Rituximab, yeah, it’s quite a thing… being a monoclonal antibody, it goes after those B cells in the immune system. They’re a type of white blood cell, but sometimes they go a bit rogue in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, some lymphomas, and leukemia. Rituximab actually works by binding to a specific protein called CD20 on these B cells, leading to their destruction. So in autoimmune conditions, it kinda calms the system down by removing, those overactive or problematic players.
Now, suppression? Yeah, it does suppress part of the immune system, which, yeah, it can increase the risk of infections for sure. People have different experiences though, depending on the underlying condition. Some get relief, others gotta watch out for other issues, but fever, chills, and low blood counts, these can be quite common side effects. They’re not always super serious, sometimes it just passes, but obviously, communicating with your doc is key if anything feels off.
About Ayurveda: it’s all about balance, looking at the person as a whole. Some herbs like Ashwagandha and Giloy (known as Guduchi in Sanskrit), they are known for immune modulating effects and can support general well-being. Ashwagandha is said to help with stress and energy levels. While Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, can help manage inflammation naturally. But be careful with these when on Rituximab, always important to chat with a knowledgeable practitioner or your doc about potential interactions.
Experiences vary a lot with Rituximab… Some people find it really helps their condition while others may struggle a bit with its side effects. Supportive practices like maintaining a balanced diet, practicing relaxation techniques or light yoga, and ensuring quality sleep can be quite essential during any treatment. Keep tuning in with how your body responds, Ayurveda is about listening to those subtle signals your body gives.
