After 6 months of agressive chemo - I have rituxin every six months - then one month - once a week. This June will be my 4th treatment - it has done miracles for my cell b, stage 4 NHL. I have lost my thyroids and one kidney, plus they removed a lymph node in my neck prior to the maintenance treatment.

I received rituxan+bendamustine. I had an atypical reaction to the rituxan but the bendamustine was a piece of cake. Most patients find rituxan relatively easy. I didn't but that's not a reason to avoid it. Try premedication to reduce side effects and reduce the infusion rate if necessary. In my case the reaction was too severe. But, it also knocked back my NHL (Waldenstrom's) to the point that I am not undergoing any treatment at present. If I need treatment again I will be looking at Ofatumumab as that looks like it will have even less side effects than rituxan.

I was diagnosed with NHL follicular B cell stage Vi in February of 2012. My spleen was also involved. Normal spleen is 11cm and mine was 32cm. Did 4 rounds of Rituxan and began to see/feel results right away. Could lay on my left side again after just the first treatment. I did have a fairly severe reaction to the Rituxan on my first infusion. Chills, lowered O2 level, heart pal patios and near seizure like shakes. This does occasionally happen on the first time, but usually does not repeat. They just stopped the infusion until I was back in control and then finished it at a slower drip rate. Rounds 2, 3, and 4 were uneventful.

PET scan after those treatments showed marked improvement, with some nodes in my underarm and abdomen still involved.

I was then given 8 rounds of Rituxan/Treanda(Bendamustine). Very few side effects at all. My worst side effect was from the Neulasta shot I was given after each treatment.

I had a PET scan that showed no evidence of disease after that. I went on Rituxan Maintenance, but only completed 2 rounds as I developed allergic reactions to the Rituxan.

Now, 2 years later, I have been found to be in relapse and have transformed into DLBCL but that had nothing with the R/B protocol.