello Jo Marie!
I have seen a few CIDP patients reporting on this forum that they have received Rituxan-treatment, but I can’t remember the details. I only know that in the US, Rituxan is very hard to get if you don’t have any of the diseases it’s approved for by the FDA. Norb knows all about how almost impossible it is to get!
I don’t know how effective Rituxan is for treating the “classical” form of CIDP, but if your g.p. or rather a hematologist or oncologist can establish that your CIDP-like symptoms might be caused by what is called MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy og Uncertain Significance), Rituxan might be effective, especially in combination with another chemo-drug called Fludarabine. In a very few words that’s what “saved” me. Now, I don’t live in the US, and we have a totally different medicare system, where, among other things, all medication one receives as an inpatient at a hospital, and the hospitalization itself, are free, so for me getting the adequate medicine was no hustle when a hospital doctor had decided I should try it, even if at that point he wasn’t sure it would help. This was in 2004, so by now there is more evidence that Rituxan (alone, but even more together with Fludarabine) is quite effective in halting MGUS.
Consult your doctor(s) about this, and please come back and tell us what answers you got, and of course if you have other questions you think we might be able to help you with.
Good Luck:)
-
AnonymousMarch 25, 2008 at 4:50 pm
My mom got three treatments of Rituxan at Cleveland Clinic if that helps any of you. Relapsing/remitting CIDP They had tried everything she was on IVIG(at one point she was on it 1X a week), Plasma Pheresis, Cellcept, steroids and so on I don’t know if they hold the Rituxan till last resort & see if anything else works because I did hear one thing about it quite alot I kept hearing how expensive it is!
-
AnonymousMarch 28, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I know that this question is not directly relevant to Rituxan treatment in itself.
Has anyone amongst the MGUS neuropathy/PDN ‘posters’ on this forum come across any information as to the incidence and prevalence of this form of neuropathy?
It may be that such informtion will be very difficult to gather. It may depend on how cases are reported.:confused: -
AnonymousMarch 29, 2008 at 8:52 am
To all my Rituxan friends,
This week, the neuro. allowed me to wean Dell off of some Solumedrol. He gets 4 bottles, 6 hours apart and the dr. said I could give him 3 and throw the other away.
I don’t think this is because of Rituxan but we saw him walk ALL OVER MY MOM’S HOUSE. She has a wood floor and we have tiles, don’t know if that makes a difference to him. Also, they pay him to walk which is a great incentive, we don’t pay at home.
I left him for about 1 hour at their house. When I got back, they told him to walk. He walked the perimiter of the kitchen, without holding on and also walked the living room. There is a very small step up from the living room (where they added on) and he was able to walk up it very slowly, without holding on.
He is very wobbly and slow, but I’ll take that over not walking. Only time will tell regarding how good he gets at walking. When he puts his feet down, it’s not very graceful so I have many questins for the PT. Soon, he will be getting a new walker, one with a seat and all terrain wheels.
I will get the bloodwork numbers for you all on Monday but since the port problem, all the ones we did when the Rituxan was started are not correct. The only “good ones” I have to compare are the ones from Feb, 07.
Love to you all,
Lori -
Lori,
What wonderful news, WALKING UNASSISTED! I had to read the post twice!!!! I guess God is hearing everyone’s prayers! Keep listening God!!! Have a great weekend!
Dawn -
AnonymousMarch 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm
[QUOTE=kenspdn]Has anyone amongst the MGUS neuropathy/PDN ‘posters’ on this forum come across any information as to the incidence and prevalence of this form of neuropathy?[/QUOTE]
[B]Ken[/B], from an article I had saved by M.Fisher and J. Wilson “[I]Characterizing Neuropathies Associated With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): A Framework Consistent With Classifying Injuries According to Fiber Size[/I]” [QUOTE]MGUS (monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance) isotypes, which can be IgM, IgG, or IgA, are found in about 3% of the population older than 65 (Kyle andDyck, 1993) and in 19% by age 95 (Radl et al, 1975). Twenty-nine percent to 71% of these patients have a neuropathy (Osby et al, 1982; Nobile-Orazio et al, 1992; Suarez and Kelly , 1993; Vrethem et al, 1993), which is considerably higher than the 6% of the population with a neuropathy by age 65. [/QUOTE]
here is another quote from an article by N. Latov in [I]”PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY”[/I][QUOTE]Approximately 10% of patients with neuropathy of otherwise unknown etiology have a monoclonal gammopathy, identified as an M−protein or paraprotein by serum protein immunofixation electrophoresis. Since the incidence of monoclonal gammopathy in the normal adult population is only 1%, the association in most cases is unlikely to be coincidental. Furthermore, assuming that 10% of patients with monoclonal gammopathy have neuropathy, then 0.1%, or one out of a thousand adults, would be expected to have both conditions[/QUOTE] -
AnonymousMarch 30, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Norb:
Have I got lost in all the zeroes if I then come to the conclusion calculating on the procentages given by N. Latov that in the US alone with approx. 300 million people (well, all of them are not “adult” I know, but only to make it simpler) there would be 300 000 with neurological damages caused by MGUS?Seems a very high number – or it is [U]vastly[/U] under-diagnosed!
-
AnonymousMarch 30, 2008 at 6:58 pm
[QUOTE=Allaug]Norb:
Have I got lost in all the zeroes if I then come to the conclusion calculating on the procentages given by N. Latov that in the US alone with approx. 300 million people (well, all of them are not “adult” I know, but only to make it simpler) there would be 300 000 with neurological damages caused by MGUS?Seems a very high number – or it is [U]vastly[/U] under-diagnosed![/QUOTE]
Allaug, no you didn’t get lost. But remember, MGUS has a preference for us older folk. This is mentioned in the other quote I posted and Threads also referred to that in one of her old posts. I don’t know what the age distribution is here in the US, but the total number would be considerably less than 300,000.
Take care -
AnonymousMarch 31, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Hey Lori, that’s great to hear that Dell was walking unassisted. And I’m glad to hear that they figured out the blood work issue. I tried to find meaningful information about CD4 and did manage to find quite a bit, but nothing that would have been much use.
I was in France all last week, a last minute thing, so I have been unable to keep up with the Forum. Sorry for the lack of posts and responses.
Norb, I seem to be following along in your footsteps, reading tons of information these days, mostly associated with biology of the immune system. One thing I cannot seem to locate is detailed information about the CD20 marker which attaches to the undifferentiated B cell (apparently as a conduit into the B cell for calcium to enter resulting in differentiation). In one of your posts, you mentioned that the plasma cells do not carry the CD20 marker and therefore are not targeted by Rituxan. Do you recall where you found that information about the plasma cells and the CD20. I want to include this in my discussion later this month with my neurologist when we get together to talk about Rituxan treatment and my insistance over anti-MAG measurement (or at least IgM measurements). I want to know as much about B cell immunology as she does so that there can be no doubts.
I made myself a glossary below for anyone’s use:
Ab Antibody
Ag Antigen
CD Cluster of Differentiation
CH Heavy chain constant region
CL Light chain constant region
CR Complement receptor
CSF Colony-stimulating factor
TC Cytotoxic T-cells
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
Fab Antigen-binding fragment
Fc Crystallizable Fragment (of antibody)
HLA Human leukocyte antigen system
Ig Immunoglobulin
IL Interleukin as in Cytokine designation (eg. IL-4, IL-5, etc.)
IFN Interferon
mAbs Monoclonal antibodies
MHC major Histocompatibility complex
NK Natural killer cell
PC Plasma cell
RNA Ribonucleic acid
SCF Stem cell factor
TCR T-cell receptor
TH CD4 Helper T cell
TNF Tumor necrosis factor
TGF Transforming growth factor
VH Heavy chain variable region
VL Light chain variable region
WBC White Blood cellFinally, Allaug, A very heartfelt thank-you for your nice email about Toronto.
Cheers everyone
AndrewBest wishes to all.
