Methotrxate and hair loss

sharonjax

My consultant wants me to start MTX to add to my impressive list of drugs. I am slightly freaked out by this and have so far refused. The list of side effects are not for the faint hearted, but the hair loss thing is what frightens me most. Shallow as this sounds, I have really nice hair and want to keep it (all of it). I have given up enough already to this disease.

Any experience or advice please?

Wonkylegs

if you have been prescribed folic acid as well that helps to reduce any side effects.

I have had problems with slight hair loss at times whilst on MTX, but it tended to be with the much higher doses (when I was on 20mg & 25 mg it was the worst) so you shouldn't see too much of a problem with the starting doses.

IF any side effects ever become a serious problem they can change you from tablets to injections as that sometimes helps (it reduced my nausea & improved my take-up of the MTX) and they can also increase the dose of folic acid.

the best thing is to remember that each drug affects everyone very differently, and you won't know until you try it how you will feel.

it can also settle down after a few months of taking it, so you do need to be a bit patient if you can

hope that helps
WOnky

skezier

Hi Sharon,

Hey the side effects may not effect you at all flower so don't dwell on them too much.

I have to say mtx has been a good drug for me.... its not got the bones brilliantly well but it has got the crohn's and for that I shall be ever grateful

Hair loss.... well..... I do have fine hair anyway (getting older) and it does come out a far bit when combed but its ok Sharon and as Wonky said the folic acid helps. I also have anti emetics just now but am not leaning on them so much now a days so its getting there.

Good luck and I promise you you might be lucky, I know I have been. Cris x

dorcas

hi sharonjax

I agree with everything wOnky and Cris have said.

Mtx is a really useful drug and can be very effective at controlling arther. Your consultant with your own doc will ensure that you have close monitoring and that if you have any side effects they are dealt with.

I've been on Mtx injections for years and have monthly blood tests at gp and follow up with rheummy nurses 3mthly and the consultant reviews it when I see him at out patients...if there are any 'blips' they are very quickly dealt with....so...you can safely leave the worrying to the rheummys!

I did have a spell initially of some (but not a lot) of hair loss and it was quickly remedied by an increase in folic acid. likewise the nausea also got better when Mtx was changed from tablet form to injection.

Am sure others will be along to also share their experience.

Iris x

sharonjax

dorcas wrote:

hi sharonjax

I agree with everything wOnky and Cris have said.


Thank you all so much for your quick and very helpful replies. I was expecting people to think I was being a total idiot as hair loss should not be my first concern in the great scheme of things.

It's very comforting to know that people understand. Next hospital appointment in september so need to have made my decision by then as hands getting worse. x

skezier

Hi Sharon,

Oh I understand the worry about hair loss........ Its defender thinned mine but I had it short and if necessary will have it done to a 5 grade or something.... its kinda worth it for me and I think I might be heading for a higher does (I am only on 15) cus its not quite got the bones but since it has the crohn's it does imply it will.....

Its a good drug if your ok on it. I hope it work as well for you and for me the sun thing was also a worry ... but..... its ok as well

Let us know how you get on and remember to ask for anti emetics if you need them and ask straight away. Cris x

dorcas

Hi again!

you are quite right to find out as much as you can so's you make the right decision for you...
lots of us here have arther in our hands so you're in good company!

you will never be made to feel foolish on this site :!: we are all in the same boat and lean on each other for support and advice......and to share a laugh too!
there are no right or wrong questions and you will always be made welcome on all of the forums.

Irisx

carola

Hi Sharon

I am up to 22.5mg of Methotrexate a week and folic acid the following day.

Sometimes I feel a wee bit sicky and tired but that is it.

I have platinum blonde hair ie bleached to feck (!!) and despite attacking it with that and taking methotrexate my hair is still full and glorious!

Remember, they HAVE to list any possible side effects and that it doesn't mean they will happen to you.

You can but try it and if it doesn't agree with you then come off it.

Good luck.
Carol

annie_mial

Sharon, maybe I've been one of the lucky ones, but any side effects from MTX have been minimal for me - i.e. a couple of hours feeling nauseated occasionally. The only real problem I had was painful mouth ulcers for a while, but they disappeared about a month ago and haven't come back.

No hair loss (my hair is very thick and I wasn't too worried, a little loss wouldn't be noticed - besides, I'm 65 and allowed a wig now!).

I'm on the maximum dose and have been since January this year....it is helping me a lot. I have more than one arthritic condition, some it's helping more than others.

Annie

marion1952

HI Sharon

I am on methotrexate injections (15mg) and I had just a bit of hair thinning , but the only person who noticed this (apart from myself) was my hairdresser. It thickened up again after about 12 months on the drug. It's not like the hair loss you get with chemotherapy treatment for cancer - it's just a thinning..

BW

Marion

lindalegs

Hi Sharon,

I've been on Mtx tabs for just over two years now, I take folic acid to counteract any side effects. No hair loss for me, my hair is as thick as it always has been.

Luv Legs

petals

skezier wrote:

Hi Sharon,



Its a good drug if your ok on it. I hope it work as well for you and for me the sun thing was also a worry ... but..... its ok as well

Sorry to sound a bit dim but what exactly is the "sun thing" please.

Thanks in advance Petals :shock:

cthornley

Its not shallow - its perfectly understandable - its a big thing for many people as its a big outward part of our appearance.
I have beautiful very long natural blonde hair - which I would not part with for love nor money...so the idea I could lose it freaked me out too
I have been on MTX for many years and apart from a tiny bit of loss when I first started I haven't really noticed anything, in fact pregnancy for far far worse for my hair :roll:
I am now on 25mg and still have no problem with my hair but i do have a far better overall quality of life than I had with out the MTX
If you don't get on with it you can always stop taking it.
Chrissie
PS don't forget the Folic Acid its really important to help with the side effects both the obvious ones and the less obvious ones like you only get on your bloods

cthornley

petals wrote:

Sorry to sound a bit dim but what exactly is the "sun thing" please.

Thanks in advance Petals :shock:

MTX gives you greater sun sensitivity so you should be more careful about wearing sunscreen

not so much of an issue when you are pale as I am...I wear sunscreen all the time anyway

lorica

Hi all,

My Rhummy has told me i should go on to MXT, did a quick internert search and scared myself.... Im glad i found this thread, it has given me some reassurance. Im at the GP tomorrow to discuss going onto MXT ... still not 100% confident though....
:?

Mark

lindalegs

lorica wrote:

Hi all,

My Rhummy has told me i should go on to MXT, did a quick internert search and scared myself.... Im glad i found this thread, it has given me some reassurance. Im at the GP tomorrow to discuss going onto MXT ... still not 100% confident though....
:?

Mark

Hi Mark,

If it's any consolation we're all scared before we start Mtx, and other Dmards, because they come from quite a toxic family but you will be monitored carefully, especially at first.

It has changed my life around and I'm so glad I went on it.

Luv Legs