Problems with Methotrexate.

[Guest guest]

Has anyone had alot of side effects with the methotrexate? I am on 5

pills and will be increasing again soon. Since I started I have had a

lot of hair thinning and breaking I also have bald spots near my hair

line. The hair loss is so significant that I have started wearing a

wig. While the methotrexate has helped more since I have been on than

when I was not, I am exhausted for 2 full days after I take it, it

makes me shaky and nauseous and I still have pain. I take my folic

acid every day and also take a supplement called Biotin that my rheumy

said would help with my hair. My hairline has receeded almost to the

top of my head and I am only 26. Any suggestions or advice would be

greatly appreciated. Also I am on short term disability and want to

start back to work soon as my husband and I will be buying our first

house, and I don't know how to cope with the side effects especially

the fatigue. What to do? Best wishes, Holly

[Guest guest]

When I first started mtx, I lost quite a bit of hair. I was lucky

that I have very thick hair. That seems like an awful lot of hair

loss, I would talk to the doctor. With all your side effects you

might ask about trying the mtx injections, easier on the tummy. I

hope the hair loss stops soon, I know how depressing that makes you.

I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

[Guest guest]

Your amount of hair loss is unusual. Increasing folic acid usually

helps.

Sierra

--- In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...>

wrote:

>

> Has anyone had alot of side effects with the methotrexate? I am on 5

> pills and will be increasing again soon. Since I started I have had a

> lot of hair thinning and breaking I also have bald spots near my hair

> line. The hair loss is so significant that I have started wearing a

> wig. While the methotrexate has helped more since I have been on than

> when I was not, I am exhausted for 2 full days after I take it, it

> makes me shaky and nauseous and I still have pain. I take my folic

> acid every day and also take a supplement called Biotin that my rheumy

> said would help with my hair. My hairline has receeded almost to the

> top of my head and I am only 26. Any suggestions or advice would be

> greatly appreciated. Also I am on short term disability and want to

> start back to work soon as my husband and I will be buying our first

> house, and I don't know how to cope with the side effects especially

> the fatigue. What to do? Best wishes, Holly

>

[Guest guest]

Holly, hair loss (alopecia) can also be caused by lupus itself.

I'm so sorry that you are having such problems.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: Problems with Methotrexate.

Your amount of hair loss is unusual. Increasing folic acid usually

helps.

Sierra

--- In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...>

wrote:

>

> Has anyone had alot of side effects with the methotrexate? I am on 5

> pills and will be increasing again soon. Since I started I have had a

> lot of hair thinning and breaking I also have bald spots near my hair

> line. The hair loss is so significant that I have started wearing a

> wig. While the methotrexate has helped more since I have been on than

> when I was not, I am exhausted for 2 full days after I take it, it

> makes me shaky and nauseous and I still have pain. I take my folic

> acid every day and also take a supplement called Biotin that my rheumy

> said would help with my hair. My hairline has receeded almost to the

> top of my head and I am only 26. Any suggestions or advice would be

> greatly appreciated. Also I am on short term disability and want to

> start back to work soon as my husband and I will be buying our first

> house, and I don't know how to cope with the side effects especially

> the fatigue. What to do? Best wishes, Holly

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Holly,

I relate so much to what you shared re: probs with

MTX. I've lost a lot hair, esp. around my hairline.

Lots of breakage, too. I also bought a wig, but am so

self-conscious I've only worn it once--guess I'm

waiting for the hairloss to be even worse, or, since

I'm also on temp. disability, until I go back to work.

And the fatigue!!! Now that I've been on it for about

6 months, I've actually had a few weeks where the

fatigue doesn't knock me out flat. Other than that, I

pretty much hibernate for a day or two after

treatment. If anyone has any solutions to this, I

sure would be grateful.

In spite of the downsides, the MTX has helped my pain

so much I wouldn't give it up for anything! Hope it's

helping you too.

julie

__________________________________________________