Rituxan and Bendamustine are used for a lot of NHLs. I went to a lot of the LLS's conferences on emerging therapies, from 2009 till the pandemic hit. The last time I went, in my group I hadn't relapsed in 12 yrs, with just Rituxan and CVP. I went thru that 1st treatment with feeling no side effects,, at age 62, My hair got a bit thinner but so what. I worked then too and never called in sick. I heard about Bendamustine around 2015 at the conference, and my Dr was using it then too. I finally relapsed after 14 yrs and had both IV's for the past 6 months, and had my last IV last week. How good are they? I'll let you know in the next few years! (We know Rituxan is good) Bendamustine made me very tired, and I used to have the energy of a kid. I also was itchy some times (Benadryl helped with that), constipated some times, and slept a lot. I had no nausea and had no pain. Bendamustine's list of side effects are huge, so I might have gotten off easy, but it is supposed to do the job and that is what counts. I hope it does! I am no longer working, I retired earlier this yr at age 76. Could I have worked, only if I had too. The day after the IV's I'd feel my best, full of energy. after that one day tired, the next day ok. I get a pet scan the end of Jan, and a Dr appt after, but I now have an appetite again, and that had completely disappeared last spring. So it has worked so far! A positive attitude helps a lot. Mind over matter! Life is precious and worth living!

I received Rituxan also every three weeks for 6 months. It was a cocktail with several other drugs. I had a port put in my chest (leads to the next person's question about ports), wasn't a big deal putting in, using and removing. I had it removed feeling it would help me move on with my life. The chemo does have it's side-effects, some are even beneficial. Some are not, like chemo brain, memory loss - many such questions are discussed here. And yes, I was pretty much wiped out during those 6 months, and for a long while after. I'm 4 years into remission from NHL.

Lost all my hair. All of it! It grew back... heard rumor it would grow back better than ever. Nope. But it grew back. Other thing is it appears obvious that Rituxan is given in different ways to each of us. That makes sense and if your oncologist is good they will be tailoring your treatment to your body/situation. None of us are equal when it comes to treatment as cancer is not a common illness like a cold or the flu. I would recommend getting through chemo first, keeping yourself as healthy and rested as possible; if your job sucks, quit it and don't listen to people who say it takes your mind off things - maybe for some it does. Be prepared for a new you when chemo ends.

Okay thanks. When I had Rituxan last November, it was four treatments. Every Friday for four weeks which worked well so I had the weekend to recover before going back to work. I work remotely so I'm lucky in that regard. Is the treatment schedule about the same? I'm in customer service so not too difficult to do if I'm recovering from the treatments.

I had Rituxin and Bendamustine. I was fatigued but no nausea or bad side effects.My hair thinned a little but not much to notice.I had trouble going uphill.I had a headache after the treatment.Dr prescribed naproxen.That relieved my pain.I did not lose my appetite. Good luck. Hope everything works out for you.We are all warriors.