methotrexate and hair loss | Arthritis Information

Hi all.................my rheumy wants me to start taking methotrexate, but I'm concerned about all the side effects, and being a vain woman, the big issue of hair loss!! Could you please let me know what side effects any of you have had, and did it effect your hair?? Thanks for any feedback I've been on MXT for about 2 years with no side effects. My hair is thick and remains thick. When I first started I had terrible MXT hangovers and some minor stomach issues. After a month or so the hangovers got better and the stomach issues disappeared. I still have minor hangovers but I make sure that I keep busy and work through it. I've been on doses from 12 mg. up to 20 mg. and am now on 17.5 mg. weekly. Each of us had concerns, worries, and anxiety about starting MXT. I fear RA/PsA more than I do the meds. Keep posting so we know how you're doing. LindyYa know, at first I thought I was losing my hair. But really I think I was so worried about it I started noticing all the ones that just fall out naturally. It's been over a year now and I don't see any difference.I have baby fine hair, and not a lot of it. After taking MTX it was falling out in clumps. Unfortunately, I need the MTX so rheumy has added Leucovorin along with folic acid. I still lose hair, but a slow loss, and I also have some growing so that's encouraging.

I was a freak about my hair and very much a girly girl (unless I was playing racquetball, lol) and I was devistated. I can tell you though, it's more devistating having to ask someone to put on your shoes or open a jar or button your shirt. I'll take thin hair............

I've been taking mtx for 16 years now and my hair is no different now than before I took mtx. I've not had any problems with mtx except for a couple of times my white blood cell count was a bit low. I just needed to go off of the mtx for a few weeks then back on once the wbc count was back up. Mtx has really helped me...I hope it helps you as well, May!

Good Luck!

Kelly

I'm another with baby fine hair that is falling out since I started MTX. I find mine comes out most during shampooing and combing afterwards. It's strange though- as much as I see coming out- my hair doesn't seem to be thinning. I began taking 7500 mcgs of Biotin recently and it seems to be slowing- it's been about 3 weeks.

I asked my doctor if I should increase my folic acid (take 1 mg per day) but he said that folic acid minimizes the job the MTX does and rathers I don't.

It's a fair trade off for how good I'm feeling.

I thought Methotrexate was causing my hair loss, but I've had to go off Methotrexate since December 2007 and my hair continues to fall out!I have babyfine hair and was on mtx for about three years. I didn't have any hair loss, but had noticeable thinning from Arava 2 years ago. I lost the lot from chemo last year and it grew back nice & thick. Now I'm back on Arava and its thinning again. If I colour it it breaks off so I look like a little grey mouse, grey roots and black ends. I have 4 wigs. My favourite was given to me and I got at it with the scissors to thin it out. Everyone loves it and never know what colour I'll be when they next see me.

It can be fun, but it is a pain too. I can say from experience that it is more than vanity. Its cold in winter (no wonder men wear beanies) and people know straight away that you're sick. You get tired of wearing things on your head. I've heard of breast cancer patients wearing their wig once and throwing it in the rubbish.

But they still take their meds, and we have to too.I had a problem with thinning hair before I started MTX. I took biotin which stopped the thinning/hair loss. If I forget to take biotin for any length of time (which does happen), my hair starts falling out...again.

MTX did not add to my hair loss issue.

My hair seems just a bit thinner, but I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, reading about so many people with hair loss. Right now I'm dealing with occasional mouth sores, which I can deal with, and frequent facial sores, which I can't. My RD won't increase my leucovorin or folic acid, I guess he also thinks it will negate some the MTX benefits. I have to say, I'm feeling better than I have in a long time, since I'm getting better MTX results (due to switching to injections). But that's when the sores got to be a problem too. You may not have to deal with any side effects at all, but if you do, it will be a delicate balancing act....the side effects vs. the great benefits you may get from this drug. It's worth trying.