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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hello - I have tried to search for this topic but didn't find much. Since going back on Leflunomide and MTX at the start of October, I have had increasing hair loss. When I wash my hair in the shower, I'm covered in it and the past few weeks there has been a golf ball sized clump in the plughole. I've tried to cut back to washing twice a week but it doesn't seem to have made a difference. I've always had an abundance of hair - I wished it was thinner all my life. Now it is really noticeable. Does it level off after some time or will this keep going on? I know there are far worse things but it's making me really anxious. Teaching teenagers is hard enough without having to teach bald! Is there anything I can do/eat/apply that will stop this? I have had a really awful, stressful few months with family stuff and work pressures, so this won't have helped either. Would love to hear from anyone else who has had this. It feels like the last straw, which I know is wrong and vain but I don't have much else to be vain about  It doesn't seem worth bothering the GP/Rheumy nurse as I know it is a side-effect. Thanks for being there everyone. Feeling proper fed up .... Ailsa XXX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Dear Ailsa
I've been experiencing some hair loss- but nowhere near as much as you! It is worth getting it checked because there can be other causes of hair loss such as anaemia, menopause (sorry- hope I'm not insulting you there age wise!). I'm sorry to hear you've had a tough time recently with family and work- me too. I was doing really well- RA well controlled, then since October, it has rocketed. I'm convinced it's stress. I'll be glad to see the end of this year. Like you, I'm a teacher and it's hard going. Not the best job to be in with RA!
Let us know how you get on
Maria x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Ailsa
Sorry I have not had the hair loss sceanario. However I think I may have read somewhere
though that you could loose your hair. I certainly would ring your RA nurse to get an
answer.
Good luck
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Ailsa
So sorry your going through such a rough time.. I take methotrexate and initially had quite a bit of hairloss(not to the same extent as you though) now it just sort of snaps off when I wash it and feels a bit cotton wooly. I would def mention it to your rheummy nurse just incase theres an underlying problem maybe they could increase the folic acid or something. Anyway hope you feel better soon xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Ailsa, It is a side affect but I think you may have an underlying problem possibly stress too. I lost a little when I started on MTX but not the amount you are describing. It could may be be a thyroid problem or something similar. Don't worry about talking to your Doctor or Rheummy that's what they are there for. It will settle down when you get it seen to. Poor you you've had enough to cope with recently, really hope you get this sorted out soon. Take care Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi Ailsa, When I first started taking MTX I had hair loss,mostly coming out after washing it. I mentioned it to my rheumy nurse and she suggested I upped my folic acid from one tablet a week to 4. I now take MTX on a Saturday and one Folic Acid on Mon. Tues. Wed. and Thurs.Since doing that my hair is back to normal only shedding a few hairs rather than a handfull. As you are on MTX I guess you also take Folic Acid so it may be worthing having a word with your rheumy nurse to see if you can up your Folic dose to see if it will help. Brenda.x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Ailsa Sorry you're feeling fed up but hope you are improving at least a little. I experienced quite substantial hair loss when I first took methotrexate and was advised to take zinc tablets. It certainly seemed to work. Only thing is I can't remember who suggested it and it could possibly affect the other medication you are on. Definitely worth seeking advice though as Lorna says, stress can cause significant hair loss. Hope you can get some guidance soon. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 62
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Hi there
I am also very upset as my once beautifully thick hair is now very thin especially on top. I have taken to 'hair spotting' and any woman around my own age gets my beady eye on her scalp!! A few weeks ago my hairdresser told me of a product another of her clients has found. It is called Nanogen Nanofibres from a company called MultiPharmacy. It consists of a container with tiny fibres which are shaken onto the hair around the offending parts and then a spray is applied to lock them to your own hair. The product comes in various hair shades which blend in perfectly to the natural hair. It is worth looking into to see it would be suitable for you.
Just a note on human kindness!! My neighbour always commented on my wonderfully thick hair as hers is very fine and thin. She now 'commiserates' at the state of my hair with hardly concealed glee!
Have a good 2011.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi
re hair loss, my hairdresser made some suggestions.
Get some sea kelp tablets from the health food shop.
the shampoo and conditioner range "thicker fuller hair" from lloyds chemist is good- there is another range called "regain" that will also help.
Have a medium length hair cut with a diagonal parting.
Get it dyed. Go for darker underneath and lighter on top it will look like there is more of it.
HTH- Happy New year to you.
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/4/2011 Posts: 14 Location: London
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I had exactly the same thing! Before I started takin methotrexate and leflunomide I had very thick hair - almost too thick, and remember asking the hairdresser to thin it as much as possible. At the moment it has started to grow in length again, but is still incredibly thin! Do you think this is a side effect or just could be as i'm growing up its changed - diagnosed at 14, now 21? I wear hair extensions when I am going out now - they add no length, just thickness. Just another thing to deal with, but keep positive, a bit of back combing in the underneath layers also works very well! Francesca x Francesca x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Methotrexate and Leflunomide may both cause hair loss, one of the many unwanted side effects of these treatments unfortunately. Always worth getting substantial hair loss checked out in case there are other causes, for example stress. If it is down to the medication possibly a change may be in order! Lyn x
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