Losing hair on methotrexate - does this happen to you?
Posted , 9 users are following.
I have been on methotrexate for 8 weeks now, 20 mg for the last 4 and I am losing heaps of hair. Everytime I put it up or comb or wash it, heaps of hair all over my hands. Unfortunately not getting any good effects from mtx on the RA, yet. But I was wondering if anyone else loses their hair, and if so - how bad does this get? What do you do? Or has anyone's Rheumatologist taken them off mtx because of this side effect? I am on folic acid 6 days a week already. I am a 39 year old mother and teacher, will need some sort of solution hat/wig wise eventually if this keeps up! Help?
0 likes, 31 replies
steelctygirl sonya78375
Posted
Hi Sonya, I too am on Methotrexate & even though my hair is not coming out in gobs, it is thinning. I notice it on my comb & when I fix my hair. My rheumatologist warned me it would happen. She said she has never seen anyone lose all their hair but she said thinning was a problem & a side effect. She also said it could take 3 months for the methotrexate to kick in. I have ben on since May, just hit the 3 month mark. It seems to be working. My knee seems to be my only big problem. I hope you do not lose your hair. Hope this problem resolves itself for you.
sonya78375 steelctygirl
Posted
That's so great to hear what your rhuematologist said, and I did really want to know if the hair could all the way go. I just wonder at the rate it's thinning though - how can we keep that up do you think? Surely ever-thinning ends up in... But there is an answer below from Jo who has some good news about vitamin B, might be worth trying ay? My knee is also my biggest problem, though I had almost every joint going before starting prednisone. Now I am feeling more hopeful the mtx will work thank you, I will be more patient. One more month to get to three. :-) all the best to you
jo66120 sonya78375
Posted
Hi Sonya, I have been on MTX for over 2 yrs. After about 6 months on the drug I began to feel better. Yes my hair started thinning but I started taking Biotin-- that's a vitamin B. I take it every day and after about a year my hair started to thicken up, I actually got a complement on how pretty it looked, bout fell over, anyway ask your doctor and good luck.
steelctygirl jo66120
Posted
sonya78375 jo66120
Posted
steelctygirl sonya78375
Posted
To Sonya & All, you are all an inspiration to me. You are all warriors. You keep fighting this horrible disease day after day. After hearing your responses I know that I can handle this...but only if I take one day at a time. Thank you all.
lisa82473 steelctygirl
Posted
Best of luck, I'm rooting for you! ??
sonya78375 steelctygirl
Posted
mary76396 sonya78375
Posted
Hi Sonya, I have been on 20mg of Methotrexate and although I have noticed my hair has thinned a little it has not affected me that much (although the hairs on my arms have thinned too which is good lol). My Rheumatologist has taken me off it now though because of liver damage. What I can't understand is that other people say they are on folic acid every day but I was only taking folic acid the day after the MTX. I wonder why they took me off MTX instead of increasing the folate to reduce damage. Since stopping MTX I have a lot more pain. I still take Hydroxycloriquine and now Cimzia injections so I hope it settles down soon.
sonya78375 mary76396
Posted
I don't know Mary. I wonder if the folic acid thing is a recent research finding? Don't know for sure but I think I read that somewhere but could be wrong. Or perhaps it was too late and dangerous for your liver, just folic acid wouldn't make it safe. I was started on only one day a week folic and Rheumatologist put me up just the other week because of my hair and also nausea/sleepiness extreme. I haven't noticed it working but who knows. Cimzia will take 12 weeks to show an effect is that right? So I hope it is really good for you. My very best wishes.
sonya78375
Posted
What I meant was I think so much folic acid might be a new idea but really I am very new to this so I don't know! But I'm sorry to hear about your liver and I hope that damage can be healed now.
mary76396 sonya78375
Posted
Thanks Sonya, I hope so too. I will know if it's working in a few days when I have my next lot of bloods done later this month. I'm taking St Mary's Thistle too just to try and help it along. I've also been convinced to take turmeric tablets for inflammation reduction by so many people that I thought I would give it a go. Ido miss the MTX though. I know some people have reactions to it but all I felt was good.