Ever since I was dx with RA in early 2004 my hair condition has gotten so bad. I have lost so much of it (mtx?) and it has become brittle. It looks so unhealthy. Kinda course. Not shiney like it used to. It's so sparse. It looks like an old lady's hair in her 80's or something. I hate it. And, as you ladies know, when your hair doesn't look good, you feel like sh*t. I don't know whether the mtx plus getting older (I'm 61) is the factor or what. I just know that I don't feel good about myself anymore.
I even went to a wig place. Didn't try them on though. I just knew if I put one on my head, I'd look ridiculous because it was so much more hair than I had.
Help me ladies. What's a woman to do.
Susan
Susan, what meds are you on?
Susan,
RA does noting for one's hair, nails, skin, eyes - neither do the various medications including the MTX and Celebrex.
Some years ago on the orig. AI boards someone was recommending Rioxin or a name something similar - product for problem hair - said it had a peppermint smell. Someone else might have some more info on it.
Susan
I really feel your pain. My hair has become very thin.....some of it is due to my thyroid condtion....which is also affected by the methotrexate because it suppresses your immune system and thats what the problem is with my thyroid. I use nioxen shampoo which is designed for thinning hair.....it may help a little..
I had to go off the methotrexate because of liver toxicity but really havent seen any more hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know how you feel
Susan--
My hair seemed to thin when I started MTX, as well. My hairdresser says it's fine. I'm not sure whether it's age (I'm 57) or the MTX. Probably a combination. But regardless, it's thinner. Talked to my rheumy about it, and he doubled my folic acid script -- probably just to shut me up, but it at least made me feel like I was being proactive about it. If you're not on folic acid daily, talk to your doc. Most of us take it with MTX. I don't know if this is true, but I'm told the prescription version is far more effective than the stuff you can get over the counter. Rumor maybe. Plus, with insurance, it's cheaper than OTC, and I'll chase down a bargain like a crazy lady.
I agree with you about wigs. I think I'd rather learn to wrap pretty scarves on my head if I was terribly concerned.
Take care.
My hair falls outs, then grows back in. . .then falls out, grows back in. . .you get the picture. The end result looks like I've had a dozen really bad perms. I have long hair, medium hair, short hair and itty biddy little sprouts. Oh, and my super straight fine auburn hair is now dark, corse and curly. Which, surprisingly, I actually like!
My rheumy said it's a side effect of having a chronic autoimmune disease. Something about the systemic inflammation being bad for the hair folicles. And the meds aggravate it.
I've heard B vitamins, zinc and folic acid are suppose to be good for hairloss. I was taking Nature Made Stress Complex B vitamins with C & Zinc. Plus extra folic acid, about 800mcg. But I can't stomach vitamins anymore. I'm looking for a liquid or sublingual.
I used to say my hair only looked good up, then I started saying I could only wear it down. Now I'm stuck wearing it half up and half down and neither half looks good. I'm going to have to get it cut short eventually but with my small jaw (I'm 37, I have juvenile RA) short styles don't exactly flatter.Yep, my hair got very very thin after I developed RA. My solution was to shave my head about 7 years ago. Now I sport the very cool bald woman look and no one has to know I'm thinning :)
My hair is starting this as well, brittle and falling out.. I am 38 and had gorgeous long hair. I am devestated!! I am starting sureclick tomorrow(Enbrel( and want to stop the Avara. I hope Enbrel doesn't destroy my hair. Any body have any experience with what Enbrel does to your hair. I am just about ready to stop all my medications because I want my hair back.
Was reading your post and as I read the post from lorrie she gave me something to think about. So many of this generation, the generations before and generations that have followed have a skin condition called "keratosis pyloris" for which the cause isn't known. When I was growing up it was lumped into all other unknown skin conditions and called exzcema.
Anyway it isn't life-threatening but can be truly annoying. Of course, there isn't a cure yet but the doctors are quite willing to prescribe anything and everything imaginable to alleviate/treat this condition. Trust me they don't work.
So in May I began taking mtx and a couple of weeks ago I realized this skin condition has almost disappeared. My skin still looks like a plucked chicken but it's smooth with no bumps or redness. Go figure.
I think wigs can look really great. They make such cute ones these days. I really think you should give a wig a try and see how it feels and looks. The people that work in a good wig shop are really going to understand what you are going through and how sensitive you may feel. I think it would be great to not have to style your hair and just put a wig on. They look adorable. I vote that you give a few a try on and see how you feel.
Thank you all for your advice. As of yet, I still haven't been back to the wig place. But I guess it couldn't hurt. I am on 5 mg mtx (which isn't much), folic acid, and 1g sulphasalazine. I know the disease, meds, and just aging is all contributing to my hair's demise. I would love to get it cut so short like a guy's cut, but haven't worked up the courage. Afraid I you could see my scalp even more that way though. Wish I had the courage of 6xmum who shaved her head. A perfect solution!!!
Susan Lorrie - the shampoo/conditioner is NIOXIN. It's for thining hair. I use it and it helps. Schwtz71 - I'm on the same drugs you are on - but I just started the MTX last night. Plaquenil made my hair fall out! go figure. You might want to visit a dermatologist (that's the doc who deals with hair loss) and see if he can help you also. Good luck - Trixie
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