Side effects are a reality of most medications. I've been lucky when it comes to side effects. I've had bone loss from taking prednisone, but prednisone wasn't ever supposed to be part of my long-term treatment plan. I do take extra calcium now to combat the bone loss, just as I take folic acid to help minimize the side effects of methotrexate. Unfortunately even with the folic acid I have had some hair loss. The first time I took methotrexate the hair loss seemed to stop after about a year or so. Now that I am back on methotrexate, the hair loss is back too.
I'm not going to lose all my hair, just some. Compared to liver damage, bone loss or stomach problems a little hair loss doesn't sound so bad. Really, what do I even have to complain about?
Well it's my hair! I don't want to see globs of it coming out. I just don't. It's not only troublesome because it's my hair and I'd rather keep it, but it's messy. It's all over my clothes. I'm constantly feeling it on my arms and I can't get rid of it. I feel like a dog shedding for the summer. It's all over the babies. They already liked to grab my hair and pull. But now even if they don't grab my hair, it ends up in their little balled up fists when I pick them up because it's all over me. It gets all over the floor where they crawl.
I know I can't change it, I have to accept it as a reality of my rheumatoid arthritis treatment. So I guess the only thing left to do is add "more frequent vacuuming" and "lint brushing the babies" to my list of things I do to combat the side effects of my medications.
Posted by
Jennie
on
August 14, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Categories:
Coping,
Health Decisions,
medications
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8 comments:
I have to admit that one of the things that scares me most about having arthritis is having to take drugs, and their side effects. I don't want to gain weight and lose my hair and be dizzy and headachy and whatever else comes with it! I really am grateful for the drugs . . . just, well, I guess in a perfect world, there would be no side effects!
Hi! I found your site while researching Methotrexate and hair loss. My RA doc wants to start it because Plaquenil is just not cutting it anymore. I am really concerned about how much hair I may lose. I fear huge patches coming out. I have shoulder length hair and wonder if I should just go short to minimize the effect.
Any advice would be greatly appricated. You can also email me at seekingsolaceblog@gmail.com
I won't lie, I hate my hair falling out. But it's not the worst symptom you can have. I haven't lost all of it and before I stopped to get pregnant I was on Methotrexate for three years. After about a year the hair loss slowed down. I just went back on Methotrexate earlier this year and the hair loss only just now picked up. I have long hair too and have not cut it shorter, I don't think it being long makes it worse.
The big thing for me is that a bit of hair less is better than a lot of irreversible joint damage. It's not fun, but it could be worse.
Mrs. Modecai - I agree in a perfect world no side effects. Or in a perfect world no RA!
I also experienced hair loss/thinning of hair with methotrexate and some concern of liver damage. My rheumatologist wasn't very sympathetic but my naturopath was able to give me a supplement that helped. Once I went off methotrexate, the hair filled right back in. Cathy
I am on Embrel but no methotrexate and have just noticed alot of hair loss. Is there anybody that is on just Embrel with this problem?
44mom - I have not heard that side effect from just taking Enbrel but it could be stress too. I would ask your doctor, it could be something other than the Enbrel.
Jennie,
I completely can understand what you are going through~ I have Systematic Lupus and Sjogrens disease and I have the form that has effected my joints...so I have been on methotrexate and experienced it's wonderful side effects~ The hair loss, migraines , nausea..ect. But through it all I try to remind myself that if it were not for the medications I would not be able to have any kind of life. And my faith has been substantial in maintaining a healthy outlook. Stand strong and remember that even on your bad day...and I know because I have a lot of them ~ they are better than those who do not have the means of getting the help we have.
Blessings,
Vikki Goedmakers
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