-
AnonymousApril 1, 2008 at 1:22 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew] In one of your posts, you mentioned that the plasma cells do not carry the CD20 marker and therefore are not targeted by Rituxan. Do you recall where you found that information about the plasma cells and the CD20. [/QUOTE]
welcome back:D
This is mentioned in the flyer that comes with Rituxan. I have a hard copy but I’m sure it can be found online too.
[QUOTE] Clinical pharmacology:… CD20… is not found on hematopoietic stem cells, pro-B cells, normal plasma cells or other normal tissues. CD 20 regulates an early step in the activation process for cell cycle initiation and differentiation, and possibly functions as a calcium ion channel. CD20 does not shed from the cell surface and does not internalize upon antibody binding. Free CD 20 antigen is not found in the circulation.[/QUOTE]
The source quoted is: Tedder [I] “The B cell surface molecule B1 is functionally linked with B-cell activation and differentiation.” [/I] J Immunology 1985;135(2):973-9 (I googled it, cited by others 80 times. CD20 is also called B1.)I also found this in Horst Ibelgaufts’ COPE: Cytokines & Cells Online Pathfinder Encyclopaedia at
[COLOR=”Navy”]http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=CD20[/COLOR]
[QUOTE] This antigen is expressed specifically on B-cells. Expression in human B-cells is seen first in bone marrow pre-B-cells and persists until plasma cell differentiation (Stashenko et al, 1980, 1981; Loken et al, 1987). …CD20 functions as a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel and is involved in cell activation and growth regulation of B-lymphocytes (Bubien et al, 1993; Tedder et al, 1985; Tedder and Engel, 1994). [/QUOTE]Thanks for the list. I did not know quite a number of abbreviations. You probably know that HLA is another term for MHC in humans.
Take care
-
AnonymousApril 4, 2008 at 5:10 am
Norb
Thanks for the information about CD20. It will be helpful. I am trying to prepare a simplified review of the biology of B cell development for myself to demonstrate to the neurologist that without measurement of anti-MAG (or at least IgM) there is no way of knowing what effect the Rituxan is having and when it should be taken. Otherwise it is like a headache…if one aspirin works, why not take the whole bottle!! In my opinion, pumping Rituxan into my veins and checking the EMG once a year is like ignoring the immunology and neurology which are at the core of this PDN.
Speaking of Rituxan, I am going in on Monday for a 375 ml/m2 dosage as one of three maintenance infusions over a three month period.
You must be going in soon for your second series of infusions, eh Norb? Are you noticing further progress?
For me, I think I have gained some strength and I can walk with a wee bit more zip in the step now, but after a while I have to slow down again. Maybe it is the feeling of spring in the air…but I hope it is the Rituxan. For some reason it seems like it was easier to detect deterioration than it is to detect progress.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 5, 2008 at 9:04 am
Don’t know if I’ve told ya’ll but Dell is being weaned off of Solumedrol. In a couple of weeks, he’ll be totally weaned. Solumedrol weaning is supposed to be different from weaning off of pills. You can do it much faster with iv steroids.
Dell is doing fine. I need to ask the dr. if Dell is going to get weak “off” of solumedrol, when should I be watching for the weakness.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousApril 5, 2008 at 5:09 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]Don’t know if I’ve told ya’ll but Dell is being weaned off of Solumedrol. [/QUOTE]
Hi Lori
I don’t know much about Solumedrol except that it keeps me awake when I get it (as a normal addition when I get my Rituxan infusions).Here is what I could find on the internet:
[COLOR=”Blue”][B]Stopping the medication[/B]: When stopping this medication after having used it for a long time, reduce the dose slowly as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping the medication too quickly could lead to withdrawal symptoms including fever, muscle and joint pain, and a general feeling of being unwell.[/COLOR]Hopefully Dell can get off it easily and not experience any problems.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 7, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I had my Rituxan maintenance infusion today and all went well. I slept through about an hour of it and felt fine when I left. We’ll have to see whether this “booster dosage” will have an effect, because it is only 3-1/2 months since my initial series (which was 1 per wk x 4 weeks). I have two more maintenance dosages to go, each a month apart.
While studying up on the biology of the immune system, I came to a part which talked about Antibody Mediated Immunity (AMI) versus Cell Mediated Immunity (CMI). Under AMI, naive B cells become stimulated by antigens in the blood stream to produce plasma cells producing antigens and memory B cells. Under CMI the resting T cell after stimulation by an antigen produces both effector T cells and memory T cells. These T cells can then, as one mechanism, produce interleukin-4 which causes activation of B cells.
What I was wondering was about these memory T cells. Assuming they have a long life (similar to memory B cells although I do not know this to be the case), are they able to mediate B cells to attack myelin? Up to now, I had been concentrating solely on the B cell life cycle and what effect Rituxan may have on B cells. But if, post treatments, when B cells ultimately return to their normal population, the memory T cells “tell” the B cells to attack the MAG in the myelin, then the cycle will start all over again. I guess my question is: can the mutation leading to self attacking clones originate in a memory T cell which mediates the B cells to produce anti-MAG?
Does anybody have thoughts on this? Or as a rookie biologist, am I way off base?
Thanks
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 8, 2008 at 11:38 am
Andrew, that’s an interesting line of thought. I have not seen anything about long-lived T cells neither do I know what the normal lifespan is. Being just another amateur biologist, I don’t know exactly how the interaction between T cells and B cells work. What Threads, an immunologist, posted some time ago might shed light on this question:
[QUOTE]The point behind the immunology is that a whole different class of cells is involved with this condition (antiMAG IgM) than with typical CIDP. It is likely that T cells are out of the picture (and might even be helping), so steroids don’t work, along with cyclosporine and various other drugs that alter T cell function.
In addition, the autoantibody is different than typical CIDP. In many cases of CIDP there is an IgG class antibody (produced by B cells but requiring T cell interaction)……[/QUOTE]
It sounds like T cells do not play a role in our case. IgM is produced as an immediate reaction to an antigen before T cells enter the picture. How this phase of the immune reaction applies to us is not clear to me.
My next round of four Rituxan treatment starts on April 18. There seem to be some more minor improvements. I can now hold silverware without dropping it and appear to have some more strength when getting up from the wheelchair. But I don’t want to be too optimistic in order to avoid disappointment later on.
Take care
-
AnonymousApril 10, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Long time no see, but here I am again!
Andrew, my experience tells me that some T-cells (regulator T-cells? I really don’t remember the proper name for them) are on our side in the battle against our cloned\-ing B-cells. My being able to explain it is also thanks to the immunologist “Threads”.
Well, when I was given high dosages of Prednisolon (100 – 80 mg a day) I went down like a stone in a matter of days! I have never been so bad before or since! Pain and weakness increased frighteningly fast, and I felt like “a horse swung very fast around in the air by its tail” (the only way to describe it, and living it was just as crazy as the description!) This was in 2001.As Norb said, steroids kills off T-cells, including the regulator ones, and when they disappeared the B-cells were able to multiply even faster and my myelin was attacked even more ferociously. My muscles couldn’t obey my brain, because the nerve-signals could not reach them, and the only sensation left in my skin was pain. When I got my first IVIG six weeks after finishing the steroid “cure”, it helped me back on my feet and some of the natural sensations returned to my hands and feet. It might have been because the IVIG made the regulator T-cells come back in such a number that they were able to decrease the number of rogue B-cells to a certain extent. This is only speculation, but to me it seem logical. The next two times I had IVIG I got worse, but I can’t explain why.
NORB! I’m so happy for you:) 🙂 🙂 ! I’m sure the “minor” improvements are the small creeks that will converge into a stream, and then a river, of getting better by the day!
Dear Norbert and Andrew! Remember it has taken me 3 years to be where I am to-day, and I still need pain-killers, I still have some problems controlling the movements of my hands and I still tire fairly easily, but Oh Boy! am I a long way from being where I was pre Rituxan!
