Hair improvement | Arthritis Information

Susan

I wouldn't take any supplement without talking to your doctor because they can interfere with your medications. I know doctors have prescribed something besides folic acid, but I cannot remember what it is. Someone else was asking today.

Another thing to consider is taking prenatal vitiamins. Those are some the best you can get. You might want to see what your doc things about those.

My hair really had problems at first. There were white streaks all of a sudden and it turned from straight to curly. Finally, it seems to be improving again. I do use really good conditioners.

However, I haven't had hair loss and I don't know why some people do and some people don't.

That seems like an expensive solution. Maybe someone else has a better one. I double my folic acid when the mouth sores become more active and that seems to help.

Hey Susan...well I can say that I would not take it.  Mostly for the "herbs" that they have listed.  I would shy away from any vitamin with Kelp in it - that is iodine in its natural form.  And with our immune problems you don't want kelp irritating your thyroid - as I have endocrine issues - no kelp comes directly from my endocrinologist.  The other ingredients: vit C,  and some of the herbs can "spur on" your immune system - our immune systems are too hyper already - they are attacking our joints - so don't take anything that can ramp up the immune system - my RD does recommend an Omega 3 complex and I have read that nettle leaf (which is in that vitamin) is good for people with immuno diseases, so is grape seed extract - other than that my Rd just said to take Centrum.  And if you need extra calcium for your bones - take 1200mg of that each day with Vit D3.  I suppose with taking mtx your RD wants you to take folic acid too.

Your hair is dead keratin.  While disease and drugs will effect the way it looks and grows - the best thing you can do for it is a really good shampoo and conditioner.  I would suggest Nioxin shampoo, it gets rid of any DHT or other chemicals in the follicle and helps keep the heathy hair healthy.  Get a good conditioner either a Nioxin one or another professional line.  Try not to wear barettes or ponytails or hats - anything that can cause stress on the scalp.  You can to to www.heralopecia.com for more info on hair loss.  It is the mtx?  I was/am losing my hair from plaquenil - just got off it and started sulfasalizine but it will take a while for the hair to stop falling out and to hopefully come back.  But I would ask your RD if there's anything more you can do. 

Losing your hair is very hard - there are so many psychological things that go along with it.  Sorry this is so long - I hope I gave you a little help. 

Jody

I've taken Biotin capsules with the guidance of my RD.   That was the only natural substitute that she has allowed.   It's helped my hair a great deal.   In fact I was able to grow it out while being on the MTX and all the other medications.  

But like the others have stated you need to stay away from the Herbals and anything that could cause havoc with your thyroid or endocrine system as autoimmune issues with the endocrine are horrible to deal with.  

Linda:  You can use the same avatar....community seahorses!  ha ha

Olive:  How many mg's of biotin did you take?  Did it help grow back the hair?

Susan

I get it at GNC and it's about 25.00 for 120 capsules ..  I believe it's the 2500mcg.   I found it didn't grow back my eye brows (but they seem to fade with age too though so, I can't totally say it was the MTX that did them in).   But, I was like I said able to grow back my hair and get it long again (it's very curly since chemo and hard to reason with on my bad days) to be able to put it in a pony tail or at least up and out of my way and still look some what nice.

I saw my doctor yesterday and I asked him about my hair thinning problem.... and I quote:  "Be thankful for what you have left" and I asked him was there anything I could take to help it, and he said no.  I even asked him about Biotin, but he shrugged - said if I wanted to take I could, but it wasn't going to do much of anything.  That when I stopped taking MTX it would be ok.  I asked when that would be, and I didn't get an answer.  So.. anyone know of a good - inexpensive - place to buy a wig?  I have no insurance...

Thanks.

Geeze Dana...talk about insensative!!!!!

There is something you can do...the folic acid is a big help, but you need about 2.4 to 2.8 mg (2400-2800mcg) so if you buy it over the counter you need to get the 800mg tabs and take at least 3 per day.