Does folic acid always prevent the hair loss?
Mostly. But make sure its prescription Folic acid and NOT OTC B supplements.
Also some of that hair loss is brought on by the Psoriasis which occasionaly flares when starting a DMARD.
To begin with the hair loss is rare. 15% loss doesn't even show up. At your age its unlikely you would have any anyway. I'm going to be careful here, but most of the hair loss reported isn't any different than it was before they started the meds they are just noticing hair that was falling out before because they are looking for it.....
The other part is most gals starting the meds are at an age where they are experiencing some hormonal changes which is the biggest reason for hair loss. Stress, mood etc are also big factors.
The rare ones that suffer some hair loss find that it is temporary anyway happening in the first few months and then stopping as the body adapts to the folic acid change, I'd ask your doc about a good vitamin supplement (I'm normally against them) I have seen a good prenatal type vitamin make a huge difference for teen gals in a number of areas.
Actually I'm praying this whole thing is temporary for you and you are able to move to a good Biological Medicine shortly.
Hi Morgan, try not to worry about hairloss. In my case, like Lamb mentions, I already had some hairloss for about 15 or 16 years (age, hormones, stress, diet, genetics ..... who knows what!) before going on dmards etc and if I'm absolutely honest I don't think it is has got any worse on the meds than it would have been without them. And the doses of mtx that do cause hairloss are those used for cancer patients are way, way greater doses than any of us ever get near with PsA.
BUT I do understand how this will be worrying you, especially as for us gals (whatever our age!) our hair is literally our crowning glory.
If you want to email message me I'll be happy to chat with you about it and tell you about some of the hair cosmetics that are out there if you need them ..... which you won't but I reckon you may feel better knowing about them 'just in case'. Jules
For that matter, Morgan, try not to worry about ANY side effects! Sometimes if you think too much about the possibility, you’ll talk yourself into thinking you’re having a reaction!
The truth is that the majority of peoople who take the low dosages of MTX that we do, tolerate it very weel and have no, or very mild, side effects.
And whatever happens will be good: if MTX helps, that’s great. And if it doesn’t, you are one experiment closer to finding the medication that lets you live without the nasty effects of PsA. You can’t lose!
I had hair loss, not from MTX, but from leflunomide. We halted further loss by increasing the folic acid and adding in biotin. My rheumy DID confirm, but as I said, it slowed down when I increased my supplements.
And Lamb. . . I am NOT at that age. I'm only 42 years old.
I'm not being oppositional here Stoney, but you are/were :-) of that age.
Alopecia areata is a pretty common side effect of leflunomide. Its more common before age 40 than after and especially common before age 20 (if before puberty it can be permanent) after 40 the regrowth is often finer and white) For reasons we don't know the immune system attacks the hair follicles for a short period (usually less than 6mos) and then stop. it happens with autoimmune disease anyway, but why it happens with leflunomide, is anybodies guess.
Stoney said:
I had hair loss, not from MTX, but from leflunomide. We halted further loss by increasing the folic acid and adding in biotin. My rheumy DID confirm, but as I said, it slowed down when I increased my supplements.
And Lamb. . . I am NOT at that age. I'm only 42 years old.
Interesting. So from what you're saying, the supplements (folic acid and biotin) did not slow the loss, but rather that it stopped on its own. Hmm. I was already going white in the front and at the temples. . . It seems to be the pattern of whitening that my family goes through. But now that I think about it, the hair that initially regrew was whiter.
As to that age, I admit to nothing.
Who knows, hair has a mind of its own??? I would admit to nothing either. FWIW my hair went completely grey at 24 I started at 18.Whiter and finer is a pretty strong symptom of Alopecia areata We have this massive autoimmune thing and we continue to blame everything but when wierd stuff happens..........
Wow, that is a good point Lamb. If I may ... I think that your statement "We have this massive autoimmune thing and we continue to blame everything but when weird stuff happens......." should be on the homepage here! Right under a title of "LIVING WITH PSORIASIS". :)
Lamb... we just changed insurance/HMO and though the doctor prescribed folic acid, the HMO pharmacy says they don't carry it and for me to buy the OTC... I will talk to the rheumy about this further on my next appointment, but what should I NOT buy? Thanks... you are so full of info... I greatly appreciate your input.
tntlamb said:
Mostly. But make sure its prescription Folic acid and NOT OTC B supplements.
Also some of that hair loss is brought on by the Psoriasis which occasionaly flares when starting a DMARD.
To begin with the hair loss is rare. 15% loss doesn't even show up. At your age its unlikely you would have any anyway. I'm going to be careful here, but most of the hair loss reported isn't any different than it was before they started the meds they are just noticing hair that was falling out before because they are looking for it.....
The other part is most gals starting the meds are at an age where they are experiencing some hormonal changes which is the biggest reason for hair loss. Stress, mood etc are also big factors.
The rare ones that suffer some hair loss find that it is temporary anyway happening in the first few months and then stopping as the body adapts to the folic acid change, I'd ask your doc about a good vitamin supplement (I'm normally against them) I have seen a good prenatal type vitamin make a huge difference for teen gals in a number of areas.
Actually I'm praying this whole thing is temporary for you and you are able to move to a good Biological Medicine shortly.
I'm in a similar situation. It is on our "preventative" list of drugs and isn't covered. So, I can get prescription strength but they sell it without running it through insurance. But, since it is generic, it only costs $4 a month. Hope you're in the same boat I'm in as $4 is a good price to pay!
Sandy (hrlygrm) said:
Lamb... we just changed insurance/HMO and though the doctor prescribed folic acid, the HMO pharmacy says they don't carry it and for me to buy the OTC... I will talk to the rheumy about this further on my next appointment, but what should I NOT buy? Thanks... you are so full of info... I greatly appreciate your input.
Yeah, I'd just take the script to Walmart 90 days worth is 9 bucks - cheaper than OTC. The HMO will cover it on appeal as you are taking folic acid because your own supply is being depleted by the MTX hardly "preventative"
Thanks... I'll do that. I think I have an active script from my old rheumy before the HMO changed to get me through ... I have a good relationship with that pharmacy and I'll ask.
tntlamb said:
Yeah, I'd just take the script to Walmart 90 days worth is 9 bucks - cheaper than OTC. The HMO will cover it on appeal as you are taking folic acid because your own supply is being depleted by the MTX hardly "preventative"