I’ll close by telling this meaningful “joke” that I think applies to you two guys:
“Mom, mom! How far away is Europe?” “Shut up and keep swimming!”:D
-
AnonymousApril 11, 2008 at 5:49 am
Hi Allaug and Norb and everyone else reading this thread,
First Allaug, that is a very convincing evidence of the fact that the regulator T-cells are needed to moderate the activity of the B cells. And the Threads had already addressed it too as Norb indicates. I was inclined to agree with that all along but I guess I was more interested in the effects of the Long Lived memory T-cells which are different from the regulator T cells. However, it may not really be important anyway because things like steroids probably do not know one T cell from another. The last thing I want is to be swung around by the tail. 😀
After my Rituxan infusion on Monday, my feet feel tight for the last couple of days which surprises me. Maybe it is a bit of an alergic reaction causing some swelling or something and not related to myelin damage. I hope.I am writing up a review of what I’ve found regarding IgM MGUS and Rituxan treatment, which I hope to have done in the next few days (its supposed to rain all weekend). It helps me to get a handle on everything as I prepare for a one-on-one with my neurologist later this month.
Have a good weekend.
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 11, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I was curious to see what the levels of Rituxan are in our systems, knowing from various publications what the half lives are. I took the infusion schedules for Norb and I and plotted the two of them.
– Norb had/is having two series of infusions spread 6 months apart. Each infusion is 375 mg/sq m and they are 1 per week for 4 weeks for each series.
– I had one series, but now am having 3 maintenance infusions spread each a month apart.
– I used 21 days as the half-life for Rituxan whereas literature talks about 19 to 22 days.
– The horizontal scale represents 52 weeks
Here are the results[ATTACH]1145[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]1146[/ATTACH]
Of course, we do not know whether this makes a difference in efficacy. One of the immediate take-aways is that you can see why they suggest 6 months between infusion series. Otherwise the depletion would be complete.
Comments are welcome. Allaug, I can add yours too if you want. I just need to know the dates of your infusions and whether they are all 375 mg/sq m.
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 11, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I was curious to see what the levels of Rituxan are in our systems, knowing from various publications what the half-life is for Rituxan. I took the infusion schedules for both Norb and I, and I plotted the two of them.
– Norb had/is having two series of infusions spread 6 months apart. Each infusion is 375 mg/sq m and they are 1 per week for 4 weeks for each series.
– I had one series, but now I am having 3 maintenance infusions spread each a month apart.
– I used 21 days as the half-life for Rituxan whereas literature talks about 19 to 22 days.
– The full horizontal scale represents 52 weeks
Here are the results[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/NorbRituxan.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/AndrewRituxan.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6448/allaugrituxanlevelmi7ut5.jpg[/IMG]
Of course, we do not know whether this makes a difference in efficacy. It probably depends on the individual circumstances.
One of the immediate take-aways is that you can see why they suggest 6 months between infusion series. Otherwise the depletion would be complete.
Comments are welcome. Allaug, I can add yours too if you want. I just need to know the dates of your infusions and whether they are all 375 mg/sq m.
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 12, 2008 at 7:28 am
Very interesting, Andrew!
I really don’t know the dose I got, but let’s assume (and I don’t think it’s far from the truth) I had 375 mg\sqm too. I remember they calculated the dose using my weight and lenght anyway.
So I had four infusions 28 days apart, and my doctor told me his book said that it should be exactly 28 days, even if it was a Sunday 28 days after the previous infusion, I should come back. BUT he also said that he would admit he didn’t know why it had to be so exact!
Looking forward to see my table, Andrew:o – I wonder what conclusions can be drawn from comparing our different infusion rate!
-
AnonymousApril 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hi Allaug
I added your chart under Norb’s and mine based on the information you gave. It says that you need another infusion about 30 weeks after the first one if you want to maintain a level of Rituxan in your system. I can’t say what is right and what is wrong because I am certainly no doctor. If you show this chart to your doctor, it would be interesting to hear his reaction. 🙂
The curling game between Norway and Canada is still going on.
Very exciting
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 14, 2008 at 8:45 am
Thank you very much, Andrew – seeing the different graphs for the three of us, should provoke a debate among the specialists, and even though the final results (the recovering rate and eventual level) for each of us aren’t exactly comparable, since I got Fludarabin together with the Rituxan, I’m of the opinion that what one can learn from this might at least be a starting-point for further reseach in the matter of finding out the most effective way of administering Rituxan to patients with B-cell related neuropathies.
I’m seeing my hematologist on May 7th, and I have filed your graphs among my medical documents for ready printing when the time comes.
You say that I ought to have a maintenance infusion about 30 weeks after the main treatment, and of course statistically it might seem correct, but when my IgM level and B-cell count have both been within normal range ever since August 2005, it has not been necessary “in real life”. These levels (among many other blood tests) are measured twice a year, and my doc told me very early on that if the signs were ominous, I would get a new round of medication.
It seems that my first treatment killed off the mother and all the daughter rouge B-cells, but I might still have “cancer” stem-cells somewhere in my system, and one can never know when one or more of them will mature into dangerous B-cells and make my disease (don’t you agree that this ailment is more 😮 than a mere “dis-ease”, though) return.
-
AnonymousApril 21, 2008 at 7:52 am
Good morning to everyone,
Don’t have much to report, just thought I would check in. Dell had 2 crowns and 3 cavaties filled at a hospital Friday. They did a CBC periphial and it showed a slightly elevated WBC.
Also wanted to report Dell has not had one elevated temp. since he started Rituxan. If you remember, Dell was having elevated temps. about every 2 weeks. So, from Feb, 29th till present, no temp. He’s had that since being dx.
Still have not had another flow cytometry. The hopsital where we went was going to draw from the port but they would not put it back (the discared). Now, I’m asking for 15 cc’s to be discarded before they put the blood in the tubes.
Also, Dell weighs 30 lbs. now. He’s gained at least 1 lb. since Rituxan was started. I’m not saying it’s Rituxan that is making him gain weight, he’s always been on the very bottom (3%) of the height and weight chart. Any gain is exciting.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousApril 29, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Hi folks
Just thought I’d report back on the results of my meeting today with the neurologist. As background, I had written a report suggesting measurement of anti-MAG to define treatment with Rituxan for IgM MGUS.
On the positive side, the neurologist congratulated me on a paper well written and logical. But, she still feels that there is no correlation between antibody levels and improvement/deterioration of neurological symptoms. Nevertheless, I was given the option of paying for anti-MAG tests myself. At a couple hundred bucks a test, I declined for the time being. (what a wimp!! if I had paid, and got the results I could possibly have proved my theory but more importantly I would have supported my convictions. Now that I think of it, I was a total wimp!)
So, they did the normal tests, walking on toes, walking on heels, push feet up, push feet down, etc. Then another VDT and an EMG. Results unknown. But the strange thing today was that there was a big difference between the VDT on my left foot from that on my right foot. They used to be identical. My feeling is that the left foot is improving…maybe the damage is symetrical, but regrowth and repair is asymetrical.
Surprisingly also, I was able to walk on my heels. I could not do that before starting in January 2007. So that is a big improvement.
Basically it seems that motor nerves are improving generally, and possibly sensory nerves although not equally or symetrically.
I will have two more Rituxan treatments – one this Thursday and one in early July. Then my next appointment with the neurologist will be in September.
One other thing is that I read my charts while the doctors were out of the room. My anti-MAG level was measured as 51,000 back in October 2007 compared to normal of 1500. (this confirms the claim at the time that my level was 30 times that of normal).
Norb…I noticed in a previous post you made that your level was 12.1. Do you suppose that mine, on the same scale as yours, would show as 51.0? Or is there a different unit of measurement?
Well that’s the summary of events from today.
Where to from here?????
I don’t know what I should study anymore now. Maybe it is best to just bash on…keep taking the Rituxan and trying to get in shape. The GBS/CIDP hike near Toronto is coming up on May 25, so that will be a good challenge.Norb, I saw the photos of your new vehicle. Wow…what a great looking car! But surely you will be selling it in a year or so when you no longer need it. Keep up the recovery and enjoy the new car!!
