Frantic - hair loss continues

[Bonnig]

Hi All:

I am down to 5 mg pred for last two weeks...my hair is still falling out....I'm so upset. I had very thin hair to begin with. When does it stop??? beyond sad) !!!

[suzy1959]

Mine falls out from time to time after 4plus years on Pred. When it was really bad ( when I was put on Methotrexate) I started to take Biotin which is a supplement, and it helps both hair and nails. Good Luck!

[Bonnig in reply to suzy1959]

i started Biotin two weeks ago thanks...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bonnig]

You have to be patient though - you will have to wait for the new hair to grow out.

[5lupins]

Hi,. Have you had your iron levels checked? Mine were at the low range 12ish. Which my doctor said was fine. Reading about hair loss it said lower levels could still effect hair growth. I found it hard as it was well before I was diagnosed but was really unwell. I also bought really good shampoo and only washed it once a week. Jen

[SheffieldJane]

I have been diagnosed since February 2016. My hairdresser says that the baby hair around my temples now shows strength and she thinks it's recovering. It never came out in clumps that would be Alopacea and would require treatment as such - it tends to come at the end of a period of stress. I have stopped dying my roots and simply have highlights to blend in my own white hair and I use strengthening shampoos like the Caffeine ones. I got a shorter haircut too. The hairdresser can make mine look quite thick and bouncy with all her tricks of the trade. I guess we have to keep our "beyond sad"somewhere. Mine hovers on the scales.

[kezzybabes]

Really it will grow back! I'm on 4 mg and new tufts are appearing at hairline. I also take biotin which I think helps. Despair not!

[Amber1414]

Has someone blamed the hair loss on the Pred? I have been on 5 mg or more for over a year and my hair is thicker than ever. I wonder if different people react differently or if there is something else going on. I wish you luck!

My biggest complaint (besides weight gain and fat face) is the constant sweating!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Amber1414]

Hi Amber,

I always believe the hair loss is much more likely to be down to your health as to the Pred itself.

I was undiagnosed for 18 months and mine was getting really thin. Once on the Pred it didn't get any worse, in fact it improved, and now post Pred is thicker and it better condition than it's been for a long time.

My mum, a hairdresser all her working life and well into her 80s always said she could tell if someone had health issues by the state of their hair, even if it was months ago.

[Gaijin]

I had been blaming the Methotrexate for the hair loss, but it seems it isn't related as I have stopped it but still losing hair faster and faster. My hair was always too thick anyway , but it's a real bugger, hair is everywhere !

Maybe pred affects people differently. I think alopecia is one of the symptoms of Addison's . Any change in hormones can change the quality of your hair, and Prednisone causes havoc on the endocrine system or at least that's what my endocrinologist told me.