Hi everyone, I have RA and have been taking Mtx for about 6 years. I take a high dose folic acid supplement every day apart from the day I take my Mtx. I am also on Humira injections every other week.
When I ran out of folic acid a few years ago I lost masses of hair and (at the time) hadn't realised that was why I had to take the supplement. I have been diligent about it ever since but I still lose more hair than is normal and always have sprouty new hairs like a mini mohican! My hair isn't thin anymore as seems to regrow rapidly but it's not nice like it used to be.
I have read on this forum that some of you are taking additional supplements such as vit D and calcium and was wondering what combination people have had the most success with. Any other tips gratefully received as well.
Many thanks!
Hello Wheato, I too am interested in any tips. My doctor recently changed how often I take Folic Acid to alternate days because of my blood but haven't seen any improvement in the hair loss problem yet. Here's hoping.....
Hi Maggie, rubbish isn't it? I am grateful to be in remission but I do miss my old hair. I hope we get some useful replies and that your hair situation and health continue to improve.
Hello Wheato, how are you doing? Wondered if you found a solution to the hair loss problem we both suffer from? Mine has got worse this past year and very noticeable.
The only solution I found was to get iff the methotrexate chemo drug..I am feeking di much better withiut this immune system lowering drug, and refuse to use this option. You may surprise yourself by making the decision ti nit tske this strong medication that many also have decided not to tske. It is a personal decusion that has kept me in better health
I apologize for all the typing errors above..I am using a small phone to type, with very a very small keypad and letters, and poor visiin.
Hi Anna. May I ask how long you were on Methotrexate for and the strength. Thanks.
Hyes, I eas on this for nesrly 6 months and it was 17'5 g wkly.
I started methotrexate injections December 2015. Finally started to notice improvement in February at 20mg/ weekly & now notice a significant loss of hair, hair breakage and lack of healthy hair. I am taking 3mg of folic acid daily. This is so concerning but my Rheumatologist next recommendations are to try an injectable biologic med Enbrel. This scares the shyt out of me. So today I go to my salonist and we will use an Olaplex treatment in hopes of restored, healthy hair as well as a new cut to account for the breakage. New to this blog/forum! Thanks for any feedback/discussion!
DJ
Hi Janet, biologics are the only thing that has worked for me. I still take methatrexate as well but in a smaller dose (10mgs per week). The reason rheumatoligists often want us to stay on the methotrexate as well is because it works to stop your body from building up immunity to the biologics (Humira for me). I feel pretty much 100% on this combination and I wouldn't worry about taking the biologics if I were you - I only have to do mine once every two weeks and it's just painful for a few seconds. It's the methotrexate that's the horrible drug in my opinion but needs must. I'm grateful to be in remission.
My hair is still crap! I've just gone down from 12.5 to 10mg methotrexate so hoping this might help. I've also started taking daily fish oil in very high doses (it's called Lion Heart) and hoping this will help my skin, hair and joints. I've recently started getting rosacea (another inflammatory condition) and general dry skin. I wish you all the best with your treatment (and hair!).
Hi Maggie, I'm good thanks. I haven't found a solution unfortunately but see my note below about fish oil. You could also try taking Viviscal, which is a supplement derived from sharks. I don't want to take it because of ethical reasons (I just don't feel comfortable with the origin of it and am vegetarian) but I've heard great things. There's also a shampoo called Phylia de M which I've read lots of positive reviews about and which works to reduce hair loss via fulvic acid. The only thing that puts me off is the price. My hair is still fluffy and crap and nothing like it used to be. I saw the rheumatologist the other week and she just suggested taking more folic acid but she didn't realise I'm already taking masses. I would also suggest a b-complex supplement as I believe that taking so much folic acid can unbalance the other b vitamins in our bodies. Also zinc (with a meal or it makes me sick).
Many thanks for your comments on fish oils and shampoo Wheato. I will look at these. Pleased the Humira is working for you. Hear so many mixed reviews about the biological meds. Anyway my dose is reduced to 7.5 methotrexate every 2 weeks so I am pleased about that. Hair is still a struggle. Now coping with spots on the body - always something! Best wishes.
Hi Janet, Did the Olaplex make any difference to your hair? I have been on weekly dose of 20mg Methotrexate + 5mg Folic acid 5 days a week for about 18 months and continue to have hair loss and breakage. I wondered if the Olaplex helped? Anything else you have tried?
Thanks for the info! Good luck to you!
Sorry I'm just responding! Yes!! The Olaplex is awesome! I purchased my own steps 1 & 2 for my hairdresser to use ( this will last one-2 years! I also purchased step #3 to use once weekly between my highlight/ color treatment!!!! So happy with my hair!!! I also just used step #3 on my daughters hair (age 15 never used chemicals) & her hair is even more healthy looking and feeling!!!! I purchased all of mine on Amazon for approx $140! But the first two steps will last over a year!!!!
Continued...
I also had my hair cut to where the breakage was more so in the back. An inverted bob cut so it still looks longer in the front and that helped to kindof start fresh!
Hi I've just joined this forum looking to see if I could get any answers
I've just started on methotrexate 3 weeks ago and the amount of hair loss is completely freaking me out , as a hairdresser I know this isn't normal ? Is there anything I could do to prevent this ? I've emailed my RA nurse to see what she says ? Thanks Katie
I have taken mtx for about a year folic acid 1 a weak my hair has fallen out all over my body great saving on razors but hair on head a nightmare so much so I have purchased a wig. Lucky it looks great and not many have noticed it is a wig. I dont think mtx helps all pain but I keep being told as I have fybromialgia most of pain is that. Not convinced. I have heard of bialogicals but that treatment has not been offered I will ask next time I see consultant. I use a wheelchair because of pain when walking. Other thing I am over waight but I have asked for help and I am told to eat less. Well thats my rant but it has helped to find I am not only person who has hair loss.
Hello Everyone 
I found this discussion because I googled " will i still lose my hair if I take folic acid while taking methotrexate" So it sounds like my answer is yes 
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer stage 2b in 2014. I have completed all of my treatment an am cancer free now However, now I have been told I have the start of Rheumatoid arthritis and they want to treat it "aggresively" ( scary words ) with methotrexate. When I asked the side effects, she said hair loss. My hair has just gotten to where I can go without the wig. Now I'm going to go back about 5 years. I suddenly started losing handfuls of hair for no reason A co-worker told me to go to health food store and get two things- Silenium and iodide to take together. It worked. My hair stopped falling out and regrew some.
Now back to current. My hair is growing beautifully I rubbed coconut on my head each and every day. I just recently had to stop, it was making my hair greasy. I still use cocunut oil on my skin every day ( entire body ) I have also been taking hair, skin & nails for the past several months. But now I was hoping to keep from losing it all AGAIN. I feel like I really can not go through that again. It is depressing by the way, I am only 50
Hi , congratulations on being all clear of cancer ! What relief And strong lady you must be !
I'm 29 and started methatexate and taking 5mg a day folic acid I've lost so much hair it's so upsetting and as I'm a hairdresser this has completely freaked me out !!
My rheumatoid nurse has told me to stop as I said I can't let any more fall out !!! I take sea kelp which I think has helped and now I've bought something called Nixon guaranteed 30' day notice able hair growing back but not sure if it works I only purchased yesterday but I will try anything !!!!
Good luck and I hope you feel better x