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ladygolfer
#1 Posted : Friday, September 16, 2011 10:18:07 AM Quote
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My hair used to be really thick, but since I have been on methotrexate it has gradually got thinner over time. I can even see my scalp at the front especially when my hair is wet. Has anyone got any advice or tips about what I can do. This is just another blow which gets me down. I am on the top dose of MTX and even thats not really working so I know that I cannot go on a reduced dose to help combat this problem. I am due to start Humira in November and also wonder if that will make this problem even worse.

regards

Val
sheila_G
#2 Posted : Friday, September 16, 2011 6:09:43 PM Quote
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Hi Val

I have had this problem lately. Mine has started to grow back now but I can't tell you exactly why. It could be several things i.e. my thyroxin was too high and has been reduced, my mxt has been reduced and I take folic acid twice a week. Also had huge trauma over Christmas with high doses of steroid and stopping beta blockers after 20 years. It could be any or all of the above. If you are on thyroxine I would have it checked to make sure you are on the right amount.

Sheila x

I have also started having lots of antioxidents in the form of cherries, blueberries and mangosteen juice every day which my consultant said to keep taking as they know that antioxidents are very beneficial - not for RA necessarily but for general wellbeing.
Louise09
#3 Posted : Saturday, September 17, 2011 2:26:34 PM Quote
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Hi Val,

I too am on the high dose of MTX and also have thinning hair! Ive been wearing a wig for months (its great) I dont have to be bothered trying to do anything with my hair (which I found painful with my hands being bad) All I do it stick the wig on. You say your hair is thick, can you style it to cover the patches? I couldn't cos mine is thin to start with.

I rang my rheumy nurse and she said its a common side effect and what they have found is that the thinning slows down and eventually stops. Reassuring but not what I wanted to hear. Its because in large doses MTX is a cancer drug. My uncle, who is a Oncologist, suggested a cold cap. You put it on a few hours before the MTX and leave it on over night. That way your head is cooler and the MTX ignores the cold. MTX and Inflammation attracts heat and we have hot heads. You could ask Rheumy nurse about getting one. I haven't tried one as I have my wig and am reducing MTX to 15mg inj instead of 25mg.

Hope this helps.

Good luck

Lxx


Naomi1
#4 Posted : Sunday, September 18, 2011 9:46:09 AM Quote
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My mother-in-law had chemotherapy for cancer and the cold cap treatment worked for her. It's definitely worth enquiring about.
Best wishes from Naomi.
jenni_b
#5 Posted : Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:58:17 AM Quote
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Location: nr Southampton
Hi

Sea kelp tablets (from the health food shop) and regain are good things to try also the chemist here have a brand of hair stuff called "Thicker, fuller hair" and its clear bottle with greeny coloured shampoo and conditioners.

The regain stuff only works while you are using it apparently.

Jenni xx
Ps the MTX never did do anything on me whatsoever apart from side effects on the bigger doses. There are dozens of other treatments to try out. Dont dismay but recognise the loss- its not YOU thats failing (although I know I feel that way sometimes!)
how to be a velvet bulldoser
sheila_G
#6 Posted : Sunday, September 18, 2011 12:08:48 PM Quote
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Hi Jenni

I must just say that if you are taking thyroxine you can't take kelp as this will have an effect on the thyroid and you could end up having too much making you ill.

Sheila x
jenni_b
#7 Posted : Sunday, September 18, 2011 12:30:00 PM Quote
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Oh Sheila! I didnt know that....

My hairdresser recommended the sea kelp tabs as she had lost her hair following an illness and the sea kelp helped it grow back.

Thanks for the knowledge there.

