HAIR LOSS and METHATREXATE

I am on MTX injections (long term) and my hair is getting thinner by the week, I even have small patches where my hair is missing altogether. I'm wondering if this drug is causing it. Anyone else experiencing this and does anyone know how to combat the problem?

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Hi Franfoto. Yes hairloss is quite a well-known side effect of MTX and quite a few here complain about it. I'm sorry to learn that injections don't make this side effect lessen. I am about to move up to 15mg tomorrow but take the tablets and to date haven't suffered too badly from any side effects - although hair loss was my biggest dread as others here will tell you. I've been very lucky so far I know but I wonder if it would help to take more folic acid tablets if you are only taking one a week perhaps? I take three in between doses of MTX so maybe that's helping - I checked with my GP about this first. I don't know what I would do if the hairloss became significant because the MTX appears to be working pretty well and if it's a toss up between pain and disease progressing and hair loss I think I'd be pretty hard pushed to choose. If it's as bad as you say then perhaps the time has come to move onto a different DMARD? TTx

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Thanks for your reply TildaT.

I do take folic acid every day except the one day I inject the MXT. This condition just sucks, especially for a woman, I now buy products to help hide the visible signs which washes out, but can't tell you how it affects my overall confidence.

[laney84]

hello,

unfortunately the mtx is very bad for thinning your hair. i started mtx injections last march and i have half the head of hair i used to have, it came out in savage lumps, but thankfully i had a thick head of hair to start with. i can say that as your body gets used to it the thinning slows down, i was really worried and stressed over it, but it calmed down.. but at least its something to look forward to, and its a relief when its a little bit rather than a huge clump, its very frightening, so i really hope it slows down for you. i have loads of wee new baby hairs also so they are really annoying but i think a good sign! i read somewhere that the dose we are on only thins the hair and it wont actually make us bald like the higher doses ill try and root out the website for you.

take care

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Hello,

Seems to be very common I did write a blog after doing some research into hairloss and MTX, if interested click on my name, have a look for hairloss blog, there is some great input from other members also...

My hair is very thin at the front, not helped by toddler deciding to pull it every so often; sadistic child who likes to hear her mother squeal!!

As mentioned in blog, hair is very fragile and will be breaking off, my tips are...

Always brush when dry

Never brush when wet!, always use a large tooth comb when wet

Use a strengthening shampoo and conditioner to prevent breakage

The best Shampoo range I've ever come across is by Matrix called Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner, I've seen some amazing results with broken fragile hair using this product, you can only get it from a salon who stock Matrix, expensive but of a superior quality and will last twice as long. (used to be a hairdresser)

I have a liquid soap allergy, so I can't use it!

hope this helps

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Thank you lane84 and Wiliby for helpful replies.

Yes I would appreciate the link to that website if you can find it laney and Wiliby I will certainly look at your blog and try the shampoo you recommend. My hair has always been baby fine but now being thin AND fine it's hard to cope with. thank you both for taking the time to comment.

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Extra folic acid may help and there is pharmacy hair product called regain which can help restore hair loss.. I took methotrexate for 8 months but had very thick hair so was fortunate not to notice much loss

[sciqueen]

Hi

I also had hair loss/thinning right from the beginning with mtx. Every time they increased the doseage I lost more hair, although it was not as much as the first time. I stayed with the drug as it was working for me and continues to do so. I started on mtx november 2011.

Fortunately I had thick hair and although it has thinned it's not really noticeable and I keep it short and have it cut every 8 wks to hide the fact it is thinner now. Nobody at work have noticed and they have commented on how the shorter hair style suits me despite the rounder moon face from taking steroids.

I am now on 20mg injectable mtx from Jan. When I increased to this I did not have any hair loss. I think this was due to the increased folic acid that I was taking. So maybe my body has got better use to it? I don't know. My ra has improved greartely being on this doseage, so I am not keen to stop it and hopefully I have respite from the hair loss be it temporary.

Sci x

[zannie]

Hi Franfoto,

I'm taking MTX once a week, and folic acid on the other six days. My hair has been falling out in large amounts every time I run a comb through it. My specialist did warn me that this would be the case. My eye sight too has declined, and about this too my specialist said, 'Don't invest in new spectacles.' The MTX has had a really significant effect on lessening the arthritis pains, but I am distressed with the adverse effects. I'd be grateful for any recommendations.

Zannie. XX