Itchy Scalp

[Phed]

I started methotrexate 18th March 2022 on the advice of my rheumatologist as I have been on steroids since August 2018, (I have GCA/ PMR) these past 2 weeks I have had really bad itching on my scalp, has anyone else suffered with this while taking methotrexate?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is your hair falling out? Are you taking folic acid on the non-methotrexae days?

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply, thankful my hair isn’t falling, I take folic acid (5mg) 2 days after Methotrexate as prescribed by the rheumatologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Phed]

The idea of the folic acid is to combat the adverse effects - and skin itching is one. MTX interferes with the metabolism of folate and you can become deficient. Most doctors say to take it the day after the MTX to reduce the duration of any deficiency - and I get the impression once a week isn't enough for most people. Some need up to 6x 5mg a week - on every day you aren't taking MTX.

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, I have a telephone consultation with my rheumatologist in 2 weeks time but I think I will give them a call to see if I can up my folic acid before then as it’s driving me mad.

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

Rheumatologist phoned me back after me leaving a message this morning, she suggested going down to 10mg of Methotrexate once a week for 2 weeks to see if that works and also when it gets really bad try a antihistamine tablet, if that doesn’t work they said they would either up the folic acid or try an alternative drug.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Phed]

Huh???? Why not up the folic acid? How strange ...

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

I wonder if it’s because they only gave me enough for 1 a week but I can buy them chemist so perhaps I will get some and just take them anyway.

[MrsNails]

Just a thought - you haven’t changed your Shampoo, Conditioner or any other Hair Care Products?

[Phed in reply to MrsNails]

No, I haven’t changed shampoo or conditioner or any other hair products, it’s really odd as it’s not the whole head that itches just the very top, I just hope it goes soon it really bad sometimes, rheumatologist suggested antihistamine tablet so I’m going to try that and 🤞it works.

[MrsNails in reply to Phed]

It’s always worth checking just in case! Hope you can get it to settle down 🍀

The antihistamine may work & it maybe be worth taking it before you take the MTX

[Phed in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you for your reply, I’m hoping the antihistamine will work as the itching is really bad sometimes, if not I don’t know what to do to get relief from itching.

[Rugger]

I started MTX 4 weeks ago and haven't had any adverse reaction so far. I am on 5mg folic acid every day except MTX day, so 6 x a week, as prescribed by my Rheumatologist. I wouldn't wait 2 weeks to up the folic acid! I hope that solves the problem.

[Phed in reply to Rugger]

Thank you reply, rheumatologist phoned me back today and suggested going down to 10mg of Methotrexate instead of 15mg once a week and taking a antihistamine tablet if itching gets to much, if that doesn’t help in 2 weeks (I have another rheumatologist telephone consultation in 2 weeks) they will up the folic acid or look at an alternative drug.