Hello everyone, I'm fairly new here and wanted to ask if anyone else experiences hair loss? I'm putting it down to the MTX, which I've been using to great effect in all other respects for the passed seven months, so I wouldn't want to change that. But I was wondering if anyone knows of any magic potions to stop the hair loss altogether or at least thicken up what I still have?
Many thanks, Lin 
I use Toppik hair fibres to cover my thin parts , I've got a puffer applicator to apply it and it does the job (got thin hair due to thyroid problem but have just started mtx so who knows whats going to happen 😆)
Fabulous Marion, I shall certainly have a look into this, thank you. It sounds like you are living in uncertain times when it comes to MTX. It took six months to kick in for me although I have RA so hopefully it works more quickly for you x
Hi Lin - when I was diagnosed 2016 now - the rather heartless Doctor exclaimed:” you have RA and yes you are going to need to take medication where you loose your hair”. So cold.....
Now initially I did - but what immensely helped me was Collagen and MSM... Do run it by your Doctors though.... I am sure others shall add to what helped them.
All the best - Hessie 😌
Ouch, that was a bit harsh, Hessie5.
Ah, I have considered collagen but thought I would ask all the experienced people on here first. I've never heard of MSM before, so thank you...another one to add to my list of things to try
Oops sorry for typo in original post! Document was suppose to read Doctor The correct tool swapped it out....😬
MSM is a sulfur it's natural in our body - helps treat joint inflammation some say hair loss too. Let your Rheumy know - mine has a list...
Best - Hessie 😌
That's interesting, during my first ever visit with my Rheumy he told me if I didn't need a prescription for something there were no contraindications with MTX .....but maybe you have a different prescription xx
Oh that's interesting and good to know - I usually research then tell my rheumy, if i’m honest not all the time. Just need to cover myself when posting and recommending.
Biotin, zinc
That’s how I get my lucious locks you see in the photo.
Amazing Rashford, you do look kind of familiar - have we met before???
Thank you for the suggestions x
I lost some but came back quickly xx
Yes, I was losing hair from March for a few months then it started to grow back evidenced by the short tufty clumps that started to become apparent , but I notice more have recently started to fall out again. Maybe that's the way I will roll xx
Hope so. Xx I did use thickening shampoo too
Oh what shampoo did you use Allanah?
I used Plantur at first but you can go stronger and use minoxidil shampoos later on. Chemist will keep you right x
Hi I take collagen powder and a high strength biotin tablet and hair loss reduced to almost nothing (am on max 25mg metoject). Hope this helps, good luck!
Excellent, thank you Dobcross1 xx
How high is high dose?
2 x 5000mcg tabs per day.
If the biotin? X
Sorry yes, Biotin tablets, 2 x 5000mcg.
thanks - I have some from Bulk Powders called Radiance - they contain
hyaluronic acid - dry eye
selenium - can't remember, migraines I think!
Biotin for hair 5000
Among other ingredients. I spent ages finding the most comprehensive and cheapest and these ticked all the boxes.
Do you think I should add to that? I don't think I should take 2 a day, instructions say just 1.
Marine collagen powder and high dose biotin definitely worked for me. Added bonus stronger nails and helped with dry skin.
Ah, collagen seems to be one of the favourites, thank you J1707. I would also welcome the bonus of strong nails, mine are shocking! xx
Fall out was a big problem. I get nothing now 😁x
What brand do you use and where do you get it please? Mine is definitely thinning.
I currently use Methotrexate and have suffered hair thinning and loss, my hair dresser recommended nioxin shampoo and conditioner, i have noticed a difference since using this but still trying it out xxx
Hi Linysaurous! I first started on MTX 6 years ago and one of the side effects was hair loss. My Rheumy added 5mg of folic acid to be taken 6/7 days (7th day MTX) this stopped the hair loss completely. If you are not aleady on folic acid (I call it follicle acid lol) it might be worth a try. Good luck! x
Thank you Diamondpainting, but I'm already on the folic acid 6 days a week x
Has any one else noticed that on mtx there hair is going curly. Mine has gone from being really straight to a real flicked up curl. I always wanted curly hair. My hairdresser noticed it last year but since I have gone to 25mg it's got really curly.