Regards
AndrewPS. There was another neurologist at the clinic today who told me about a simple strength measuring device that a patient designed with pullies and ropes. It was designed to replace the hospital test used by staff which depended on the size and strength of the attendant measuring the patient and was too variable and inconsistent. With the pulley, rope and weight device, results were consistent and progress was quantifiable. That’s what I had set out to prove today with my paper. Maybe I need to go back and develop/find more proof. Tomorrow. Bonsoir.
-
AnonymousApril 29, 2008 at 11:03 pm
WOW, you can walk on your heels? I can only dream… When we do exercises in water aerobics involving the ankles, toes, heels, etc. I just go through the motions, as mine haven’t moved in 6 years now. But I am not complaining, I am happy to be able to walk at all, even if it is with a cane & AFOs. If I were in your shoes, I would be out taking a real walk, how wonderful that would feel after this ridiculously long winter. Enjoy!
Pam -
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 8:06 am
[QUOTE=Pam H] If I were in your shoes, I would be out taking a real walk, how wonderful that would feel after this ridiculously long winter. Enjoy!
Pam[/QUOTE]Hi Pam
Thanks for the encouragement. I am starting to do ankle strengthening exercises now so that I can get back to walking properly. It seems like the Rituxan is really starting to work.
You know…being able to walk is such a gift that people just take for granted. It always amazes me at airports that people head straight for escalators and moving sidewalks, especially after sitting on the plane or at the gate for hours. We should all try to walk more and enjoy it.
Good luck with those exercises Pam. Keep at it and don’t give up. (but don’t overdo it either!!) 🙂
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 9:17 am
Well Andrew that sounds like great news! I don’t think I can walk on my heels or my toes:) I’m impressed you can jog though too:) And Norb too, with improvement. I wish you both the best! And keep posting so I know what’s going on with all of you, Dell included! Gabrielle
-
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 9:53 am
Andrew,
I did not have the rituxan treatment, I had the cytoxan infusions for 9 months to wipe out my immune system. I guess they were trying to get rid of the bad antibodies that were destroying my immune system & then allow it to reboot. Anyways, I think the idea behind both treatments is basically the same.
I ended treatments in Sept of 2003 & by Christmas I could feel more strength in my arms in legs. But it took until the following summer for me to actually get into rehab & try walking. That summer my hand improvement also began to happen. What I am saying is that it takes some time for the nerves to heal once treatments have been initiated, and I continued to see minor improvements for the first two years after my chemo ended. I hope it works the same for those of you on rituxan…
Pam -
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hi Pam
Steady as she goes, and eventually we’ll get there!!
You bring up a good point about the time it takes to heal nerves. My conclusion from my very limited exposure, especially compared to others, is that the slide downhill is much steeper than the one uphill. I guess I am referring more to those with chronic illness where the progression starts slowly, because GBS is a whole different story. But with something like PDN (MGUS), the symptoms start very slowly but seem to grow exponentially. Then after treatment, there is a time lag, followed by very slow improvement (maybe straight line rather than the exponential damage), and my take on this is that it never reaches 100% because of the scar damage in the myelin. It seems that the lesson from this is that time is of the essence in diagnosing and treating the disease. Sadly, with an immune system disease, so many disciplines are involved including neurologists, hematologists, immunologists and possibly the family doctor (who is 9 times out of 10 unaware of the disease), it is difficult to pull it all together. And it never seems like life or death, so it is hard to get to the front of the line.
Well, enough philosophy for today! We are all here and that’s good and we should keep moving forward to the best of our abilities. 😉
Keep smiling.
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 1:47 pm
[QUOTE=gab111]I’m impressed you can jog though too[/QUOTE]
Hi Gabrielle
Thanks for the comments. Actually, the heel-walking was a total surprise because I couldn’t do it before and yesterday I could manage it. I have another Rituxan infusion tomorrow so maybe I’ll be walking on my hands next week… ha ha 😀
I tried to go running with the old running group at the Y on Saturday morning, but within 3 blocks I could hardly see the last of them, so I took a shortcut back to the Y. On Sunday I could hardly walk because both achilles were aching. But they are back to normal again now.
Slowly but surely.
Hey Gabrielle, you are a nurse, eh!! My wife, Marian is a nurse in ER. I feel fortunate with MGUS compared to what she sees in a shift.
Take care
Andrew -
AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Andrew you let me know when you are walking on your hands:) I may just run for you then!! I had to get up and try but I can walk on my heels two or three steps but not at all on my toes. But my quads are what are shot and I walk mostly straight legged. It’s a semi graceful waddle but hey it works.
Yes I am an RN. I worked ER and the unit for a while and loved it. I went into home care many years ago for the autonomy and because I felt like I was doing so much more for my patients in their environment. I love nursing, just despise the paperwork. But you are right, compared to some of the stuff that goes on, I am blessed and trust me, I don’t ever forget that! Take care, Your soon to be running Florida friend, Gabrielle
-
AnonymousMay 1, 2008 at 6:43 am
Hi Gabrielle
I’m getting an early start today as I will spend all morning in the infusion chair at the clinic getting pumped with Rituxan.
Interesting that you mention the calf muscles. When I found that walking and running were difficult, and that the eliptic trainer was comfortable, I started using it all the time. Then someone told me a couple of weeks ago to try to get some other ankle exercise because the eliptic trainer does not really work the calf muscles. When I tried running again, I discovered that they were right. Both my achilles were aching afterward and I could hardly walk the next day. So now I’ve added a routine of doing lifts onto the balls of my feet while holding onto the bar for balance. A little at a time and doing repeats each day should help out in the long run. Maybe this would be helpful for you too. I imagine that on the recumbent bicycle your calves get some working too.
I would love to run again in Florida someday, if I can get to that stage. I did the inaugural Disney marathon on 1994. It was excellent. Looking back at the photos brings back good memories.
Keep up the progress Gabrielle. Maybe we can make up a GBS/CIDP triathlon team someday. You do the cycling and swimming and I’ll do the running!! 🙂
Have a nice day
Andrew -
AnonymousMay 1, 2008 at 5:03 pm
[QUOTE=Andrew] At a couple hundred bucks a test, I declined for the time being. (what a wimp!! …)..Where to from here????? I don’t know what I should study anymore now. Maybe it is best to just bash on…keep taking the Rituxan and trying to get in shape. [/QUOTE]
I would not have done that either. Sorry you can’t get the blood tests you wanted. But looking at my own values and how they change over time (see graphs below) and how they may or may not be related to the Rituxan infusions, it really does not make any difference one way or the other. It just satisfies my “scientific” interest or curiosity. [QUOTE] Norb…I noticed in a previous post you made that your level was 12.1. Do you suppose that mine, on the same scale as yours, would show as 51.0? Or is there a different unit of measurement? ….[/QUOTE] I asked my oncologist two weeks ago about this. He told me that this was not a unit of measure but simply an index. So I’m still in the dark.Yesterday I finished the third Rituxan session with one more to come next week. Everything is going well except for some discomfort, mild flu-like symptoms actually. Here the updated graphs of my antibody levels. The blood test in April 08 was done before my first session. The slight increase in IgM and IgG levels seems to indicate that the B-cells are starting to come back slowly, sooner than expected based on results of other patients. The anti-MAG IgM continues to go down very slowly. I eliminated the one result of the test done at Mayo from Jan 08 since it does not make sense.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgM_IgG_Graph-0408.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antiMAG-Graph-0408.jpg[/IMG]
I still continue with “baby step” improvements. Some of it I may have reported earlier. I can now hold silverware without a special plastic holder and pick up my daily pills off the counter with some effort and concentration. Getting up from power chair has become easier as long as there is a wall right next to me as a safety net. I no longer have the feeling my knees might buckle. However, I am far away from walking on my heels or hands like you, Andrew.:D
Take care -
AnonymousMay 2, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Hey Norb…HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!
Thank goodness the IgM MGUS should not effect one’s ability to blow out 40 or 50 candles!! 😀
Thank you for posting the updated charts. I think you might have cause for some big celebration, looking at the anti-MAG chart. To me, it looks like the plasma cells, uneffected by Rituxan, kept manufacturing anti-MAG from November 07 to March 08, then due to their half lives, they died off and so too did the manufacture of anti-MAG. It will be interesting to see what it is like in the next measurement. Will that be this month?