Jenni
how to be a velvet bulldoser
ladygolfer
#8 Posted : Sunday, September 18, 2011 7:45:53 PM Quote
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Dear All
Thanks for all your replies. I am not on thyroxine as I dont have thyroid problems. Re trying the cold cap I dont think hospital would agree to it as my hair isnt as bad as that at the moment. I think I will try the sea kelp tablets and also ask hospital if I can go on reduced dose of MTX as soon as I start the Humira in November - not sure they will agree to that as they told me I would have to be on Humira for 6 months before reducing the MTX dose. I feel at the moment that my hair is the remaining thing to go bad and it is depressing.

Thanks again

Val
Dorothy-W
#9 Posted : Monday, September 19, 2011 9:03:03 AM Quote
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hi, i am on 25mg mxt injections and thyroxine plus,plus... and i have not suffered the hair loss(yet), i did call my rhummy nurse as i was a bit concerned (this has been on here before),she advised to go onto 6xdays folic as i was on 1 a week, i do have the normall hair in my brush but nothing more at the moment,my sister has thinning hair at the front and a few other female relatives and they dont have R.A so im not concerned,i do watch my diet and try to eat as much fresh fruits and veg as possibly can afford, make sure you check what you can take first,worth asking though just to put your mind at rest.all the best,hope you perk up soon

ps,did get 7inch cut off hair to give it a bounce just in case
jeanb
#10 Posted : Monday, September 19, 2011 9:09:10 AM Quote
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The main problem with upping the intake of folic acid is that it can reduce the efficacy of the MTX. Can't win, really, can we?!

"Summary by: Diane Bramley. Methotrexate is a first line disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drug (DMARD) for rheumatoid arthritis. It is an antifolate agent with a chemical structure similar to that of folic acid and folinic acid, but its exact mechanism of action in treating this condition is unclear. Administered in low doses, methotrexate inhibits a number of folate dependent metabolic steps, including a very potent inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase which reduces folic acid to dihydrofolic acid and to tetrahydrofolate. This causes a depleted pool of reduced folates and produces a state of effective folate deficiency. The half life of methotrexate in the serum is in the range of 6 to 8 hours after administration of the drug and is undetectable in the serum by 24 hours.

It is likely that some of the side effects of methotrexate are due to folate antagonism, and the main factor influencing the decision to discontinue methotrexate is the occurrence of adverse effects, rather than lack of response Between 7 and 30% of patients discontinue methotrexate in the first year due to toxicity. The common adverse effects associated with methotrexate can be divided into:

• minor effects e.g. mouth ulcers and gastrointestinal disturbance.
• major effects e.g. bone marrow toxicity and liver function test abnormalities and cardiovascular effects.

The British Society for Rheumatology states that regular folic acid supplements are thought to reduce toxicity of methotrexate but there has been much controversy regarding the dose of supplementation and whether it has benefit on toxicity without being detrimental to methotrexate efficacy."
ladygolfer
#11 Posted : Monday, September 19, 2011 10:31:31 AM Quote
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just for your information I take 1 folic acid tablet daily except for the day or injection. Makes me wonder if this dose is why the MTX is not working except making my hair thin!!!
sheila_G
#12 Posted : Monday, September 19, 2011 11:42:59 AM Quote
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Hi

I think 6 tablets of folic acid a week could certainly lower the efficacy of mxt but I would say that it had nothing to do with your hair loss. In fact folic acid is to counteract side effects like hair loss. How long is it since you had a thyroid test? It may be worth exploring if it is a long time ago.

Sheila x
annamaria
#13 Posted : Monday, September 19, 2011 11:44:14 AM Quote
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Hi Val

My sympathy is with you as this is a really distressing side effect of some of the drugs we have to take and one which can lower self confidence even more.

I would urge you to discuss this with your GP and/or rheumy nurse first as products like Regaine, although now available over the counter at a price, can have quite serious side effects for some people. It contains Minoxidil which is an antihypertensive vasodilator. As Jenni says, it is only effective while it is being taken and can grow hair in other places tooBlink

Good luck with the Humira, if it works you may be able to reduce the MTX in time.

Take care,
Liz
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