What Should I Do About Breathlessness While On Rituxan For Autoimmune Red Cell Disorder?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 Answered on

Fri, 2 Dec 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I am beingntreated with Rituxan for Autoimmune red cell disorder. Just had m third treatent If I get up and move at all, I begin Gagging fro Air, and cannot catch my breath. I am not on oxygen. Should I take nitroglycerine. I have some, but have never taken igt

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (-3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Nitroglycerine is actually for chest pain. Without chest pain, there is no point in doing so. Also, does it only occur with activity? If this is the case, I will suggest that you get the heart evaluated by a cardiologist to make sure you do not have a failing heart. This shortness of breath could be related to low hemoglobin and would be necessary to test and rule this out. Anemia is common when biologic agents are used.

Keep me updated about the findings. I wish you well.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar