chronic lymphocytic leukemia
"I have gone through three rounds of Rituxan for Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia triggered by early stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Each time I have had initial reactions with the first dose.  My throat and ears get itchy and my throat starts to swell.  They give me IV Benadryl and have administered Decadron, slowed down the infusion and I have done okay.

It is very gradual improvement in my hemoglobin.  So slow that I'm not sure it is working but my doctors believe it is.  The only alternative is prednisone which makes me completely hyper and unable to sleep. Rituxan is the better alternative.  Unfortunately it is not stopping my AIHA just keeping my hemoglobin up.  

It is extremely expensive though. "