MTX and Hair Loss

breane
breane Member Posts: 392
edited 15. Aug 2010, 12:04 in Living with Arthritis archive
HI,
Since being on MTX I've been experiencing hair loss,especially when I wash my hair and comb it out afterwards. :( Does the hair loss continue the whole time while taking MTX or does it ease off after a while?My hair used to be fairly long and thick but I've had to have it cut to give it some shape because it's got so fine.How do any of you cope with the hair loss and do you have any tips for me? Breane.x

Comments

  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi breane :D

    I had hair loss too when I started on MTx . When I mentioned it to rheummy some months later (took me a while to link the two..duh!) he increased my dose of Folic Acid to four days per week and that resolved it.
    I've never had lustrous thick hair which made the hair loss more obvious at the time. :roll: but it has recovered with the increase in Folic acid.... although my hair's never quite got back to where it was before starting the Mtx.

    Are you taking Folic Acid?

    don't wait until your next appointment...phone rheummy or see your doc for advice.

    Iris x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello breane, this is a common complaint with meth users. Meth is a chemotherapy drug but used for us in much smaller quantities for us arthritics. Nevertheless, hair loss can, and does, occur. Mine comes out at a steady rate but, never having head beautiful hair in the first place, I'm not bothered. Folic acid can help, and perhaps a dietary supplement too - there are some on the market designed to strengthen hair and nails so that might be worth some research. Good luck. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ailsarobby
    ailsarobby Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ive had hair loss for a few months its so thin now...and im not on any strong meds yet ..god help me when i do go on the stronger stuff i will be bold!!!!!!!!!!!..you can get hair thickening shampoo at boots but your immune system will cause hair thinning also underactive thyroid.... :oops:
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi - I had hair loss when i was on methx. It was slow but noticable :(
    I had a very good hairdresser who suggested hair thicking shampoo and conditioner. She also said to brush it regularly as this stimulates the hair folicules :?: mine did slow down after a while but I also increased my Folic Acid to 2 tablets 6 days a week. My nails also suffered so kept them short!

    I have come off it now as not working and my hair and nails are getting back to normal. The only problem now is I have to have my grey hairs dyed more often now :):)

    Louise xx
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  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Breane,

    Nice to see you and hope your have had some improvement via the mtx as well? I have the same thing, washing or combing it comes out by the bucket load...... in bright sun the top is a bit thin as well :shock: I have increased the FA to 4x a week and hopefully it will help. See if you can take it more often and sending a ((( ))) and its nice to see you again. Cris x
  • breane
    breane Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again,
    I'm going to ring the rheumy nurse tomorrow to see if I can increase the Folic Acid.At the moment I only take 2 tabs a week,the day after the MTX. I'm only on 7.5mg MTX so didn't think that low dose would cause the hair to fall out.I've been on Hydroxy for 2 years and at the start of taking that I noticed slight hair loss but after a few months my hair settled down so I know this current loss is due to the MTX.I notice some of you take Folic Acid every day except the MTX day, yet I was told only to take it once a week.I wonder why that is? Breane.x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We're all told different things by different people. If they won't increase your folic acid you can always get some extra for yourself - just don't tell 'em! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Breane
    i had same prob too
    as others have said my rheumy increased my folic acid to 5mg 4 days a week, she also lowed the mxt from 20 to 15, but i had other side effects as well.
    it did help and my hair doesn't fall out as much as it did, but it also isn't as nice as it was before the mxt, but i think it is only noticeable to me no one else.
    are you feeling any benefits from the mxt yet?
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Breane,

    I think its just down to what the rumo's favour maybe? I felt very sick on 15 mtx so they gave me anti emetics and told me to take the FA 2days before and 2 days after.... its helped and I also think as I have short hair it covers the thinning better..... I will have it shorter if it gets too bad......I hope yours will stabilize and it might help to take Biotin? Its good for sheep hair loss (also does a decent job on their hooves so should be good for nails) and I am going to try it... but probably not theirs :wink: Cris x
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