PMR, Prednisone and Hair Loss

Morning Kathy. I have the same problem. Am always applying conditioner and hair treatments to help the dryness. Had thick hair and my hairdresser says it should grow back. I'm on 7 pred. I do have fine regrowth round my hairline

Chin up Wendy😕

Kathy, my hair used to fall out so much that I became afraid to handle it too much, especially as I already had fine hair.  I can reassure you that this 'fallout' does stop the lower we get on the steroids - unfortunately,I can't remember at exactly which dose I noticed a difference but there would probably be some difference in timing for each one of us anyway.  Meanwhile, try and stick to organic shampoos and conditioners that don't contain the harsh chemicals.

Mine is back to its former glory - and the pred-induced curls are also back to something a bit more controllable! In fact, I think it is thicker than before.

Above all try to avoid using too much shampoo and stuff - organic or not, they are chemicals and strip the natural oils from your hair and make its condition worse. I only wash mine about once every 3 weeks now - no grease, just shiny locks after a few days of total "wheeeee" when it has just been washed. And don't colour or perm.

I know, I'm old-fashioned, fuddy-duddy and boring...

My hair is awful. I have tried argan oil and all sorts of other things. I used to have really oily hair and now it is as dry as anything and curly, old ladies' hair. It feels awful too. Swimming probably does not help I suppose, although it is an ozone pool not chlorine. A friend with PMR has the same problem and she doesn't swim!

Thank you to all who replied about the awful hair and hair loss from the prednisone.

hate to be so vain. Kathy

Hi Kathy, sorry to hear about your thinning hair.  I was diagnosed with PMR on 12 November past and put on 20mg pred.  I have very thin/fine hair, the only one in my family I may add.  My hairdresser noticed  the thinning more than I did and it was myself who brought this topic up way back then.  I now take viviscal one tablet in morning and one at night.  They are expensive I think £70 or £80 for 3 months supply.  I was taking them even before PMR.  (You can get them on Amazon)

I also use a Hairmax Laser comb which is expensive about £300 and I use this 3 times a week for 11minutes.  I am now on 15mg pred.  My hairdresser just recently passed remarks on my hair being not so thin.  I can only tell you about my experience.   Hope you get something sorted out for yourself.  Good luck.    Pat

Kathy:  About a year ago, I too noticed I had thinning hair and was trying to find ways to cover areas where I could see my scalp.   It was definitely making me unhappy.  I started using Rogaine and made an appointment with a dermatologist.  It was two months before I saw her. I was diagnosed with PMR in 2013.   I started on 20 mg of Prednisone and worked my way down to 10 mg by the time I was to see the dermatologist.     I had lost about 30 pounds prior to PMR diagnosis.    ANYWAY, by the time of the dermatologist appointment in 2014 I was very afraid.    But, the doctor said I was fine.  In her opinion, Prednisone does not typically cause hair loss.   Again, in her opinion, she said it was probably brought on with the onset of the disease and/or the weight loss which caused stress.   She claims that stress definitely contributes to hair loss.  She pulled and tugged at my hair and looked at my scalp.  She said the hair would probably grow back and that I didn’t need to use the Rogaine (which had helped in the meantime).    Well, she was right.  I am at 8mg of Prednisone.   It’s been six months since the dermatologist appointment and my hair has gained back much thickness.    It’s not quite like it was before.  But, I mostly contribute that to age.    I believe you will experience this too.  It will just take some time.  I, too, recommend that you use organic, or sulfate-free, shampoo and conditioners.   Only shampoo twice a week, at most.   Maybe less.   However, we all have different hair.  Other forum responders have good ideas, too.  Taking charge and making some changes will help your current concerns and create enthusiasm while your hair changes back. So, whether it was the onset of stress that caused the initial problem, or the reduction in Prednisone, my hair is hugely better.   Since I have very fine hair, I have my hair foiled, apply styling mousse, and use a heating iron to curl my hair.   The dermatologist said that was okay.  She said that wasn’t the problem with my thinning/hair loss problem.   I have to see the hair stylist more often now because it’s growing faster and thicker.   I see the stylist so that I can get my hair to look as best as I want.  That is a tremendous boost to my self-esteem.  The stylist says she can see the thickness and gives me great compliments about my hair, which I like too.