Slightly off topic...Methotrexate and hair...what would you do?

[greynot]

I've been on methotrexate for 3 years, and it's kept my RA nicely at bay.

My hair has thinned and gone very straw like, which annoys me. However, hair in other places has also thinned out, and a big plus is not shaving my legs very often as a result.

I'm thinking of trying biotin to improve my not so crowning glory, BUT the downside is I'll have to spend more time on legs and armpits with the razor.

First world problems and all that, but...what would you do?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Well , I’d try the biotin - who knows whether or not or how well it will work for you.

If it works really well and helps your hair then then I’d say it will be worth taking even if you have to go back to doing your legs and underarms more frequently. I know I’d be more than happy to do that to thicken up the hair on top of my head.

I haven’t a clue what your diet is like so don’t be offended if it is tip top but I’d also look at all the sorts of foods that are supposed to improve hair growth and try to eat as many as I could healthline.com/nutrition/fo...?

You could also try those Plantur shampoos.

[greynot in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for that Fruitandnutcase. My diet is pretty good (I've even been trying to eat 30 plant base foods a week, as per Tim Spector/ Zoe - it's a good time of year for all those fruits, nuts and veggies) , but thanks for the reminder re diet. I've finally got fed up of looking like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards!

[Deeb1764]

biotin and marine collagen are fab for sorting the hair and skin too!

[greynot in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you Deeb. I got some biotin in earlier in the summer, and did nothing with the capsules. I think now is the time ...beginning of autumn is a good time for me to make resolutions!

[Deeb1764 in reply to greynot]

my scalp was super thin and my niece a hairdresser and a few on here recommended biotin and marine collagen and wow difference was amazing.

[Fra22-57 in reply to Deeb1764]

can you tell me how long after taking capsules they work please.thoug about kelp capsules too but totally unsure of either

[Deeb1764 in reply to Fra22-57]

For me I felt 4 weeks things calmed down 8 weeks in a better place . I still take biotin/sea kelp as don’t want to go back to that place as it made me Feel low, as my hair always been good! I take marine collagen on a every 3 months for 3months cycle. This is just me doing it no reasoning ie scientific 🤪

[Shelby37]

hi, I used nioxin and that worked well. Good luck

[cyberbarn]

Don't forget Hickam's Dictum: patients can have as many diseases as they damn well please!

You don't mention your age, but as we get older our hair patterns change, for both men and women. Additionally there are things like hypothyroidism, another autoimmune condition, that results in hair loss.

I am not on MTX, or anything else but paracetamol at the moment (keep having reactions to the drugs they have tried) but my hair is now like yours, not from drugs but from being hypothyroid. I am on thyroxine, but it isn't quite enough to counter it under current NHS guidelines. But, I am also post menopausal and that results in hair loss too, which HRT apparently can help stop.

[greynot in reply to cyberbarn]

Thanks cyberbarn. I'm 72, been on mtx 3 years, and the hair loss and dryness is definitely MTX related. It was quite dramatic in the early mtx days.

I do have a good diet and, apart from RA, OA, and asthma, I'm 'very healthy for my age'.

I don't expect to have luxuriant flowing locks (!!!) at this age, but as I still wear my hair long it's a bit sad to have about half the volume as pre mtx ...though the dryness somewhat disguises that.

Hair loss in other places has been a bonus though. As has having much less of a reaction to the biting tiny bugs that arrive in my garden from the end of July!

There's always an upside?

[DJK99]

Hey greynot. Been on methotrexate for 4yrs now.. plus a lot of other stuff. I too have “candy floss” hair especially around the hairline. I look like I’ve put my finger in a plug socket 🤣. My once (or rather always) crowning glory is reduced to a hay stack at best.

I have been on Welleco Hair Elixir for 2mths now. It’s definitely thicker, but not sure it’s helping the frothiness ;). The big ingredient is (and has always been a goodie I remember since v young, 59 now) is iodine. So maybe just try that? Much cheaper, but I found can being on blemishes, so stopped as a younger me. I also take the Welleco Collagen Elixir which has done utter wonders for my nails! I’m also on Welleco Super Elixir and have been for 6yrs and this has been so helpful for energy levels, certainly in the first couple of years anyway. I’ve got quite a lot of nasty conditions now and it’s really got it’s work cut out!!! I also use Olaplex hair products and Aveda.

All of this has left my bank account utterly depleted - so it’s not for everyone.

Hope this helps, I know how hard it is to look in the mirror and not even recognise the person you once were 🫣🤷🏼‍♀️!!

All the best, D

[greynot in reply to DJK99]

Thank you DJK.

Yes, my nails are also weaker and brittler on MTX. Though I wouldnt swap all these niggles for the benefits of MTX in holding the RA at bay. I'm lucky there and long may it continue.

I'm going to make a list if all the good suggestions. New autumn, new me!

[----54]

I’ll quickly say that I’ve responded to other hair loss threads about topical minoxidil solution for hair loss—my doctor recommended it, and I’m happy to say that it worked for me when MTX led to hair loss. Good luck!

[greynot in reply to ----54]

Thank you. I've started on Biotin, and will be adding in other suggestions as I go on.

And maybe I'll egen have to get a new razor!!! 😂