Rituximab and hair loss

[poppies_are_red]

Hello,

I've just had my first two doses of Rituximab in February, and I've been noticing more hair loss when I wash my hair. Has anyone had this, and do you have any remedies? I have fine hair too. I'm on a mix of methotrexate, prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine.

Many thanks!

[cathie]

I've been on rituximab for a long time, not experienced significant hair loss but everyone is different. I do know that we have to be especially careful about exposure to covid because the rituximab renders the vaccine less effective. I hope you find it helps you as much as it has me.

[poppies_are_red in reply to cathie]

thanks Cathie 🫶

[Kell12]

Hi, I have also been on retuximab for quite a while, I have not experienced hair loss with it, I did experience hair loss when I was flaring and I know retuximab takes a while to kick in. Hope it sorts its self out x

[poppies_are_red]

thank you - I'm hopeful that rituximab will work, fingers crossed !

[Angcod]

Hi poppies_are_red,Sorry to hear you are losing your hair.

I had Truxima (Rituximab) in January and I am on Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine.

I haven't experienced hair loss.

I am using hair treatments on my hair and stopped bleaching it, trying to keep it as natural as possible. I also take multivitamin supplements.

My side effects after taking Truxima:

I noticed some skin peeling on the tip of my fingers and toes which resolved within 6 weeks. I think, (not quite sure) I also had peripheral oedema which made my legs look fuller when I'm hydrated. My neutrophils decreased to 0.6 at the 4 weeks blood test, so I'm currently off methotrexate until it improves.

Thanks

[poppies_are_red in reply to Angcod]

Thanks for your reply - I haven't been scheduled a blood test for 4 weeks after the second infusion, do you know if everyone is meant to have blood tests after rituximab? Or whether yours was a special case?

[Angcod]

It was normal for those on rituximab in my hospital

[Ilse70]

Good Morning. I use Lennon's Bergamont Essens which I add to my conditioner. This has been helping me with the hair loss situation. Nothing eliminates the obstacles we live with but it does help us deal with them better. Have a Blessed Day.

[Gm131987]

Ive been newly diagnosed, and not on medication yet, but I experience significant hair loss at the front of my head on both sides, just above temples when having a bad flare.

[Sunshine634]

Hello poppies_are_red

My specialist called me last week to discuss having this infusion and I've been weighing up my options ever since. How was the infusion? There seems to be a lot of listed side effects and also positives I feel really torn

[poppies_are_red in reply to Sunshine634]

hey! A lot of people have said good things about it. I created a post titled 'rituximab tomorrow' in my profile and people gave their opinions on it. The infusion itself was pretty straightforward, the nurses were really nice and you get a nice chair to sit on. The whole '6 hours thing' felt so daunting, but I found it really nice to have time to relax aha. Bring a nice book, and music to listen to/something to watch and time goes quickly. The nurses come and check on you and your blood pressure every half an hour or so.

I felt completely ok after the first dose, and after the second one I felt tired the following few days after the infusion. I haven't had any extreme side effects, none that I've noticed at least. I have noticed I seem to be getting ill more easily, but rituximab does lower your immune system a little bit I believe.

If you're in a lot of pain, and rituximab has been given as an option. I think go for it,

I can't tell if rituximab has worked for me yet, because it's still early days (it takes 3-6 weeks to take effect I believe) I really hope the rituximab does its thing tho, if it can help with the pain.

[Sunshine634 in reply to poppies_are_red]

Aww thank you I'll have a nosy at your previous post!! Thank you for taking the time to reply, fingers crossed you get some positive results 💜