I feel I have been out of communication for too long but couldn't be helped.
Rose - I have your letter and will phone one of these nights - as soon as I
stop hacking.

I had my first of the second round of rituxan almost 2 weeks ago.  The first
date was cancelled due to a uti (again) but the second went away.  Still
couldn't get past 37.5 mg an hour rate of infusion so 2 days was necessary.
I got the same throat irritation and bronchospasms as last time which lasted
at least 7 days.  Anyhow last day was the 19th.  By the 21st I felt a cold
coming on and also was feeling lousy.  Of course we had lots to do
(christmas etc.) and although I tried staying away from people it was
impossible.  By the 27th I knew I was sick.  Waited until it was obviously
not going away on the 31st went to a clinic.  Ear infection, sinus
infection, bronchitis but not in lungs.  Prescribed cipro.  Took it to the
pharmacist and she took one look at my charts (new town, new pharmacist who
I will definitely switch to) and read me the act.  My immune system was
probably in the basement, I should have had blood tests and chest xrays if
it hadn't been a holiday and she was doubtful cipro would do the trick.
Told me to get immediately into er if felt worse not to wait at all!  good
thing.

So new Year's day woke up so mucky in the chest I had trouble breathing, was
dizzy and my chest ached.  Off to ER - stopped pat from cooking breakfast so
nothing to eat, no meds.  3 hours until they moved me into an isolation room
to wait for ER doctor.  Chest xRays, blood tests (more waiting for test
results.)  Chest xrays clear thank goodness but doctor did not feel cipro
was right.  The blood tests showed bacterial infection, definintely the
bronchitis was worse and worsening to quote her.  The potassium levels are
again in the basement.  So she switches antibiotics to stronger one, gives
me potassium pills and demands that I tell my doctor I need monthly checks
on it and then gives me my new best friend - a puffer.  Wow inhaled steroids
clear a chest quickly!  Since I don't usually have any bronchial crap this
was an eye opener.

Feel slightly better this morning and this evening but all I have done since
the morning of the 27th is sleep, hack, etc.  Have been on the computer
little.

So a late Happy New Year to all.  This is going to be a great year for me
(as soon as I can get the second dose of rituxan down me after all signs of
infection are gone.)  Will luck the spammers and MI5 and ironmen can go away
eventually (January and December always bring them out so I feel sorry for
those that come needing help.)  Hopefully most of you will get things a bit
under control this year.  I have to say the rituxan has been my miracle drug
despite the infection problem after the treatment.  My joints are incredible
even with an immediate 1.25 mg drop in prednisone.  I don't think I have an
inflammed joint in my body (some sore tendons and muscles and definitely
some inflamed tendons but we hope that will disappear with this treatment -
that is always my major problem.)  The next test will be to see if we can
get my prednisone down as it is still at 8.75 mg

Anyhow been thinking of all of you and will be hoping that flood area holds
M.  Best for the new years to all of you.  The good thing about the numbers
dropping on the newsgroup from a few years ago is that finally I think
people are seeing differences in their treatment - enbrel, remicade,
orencia, arava, humira, rituxan.  All have helped with people like KJ, Lake
Goddess etc.  Would love to hear from Walt and a few others though.  Hope
the fact that they are quiet means things are going well.

Take care,
Kelly