Mine went through a phase of that at the front where my hair is straight,
when in humid conditions
Yes I use to have very silky straight hair now courser and has a kink. My hairdresser said it’s like regrowth after chemo
Yes! And even more frizzy than it was before! I spend so much money on frizz fighting straightening creams and oils etc... then I go out in the damp air and puffff🤣😂
Yeah it happens to me 😂😂
My hair had been straight for 48 years & is really curly now, needs no styling at all. I just use Tresemmé Botanique curl conditioning mousse to keep it soft. I've been on MTX 11 years.
Hello m'dear
Actually when I first developed RA great clumps of hair came out from my scalp each hair wash.
My hair is thinner though hair dressers tell me I have loads of hair hmmm
Apart from using volume type shampoo etc I do my last hair rinse with cold water,
getting the water to go colder and colder from the usual warm water.
Apparently it's something used to treat ones with hair loss from cancer.
Got a hair dresser appt today so least what Barnet I have will look its best 
Ah, we need a pic of your new hair do
Does the cold water work, it makes me shiver just thinking about it!
From my limited knowledge of hair follicles etc it does close the hair cuticles and pores on the scalp and therefore reduces the amount of medication to your hair.
That's the rational offered when dealing with hair loss during cancer treatment.
I started doing the last rinse in cold water when in Malaysia mostly to cool myself off, it seems to jury is out on whether it works or not.
As I said before more hair was falling out before I started my RA treatment.
That’s interesting Happy5, Thank you. It seems to me some treatments work for some people and not others so everything is worth a try X
Hi I also did a post with the same question couple of years ago. It does stop I swear by Philip Kingsley it’s made a great difference to my hair. Qvc is where you find it. It’s expensive but it lasts forever. My hairdresser even says it’s made a difference and I’m not alone on here to recommend it.
I didn't find it on QVC but I googled it. ( Philip Kingsley)
It’s definitely on QVC I’ve just got an order today. I’ve being using few years. But as I said I was also concerned about it. I do take folic acid 6 days a week. You can also get from eBay too.
I will try that. Which one do you use?
Thanks Nuttyshirlz x
My hair has fallen out completely on mtx. Eyebrows and lashes too!
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this...I do hope you find the remedy that works for you soon xx
Oooh ouch! I hope it grows back for you. x
My hair is thin. Like Marion I have thyroid problem as well as mxt but not sure which one or which drug causes it.
Hi Linysaurous so glad you asked this question! I too am a new MTX user for RA and am hearing all the horror stories of hair loss, so I am loving all these informative replies. good luck to all of us oxoxox
I love how everyone is so helpful and friendly too, it's definitely the place to come some sharing and caring xx
I had hair loss when l was on Methotrexate...My Rheumatoid nurse took me of it and put me on sulferazine and now on a biologic Injections..l feel quite well on them ..hope you get sorted x
Thank you Swimming20 xx
Did your hair loss recover?
It seemed to be but then just recently more is falling out again when I wash and brush it. The good news is I don’t need to defuzz other areas of my bod so often 😁
😊
I lost loads of hair after MTX was increased from 15 - 20 mg and it showed badly. My rheumy doc decreased it back down to 15 mg and added SSZ which I eventually stopped taking. I've been taking FA 5 mg six days a week since diagnosis. I started taking biotin and marine collagen powder and it is growing back slightly but it's still early days. Good luck with yours. x
Thank you Springcross x
Hiya Lin. It is common I’m afraid, due to how MTX works for RD, by stopping cells growing, not just the ones that result in inflammation but those we need. I had some thinning in the early days & have a little more hair in my brush if I have an increase in dose, even after 11 years on MTX, but it soon settles. My hairdresser noticed but nobody else did. She changed my cut & it made quite a difference, going shorter helped too as I needed less product & less styling, so not so much work on the hair meant less was in my brush.
Lots of good hints given, I hope sone helps you as we’re defined by our hair aren't we? My hair was always fine & ramrod straight except for a slight kink above the nape of my neck. Nowadays it's proper curly! My hairdresser's thought was being on MTX that the follicles have been damaged, as she's seen it in cancer patients.
Thank you for your support nomoreheels, there are mainly positive responses on here so it’s great to stay hopeful.
Ooh curly hair, maybe my childhood wish for ringlets will come true after all 😄
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