Losing hair...AGAIN...will it return?

[agingfeminist]

I am on 4mg and have been on it for several months...it is just about keeping me pain free. I lost some hair after months on high doses (over 20mg) but it grew back. Now I have major hair loss (more than before). I am cutting hair very short and will accept baldness (seems to be on trend) but curious why this is happening (again) on a low dose. Anyone else with similar experience?

[SnazzyD]

I had two main hair loss episodes. One was 5 months after starting Pred probably from the shock of a systemic upset after Pred caused my hair initially to be lustrous. The second was on low doses when my adrenal glands weren’t up to snuff but it grew back. In between times it did all sorts in terms of thick, thin, curly, straight treating me to the hair of my dreams and the ability to audition as a caricature of a mad scientist.

[123-go in reply to SnazzyD]

We may yet see you on TV being presented with a red book- "This is your Hair". 💇🏻

[SnazzyD in reply to 123-go]

Indeed! Oh my, I remember that. Does that put a date on us? Or is that program still going?

[123-go in reply to SnazzyD]

It puts a date on us 😂😂.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

You can probably find repeats on some obscure channel -should you wish 😂🤣

[SnazzyD in reply to DorsetLady]

🥴

[agingfeminist in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you SO much. It is always so reassuring to find someone else who has paddled along in the same boat. Indeed my adrenals are making a valiant attempt to function again. The deathly fatigue doesn't descend so often...or for so long. Now back to the scissors.

[MrsNails]

Here’s a Post from FAQ’s on Hair Loss you may find helpful

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[agingfeminist in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you. Eating more foods with B6 sounds a good idea.Becoming friends with my hairdresser made me laugh. I have only once been to a hairdresser in my whole life...and now that my hair has left my head it seems an odd time to go.

[Seacat30 in reply to agingfeminist]

I gave haircuts up in the 1980s.

[agingfeminist in reply to Seacat30]

Over the years, I have become pretty good with a pair of scissors

[MrsNails in reply to agingfeminist]

I know the feeling after Chemo l kept going to get a trim & has it coloured occasionally, only to cover it with my wig.

I just tidy it up now as obviously the front & top are not going to return - the back is not bad.

I ordered a New Wig yesterday - thought l’d treat myself as Spring has arrived! 🧑🏻

[Seacat30 in reply to MrsNails]

Are your wigs different colours or styles or both?

[MrsNails in reply to Seacat30]

I have one favourite style - called ‘Winner’ & l tend to have two colours - a bit more ‘Red’ in Winter & more ‘Golden’ in Summer - l have a box full of rejects that l don’t like & plan to restyle them sometime! I’ve just ordered something slightly different in a ‘Chocolate’ colourway - we’ll see when it comes 😉

[Seacat30 in reply to MrsNails]

Oooh an adventure! Hope it is a winner.

[MrsNails in reply to Seacat30]

Thanks 🧑🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Poor adrenal function can also lead to considerable hair loss.

[agingfeminist in reply to PMRpro]

considerable hair loss is spot on...interesting to know it can be related to my semi-somnolent adrenals...thanks

[Tahiri]

I bought the small bottle of ‘ Hair Envy’ essential oils , and used it at just one dropper mixed with my conditioner , and was surprised that the loss almost entirely ceased after a few weeks. My hair had always been thick prior to using Prednisolone. I’m having a flare at present and am now on 6 mg, from 2.5 mg. and have noticed it thinning again, but hopefully the drops will minimise the loss. Perhaps you could give it a try ? I bought it on Amazon. I hope this helps, as it is so depressing finding stray hairs, especially in bed at night - when it’s even been in my mouth.

[agingfeminist]

exactly my problem...all over my computer keyboard. Thank you so much I will order now...I was just finishing an order for a birthday present for my grandson...now will add something for me!

[Broseley]

I had been losing hair for a year or two before getting PMR and GCA and going on pred. On a high dose of pred I was very pleased that my hair loss stopped. However now I'm down to 12.5mg (from an initial 40mg) pred, the hair loss has come back and the bin and the hoover are now both full of hair once again.

[agingfeminist]

of course hair loss can also be an autoimmune disease all by itself...and steroids can stop it...and of course the steroids seem to be able to trigger it...and at lower doses it can recur as a problem (where it has been suggested that it is due to poor adrenal function) I have cut my hair very short so that I don't have quite so much in the hoover! Tahiri (see above) has recommended 'hair envy ' essential oils...I am going to try that.

[Octi]

I’m now down to 4mg and I’m really distressed about the amount of hair I’ve lost. Bought a hair piece recently and am seriously considering a wig. My hair was thick before I started my pred journey and now it’s thin and looks awful.

[agingfeminist]

Do try cutting it very short. A new impish look? I am wearing my new tightly cropped hair with dangling earrings and supervibrant colored tops...a totally new style for me.

[oscarandchloe]

I had hair loss at high dose of Pred. As I reduced I found out from the forum about Biotin (get online from VITZIP) and this really seemed to help. My hair has always been very fine and straight, now it almost sheds nothing in 2 weeks and has increased in volume. I've also let it go grey, nice steel grey with white at the front which I'm gradually accepting as the new me!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to oscarandchloe]

Do you mean Zipvit?

zipvit.co.uk/biotin-10000mc...

[oscarandchloe in reply to DorsetLady]

Oh! need my afternoon nap! Yes, Zipvit. Thanks for spotting this as I'd hate to mislead anyone. Sleep calls me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to oscarandchloe]

No probs…

[orangemax]

I've been dealing with hair loss since about June 2020. I'm pretty sure I had a very mild case of covid in March 2020 right after the shut down. Then in June started to see the hair loss. As there were no tests available in March, I have never been sure if it actually was covid, but the hair loss pretty much convinced me as the same thing happened to me when I got a virus on a cruise years ago. Hair loss 3 months later. It came back that time. This time it hasn't stopped, and a biopsy 3 weeks ago is saying "Male Pattern Baldness". But I'm not buying it. My hairdresser says LOTS of people are losing hair these days - due to covid - due to the stress of the threat of covid. And of course, I'm on 6mg of pred right now as well. Was diagnosed Sept 2021. I'm sure that hasn't helped my situation. Who knows?? Just taking it one day at a time.

[arvine]

yes actually, had no hair loss to speak of over last 5 yrs, now that I have been on 5 mg for last yr or two, in last year, have noticed hair thinning, could be age, im 74, but have always had good thick head of year, is it because have been of pred for so long, since 2016 I wonder/

[agingfeminist]

The consensus seems to be that is the pred or poor adrenal function. Having complained about this a few days ago...when handfuls were cascading everywhere...I cut my hair very short and at least I don't see it anymore. You sound like you are having a difficult/painful time at the moment. I do hope everything settles down. Do try the magnesium for cramps.