Hair loss with Arava
Has anyone experienced hair loss with Arava? Not in "clumps" but an unusual amount of of loose hair everytime I comb my hair. I had severe reaction to Methotrexate and had to switch to Arava - which I have been taking for 7 months. In reason weeks I seem to loosing a LOT of hair everytime I comb and am wondering if there is a connection to Arava.
Joan,
It is a possible side effect of Arava. I take it as well, but was already losing hair before I started. Ask you Rheumy about it. Have you tried Palenquil? Its at least an option. Hope you feel better soon!
Brad
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I had the same thing happen to me, Joan. First couldn't tolerate methotrexate (it made me sick as a dog!). I started Arava and have been taking it for about a year, and tolerate it well. But yes, I lost hair just like you are now. Fortunately, for the last couple of months that seems to have stopped. Maybe it will for you, too. Good luck!
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joanj
Monday, November 09, 2009 at 10:36 PM
You say the hair loss seems to have stopped - but do you think you are also getting new growth???
Wren
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Well, that's a lot harder to answer. I haven't noticed that my hair has thickened any, but I figure that since hair is always growing, the hair I lost over the months will probably come back.
I just saw my rheumatologist. Since I've been having a lot more pain lately, he's increased my dosage of Arava from half a tablet to a full tablet each day. I'm hoping that the hair loss won't start again, but if it does, I guess I'll just grin and bear it. To me, having the pain and, perhaps, the progression of this disease lessened and slowed is worth a brush full of hair each morning. I've always liked hats ... 
Good luck with the Arava, Joan.
joanj
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 05:06 PM
It seems to be slowing down the last week. I take 20mg so maybe I can switch to 10mg - I see my Rheumy in two weeks. My hair wasn't very thick to begin with so I really notice the loss. And yes - I guess if the choice is pain or hair loss I'll take the hair loss!!
Thanks for that info. I was ready to tell my Doc that I wanted to stop the Arava - but now maybe I should stick it out a while longer. Other than the hair loss I tolerate it very well & it does work for me. In the meantime my hair has thinned a LOT!