Horrible Steroid side effects

salamander
salamander Member Posts: 1,906
edited 21. Jan 2010, 05:00 in Living with Arthritis archive
After having a brilliant day yesterday, first one without painful wrists and ankles, I discovered, to my horror, that the steroids are making my hairline grow abnormally. It is creeping down to my eyebrows and into my cheekbones. It's not that obvious at the moment but I am incredibly upset. I don't want to look like a werewolf.The rheumy nurse told me not to cut down the stds until the Mtx kicks in (only just started) but have started to today anyway. I've put on weight and that's depressing me too. I feel angry with this disease, the impact it is having on my life and the timing too. Some of you know I lost my mother four months ago under horrific circumstances and that, and battling with this illness, has bought me to an all time low. The future looks bleak right now.
Sorry to moan but need to get it off my chest (expect that will get hairy next :( )

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,900
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally
    On no!!!
    poor you :(
    Find someone who does that threading...it's really good - like plucking the hairs out but lots at a time. Advantage is it lasts a good few weeks - hairs grow back finer if you are lucky.
    This is the last thing you need if you have to be on them.

    Godd luck
    Love
    Toni xx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aw Sally, you sound so down........that was one side effect I didn't get, but seem to have had most of them..........the enlarged stomach made me look 10 months pregnant and didn't help my breathing either, and my feet were so swollen I lived in flip-flops for three months 'cos I couldn't get shoes or sandals on.

    I had a bad time exactly a year ago, but it did pass; yours will too, although it's not believeable now. Try to rest and relax a little, whatever does it for you.

    Love from
    Annie
  • snoopydog
    snoopydog Member Posts: 10
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    So sorry you are feeling so low hun. Sending you big ((( ))))s and hope you feel better soon! I am new on this site so dont know about your mum, but mine died in horrific circumstances too so i do sympathise with you :cry:

    I too had facial hair suddenly grow on my face and did not even notice it until i looked in the mirror on a sunny day and it went right down to my neck and i was very embarressed. But went straight to my clinic and had it removed by wax strips the next day, the beautician said dont worry because once you stop taking the steroids it will stop growing, so try not to worry too much. :roll:

    Take care

    Luv Julie :P
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aw, you poor love. I am sure you are so upset about it. Just a little hint, although you see it, other people will not notice, like you do. I agree, if you are able to afford to go and get it waxed, although a little painful, it is over quickly and will grow back finer and it will last a good few weeks. Once you have been to see a beautician about it, it is a kind of a relief in a way, because you have shared your problem with someone who has seen much worse with other clients and more importantly, she can help. You can also buy facial hair lightener, beginning with Jo---. This works ok too.

    I am so sorry too to hear about your dear mum, no wonder you are feeling like you do and you have my sympathy.

    Love and gentle hugs,
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I am also getting hair growth on my face and chest!!! :(:(
    I am findgin that my hairline is creeping to my eyebrows too and i am getting darker hair on my upper lip. Not the nicest thing to see. You can get a good facial hair removing cream from supedrugs which i have been using.
    It isnt pleasnat but I keep saying to myselg I'd rather this than be in pain.
    hope you feel better soon, dont let it get you down.
    xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks so much everyone for your really kind posts and good suggestions. This forum is so generous that it makes me feel very emotional. I hadn't thought of threading or waxing and will look into it. I can't afford it but will sacrifice something to do so. It's just one more thing to deal with but I will just have to.....with all your support!
    Thanks again.
    Sally xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bailey27 wrote:
    Hi
    I am also getting hair growth on my face and chest!!! :(:(
    I am findgin that my hairline is creeping to my eyebrows too and i am getting darker hair on my upper lip. Not the nicest thing to see. You can get a good facial hair removing cream from supedrugs which i have been using.
    It isnt pleasnat but I keep saying to myselg I'd rather this than be in pain.
    hope you feel better soon, dont let it get you down.
    xx

    Hi Bailey, missed your post just now. Sorry about the chest, I was only joking and didn't really think it would happen :( What dose of stds are you on and for how long? (if you don't mind me asking)
    xx
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi, lol, it's ok.....
    I have been on steroids sice last march, I am taking 25mg a day at the moment. I started on 15mg but since then the arthritis has got worse and the doses have creeped up unfortunately.

