Hair loss

[Womble57]

I was diagnosed with seropositive RA in Jan 2024. I have been experiencing hair loss in the past few weeks and wondered if this could be related to RA or the medication I have been taking? I am currently taking sulfasalazine daily, methotrexate tablets weekly, tocilizumab injection weekly and tapering prednisolone. I also take folic acid and ferrous sulfate. And HRT. I feel that I rattle when I move!

Does anyone have advice about how to reduce hair loss or products they are using to help.

I have always had thick wavy hair and am a bit concerned about it thinning. A small thing in amongst the other symptoms but I'm a bit upset about it.

[medway-lady]

I had extreme hair loss with MTX and it was stopped. I felt like I was being set on fire and my hair dropped out in handfuls. So talk to your RA helpline it may help to increase folic acid but explain it to them. It does regrow so don't panic.

[Womble57 in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you, that is reassuring. I will email the RA help and see what they say. Off for a haircut this week so will chat to my hairdresser too.

[medway-lady in reply to Womble57]

It was mine that pointed out I'd not thinned but it was clumps. It was years ago and I have a friend who husband is a Pharmacy Oncologist, he told me that some people are extremely sensitive to MTX and although its rarely used and in far lesser amounts in chemo some people had extreme reactions and some none at all. My RA Consultant said the same thing especially as I got the heating up from the tummy to head. It was scary but LEF was then prescribed and it was great. I understand that it's very rare to get this reaction it was very extreme.

[skinclinics]

I also had hair loss with methotrexate

- a good 50%

But I had very thick hair and it wasn’t noticeable to others

I had to stop methotrexate 15 months ago but my hair never grew back the way it was

But I guess it’s a trade off to get my RD under control

In saying that I’m still on the search for something that will work for me

Sadly there isn’t a “one pill for all”

But I’ve just had my first Rituximab infusion - so I’m hoping that this one will be successful

[Womble57 in reply to skinclinics]

Thank you. Yes, my husband says my hair looks fine! But it doesn't to me!

Hope your new infusion is successful.

[skinclinics in reply to Womble57]

Thanks Wimble57