Just wondered. I took folic acid for awhile when I was given methotrexate to try to cut down on the prednizone. Thne the metho made me sick so I stopped it. Now I am still on 19 mg of Pred and my hair falls out and doesn't seem to grown back. Would going back on folic acid help? What do you all do?
I recently asked a dermatologist about hair loss and she said she starts with a blood test for thyroid and iron as low levels of their can cause hair loss. So you might want to check into that.
Hi Debbie
I know of other PMR patients who have suffered with hair loss and they just wear wigs. I agree to get blood work done but it can also be a side effect of prednisone as well as hair growth.
My friend has lost her hair and wears wigs while i suffer from facial hair gain and get it removed. Don't know which is worse 😠
Mariane
I take msm
Is your hair loss an all over thinning out is it coming out in patches?
If it's coming out in patches them it probably alopecia and has little
To nothing to do with anything your taking and vitamins will not help
out grow back. Either way you should go see a dermatologist because
They can help you deal with hair loss.
You could ask your doctor to do some blood tests for deficiences - B12, folate, iron and thyroid but they should be doing/have done that at the start.
Did the folic acid help your hair? Hair loss often happens several months after you are ill and can go on for a while. Hair often apparently falls out more at this time of year. It's a common problem when you are ill and really it is often a case of patience - like everything else with autoimmune disorders. Hair takes a long time to grow!
My hair went mad and fell out when I was on Medrol for several months - it hadn't happened before with prednisolone, it doesn't happen with the prednisone I'm on now - it has all grown back in.
I thought Methotrexate itself causes hair loss....? I had a period of hair loss after a year in prednisone because I had my hair straightened! I cut my hair short and it grew back healthy. Meanwhile, no amount of treatment or conditioners worked at all....my hair was like "plastic doll hair".
i am sorry you are having this problem....I know how discouraging it is.
Kathy, yes the metho does cause hair loss and that's why I took the folic acid. Eileen, it did seem to help, so that's why I think maybe I should go back on the folic acid. My hair is thinning gradually, not falling out at once, so I still look fairly normal hairwise, but it doesn't grow and it feels very thin. I'm going to contact the rheumatologist. Thanks everyone.
The folic acid isn't really for the hair loss - it is to prevent mouth ulcers because of the way mtx works. I'm sure it does help with hair though! You could actually probably just ask your GP - folic acid is a common supplement during pregnanxy so shouldn't be a problem.
With one sort of steroid my hair seemed not to grow - with t he other two sorts it grows like Topsy! Really strange! And my nails are WONDERFUL - for the first time in my life!
Oh, now I know something new. Thanks, Eileen, or should I say Topsy?
My nails were always paper thin. Now after a year of pred they are strong and don't break like they used to. Hurray! I think my hair has gotten a little thicker, but "straw-like". It has no body and often looks "wild.' I do wear a nice wig when I go to a special place, but they can become uncomfortable after a while. still working on my hair!
I found the shampoo/conditioner made a major difference when it was totally straw-like and frizzy. It also helped that I don't wash my hair daily - nowadays not even weekly! You have to get there - but once you stop stripping the natural oils out of your hair and replacing them with chemicals it does help! The same with skin - if I shower and use soap my skin just flakes. We don't get really dirty most of the time these days, a good wash with a flannel in the shower is more than enough. It allows your skin flora to get back to normal and keeps your skin healthier. Once that happens after a few weeks you mostly don't need deodorant either!
I have had very thin hair since age 13 - but in the past two years my hair has become thicker and I have been wondering what caused the improvement..... from this discussion I realise that it must be the Prednisone which I have been taking for the last two years...... so I suppose that once I get down to zero Prednisone (on the dead slow and stop tapering) I might have to go back to the thin hair days.... sadly! Just a thought....
My first response is don't look a gift horse in the mouth. (I once lost most of my hair to alepacia) But then I had to step back and really take stock because you do have a valid question.
It is my understanding that prednisone can actually cause hair loss so I doubt it is what is causing your hair to thicken up. Otherwise I have no answer for you. Just enjoy it while you can.
Don't know amkoffee - it is the only thing I can ascibe my nails to (and I'm not the only one). It's all keratin!
And while my hair went nuts with one form of steroid, it has been lovely with 2 others.
Well like I said, enjoy it. I hope it lasts for you even after the prednisone.
My hair has turned dry and brittle and I don't know if it's the MPR or the prednesone, but I use a great shampoo and conditioner for thinning hair and it makes me hair feel great. It's called pura d'or, it's expensive, but I'm worth it. I buy it on Amazon.
an unexpected bonus which I will enjoy
Folic acid is vital for red blood cells and other cells.
Specially for the hair as I know is Biotin.
Iam sure you are asking for a different problem having PMR and GCA.
Hope you get the right answer for you.
Stay well.
Iellen