    I use facial hair removing cream, I get it fro superdrug and it only costs about £2.49 for a tube of it. It lasts forever too, no pain of waxing either!! ;)
    sally36 wrote:
    bailey27 wrote:
    Hi
    I am also getting hair growth on my face and chest!!! :(:(
    I am findgin that my hairline is creeping to my eyebrows too and i am getting darker hair on my upper lip. Not the nicest thing to see. You can get a good facial hair removing cream from supedrugs which i have been using.
    It isnt pleasnat but I keep saying to myselg I'd rather this than be in pain.
    hope you feel better soon, dont let it get you down.
    xx

    Hi Bailey, missed your post just now. Sorry about the chest, I was only joking and didn't really think it would happen :( What dose of stds are you on and for how long? (if you don't mind me asking)
    xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Bailey, I'm on a really low dose compared to you. I've been on them since August but only 5mg over the last month or so. I will check out superdrug. I have booked a threading which she said would cost £12, seems very cheap to me. But at least I've got some options. How long does the hair removal cream last?
    xx
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sally36 wrote:
    Bailey, I'm on a really low dose compared to you. I've been on them since August but only 5mg over the last month or so. I will check out superdrug. I have booked a threading which she said would cost £12, seems very cheap to me. But at least I've got some options. How long does the hair removal cream last?
    xx

    It lasts for a couple of weeks. You only leave it on for 3-4 minutes then wipe off. I've had it for about 3 months now and not run out yet.

    Not sure what I do about the hairline and eyebrow problem yet. They are not thick unsihtly hairs so not too concerned at the moment, although it does seem to be getting worse. Definately dont want to go down the route of shaving / waxing as I dont want them to grow back thick.

    If you have any ideas let me know!! ;)
  • kickyloo
    kickyloo Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally and everyone else!

    I too experienced the excess hair growth and that with 2 stone weight gain left me feeling even more crap. It doesn't seem fair when we have enough to deal with from the pain.

    Been on them since June at around 20mgs but now I have managed to reduced my steroids (under careful supervision and advice from consultant). Now down to 4mgs and I no longer have the huge side burns, etc! :lol: I used to get mine waxed.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    kickyloo wrote:
    Hi Sally and everyone else!

    I too experienced the excess hair growth and that with 2 stone weight gain left me feeling even more crap. It doesn't seem fair when we have enough to deal with from the pain.

    Been on them since June at around 20mgs but now I have managed to reduced my steroids (under careful supervision and advice from consultant). Now down to 4mgs and I no longer have the huge side burns, etc! :lol: I used to get mine waxed.

    It is so depressing. I've got them on 5mg unfortunately, but at 2.5 my joints hurt. Never mind DLA, they should give you £50 a month for remedial treatment from all the drugs lol!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bailey

    Definitely do not go down the shaving route. Waxing is ok, they grow back less strong. You can also get the hair lightener cream starting with Jol-n from boots or superdrug - it is to be found with the hair removal creams etc.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally

    Sorry, I just read your post. I've never had steroids, so can't comment on them, but you've really been going through it, haven't you? I hope this is just temporary for you, and that soon the MTX will kick in, and you may not need the steroids.

    It's difficult enough, without having the added kick in the teeth of it affecting your appearance. But like Elna said (I think it was Elna), you are probably more aware of it than anyone else.

    I feel for you having lost your mum. It would be my mum's birthday next week, and I always feel really down at this time. Wish I could offer more help, but at least you know you're not alone with all this.

    You take care,
    luv, Lynn xxxx

    Hi Lynn, sorry you are feeling down about your Mum. I know how it feels and am dreading mother's day, first birthday and all those other firsts. I feel particularly alone as would have talked about all this stuff with my Mum. I remember she was on steroids for quite a long time when she was my age and she would have known all the side effects and what to do. My Dad is lovely, but knows nothing about health and, in any case, I don't want to worry him.

    I spoke to the rheum nurse this morning and she finally agreed to reduce the stds (already started the day before.) She is beginning to get on my nerves. She keeps putting all the symptoms I am getting down to stress or other factors (high blood pressure, headaches, etc) even though they are all side effects of meds. I NEVER have headaches, can count on the fingers of one hand how many in my life. She said the increase in joint pain I had was down to my chest infection, even though I've had it for weeks. She can't put facial hair and a fatty liver down to stress though :lol:
    xx