Treatment for lupus

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Treatment for lupus
Updated: 11/11/2006

   
   
Wendy Balka was just 15 when she found out she had lupus.

She said, "I had the prom coming up, and you want to look your best, but I didn't feel I did."

A rash covered Wendy's face.

It is just one of the ways lupus wreaks havoc on the body. It is a chronic inflammatory disease. Lupus causes the immune system to mistakenly attack a person's own tissues. It can lead to organ failure, even death.

The problem with treating lupus is that many of the drugs now available are quite toxic and cause other health troubles for patients like Wendy.

She said, "I have cataracts. I had to have two hip replacements."

The Kendall woman said it came down to what evil do you choose -- the lupus or the side effect of the medication.

There may soon be a much less dangerous treatment for lupus patients. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found the drug rituxan used to treat the cancer lymphoma is very effective at treating lupus.

Wendy was one of 17 patients who received an IV infusion of rituxan, once a week for four weeks. Rheumatologist Dr. R John Looney led the study.

He said, "There is a large experience with this drug for lymphoma patients so we know a lot about the safety of this drug."

Now 33, Wendy Balka is finally off those medications she took for years.

She can get up in the morning without pain and spend time with her son and husband.

She said, "Now not having to take that medication and having rituxan on board it does make the future look brighter."
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