Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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BlessedFromOnHigh 11/19/2011

Realizing that this has been covered before, I still have questions about the subject. My hair started falling out May - August 2011. Then it literally stopped falling out from Sept - Oct. I was so encouraged! Then all of a sudden it is falling out worse then ever. Even my husband and children admit that they have noticed that my once thick hair is thinning out a lot !

Questions:

Does it fall out in cycles?

Is it the MTX or the RA?

I am on MTX (going on my 4 month. ) I am on my last 5 days of tapering off of 2 1/2 months of prednisone.

I hope you all are having a peaceful. calm weekend! Lisa

deleted_user 11/19/2011

I know MTX can definitely cause that. I'm on Plaquenil and I'm noticing my hair is falling out too.. So who knows!?

Dreamchaser-Linda 11/19/2011

Its the mtx.I never lost hair till I started mtx. I swiched to injection, now my hair is curly and thick.side effects are better with injections.your head is more clear too. Not all foggy.

deleted_user 11/19/2011

It's the MTX. I've noticed mine is falling a lot I've been on 3 months

deleted_user 11/19/2011

I can't answer about the medication as I was never started on any (Keep taking tylenol;. Oh, your reports show inflamed liver ducts. Don't take the Tylenol.) But I can tell you this, and I hope it gives you hope. I had gastric bypass 3 years ago, and my hair fell out so bad, I was wrapping scarves around my head. I had to have it reversed about 2 months ago because of a huge bleeding ulcer my doc and fought for 2 years. My hair is finally growing back--it's short in the front like I'm a kindergardener who got hold of Momma's fabric scissor, but it's growning. I really hope the same for you!

Good luck!

Dawn

lghthouse4 11/19/2011

I am on both MTX and a low dose of prednisone. For some reason, I have not noticed the hair loss. I have been on both for a year and a half. After saying this, I hope I have not jinxed myself.

BlessedFromOnHigh 11/20/2011

Thank you all. I am also in a big time flare. Just wondering if it may go hand in hand ?

Lifeis2short 11/20/2011

Blessed,
Google hair loss cycle. My hair was falling out when I was on MTX. What I found out was that at first you don't notice it. It can take several months for it to actually fall out. Also, it could be hormonal. I got off the MTX because my hair is alredy thin. I started using Rogaine and it started growing back in. Hope this helps! Take care.

deleted_user 11/20/2011

Hi Lisa - are you taking folic acid? I take a 1mg pill every day and an additional Leukovorin the day after MTX shot. (that's another 5mg's). It seems to hold off the worst symptoms (like hair loss). If you're not on Folic please get an RX from doc, if you are, perhaps that can be increased or Leukovorin can be added. Hugs, from another Lisa

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