I have decided to get my anti-MAG measured too, even though I’ll have to pay for it. I think it would have to represent a more scientific way of knowing when and if to take more Rituxan. The only other method is to wait until the numbness starts to spread again, but then it is too late. The short term damage might exceed the long term battle for improvement. I may be totally wrong, but it can’t hurt, especially if I can postpone a few expensive Rituxan infusions and still feel comfortable with that decision. To be honest, I do have some concerns about the long term effect of staying on Rituxan forever, given that no B cells can exist while we are on Rituxan.
I am sure hoping the best for you Norb in terms of those small things that keep improving and eventually become big things, like walking unaided!!
As for walking on hands…I’ve never been able to do that, not even in the Southern Hemisphere.
Enjoy the get-together with family for your birthday. Also, thanks for sending the links today to the NCBI and NLM.
Cheers
Andrew -
AnonymousMay 3, 2008 at 11:20 am
[QUOTE=Andrew]Hey Norb…HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!
Thank goodness the IgM MGUS should not effect one’s ability to blow out 40 or 50 candles!! 😀 [/QUOTE]
thanks Andrew. Try 75, they almost set my beard on fire this morning.:eek: actually it was only three fourth of a candle, one fourth for each quarter century.
[QUOTE]Thank you for posting the updated charts. I think you might have cause for some big celebration, looking at the anti-MAG chart. [/QUOTE]
actually it doesn’t really look that great if you consider the scale with .20 steps. If there is actually a quantitative relationship between the numbers and the amount of anti-MAG IgM, a drop from 15.2 times normal to 14.8 does not appear to be very significant. I would have expected it to drop by the same ratio as did the total amount of IgM. I should substitute with the kind of numbers used by the lab in St. Louis and graph it. But Carol is waiting for me to get off the computer to get started with the “big day”.
Talk to you later. -
AnonymousMay 4, 2008 at 10:21 am
Happy late Birthday Norb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to send a small note to my friends of Rituxan. Dell continues to have NO elevated temps. We are totally off of solumedrol. We are keeping a sharp eye on him. We are still fighting fungus on the *****. He’s on a creme and also diflocan. This is a problem that has existed for about 2 years now.
Ppl. that have not seen him in months are so impressed by how he looks. Yesterday, he took his walker to our backdoor, he was outside, climbed 2 steps while holding onto the door jam and opened the door. That is really exciting. It’s scary too because he could loose his balance easily but I have to let him do things.
He has his helmet on at all times when he’s up moving.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousMay 9, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Sorry I missed your birthday, Norb – but I have only occationally had time to browse the forum lately, but I guess you managed to have a swell day – as your days go – despite my ignoring it at the time!
A few days ago I saw my hematologist again for my 6 monthly ceck-up. I haven’t got the results of the blood-work yet, but what I can tell you is that he was very interested in Andrew’s charts concerning his, Norb’s and mine different regimens of getting our Rituxan treatment. My doc doesn’t have many ( if any) patients with MGUS induced PDN, but quite a lot with many different kinds of diseases caused by aberrant B-cells, and all of them get Rituxan to kill the monoclonal cells. He was impressed by your work, Andrew!
He said that one could never be certain that there were no more cancer stemcells, so monitoring for a new increase of monoclonal cells was of the utmost importance, but to give a follow-up dose of Rituxan when all the aberrant B-cells were gone, was in his opinion of no use, since the cancer (MGUS)stemcell avoided being killed by Rituxan until it canged into a B-cell.
My hematologist and I had a long and interesting talk about his work with MGUS induced illnesses, and he even gave me his e-mail address so I could mail him if anything of interest to him would turn up here or I got\found it elsewhere.
To-morrow, I’m going down to the island for the summer, so next time I’ll write from my summer paradise – this year with my own camera so I can shower you with beautiful panoramas and wonderful details!
So long:)
-
AnonymousMay 11, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Back at 04-11-2008 Andrew wrote:
[QUOTE]I am writing up a review of what I’ve found regarding IgM MGUS and Rituxan treatment, which I hope to have done in the next few days (its supposed to rain all weekend). It helps me to get a handle on everything as I prepare for a one-on-one with my neurologist later this month.
[/QUOTE]
Have I missed something as to the publication of your review Andrew? I am very interested even as an IgA PDN’er.
I get to visiting the forum from time to time. My wife is also ill now having been my support for years. She travelled 16 miles by public transport to visit me when in the 15th year of my experience of this neuropathy I had IVIG over 5 days in mid-February. Did nothing for my neuropathy though. Just recently the local atmospheric pressure effects (referred to on my website) have been causing big problems.
Also I now have wretched skin rash problems that I have never experienced before in my life.
Now I am trying to support her. -
AnonymousMay 26, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hello to all,
You know that Dell has been doing very well and I guess we’ve been bragging too much. He was weaned off solumedrol and had none for 2 weeks. He started SLOWLY loosing strength so the dr. and I agreed there was nothing left to do but to start him back on it.
He’s administering it a little differently. Instead of 4 doses that equal 160 mg, he’s giving 160 mg all at once. The nurse stays at the house while it goes in for 1 hour and she checks vitals. So far (2 times) his bloodpressure or heart rate has increased.
Friday evening, he developed a cough and fever and it’s Monday and he still has it. It’s gone up to102.6 and he’s been coughing his head off. We took him to ER last night and chest xray said everything was fine.
I guess he’s been doing too good for too long.
Hope you all are having a good Memorial Day.
Love, LOri -
AnonymousMay 27, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hi Lori, this must be pretty worrisome for you. It sounds to me like some kind of infection and I hope that’s all it is. I’m sorry to hear that Dell’s condition has gone downhill again but in my opinion it is too soon to write the Rituxan off as a failure. A friend of mine in Switzerland who received Rituxan in October, the same time I did, was told by his neurologist it might take until June to see improvements. Before that his condition might actually worsen. I hope this is the case for Dell. I’ve seen some improvements but nothing major yet. Sometimes I think some of my symptoms have gotten worse but overall I didn’t really go downhill.
Hang in there and take care.
-
AnonymousMay 29, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Norb,
I’m not writing Rituxan off at all but what I wonder about is…remember Dell had the recurrent fever since cidp symptoms started. He would have them about every 2-3 weeks. Anyway, after Rituxan was started, never saw another elevated temp until about 2 weeks ago (that’s when he was off the solumedrol). Rituxan did something and stopped the elevated temp…. I just don’t know why it started again.
Lori
-
AnonymousJune 6, 2008 at 11:56 am
[QUOTE=Dells mom]Norb,
I’m not writing Rituxan off at all but what I wonder about is…remember Dell had the recurrent fever since cidp symptoms started. He would have them about every 2-3 weeks. Anyway, after Rituxan was started, never saw another elevated temp until about 2 weeks ago (that’s when he was off the solumedrol). Rituxan did something and stopped the elevated temp…. I just don’t know why it started again.Lori[/QUOTE]How is Dell doing? I don’t have a clue what the possible connection might be between Rituxan and stopping elevated temperature. The only thing I’m aware of is a possible immune reaction [U]during[/U] treatment resulting in elevated temperature.
I have not checked in here for while since I’ve been busy planning our long road trip east in a couple of month. (See thread “just checking in”). June was supposed to be the magic month when major improvement would start showing up. It’s not happening and I’m just about to declare Rituxan treatment for me a failure. This is probably because anti-MAG IgM has not gone down significantly even though total IgM has gone down. I have no explanation for that. On the positive side, it appears that my symptoms have not deteriorated during the last few months possibly due to the Rituxan treatment. As I mentioned earlier, I had a repeat treatment April /May. Maybe this time it will do a better job. 😀 in a couple of weeks I have another appointment with my oncologist and more blood tests. I’m anxious to see the new antibodies values.
