methotrexate

[Dexter1414]

anyone on methotrexate feel there hair is lifeless and needs washing everyday mine either looks greasy or feels like straw what can I use on my head when washing most days as don’t want to damage my hair

[Retirednhs]

Methotrexate does do that sometimes l use a shampoo from my hairdresser called Body but there are others on sale in chemist's which help and yes you need to take folic acid with methotrexate and l was only on that at first 20 yrs ago now on injections weekly and take the folic acid on all the days except injection day . Hope this reply is what you needed . Good luck with your RA journey

[Dexter1414 in reply to Retirednhs]

What shampoo and conditioner you recommend as my hair feels lifeless and greasy sometimes and like straw effects my confidence

[AgedCrone]

I took a high dose of MTX for 7 years & it never crossed my mind not to colour my hair! I still have a full head of hair in decent condition as I’m sure most on Mtx do.

You must make a list of all these questions you have Dexter and put them to your Rheumatology Nurse & ask your hairdresser too, as I’m sure they both get these questions asked very often.

We can only tell you what we’ve done personally, & that may not be right for you. Have you been holding off washing your hair? That maybe why it seems a bit lifeless?

Treat yourself & get a conditioning treatment at your haidresser & try using a shampoo she recommends for your hair.

[Dexter1414 in reply to AgedCrone]

They say wash your hair every other day sometimes I can’t cause it looks horrible been getting some sore spots on my scalp must be cause washing too close together

[Neonkittie17]

I love Kerastase Volumifique and Densifique hair products and although they are a bit pricey they last a long time and give shine, fullness and body. They really make my hair look like I’ve just left the salon so for me it’s worth it as my hair is fine.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Where you buy that

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Dexter1414]

Amazon

[JenniferW]

Yes, my hair dresser back when I first noticed and moaned about it was the one who suggested the meds I was on were probably causing it. I swapped to a moisture rich shampoo and one of those leave in rescue conditioners and it recovered over a few weeks.

I use the Aussie miracle moist shampoo nowadays, I think the rescue one I used was a John Frieda one. The John Frieda serum is pretty useful too and I have recently starting having highlights to cover up the grey and that helps with my hair condition too.

[Chester1975]

Have you tried the shampoo “simple” it’s very gentle without any nasties and chemicals such as paraben etc. I take vitamin e tablets which help.

[medway-lady]

I had extreme hair loss and it felt like I was on fire taking it. The sweat poured off me and my stomach set alight. I reported to RA consultant who increased folic acid but it made little difference so it was stopped for LEF which was great for many years and for last 6 years AZA which is also great. So as others have said talk to the Consultant and go from there. I’m talking about handfuls not a few strands but I’m lucky my hair is thick and it regrew quickly.

[Jacojudy303]

I find washing my hair too frequently isn’t good and go for about once a week.

[Cat-E]

My hair recently needs washing every other day or it's greasy, previously I'd wash it about 2x a week. However, I don't know if this is mtx (been on it over a year) or menopause 🙄

[Peppermint-tea]

Hi Dexter,

I was worried what methotrexate might do to my hair so I started extra care straight away. I use a hair mask once a week and use hair oil after every wash - often instead of conditioner but sometimes after conditioner. Hair mask and shampoo are just Aussie miracle moist. The hair oil I use is John Freida frizz ease- I didn’t find the Aussie one made my feel as soft. Recently I’ve started using Aussie sos super serum. I also make sure I drink lots of water to keep hydrated. As I said I didn’t wait for my hair to suffer so started treating it straight away. I can’t guarantee it would work, but I am very happy that my hair is in good condition, and I always get my hairdresser to check its condition. I’ve only been on methotrexate for 18 months , but have had no issues so far.

I hope you find something that helps. Have you spoken to your hairdresser? Mine was really helpful and suggested hair masks and oils.

Best of luck

[Happy5]

Yes hair is the bane of life with MTX mine became thinner, and finer. I used Biotin shampoo and conditioner bought for Superdrug. Also took biotin supplements but stopped now I'm on a biologic.

The shampoo and conditioner helped to make my hair look fuller, I always do my last hair rinse in cold water.

All the best .

[Welshwomanprestatyn]

I was on Methotrexate for six months and my hair started getting thinner and thinner with hair loss. It’s basically a chemo drug in a low dose so it can affect your hair.