Hello. I have loss half of my hair! When I use to put up my hair in a ponytail I could only wrap 2 or 3 times. Now its 4 or 5. Its very disheartening but if its a price I have to pay to go into remission then thats fine. The problem is I havent gone into remission so it adds to
the pain in a way. Maybe go to the hairdresser and let them know whats happening and they can suggest a good style that works. Good luck.
Shannon

I lost a lot of hair while taking metho. My shower would clog ALL THE TIME! Thankfully, I'm no longer on the metho. It didn't work for me. Now all I take is the Cimzia.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a shampoo that will help. But anemia will cause hair loss, and metho as well as RA will cause anemia. That's why theRheumy will prescribe folic acid when they precribe Metho. Are you taking the folic acid? If not, give it a try. While I lost hair, I didn't looses enough to make a huge difference and that might be why.

Good luck, hope you figure something out. Ooh, B12 is also a heaven send while taking metho. Actaully, it's a heaven send period!

Zinc tablets are really good for thinning hair and hair loss. Years before my RA dx I lost hair due to a med's side effect.

I can also relate. Huge clumps of hair in the bottom of the shower and in my brush daily. My hairdresser recommended Nioxin brand shampoo and conditioner. I did feel it helped a little while I was using it, but I stopped using it. I guess I felt like the expense wasn't justified for the amount it was working.

Biotin may help, too. I get a lot of that with my daily supplements. It was either the biotin or my body actually adjusted to the MTX. My hair stopped thinning. So there is hope! I'm still taking 5 MTX tabs per week.

Yes, folic acid and biotin. Those helped me.
I also started taking prenatal vitamins.....................don't know if it's a good idea or not - just decided to try it for myself. It helped me.

I take 4 MTX a week and I have loss but now that I am on a lower dosage it is not as noticeable. I keep my hair short so the only time you can really tell is right after I shampoo it. I buy over the counter Folic acid and take 3 a day.

yes, I am loosing my hair....in huge clumps....but last week I went off MXT due to infections.......I know it will grow back...but wow, it was soo much hair.....scary stuff.......

My hair fell out by the handful every day while taking MTX! It was scary. I had to stop the Mtx due to stomach issues and my hair stopped falling out within 3 weeks. Now, I am hoping it will grow back. Good luck to you!!
Sue

Hi!
So sorry to hear that - it is hard coming in addition to everything else... I justwanted to add to the above suggestions shampoos made of rosemary and/or nettles. They should improve blood circulation in the scalp, and so they do not prevent the loss of hair, but may encourage the regrowth. Also rosemary oil in small amounts, massaged into the scalp (but not too much, it is quite powerful and overused has a temporary effect on heart).
The bottom line is - there are many different treatment options. If it seems that this situation makes you feel too down, talk to your doctor and ask him if there would be any possibility of switching to another medication instead of mtx. It is not good for one's joints to feel too down... Or if you decide it is worth while to go on with mtx till you get to remission, why not go to the hairdresser and see what kind of accessories would help over this stage - a wide bandanna or a clip with some kind of wide-spreading decoration etc.? [That's what I did when I read my drug could have as a side effect hair problems -especially as my hair never was a great one. It has not had yet, but I have already some emergency accessories in store.]
I hope you find soon a solution!

YES!!!!
When I started my MTX injections I had hair lost too. A LOT of it!
So I was told to double all my Vitamins and supplements with taking Ensure or Walgreen's brand everyday.
The most important supplement to take is Folic Acid 400mcg 4 tables 2 times a day. IT LOWER MY LIVER PANEL DOWN TO NORMAL . PLUS I HAVE NEW HAIR GROWTH.
No matter what type of arthritis we all have, our bodies are in need of Vitamins & supplements 2 or some 3 time more than than the normal person.
Our system is lower by MTX so must guard our bodies from colds, flu etc.
I had a full blood work up of what my body is low on, it was shocking!!
So I make a shake every morning of:
1 can of Walgreen's Ensure drink
1 small Greek yogurt
2 caplet of Green tea
one banana
Mix in blender and drink with your pills, vitamins, & supplements
I spread my dosages 2 times a day.
With arthritis our body are very low of so much. The body needs more!
B12 to give you energy,
Calcium+D 1000 2x a day
Ester-C works better than normal C, it goes through the body slower, so I take 3 1000mg per day,
Multivitamin 2x's a day
Now my health so so much better, I don't have a low system. And my hair is now long & stronger!
Now my Doctors are giving their patients the same list and is working for them too.
I was told don't waste your money on # Chondroitin &
Glucosamine aren't effective. Studies show no improvement in joint care.

I take the pill form of Metho, and have not had any hair loss, been on it for 6 months. I take Leucovorin and Folic Acid, My Dr advised me to not color, or treat my hair. Try not to blow dry, or over do your hair. Wash every other day with shampoo, and before bed wet hair and put a nice amount of conditioner and leave it in over night, this will help keep your hair nice and moisturized. Try and see if these will help you. Hang in there and dont get your self down, I know that is hard but stress and depression plays a big part in loosing your hair as well. Take care!

Biotin not only stopped the hair loss but gave me a beautiful head of hair like I never had before! I take 5000- 7500 mcg a day.

I forgot that I take Biotin too. Great idea!