Arava And Hair Loss | Arthritis Information

Anyone on Arava experiencing hair loss? I never had any hair problems when I was on MTX, but switched to Arava a little over a year ago because of mouth sores. The past 3-4 months I've noticed significant hair loss. I mentioned this to my RD, and unfortunately, there is nothing to take to prevent it. I was hoping for something like how folic acid helps to prevent the side effects of MTX, but the said there really isn't anything to combat the hair loss. BTW..I take 20 mg daily, seven days a week, which I believe to be the recommended dose.
[QUOTE=Brisen]Anyone on Arava experiencing hair loss? I never had any hair problems when I was on MTX, but switched to Arava a little over a year ago because of mouth sores. The past 3-4 months I've noticed significant hair loss. I mentioned this to my RD, and unfortunately, there is nothing to take to prevent it. I was hoping for something like how folic acid helps to prevent the side effects of MTX, but the said there really isn't anything to combat the hair loss. BTW..I take 20 mg daily, seven days a week, which I believe to be the recommended dose.
[/QUOTE those like you, employed by the corrupt medical proffesion are the most brainwashed victims of all.Gale, when I was on MTX, your experience was one reason I took folic acid. What I did for hair loss was to take biotin supplements and that really helped me. I tried Arava, but it caused me bowel problems and I now take sulfasalazine instead of MTX or Arava.

I hope this info helps! Thanks Waddie! I can't believe I didn't think of Biotin...I used to take that for hair and nails quite a few years ago! Certainly can't hurt! Hi Brisen,

I am so sorry to hear about your hair loss. Not a good thing to have happen to us while having to deal with this obnoxious disease. Oh NO NO.

I took Arava for about 3 years and did have periodic hair loss but not too major. I think the Folic acid for the mouth sores may have help some but it was when I was put on Leucovorin that the hair loss eventually subsided. I have been off Arava for the last 4 years but just recently was put back on it and I am seeing a bit more hair strands in my brush. I also am begining to develope mouth sores from the Arava, which I did not expect this early since they just upped my Arava from 10mg to 20mg about 10days ago. I am hoping my new RD will put me on Leucovorin instead of Folic acid asap.

Have blessed week.

ps: sorry for the misspelled words....I am not a good speller and should not go anywhere with out a dictionary.

Thanks Waddles! Leucovorin is something I'll definitely check into. I wouldn't say my hair loss is extreme, but I'm finding quite a lot of hair in my hairbrush daily. It's worrisome, because a woman I used to work with who also had RA and was on Arava, suffered complete hair loss for two years. I believe it was called alopecia areata, and was attributed to either being another autoimmune disorder or from the Arava. Her hair eventually did come back in, but she had many steroid treatments to her scalp over approx. two years. I bought some Biotin at the suggestion of another member, and will definitely keep the Leucovorin in mind. Thanks again!
You are more than welcome Brisen

I am thinking about trying Biotin too. I am hoping my doctor will OK it. Some of the meds I am on, right now, may not be compatible with them but I am going to ask my RD on my next visit to him.

I have a friend who had alopecia areata and I felt so bad for her but she eventually seem to cross that hurdle and move on. She did take Leucovorin and it did help her some what . She was such a trouper. She has since passed away but not from that.

Good Luck with the Biotin. Got my fingers crossed for you.

Hi Waddles, hey, you're back and I'm happy to see you posting....you have been missed. Stay in the loop, we need your common sense and experience.

I just started Biotin, so we'll compare how we do. I'm suffereing some hair loss but I think it's just part of the natural aging process.

Lindy

@LinB

Hey there friend...I am glad to be back too Lin....Thanks for the lovely "Welcome Back". I needed that. I missed you all. We are all family in here and we difinitely need the great support we get from each other.

It has been way to long from posting in here but I have come in often to make sure everyone was doing as well as you can with RA. but I had some illnesses to have to take care of and of course I came out of RA remission like a tiger. Thought I would just lay down and die. Didn't think I had it in me to fight RA once again but my doctors are absolute angels and they walked each step with me until I felt like I could handle this damn pestilence.

How have you been doing Lin? Hope all is well with you and your family.

I agree that age could be playing some part with those exta strands of hair on my brush and shower floor...Go figure...why do we have to have RA and old age too. Not cool!!!

I will definitley try to get back here more often and do more posting. In the mean time you have a great week.

Take care

((((gentle hugs)))