Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Hair loss is a common problem with this illness not to mention the side effect of all these medications, it will grow back, keep it cut and as healthy as you can, and, with the ones that fall out take up knitting :)

Thanks for your reply - it has sort of set my mind at ease. It's not nice having to deal with hair loss on top of everything else!

LK1974,

The Remicade is not the medication that would be doing this. You said you're on 'Imuran and Steroids'. I am not sure of the effects of Imuran... but STEROIDS will definetly give you hair loss. There are previous postings about this, if you just do a simple search... you'll find your answers.

Yes, Remi and the other meds can cause hair loss. Mine was worse when I switched to Humira. Its growing back now, slowly!

Hi Fraz - thanks for telling me yours is growing back. It gives me some hope!

I don't really feel like arguing... but here you go. Pulled from www.webmd.com ( http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-16... )



Does this medication have side effects?
The following side effects are associated with Remicade IV:
Common side effects:
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure
Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus
Bronchitis
Itching
Hives
Muscle Pain
Fever
Low Energy
Chills
Temporary Redness of Face and Neck
Head Pain
Trouble Breathing
Chest Pain
Feel Like Throwing Up
Throwing Up
Stomach Cramps
Anemia
Infrequent side effects:
High Blood Pressure
Throat Irritation
Inflammation of the Nose
Sinus Irritation and Congestion
Red Blood in Bowel Movement
Urinary Tract Infection
Inflammation or Infection of Vagina
Backache
Pain
Thrush
Cough
Diarrhea
Skin Infection due to a Candida Yeast
Infection due to the Candida Fungus
Reaction due to an Allergy
Indigestion
Infection caused by a Virus
Joint Pain
Rare side effects:
Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems
Bacterial Infection of Blood or Tissues affecting the Whole Body
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Sudden Blindness and Pain Upon Moving the Eye
Relapse of Hepatitis B Infection Symptoms
Drug Therapy that Worsens or Flares Psoriasis
Hepatosplenic T-cell Lymphoma
Fluid in the Covering of the Heart or Pericardium
Vasculitis
Inflammation of Blood Vessels in the Skin
Pneumonia
Interstitial Pneumonitis
Lung Fibrosis
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Stomach or Intestine Blockage
Narrowing of the Intestines
Soreness of the Rectal Area
Hole in the Intestine
Acute Liver Failure
Liver Inflammation caused by Body's Own Immune Response
Hepatitis
Hepatitis caused by Drugs
Inflammation of the Gallbladder
Blockage of Normal Bile Flow
Sudden Loss of Blood Supply to Kidney
Urinary Tract Blockage
Lupus-Like Syndrome
Abscess
Feeling Faint
Seizures
Rash
Heart Throbbing or Pounding
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Difficult or Painful Urination
Enlarged Spleen
Abnormal Liver Function Tests
Life Threatening Allergic Reaction
Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug
Infection caused by a Fungus
Infection
Reactivated Tuberculosis
Falling
Malignant Lymphoma
Malignant Tumor or Cancer
Acquired Decrease of All Cells in the Blood
Low Platelet Count and Bleeding of Unknown Cause
Decreased Blood Platelets
Decreased White Blood Cells
Decreased Neutrophils a Type of White Blood Cell
Formation of Dead Tissue in the Spleen
Blood Disorder

********

And if you really want to know... here are the side effects of Prednisone (most commonly prescribed steroid for UC and CD)

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-60...

Hi
I've been on remicade every two months for a year. My hair was falling out by hand fulls.
I had thick pretty hair - not a happy situation.
But, I felt much better and the pain from the arthritis that accompanies my crohns was very much improved so I decided to stick with the remicade.
Now my hair is much, much better. No more breaking or falling out. I can't say for sure it was remicade because I was on other drugs as well (had been on prednisone too).
I hope it gets better for you too.
I wish you well

I lost a lot of hair with Imuran so stopped taking it. Now with Remicade I am not losing so much, but my hair is still not the same. I think the prednisone has the same effect as well.....Also, since Remicade is considered a mild chemo treatment it makes sense that it would be a side effect.....

I am due to see my consultant in 4 weeks and I am waiting to hear if I am going to be funded for Remicade - I've already had 3 infusions so far.

I think it is most probably the Imuran which is causing the hair loss and I want to ask my consultant if I can stop taking it. I really do hope that the funding for Remicade comes through because it really is a miraculous drug and I feel so much better being on it. But if it is causing the hair loss I will be devastated.

But I'll keep my chin up because there are so many people out there who are much worse off than I am.

I saw my doctor yesterday and asked him about my hair loss. I have been having the same issue and assumed my meds are causing it. He suggested to me that my hair loss is most likely caused by a nutritional deficiency. My diet has been very poor for months now so I agree with him. I have trouble taking vitamins but found one that is a "Whole Food" liquid version. I'm giving it a try.