Quote:
Originally Posted by en bloc
Rituximab works be decreasing the excessive B cells from autoimmune diseases. It can take a while to work, but most I've talked to noticed at least some mild symptom improvement pretty quick.
Rituximab does NOT regrow nerve cells. It only destroys the B cells. I have not heard of it helping SFN in the way you mention...increasing nerve fibers. That doesn't mean that it destroying the B cells might allow for your nerve fibers to heal over time (after they are no longer being attacked by the B cells)...but I would think (as in ANY nerve regeneration) that it will take a long time.
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Thanks for replying. I had high hopes for this treatment, and as the time goes by, without any significant improvement, it is very depressing.
I had some other health problems during and before the infusions, bad side effects to a drug that I had to stop, and a long virus/infection, so maybe they masked the rituximab effect..... hoping for miracles...
Is IVIG better than rituximab for autoimmune SFN ? or both treatments just reduce the antibodies that attacks the nerves ?