OH MY GOD I THINK I’M LOSING MY HAIR !!!! | Arthritis Information

 

Im  so sorry for you. That happened to me the whole time i was on MTX. 2 years.-- Ive been off of it for over a year now and am current ly on Arava.  Ive been using all kinds of volume shampoo's and volume mousse which seem to help a little but I miss my naturally thicker hair. Good Luck and hopefully you wont have to been on the MTX for long.

 

MOT   

Linda - Are you taking Folic Acid? If not, talk to your RD about starting it. It's used in conjunction with Mtx to help with some of the side effects....including hair loss.

I really don't know what else to advise, except maybe talk to a dermatologist. A co-worker of mine lost all of her hair last year...she also has RA and takes Arava. Her hair loss started out like yours, and within 2-3 months she was completely bald.

She went to a dermatologist, who diagnosed her with autoimmune alopecia areata. She has been going for monthly injections (not sure what the dermatologist is injecting) and her hair is just now starting to grow back in.

This may be something you could look into, before you have too much hair loss yourself.

Oh, Jersey Linda!! I'm sooo sorry!!!

You're not alone in this battle. [QUOTE=rahrahbrick1]

NOW WHAT CAN'T DRINK DON'T SMOKE HURTS TO MUCH TO EXERCISE AND NOW MY GOSHDARNED HAIR IS FALLING OUT HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bald fat and sober for New Years I guess I will be the life of the part  LOL

Now that I got that off my chest hello I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.  I have been taking MXT only 7.5 mg for about 6 months I just switched to the injectable about 6 weeks ago and now I think my hair is starting to fall out.  At first I thought I was imaging it and now I think not.  I keep cleaning out hair brushes and when I wash it in the shower it gets all tangled around my hands.  Now what do I do. 

I hope you find something that works.  It's weird how hair can effect how a woman feels about herself.  Some people say it's shallow, I say BS, they're not going through it.  Good luck.

Hi Linda,

I lost a lot of hair when I was on MTX and 1mg Folic. When my rheumatologist bumped it up to 5 mg that seemed to slow down the hair loss. Perhaps increasing the folic acid a bit more will help you, too.

 

 

i understand that grape seed extract helps with hairloss.  i've never tried it but know people who sweaar by it

I was losing my hair on MTX and folic acid.  I noticed a change very quickly after starting Leocovorin.  All my hair plus some extra has grown back within just a few months, and I doubled the MTX dose.

PJ

I have had a tremendous amount of hair loss and my hair is like cornsilk to
begin with. The one bit of advice i can give you is to use a really good,
professional shampoo and conditioner. Using cheap stuff can actually be
detrimental and make the hair loss worse. I used Nioxin for about 2 years
and it did not do a thing and my hair felt gross all the time but others have
told me it worked great for them. good luck. I am going to get some Folic
Acid and try it. Funny, it was just this morning after I finished drying my hair that I noticed my hair seemed thinner.  Bummer.  I don't have a lot to begin with so this is really upsetting if it's true.  I'm hoping it's just because I used a different shampoo that makes it extra soft and fine.  I never noticed anything for five months so I thought I was home free.  You've already gotten good advice here so all I can add is, "We feel your pain!" 

Hi, well at least you haven't lost your sense of humor!! That's good!

Oh , I wonder what is causing this? There are other medications, perhaps the mtx isn't for you? Ya think!! You shouldn't be losing that much hair! I take 20mgs, and yes, my hair comes out , but not in clumps or anything like that. It does seem to vary (I take 1mg of folic), you may want to call your doc (others have said this I'm sure), and explain. Could it be anything else?

Take care, and i know it shouldn't be that much. Lynda

Another thing, I never believed it made any difference about shampoos and conditioners, but my hair 'dresser' used 'Pearatin LOMA, 'formulated' in Monroe, Was 98272 (360 -805 0794) www.lomaforhair.com , I use the shampoo and conditioner and add water to fill it up everytime I use it, to extend it's use as it cost me a fortune .00 a bottle!! but, anyway it did help. The water is real strange where we live, so I guess it is hard on you hair. My hair is softer, and doesn't come out like before (I used cheap shampoos/conditioners from walmart). My experience, for what it is worth. (My doc insists my hair will grow back , ???, not sure though)LyndaMy hair has been falling out since i began MTX, but I started with LOTS of it so no one can tell, yet. I guess it would be a drag to have scalp showing, but I have always REALLY LIKED wigs so if I have to wear a wig that's fine with me. My Grandmother is almost bald and she's been wearing a bouffant wig for years and it makes her look great. She says when new men come into her assisted living complex they always go for her first but she's not interested because she doesn't want to date an old man, haha! Well, I guess I got off topic with this post.

Anyway, that's what I wanted to say; wigs can be fun.
I am an expert at this one--having been through this.  You need to add the Leucovorin to the mix.  Then you will start to notice some new hairs coming in--it takes awhile.  It may not come in as thick as it was but it is better than falling out.  Use hair thickeners, get your hair cut in layers--it helps!  I would just rather turn over and die than loose my hair--I don't think I am vain but hair is important to me.  I had even gone out and bought 2 wigs but I hate them and they are hot--I never did wear either of them but they are here if I need them!   Quoting the dr--Mthx is toxic to hair.  You need the folic acid and the Leucovorin.  I don't understand why they don't just rx it right from the beginning and not put people through this experience.  Seems they are rather uncaring about such an important thing--esp with all the other problems we have to deal with and then subject us to hair loss.  Don't let the dr. push you around--insist on the Leucovorin and get control back.
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