Rituxin/Methotrexate and Hair Loss?

[AnneNeville]

Things are going OK here. I see my rheumatologist again next week, and based on how I'm doing I suspect I'll be going on methotrexate or rituxin or both together. My last blood test showed that my disease markers were worsening, and over recent months my double vision has remained stable but stopped improving. I guess the prednisone has been keeping things in check, but I can't keep taking this stuff at such a high dose.

Now, I'm down to 10mg/day of the prednisone and I've gone on the AIP diet. I am hoping that dietary changes might mean that I don't have to stay on the more heavy-duty medications long term, but who knows.

One prednisone/plaquenil side effect I was not enjoying was hair loss. It's slowed down now, but I gather that it is a common side effect of methotrexate, too.

I have long, thick hair and am not looking forward to losing it. How common is hair loss on this drug? Is it better for me to go get a pixie before starting? Or do I have a chance of keeping my hair intact?