Re: Hair loss & Methotrexate/Folic Acid question

[Guest guest]

I have been on methotrexate (20mg) for at least 5 years and my hair continues to fall out. The folic acid (2mg) helps so that I don't loose all of my hair and it helps with the neasue. My husband says that I shed as much as our ie (4 yrs old). I am having a very painful day - going to the doctor on Friday.

Marie

(lurker coming out of hiding)

-----Original Message-----

From: blackdogshaven@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wed, 2 May 2007 12:22 PM

Subject: Hair loss & Methotrexate/Folic Acid question

Hi All,

I am a lurker, but am having an issue and want to see if anyone else

has. I was on Methotrexate (20mg-1x weekly) a year ago. My hair

started falling out badly. I was on folic acid lmg. Went off of it

and went on 2mg folic acid. My hair stopped falling out 6 months later.

My RA is pretty well, but not greatly controlled. I am presently on

Humira and 8 mg Pred. My Rheumy said I should try going back on lower

dose Methotrexate (10mg-1x weekly) and 2mg folic acid and see if that

helps and also see if that makes it where I can go off of the Pred.

I have been back on the Methotrexate 3 weeks and am experiencing hair

loss. My Rheumy thought since my dose was so much lower it would not

happen...but....it did.

Has this happened to anyone? Was there anything you could do to stop

the hair loss in addition to the folic acid?

Thanks,

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[Guest guest]

>

> Hi All,

>

> I am a lurker, but am having an issue and want to see if anyone

else

> has. I was on Methotrexate (20mg-1x weekly) a year ago. My hair

> started falling out badly. I was on folic acid lmg. Went off of

it

> and went on 2mg folic acid. My hair stopped falling out 6 months

later.

>

> My RA is pretty well, but not greatly controlled. I am presently

on

> Humira and 8 mg Pred. My Rheumy said I should try going back on

lower

> dose Methotrexate (10mg-1x weekly) and 2mg folic acid and see if

that

> helps and also see if that makes it where I can go off of the Pred.

>

> I have been back on the Methotrexate 3 weeks and am experiencing

hair

> loss. My Rheumy thought since my dose was so much lower it would

not

> happen...but....it did.

>

> Has this happened to anyone? Was there anything you could do to

stop

> the hair loss in addition to the folic acid?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

>

take biotin 300 oncea day - it helped my hair alot you can get it

atany phamacy

[Guest guest]

Dear Marie- MTX is a chemotherapy drug and so hair loss is a common side effect. I have very thin fine hair anyway so that doesnt help. Taking Leucovorin helped. I also have a mega super vitamin and a hair skin nails supplement. This has not only folic acid but biotin and panthenolinic acid and other B's to help keep your hair healthy. Breakage can be a big concern. Try using only conditioner when washing your hair every other day. Try not styling it but just let it air dry. I love biolage hydrating. Also using a scalp massager helps to stimulate new cell growth and remove old dead skin cells from your scalp. Try taking 5mg of MTX which is only two pills and lower your prednisone by half a milligram for a week. Prednisone can cause hair loss too. Good Luck, Hugs, Deborah

On 5/2/07, pretty24355 <blackdogshaven@...> wrote:

Hi All,I am a lurker, but am having an issue and want to see if anyone else has. I was on Methotrexate (20mg-1x weekly) a year ago. My hair started falling out badly. I was on folic acid lmg. Went off of it and went on 2mg folic acid. My hair stopped falling out 6 months later.My RA is pretty well, but not greatly controlled. I am presently on Humira and 8 mg Pred. My Rheumy said I should try going back on lower dose Methotrexate (10mg-1x weekly) and 2mg folic acid and see if that helps and also see if that makes it where I can go off of the Pred.I have been back on the Methotrexate 3 weeks and am experiencing hair loss. My Rheumy thought since my dose was so much lower it would not happen...but....it did.Has this happened to anyone? Was there anything you could do to stop the hair loss in addition to the folic acid?

Thanks,