-
AnonymousJune 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Norb and friends,
sorry to hear things are not going well for you. Dell is doing fine. Today, we went to a children’s program at the library and I made him wear his mask. Too many kids around.
We did a 10 day antibiotic for that last cold and he’s doing well on his strength. The solumedrol is still the same 160 mg and I’m looking forward to his appt. with the endocronologist. Since he’s the steriod man, I’m hoping he can talk with me about lowering his solumedrol to maybe 100 mg. The neruo. is the person prescribing the solumedrol but I know the endo. is the real “specialist” when you’re talking steriods.
We were going to let him go to the special needs class at the public school but this latest sickness has made me think twice. I wonder if I could just let him wear his mask.
I’m going to read about DocDavid after I post this.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousJune 10, 2008 at 4:58 pm
[QUOTE=Dells mom]So far (2 times) his bloodpressure or heart rate has increased.[/QUOTE]
I don’t know if you are worried about this nor do I know if this might help a child.
Steroids impair potassium (and calcium which is why people can get bone loss) absorption. Steroids also increase sodium absorption. The increase of sodium and decrease in potassium can raise blood pressure. Increasing potassium while on steroids helps keep the blood pressure lower as it takes fluid (and sodium) out of the cells. Try asking your Dr to see what he says.Kristin
-
AnonymousJune 10, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Thank you for your post.
Dell’s potassium has been low in the past and we need to have it checked soon. He takes extra vit. D and 99.9% pure calcium because of the bone problems associated with solumedrol.
I hate him being on the drug, but what are you going to do? It keeps him strong. It’s a catch 22. Also, have you ever tasted potassium? It is one of the most horrible things I’ve ever tasted. It ranks up there with fish oil and cyclosporin.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousJune 12, 2008 at 8:43 am
Hi Allaug,
I began Rituxan treatments in 2003. I believe I was the “guinea Pig” for it’s use here. My doctor fought the insurance company for several months in order to get it approved. It’s been so long, but I believe my first treatment was a series of two. I have a pretty aggressive case of CIDP and prior to Rituxan I was getting lose dosage chemo for 15 months to turn it around. Rituxan has continued to keep the disease at bay and I have a pretty normal life. The first treatments lasted about 6 months, but since then my doctor has changed the doseage/schedule and I receive the treatments about every 10 weeks. After having a bad case of pneumonia, I also get IVIG about every 6 weeks. Rituxan has been wonderful for me. My doctor uses Rituxan for many of his patients here in Albuquerque, NM. Holler if you have any questions I can answer.
Shelly -
AnonymousJune 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Hello Shelly!
Haven’t had time for the Forum for quite a while, so I have missed your posting until now.
My big question for you is if you are able to explain how Rituxan works for you to keep your CIDP at bay. My general impression is that CIDP is caused by T-cells (since steroids and IVIG is helpful in most cases), and Rituxan takes out B-cells. Perhaps there is one kind of CIDP caused by T-cells, and something very similar in symptoms to CIDP is caused by B-cells, and in the latter case Monoclonal Gammopathy (MGUS) with a nerve damaging protein like for instance antiMAG is the root of the evil. In short I don’t understand how Rituxan can help a T-cell induced illness.
All the best from
-
AnonymousJune 15, 2008 at 6:46 am
Allaug asked: [QUOTE]My big question for you is if you are able to explain how Rituxan works for you to keep your CIDP at bay. [/QUOTE]
Clearly it worked for DocDavid’s CIDP when all else had failed. Also yesterday JohnC posted on the “sad news of DocDavid” thread in paying tribute to David:
[QUOTE]Armed with the information and knowledge Doctor David bestowed upon me, I went into my neurologists office and told my doctor of the anecdotal evidence of Doc Davids success. My neurologist had never heard of Rituxan, but scheduled the treatments anyway as I had absolutely nothing to lose, and long story short, I made a remarkable recovery.
[/QUOTE]So there is something somewhere in the pathology of some CIDP cases that leads to successful treatment with Rituxan, targetting aberrant B cells?
-
AnonymousJune 18, 2008 at 5:45 pm
[QUOTE=Allaug]My big question for you is if you are able to explain how Rituxan works for you to keep your CIDP at bay. My general impression is that CIDP is caused by T-cells (since steroids and IVIG is helpful in most cases), and Rituxan takes out B-cells. [/QUOTE]
the way I understand it IVIG has no effect on T cells. According to a post by Threads, an immunologists, CIDP is typically mediated by antibodies secreted by B cells but with a T cell component (my guess T helper cells). Rituxan could be effective in this case as we saw in DocDavid’s case which Ken pointed out.
[QUOTE=Threads]My speculation is that there are also patients where the disease doesn’t involve a lot of antibody production; that it is primarily T cell or NKT cell mediated, and that those patients are also IVIG unresponsive. The clinical literature has noted that patients with a longer course of disease tend to be less responsive to IVIG, and it may be that for typical CIDP (unlike anti-MAG IgM) the antibody component decreases over time and the T cell component becomes predominant.[/QUOTE] -
AnonymousJune 19, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi guys,
I am going to post here although I am not on Rituxan. I have been on IVIG since November of last year. I started monthly, and had some positive results, but then missed January dose. Started in March with every other week IVIG and had improved strength and energy for maybe a week to 10 days. For the second or third time, I can’t remember, the IVIG has not been effective for more than a day or two. I had two days last week and was great on Friday and Saturday, part of Sunday. This week I have just gone downhill. We increased my Cellcept and I am infusing IVIG right now. Can you become resistant to the IVIG or that is just isn’t as effective, or is the CIDP cyclic with ups and downs and I’m just keeping things from getting worse? I am losing function and strength, although very slowly. I have muscle wasting in my forearms now. I’m only 48 and don’t have any other problems except cholesterol. We are going to try weekly IVIG and see if that helps, but just curious from those of you who have had this longer, how you reacted or progressed. Thank you, Gabrielle
-
AnonymousJune 19, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hi Gabrielle, if you read through some of the posts on the forum, you’ll find that a number of members report that IVIG becomes less effective after a while. This happened to me, too, but then I am not your typical CIDP case. I have not found any scientific reports on developing resistance. The only parallel can perhaps be found in the fact that B cells can develop resistance to Rituxan. Rituxan is an immunoglobulin, IgG. Over 90% of IVIG is also IgG. But this is just my guess. The mechanisms by which IVIG and Rituxan work is different so I may be totally wrong.
-
AnonymousJune 19, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Hi Gabrielle, I started with the IVIG fall of 2005 after my diagnosis and kept getting it every four weeks or so the following year with moderate success. Beginning of last year it did not do much for me so my neurologist started me on prednisone slowly building it up to 80 mg. This turned out to be a total disaster because I could not tolerate it at all. It got so bad that I had to get a rollator. We tried IVIG couple more times last summer but it didn’t do anything for me anymore. I finally was able to get Rituxan which I started in October 2007.
Keep in mind that I’m not the typical CIDP case as I mentioned before. The damage to my myelin is caused by IgM which attaches to MAG, myelin associated glycoprotein. IVIG consists mostly of IgG and very little IgM and is therefore not very effective in my case. There are a number of reports that confirm this. But that was until last fall all that was available to me short of chemo.
-
AnonymousJune 19, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hi Norb,
I know you are not the typical case. At least I didn’t say you weren’t normal:) I have read this thread with interest because of the success with Rituxan for some of you. I haven’t had any extensive lab work indicating any of the variants, so I am plain Jane CIDP for now. I’ll check some of the other posts regarding IVIG though, so thanks for the info and keep me and others posted on your success…Gabrielle
-
AnonymousJune 24, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Hello Rituxan friends.
Dell has his 2nd virus in about a month. Thank God, he’s not as sick as he was with the first virus. He’s running a fever but not high.
His elevated temps. have started again and the dr. seems to think it has something to do with interleukin. We will do a blood test as soon as I can get an order.
