Extreme Hair fall/loss

[Pinkydxb]

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with Behcet and am currently taking plaquinil, colchicine & immuran. I now have extreme hair fall/loss and I consulted my Rheuma and she said its due to my mrds. Anyone facing the same issues? I am now taking hair and nail vitamins but still no help.

[Pinkydxb]

Thanks a lot Ashley. Yeah I am getting freaked cause my hair is thin to begin with and I can no longer comb it or blow dry cause of hair fall.

I will try that as well, hopefully it works on me.

Thanks again.

Pinky.

[suzannenmike]

Hello, unfortunately hair loss is a well known side effect of Azathioprine. Most of the drugs we take to dampen down our immune system, such as aza, methotrexate of Micofenalate have some effect on hair, skin and nails.

I am using a moisturiser regularly on my face, hand cream every time I wash my hands, and nail oil. When I wash my hair I put a masque on it every other time. It hasn't helped the hair loss, but my hair is bouncy and shiny which sort of makes up for the thinness, and my skin isn't drying out too much.

Don't worry too much. After a few months on methotrexate (I had to stop it because it was giving some very worrying liver function readings on my blood tests), my hair has started to regrow. Unfortunately it is grey!!!!!!!!

If azathioprine is working for your Behcet's then I think you should keep taking it. You can mention the hair loss to your GP and they should be able to suggest what would be the right thing to do. Beware of advertisements promising magnificent hair re-growth if you use their products. They might not agree with your drug regime, and the claims are rarely what you think they should be.

I found that the new fashion of wearing a bandana round your hair (there are loads in the shops at this moment) quite useful to hide a receding hairline.

All the best, don't get too worried. x

[Pinkydxb in reply to suzannenmike]

Thank you so much for thw info. Will surely discuss this with my rheumatologist. I am getting worried cause my hair is very thin to begin with, but will try mu hardest not to :).

Now I am wearing turban of some sort or other hear covers to hide my hair, if anyone ask I'm just fashionably experimenting :).

Best of luck to you too.

Pinky

[nurse_ratchet]

Hi Pinky,

Just an fyi, I had been on plaquenil and colchicine for over 2 years when imuran was added to the mix. Within 1 month or so , my hair was falling out in huge clumps. I tried everything, hair loss serums, etc etc. I happen to speak to a client (I'm a nurse) who was on imuran as part of an anti-rejection regime for kidney transplant who confirmed with me that she too had lost alot of her hair fr that drug-imuran! When i spoke to my md, he stated it could be the stress on the body fr being ill so long.

I spoke to my rheumy after giving the med its 4 month try, as i had zero improvement we decided to take me off of imuran and started on Enbrel (not on it any longer). My hair falling out in clumps stopped within a week or two! I was SO relieved!!! So unless you are getting benefit from imuran-you may want to discuss/explore with your rheumatologist

Best of luck to you!

Gen

[Pinkydxb in reply to nurse_ratchet]

Hi Gen,

Thanks for the info. I will discuss the imuran with my rheumy. I'm a bit worried now cause maybe I cannot switch to other meds.

Again thanks and best of luck to you as well.

Pinky