Joined group in February. Sorry to ask another question.
Had breast cancer sometime ago and subsequently my hair is a lot thinner. I believe you are more likely to loose hair if taking Steroids long term. Would appreciate knowing if this is common. Also roughly how long after starting to have Steroids that this is likely to happen.
Have been on steroids about 13 years.....I haven't lost any hair, still as thick as it has always been......hope yours stays the same.
Thank you
Now you have asked you can see loads of related posts… but it’s not all down to Pred… the process probably started when you first became ill. Like most things, it takes time to notice.
More info in FAQs as well as this -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Thank you
I think hair loss is much more complicated than just steroids causing it. The first question is why the person needs all those steroids in the first place? Certainly not a period of health and vitality, needed for healthy hair.
My hair story - I had breast cancer in 2004 aged 41 and had chemo/RT into 2005 with surgical menopause at the end of it. I greeted 2005 with a fuzz of pure white. In recovery which took a good 5 years my hair did all sorts from bald as a coot to luscious dark locks. My eyebrows didn’t regain their vigour and crayon is still my friend.
Up to GCA my hair didn’t feel right but with large doses of Pred became the mane I had always wanted and more. 5 months in it fell out in amounts that took me down memory lane. I ran my hand through my hair while watching tv and it stayed on my hand rather than my head. I was practically bald within 2 weeks just before a holiday. This I knew was stress from systemic illness, something I had seen in my nursing career many times. I still sobbed with my crappy wig nevertheless.
It grew back pretty quickly but it was mad scientist style before being half decent with intermittent rocky patches during my Pred journey. During my period of adrenal suppression on low doses of Pred I went back to sparse and ‘interesting’ , sigh. It recovered along with my adrenal function. As I stopped Pred Covid arrived in 2020. With repeated Covid infections my hair has been in a state of will it won’t it? It is now worth thinking about having confidence in asking for a style from the hairdresser, instead of paying my money and taking my chances with a short back and sides, after a Covid blast before Christmas and again in Jan.
So, my message is to not think of it as Pred bad, no Pred good for hair and getting down about it. Your hair goes on a journey with you and Pred is only a part of it. As always with this game, keep an open mind.
Thank you so much for sharing your story.. You have been very brave for o long time. Do hope things improve for you. You are an inspiration
My hair has become very thin over the 10 years since l was diagnosed with PMR. However l am 88 so it could be my age too. But my mother had quite good hair at her death at 91. Baldness in men certainly seems to be in the genes. So perhaps being on pred has contributed to my thinning hair. I keep it very short which improves the look.
I have been on pred for 16 years, had PMR for over 20. My hair changed with PMR - I wasn't on pred at that time. It fell out because of being ill, with pred it became drier and frizzy, However, now it is as thick as it ever was, just a different texture.
Your hair reflects your health and will often show it about 6 months after being ill.
My hair went very curly which I enjoyed, then a bit thin, but it recovered on the low doses and all my beautiful curls went. It is limited and does recover.
the hair has come and gone repeatedly over the past 5 years of pred...impossible to know why but never happened before...recently started falling out again in large quantities so lotsof vacuuming AGAIN. toally unpredictable and individual.
My hair is definitely thinner but I’ve been on pred since 2013 and I also feel now is due to ageing (I’m 67). However, it happened gradually and I never experienced it coming out noticeably 😊
Hi
Exactly as PMRpro said, I was on a high dose of steroid and did lose hair. However it has grown back just as thick, if not thicker - but now does curl - so I straighten when I can be bothered, it does fizz easier too.
Best wishes
Hair got thin about 6 months after started pred but improved as reduced
Mine fell out at the nine mark. And I lost 3/4 of my hair. The dermatologist told me it’s typical because of the hair growth cycle. Very sad….
I have lost all of my waist length hair..oddly NOT from the roots/scalp..but every time I combed it, bunches would be on the comb..it is short now..bought a topper.
I'm 84 and can honestly say... I'm getting, so I don't know what causes what. Because I have other chronic conditions, I'm not sure how much pred or Actemra played a role. My thick, short hair got thinner a few years ago, then wiry, dry, curly, then thickened a bit and now has a bit of a wave!! 🤪🙃 not sure who gets the blame or the credit. It's hard to predict....and it may not happen at all.💞
I always had thick hair but when hit 10mg i also noticed my hair thinning . When I brush my hair there is quite a lot left in the brush. I'm hoping it returns to thick hair again as I taper down . Hope yours grows back again .
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