Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Hi all, I have run into a major problem and need your input. I was on Enbrel & Methotrexate for 1.5 years. I have been experiencing major hair loss for a few months. My Rheumy said it can be the MTX and I should double my folic acid. I did double it, but I also chose to go off the MTX (with her consent) to make sure that it is what was causing the hair loss. I did this because I am 54 and going through menopause-which can also cause hair loss. I have not had any MTX for 4 weeks, but I am still losing a lot of hair. My Rheumy said it can take some time for the effects of MTX to leave my system and that they even, for example, do not recommend getting pregnant until you are off of MTX for 3 months. I know my hair loss could be menopause, but it is not too likely. Menopause causes male-pattern baldness (top of head/forehead line etc.) but I am losing hair everywhere. Anyone else experience this? Any pointers you can share? Supplements? If it was the MTX causing the hair loss, how long before yours stopped? Thanks for any and all help, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Holly, Thank you so much for your response. My aunt was very ill and I had to leave town suddenly--or I would have replied sooner. I will try adding biotin too. I do still take folic acid--double the dose. , > I have Lupus and RA and at first my rheumy thought my hair loss > > was from the lupus but there was no sign of scarring. My rheumy said that > it was from the methotrexate and that it can continue up until 6 months after I stop taking it, as that is the time frame it takes some to get out of their systems. Are you still taking > folic acid? My rheumy said that I will still need to take my folic acid after I stop metho because you may still have a folic acid defficiency. Also I take biotin which is a supplement > my rheumy recommends for the hair loss. It doesn't stop the hair from falling out > but it does seems to make it grow back a little faster. I have experienced excessive hair loss to the point that I now wear a wig. Hope this helps, and best wishes, Holly > > Anyone else experience this? Any pointers you can share? > Supplements? > > If it was the MTX causing the hair loss, how long before yours > stopped? > > Thanks for any and all help, > > > > > > > > > Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Hi Deborah, I will try all yoiu suggest. Thanks so much for your great advice, > > > > Hi all, > > > > I have run into a major problem and need your input. I was on Enbrel > > & Methotrexate for 1.5 years. I have been experiencing major hair > > loss for a few months. My Rheumy said it can be the MTX and I should > > double my folic acid. I did double it, but I also chose to go off > > the MTX (with her consent) to make sure that it is what was causing > > the hair loss. I did this because I am 54 and going through > > menopause-which can also cause hair loss. > > > > I have not had any MTX for 4 weeks, but I am still losing a lot of > > hair. My Rheumy said it can take some time for the effects of MTX to > > leave my system and that they even, for example, do not recommend > > getting pregnant until you are off of MTX for 3 months. > > > > I know my hair loss could be menopause, but it is not too likely. > > Menopause causes male-pattern baldness (top of head/forehead line > > etc.) but I am losing hair everywhere. > > > > Anyone else experience this? Any pointers you can share? > > Supplements? > > > > If it was the MTX causing the hair loss, how long before yours > > stopped? > > > > Thanks for any and all help, > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Hi Ken- Please understand that MTX is a Chemotherapy agent. Ask your doctor for Leucovorin. You take it about 8 hours after to counter act the fatigue but it did help me with hair loss although my hair is genetically thin on top. Make sure you buy a super multi vitamin that has Biotin, Folic Acid, Panotholinic acid and every vitamin/mineral available. I found that a good shampoo will help too. Something moisturizing not drying. I like pantene restoratives shampoo and conditioner/treatment. A huge tip here. Let your hair dry naturally. Using a wide tooth comb or brush only !! because your hair is at its weakest when its wet. What you eat (foods high in calcium and folate) help too. Yours, Deborah On Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 4:33 PM, Ken <maputo95@...> wrote: Hi AllI am 54 and taking MTX for RA for a year and I seem to be losing hair. Help!What can I do to stop this and if I stop MTX and go onto Humira. will the hair grow back?Ken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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