MTX ? | Arthritis Information

My rheumy upped my MTX dose from 17.5 to 20mg. at my last visit. I had been at the lower dose since June. I took my second dose at the new level last Friday. Yesterday after I dried my hair I looked like my dog had been rolling around on my clothes. I had not noticed an increase in hair loss until yesterday, and I know that can be a side effect. My question is does the hair loss even itself out once your body gets used to the higher doing? My hair is baby fine and I don't need to be shedding like this for very long. Thanks in advance for help with this. Howdy!
I've heard that yes, it can get better once your body adjusts to the drug. Are you taking folic acid supplements? And are you on the pill form or the injectable?
I'm on the injectable and take 25 mg/week. I started on the lower doses with the pill form and had bad nausea and headaches, so they switched me. I take 1.2 mg of folic acid a day, and haven't noticed any hair loss or other side effects since the switch. Also, if you go of MTX for a few months, your hair loss will slow and return to normal.
I'd really recommend taking folic acid (if you're not already of course

My hair dresser also suggested taking biotin along with the folic acid that is suppose to strength your hair and slow down the hair loss as well.

I've been on 25mg for the last couple of years and I can't tell that the hairloss has gotten any worse. To be honest; If it wasn't for everyone talking about the chance of hair loss I wouldn't suspect it at all I don't think.

I've colored my hair since I was about 16 years old. I think any loss I've had comes from that verses the MTX.

I do know that the other undesirable side effects do get better with time though....so hopefully the hairloss one will for you as well.

You know, back when I first started taking mtx, I was convinced I was losing my hair. But as time has passed, I think that I was just noticing the hair that naturally falls out, you know I was watching for it because I was afraid it would happen. I'm now taking 25 mg and my hair is maybe a bit dryer, but it's not thinning.I think that is very true Linn. We hear so much about it and that side effect really jumps off the page at us so we're scared of it and looking for it.

Normal....or should I say "Healthy" people loss a lot of hair on a regular basis as well. A lot of hair loss is normal.

I think when you hear that MTX is a cemo drug you have visions of baldness. It can definately be scary. The thing is MTX used as a cancer treatment is used in extremely high doses compared to the highest dose for RA. 25mg is about as high as any RD will let you take for RA BTW.

Thanks for the replies. My computer crashed shortly after I posted earlier... I am taking folic acid so I've got that covered. Maybe I will try the biotin. Maybe I am just getting old... Don't think it means that is working more better or not, I had hair loss for a month or two at the higher dose too. The texture changed, I like it. If you have trouble adjusting to 20mg, you can switch to injection which helped my tummy a lot.

Robin

ohhh drat, drat, drat, i totally forgot to take my MTX this wk... tues.. ugh.

(will take tonight).

yes, I have a calendar right on the fridge.. arghh.. my Rhem is going to kill me,

I haven't had any problems, side effects, like i've read w/ a lot of people.

my hair, luckily no..