Advice for Better Living Archives

I have been searching the internet for hairloss in ra patients. I am a newly diagnosed ra patient and have started on plaquenil and bextra. I feel really good but the hairloss is really bad. Please let me know of any suggestions you may have found.I feel very alone in dealing with this disease so just knowing someone else has hairloss helps.

Hairless in Seattle

Hi,

I am on Plaquenil, Methotrexate and Enbrel and I am experiencing hair loss too.

My hairdresser recommended Back to Basics ginger therapy shampoo and conditioner. It is suppose to repair dry frizzy overstressed hair. It keeps my hair softer and I have noticed that I am not cleaning out as much hair out of the bathtub after a shower. I also use a hot oil treatment, I use Suave once a week, and I put on a hair rinse to color my hair, every six weeks. It washes out in six weeks, so if I don't like it, I can switch to something else.

I have a bald spot in the back and one on the side of my head, so when the time comes, I will resort to a wig or wear pretty scarves, but I think I will go with the wig as it will attract less attention. People don't really pay attention to wigs, unless they are really bad, but scarves, sort of make people take a second look. DarleneF.

Hello, I, too, experience hair loss! I've been taking methotrexate for about 15 years, and I know this med. causes hair loss. I also take zoloft, which can also cause hair loss. I have just begun taking MSM, a supplement available at Walmart, health food stores, etc. It is supposed to be good for arthritis and hair loss. I hope it will help. Also, I got a perm so my hair looks much thicker. Good Luck.

Dear Hairless - I've been losing hair from meds as well. My stylist
suggested a hair product called Nioxin. I feel like it's really working.
It's shampoo, scalp treament and more scalp treatmen and a folicle booster. $50.00 for what lasted me 3 months. You can only buy this in a salon I think so ask which one (they have two sets) they recommend for you. He also cuts my hair to make it appear fuller. He's not cheap but it's worth every penny to look better, imho.

Cyberhugs,
DianeW

Has your dr prescribed folic acid? If not, be sure to ask - the over the counter is not strong enough. I don't take same meds, but it is supposed to help with hair loss in RA patients. I'm on methotrexate, still lose some hair, but it has gotten better with time on folic acid.

How do you wash the kitchen floor when you can't push a mop? I've been doing it on my hands and knees but need to hold on to a chair in order to get up again.

I got a dirty floor!

I have been known to buy those cloths that go on the bottom of swiffer for washing the floor and rub them around the kitchen floor with my foot. Mostly I do this sitting in my wheel chair, but I have been known to do a small area while I was standing. I don't think that's too safe though so I dosn't recommend it.

Cyberhugs,
DianeW

I have nerve damage due to some back problems and multiple back surgeries. As a result, my right leg will 'give out' whenever it feels like it. I will have no warning, it just goes. Many times I end up on the ground as a result. I've tried using a cane, but it just falls when I do. Any suggestions to keep me off the ground and my bones intact?

Stay off the ground!

Something my neuro told me when I was falling alot. She said that the nerve damage, being on my left side, made the info from my left foot to my brain slower than it was on the right side. It's hard to explain but it's something like when you step with the side without damage first, the bottom of your foot senses the elevation and what you need to do with your next step. It sends that info to your brain where it in turn sends the info to your other leg/foot. However, if you have nerve damage along the way, it gets bogged down on the way and in the mean time you are still walking or as it were by then, laying on the ground wondering what the &%$# happened. Make sense? I am a right handed person and I lead with my right foot when I walk. She told me to lead with my left, the side I have the damage on. That way I would have to make a brain conscious decision about whether or not I had to lift my foot higher to accomodate for a door threshold (where I tended to fall a lot) or a change in elevation like when you go from grass to concrete. So for a long time I walked talking to myself saying ...left-right, left-right, etc so I concentrated on where those feet were and what was under them. I'm sure people who saw me talking to myself thought I was nuts, but then laying on the ground they thought I was drunk. Drunk or nuts....some choice! LOL

Anyway, I don't know if this makes sense to you but I thought I'd give it a try and see if it would help. If you know which side the damage is on and can pay attention to leading with that side first when you walk, you might find you fall less...and that can't be a bad thing! -Di

I am a 55 year old woman and I've had RA for 15 years. I had to retire this past December and move from MA to a warmer climate.
Long story short, health insurance that my employer promised me, fell through. I've tried buying my own individual health insurance plan, but I was told I am uninsurable because of RA. As you know, the required dr. visits - prescriptions and lab work are incredibly expensive. I have had spinal fusion surgery due to deterioration. A new problem with my spine recently developed causing excruciating pain in the lower back and shooting down the legs. My surgeon recommended a CT-mylogram to determine the problem. I was told the CT (alone) would cost over $5,000. (out of pocket) to see if more surgery was required. Being unemployed and uninsured since December has exhausted most of my savings. I have filed for social security disability and was (recently) denied, but plan to appeal. Do you know where I might be able to find financial assistance or health insurance? Thanks in advance for any assistance.-Desperate in FL

Help for Desperate?

Yes, Beth is right. There are certain insurance companies in Fl that are working under the HIPPA law and must insure you, with no pre-existing conditions. I know because I live in Fl too. But it is expensive. Blue Cross has one and so does Humana. But there are many. ET.

Check with your state insurance department. Most, but not all states have an insurance pool for those of us who are uninsurable. It won't be cheap (no health insurance is), but these pools generally have to take you. Another place to check is with your state Medicaid office to see if you qualify there. -Beth

Go to social services and explain your situation. you are allowed one vehicle that doesn't count as an asset, and can't have over $2000.00 total assets.They can probably get you on Medicaid. Good luck and God bless. Janet