All in all, he’s doing well. The other day, he came in with his helmet on, walking with a walking cane. My dad took an old cane of my mom’s and cut it down. He walks with it in the left hand, although he’s right handed and balances himself with the right. He has a big balancing problem so a cane is not something he can do fulltime, it was just so cute seeing a 4 year old walking with a cane.
Love, Lori
-
AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Have a question Norb-when I was first dx with cidp my first question was if it was heredity and he said no.I was worried about my son and my granddaughter getting it. Is it or isn’t it? I did read that the immune disorders may have a familar tendency and my mom had PMR. Just wondering. Emma
-
AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 11:23 pm
[QUOTE=Emma]Have a question Norb-when I was first dx with cidp my first question was if it was heredity and he said no.I was worried about my son and my granddaughter getting it. Is it or isn’t it? I did read that the immune disorders may have a familar tendency and my mom had PMR. Just wondering. Emma[/QUOTE]
Emma, please give me a few days to tell you what I know about this. We will be travelling and my MIL will be returning home Monday, -
AnonymousJune 27, 2008 at 5:44 am
Dear Norb!
Hope you’ll have a nice trip this week-end! When you return, and of course at your convenience, could you please explain:
Indolent Asymptomatic B-Cell Lymphoma
in lay-man’s terms? How is it related to MGUS, if at all.
I just love your signature gif – the animation, film (or whatever you’ll call it).
I guess having this kind of car is among the blessings you’ll count:D, many times a day too!All the best
-
AnonymousJune 29, 2008 at 7:15 pm
[B]Allaug[/B], indolent means slow growing and asymptomatic indicates that none of the symptoms usually accompanying lymphoma are present, like swollen lymph nodes. As far as a connection between [U]B-cell[/U] lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and MGUS is concerned, both are characterized by B cells which are out of control. When I was first diagnosed with CIDP/MGUS in 2005, my neurologist suspected lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenströms) as the underlying disease right away. As you know, it took two years before it finally was diagnosed. I don’t know if I’m an exception or if this connection is the rule.
To answer your question, [B]Emma[/B], from what we know today typical CIDP is not hereditary. However, according to one popular theory, there is a genetic predisposition. I’ve talked about this before. If you search the forum for “molecular mimicry” you may find what I posted including a graph. It is not clear to me if this predisposition can be passed on within a family. It is based on one molecule (MHC) within the immune system which is unique from person to person like a fingerprint. I don’t know how similar my dad’s and my children’s fingerprints are to mine. If they are close, it is conceivable that this predisposition can be passed on. But it’s not the same as being plain hereditary.
I hope this helps. It is not an area I’m terribly comfortable with.
-
AnonymousJune 30, 2008 at 4:44 am
Hi there Norb,
Boys and there toys huh??????? wow what cool wheels you have, very envious!!!!!!!!
Am stoked you have such a cool car to CRUISE in!!!!!
I went thru a wee rough patch you could say and being trapped at home or having the taxi man carry you down the stairs and into the taxi can be so humiliating – although in hindsight i should have just asked for their youngest driver with a great 6 pack as well of course!!!!!!! We live and learn I guess but those wheels are definately great to see in action and hopefully somehting i wont need to investigate in but if so then am wrapt to see the possibilities of what is around – albeit on your side of the world!!!!
cheers
kiwi -
AnonymousJuly 10, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Today I finally received the last results of my blood tests from June 17. This was two months after my second round of Rituxan. Anti-MAG IgM shut up by 33% while the total IgM count actually went down to its lowest level ever, but still in the upper range of normal. I am very puzzled by these results. I have an appointment with my neurologist next week and will ask her about this.
There still are not any improvements but symptoms seem to be stable. Maybe that’s the best I can ask for.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/antiMAG-0608.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgM-0608.jpg[/IMG] -
AnonymousJuly 19, 2008 at 5:35 pm
The lab always does a second test using SGPG instead of MAG since it cross reacts with anti-MAG antibodies. According to the printout I just picked up the [U]anti-SGPG [/U]IgM titre shot up also. This means that the last [U]anti-MAG[/U] IgM titre reading was correct, 33% increase after my last Rituxan treatment April/May. I asked Dr. Quan, my neurologist I saw a couple of days ago why this would be the case but she had no answer. To my question why there are any antibodies still present if there are no B-cells left, she answered that the Rituxan does not really eliminate all the B cells just reduces them. I never heard that before. I still think that long-lived plasma cells are involved here. My immunology textbook does not mention them but there are some scientists who discovered them in animal experiments. Since plasma cells have no CD20 markers, Rituxan does not affect them.
Dr. Quan did confirm that there are no significant changes in my symptoms since I last saw her in November. I mentioned to her that I had read about high-dose Rituxan being given in some cases (Renaud et al, “High Dose Ritux imab and antiMAG IgM associated Polyneuropathy”, Neurology 2006:66) and that some patients who received the standard dose the first year without showing improvements did improve the second year after the high-dose. There might be side effects, she told me, but she would support it. The final decision now lies with my oncologist. I have an appointment with him next month.
Stay tuned 😀 -
AnonymousJuly 19, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Norb-glad that your symptoms didn’t change significally with your neuro. If the oncologist next month agrees to give you the high doses of Rituxan, would your side effects be immediate and would the high dose outweigh the side effects? Was hoping for good news-perhaps the no better, no worse has to be acceptible at this point? Know that others are following you closer on this, so will back out, just wanted to say hi and wish you well. Emma
-
AnonymousJuly 19, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Emma, side effects would probably show up right away caused by my immune system reacting to the foreign antibodies. There even have been reports of some deaths. But since my only reaction in the past has been very mild fever and some malaise for a couple of days, I’m confident that it won’t be worse with high dose Rituxan.
Take care. -
AnonymousJuly 19, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Norb-Death seems to be the report on so many of the drugs we receive. That is a given that I have accepted. I just want to achieve the very best quality of life possible, right? I wish you only the very best results that if the oncologist agrees to the high dose, that you do better.
Emma -
AnonymousJuly 20, 2008 at 11:21 am
This might explain why my antiMAG IgM shot up. I forgot about this excerpt I posted a few months ago under General Questions. It is from a book by Latov, Chapter on antiMAG Pathology:
[QUOTE]Anti-MAG M protein secretion in vitro is subjected to T cell regulation (Latov et al 1985) and anti-idiotypic antibodies to the M protein has been demonstrated in some patients (Nobile-Orazio 1985) suggesting that anti-MAG M protein secretion, though abnormally increased, is somehow regulated as also indicated by the fact that in most patients anti-MAG M protein levels are stable for years and rapidly return to their original level when treatment directed at their reduction is suspended. Whether these antibodies may also have some as yet unknown regulatory role on the immune system (Tanaka et al 1985) is not known but may prompt some caution on the risks of therapies directed at reducing M protein levels in these patients.[/QUOTE]
If this is true, this could have happened: Rituxan reduced the overall IgG and IgM levels. Among these could have been antibodies keeping the antiMAG IgM down – albeit not enough in my case. As a result antiMAG IgM went up. Scary prospect for increasing the Rituxan dose if it causes an additional drop in overall antibody levels.
Could it be that my real problem is not having enough anti antiMAG IgM antibodies? -
AnonymousJuly 21, 2008 at 7:17 am
a BIG HELLO to all my Rituxan friends and forum friends!!
I’ve been absent from the Forum since May 6th…and a lot has happened.
On the personal side, I’ve been traveling through USA, Eastern Canada, Australia, NZ and France transferring my accounts to my replacement. I retired on June 20 with my last day in Lyon France. Marian and I then toured around Southern France for a couple of weeks, then home and lots of chores with the cottage, etc. Marian took my mother to England but she wanted to come home a month early, so we had to make all those arrangements at the same time. Life has been busy, but I love retirement so far.I’ve tried to catch up a bit on the postings. How is Dell doing Lori? I read that he is walking with a cane. I hope he continues to improve.
I was sorry to hear of your increase in anti-MAG, Norb. That was really shocking news because it means that we are missing something in our understanding of the treatment mechanism. Your explanations of what might be happening seem quite plausible.
What it also says is that the conclusions I reached in my paper to the doctor were not valid. Interestingly, as you may recall at that time, she told me that the anti-MAG levels and Rituxan treatment were not related. She did not elaborate and her statement has been bothering me ever since. Does the medical community (and drug companies) know something that has not been published? After all, any negative results would not serve well in getting the drug approved.
Last Thursday, I had my third maintenance Rituxan treatment. This time with no solumedrol and it went really well. I have the usual mild stomach cramping for the last couple of days but that should soon go away.
I feel that my numbness has improved. There is almost no numbness in my fingers now and I can walk practically normally. I am trying to do some short distance running in order to rebuild some strength in my ankles. I noticed that I can hardly walk down stairs in the morning and the ankles tighten up with inactivity. So I need to stretch them and strengthen them.
Allaug, you once mentioned that you had no increased susceptibility to infections since taking Rituxan. I have gone for many months without a cold or infection and I wanted to say that I totally agree with you. I thought that the elimination of B cells would affect our immuno defense, but in my mind that has not really been the case. The only question I have right now is that a recent blood test (before Rituxan) showed an elevated ESR which is a measure of the amount of inflammation in the body. Does that mean that the myelin is still being attacked?
My next appointment with the neurologist is late October. I guess I won’t have any news before that.
On a positive note, I attended the GBS/CIDP hike at the Kortwright centre in late May. Turnout was excellent and we had a fantastic day. Kudos to the organizers for such a super event.
It’s nice to be back
Stay healthy
Andrew -
AnonymousAugust 10, 2008 at 8:23 am
Thanks Sue for your message. So far retirement has been a wonderful experience. I’ve kept busy 100% of the time.
I am at the cottage these days with only dial-up access to internet so my visits to the forum have been sporadic.
But I’ll keep monitoring things to see how everyone is progressing.
Take care and keep in touch
Andrew -
AnonymousAugust 11, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Andrew, welcome back. Can we all come stay at your cottage? That sounds great! I went to my neuro today and oddly enough have elevated ESR and a positive ANA. I have to go to get it checked out now, but he said the elevated ESR can be from the CIDP. Does it mean an active attack, I don’t know. I will check with the specialist when I go and try to remember to post the answer. Gabrielle
-
AnonymousAugust 12, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Yes, welcome back, Andrew. Other than what I posted earlier there isn’t much news on my part, just a lot of open questions. On the “just checking in” thread I reported about my aqua therapy which is going well. We scheduled sessions twice a week at least through the end of September. I hope that it will help improve my stamina. It’s probably too much to hope for that it might actually help me walk short distances without support.
On the topic of susceptibility to infections: nothing major happened so far except a small cut on my leg got infected and just won’t heal. I’ll probably started too late putting antibiotic cream on it. Neosporin didn’t do much good so I just started using an antibiotic from Thailand, Fucidin. It is not approved for use here in the US but it is in Canada and other countries.
-
AnonymousSeptember 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Things are still the same here which could be considered a good sign. Here the results of my latest blood tests. Unfortunately, they didn’t do the anti-MAG IgM this time for whatever reason. IgG and overall IgM continue to go down at the same rate but still within normal levels.
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgM-Aug08.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.ourbluemarble.us/forum/IgG-Aug08.jpg[/IMG] -
AnonymousSeptember 7, 2008 at 11:08 am
hey Linda, you won’t see this kind of chart in your patient’s records. I take the numbers off the blood test reports and put them in a spreadsheet. it is so much easier this way to follow a trend rather than having to leaf through a stack of individual reports. what my charts show is that the Rituxan treatment is doing its job as far as reducing B-cells is concerned. That means there are less B-cells maturing into [B]plasma cells[/B], the ones that are producing antibodies. What has not happened yet is a reduction in anti-MAG antibodies, the ones that are doing the damage in my case.
take care -
AnonymousSeptember 7, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Hey Norb! Well that is a very neat idea to do! That is strange how Rituxan is used alot for Lupus patients and the Cyclosporine and Cellcept! Most insurance companies will pay for it with Lupus. But can’t understand why they would not consider it for CIDP! Just does not seem fair. Especially when it’s used for other diseases but CIDP to me alone is a disease that I think is very progressing and can cripple you to death! In fact! I have had more problems with the CIDP than I have the Lupus!
I just hope when the elections are over with in the US that I see every American getting better healthcare and that we no longer have to fight insurance companies for getting treatment. But then I have a fear too! A fear that the government will regulate our healthcare and we only get so much and that will be it! Meaning high cost patients are given only so much treatment and if it goes beyond those regulations then you are considered terminal and there is nothing else further they can do! Now that has me afraid about that one. A medical spending cap! The goverment is only going to put out so much and then have a limit on spending.
We could either a good thing with healthcare or a bad thing with healthcare! Just hope it turns out good and not bad! Hugs! -
AnonymousSeptember 8, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Linda, I agree with you on the sad state of affairs of our health care system. However, the problem with Rituxan not being available for CIDP lies with the FDA. As long as they don’t approve it for CIDP insurance companies generally won’t pay for it. There have been exceptions, though. Even if the health care system would be totally overhauled — which in my opinion is a pipe dream — the approval situation would not change. There currently are trials going on using Rituxan for MS and CIDP associated with anti-MAG IgM but things like that take years. You probably know, the only reason I’m getting Rituxan is because on my insistance they found a trace of B-cell lymphoma.
-
AnonymousSeptember 11, 2008 at 11:35 am
Joan, anti-MAG IgM is an anybody that attacks a protein that sits between the myelin and the axon resulting in a slow destruction of the myelin around peripheral nerves. Progression of this kind of neuropathy is usually very slow over years and tends to be primarily sensory. An immunologist once told me that this is probably caused by the odd immune cell that refuses to die — sort of like a cancer. According to her anti MAG IgM neuropathy usually shows up in older people.
-
AnonymousSeptember 26, 2008 at 12:32 am
Norb its been a while since Ive checked the board, but the dynamics were very similar for me. the anti-mag didn’t change but the IgM went down. i stopped the treatments and actually after 2 years I am doing well not 100% but much much better . it seems to take along time after the treatments more than a year for me to see change
I am in the gym every day for an hour and bike there and back, also swimming, I was in BKK for the summer teaching and seem strong (I’m down to 9%BF and a 50 resting heart rate based on all this exercise)
last xmas I saw Dr Latov to calibrate and he was ok with the protocol and suggested maintenance
I am nervous about high dose protocol.
as you know Iam doing the turmeric, based on the Anderson work, and I’m a believer.
best
michaeljay -
AnonymousSeptember 27, 2008 at 11:49 am
Although the success rate for Rituxan is not very high, around 30% I believe, what you said about IgM levels versus anti-MAG gave me some hope. Our results appear to be counterintuitive and I’m still puzzled by them. Did you ever come up with an explanation?
Actually, we are not doubling the Rituxan dosis, just doing it for a longer period of time.
Great you are doing so well. Maybe I’ll get there someday too. What were you teaching in Bangkok? I never liked Bangkok very much but I guess doing it for just a summer would be doable. We did enjoy living in Chiangmai for three years and miss it a lot.
-
AnonymousSeptember 27, 2008 at 3:22 pm
after a number of rounds of rituxan, theoretically i thought there are no circulating Bcells (according to the literature) and the half life of the anti-body is short
so why the presence of anti mag in fact not a big change??i theorized with the doc that
1) reclusive Bcells (non serum)
2) rituxan in fact doesn’t get all the Bcells
3) Bcells that are producing antibody are in fact unrecognizable to rituxan (in some)you gave me a good idea that it maybe a very small number of b cells producing anti-mag I did see a reference some where that individual cells are able to produce large quantities. given a probabilistic model of elimination even a few of these might be left.
another study indicated that even after marrow transplants with corresponding wipe out of the immune system that there is some mechanism of memory that recalls the auto immune issue. to me this suggests another synergistic mechanism.Dr. Latov indicated to keep at it every six months as “needed”. i wonder about the log term implications??
I am pouring through the literature on cytokines red
-