1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Hair Loss from Prednisone

Posted by annee55 @annee55, Aug 9 7:23am

Has anyone had any luck with slowing down hair loss. Started on 25 mg of Prednisone April 1st, now on 10mg. And the hair loss has really just started in last few weeks, but is dramatic and noticeable. I naturally have thick gray hair . So disconcerting. They say hair loss is rare but reading here it doesn’t seem so.

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Aug 14 6:51am
In reply to @linda7 "I have a little different perspective. I believe that PMR caused my hair loss rather than..." + (show)
@linda7

I have a little different perspective. I believe that PMR caused my hair loss rather than the prednisone. My hair was always thin but got thinner when I got PMR. In the four months before I was diagnosed I didn't go outside my house without a baseball cap on. When I first saw the rheumatologist he put in his notes that I had alopecia. Since I've been on prednisone I will go out without a hat since my hair does more or less cover my head with no areas where you see a lot of scalp.

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@linda7
I found that I have 3 reasons for my hair loss: My thyroid function, low estrogen after quitting my HRT( took for 10 years!) and finally, steroids and prednisone.
I was told by a dermatologist to use minoxidil (rogaine) but that I would have to use it continuously.
So I use hair care products that give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair—Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. I use the #4 line for colored hair with progressed thinning. I feel it does make enough of a difference for me.
You can find it a your beauty salon or at ULTA beauty supply.

REPLY
1 reply
jds2123 | @jds2123 | Aug 14 11:23am

I too noticed hair loss while on lefleudomide and prednisone. My stylist recommended food grade diotomatious earth powder. I’ve been taking it for 6 months and my wife has noticed my hair is getting thicker now.

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annee55 | @annee55 | Aug 14 1:06pm
In reply to @szf10 "I also heard prednisone doesn’t cause hair loss. But you can’t go by me. Perhaps it’s..." + (show)
@szf10

I also heard prednisone doesn’t cause hair loss. But you can’t go by me. Perhaps it’s the Plaquenil that is causing my hair loss issue. Or maybe the combination of both meds. I just know I had more hair before all this happened and now I have a lot less. It’s just so upsetting to feel crappy from PMR and then not like how I look on top of that. It’s also scary to be on prednisone after being diagnosed with osteoporosis and know that prednisone is not good for bones. Lots to deal with.
But on the plus side, the Toppik really helps self esteem. You can get it on Amazon but I buy direct from the company. I’m on an auto shipment now every 3 months. Thats how much I use it. Lol
Thanks for reaching out.

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I got some of the Toppkik for gray hair. It really does cover scalp!
Thanks for the suggestion.🙏🏻

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1 reply
szf10 | @szf10 | Aug 14 2:36pm
In reply to @annee55 "I got some of the Toppkik for gray hair. It really does cover scalp! Thanks for..." + (show)
@annee55

I got some of the Toppkik for gray hair. It really does cover scalp!
Thanks for the suggestion.🙏🏻

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I’m so glad my suggestion helped you. I’m sure you look beautiful!

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bunnykfl | @bunnykfl | Aug 15 7:35am
In reply to @jlo2252 "@linda7 I found that I have 3 reasons for my hair loss: My thyroid function, low..." + (show)
@jlo2252

@linda7
I found that I have 3 reasons for my hair loss: My thyroid function, low estrogen after quitting my HRT( took for 10 years!) and finally, steroids and prednisone.
I was told by a dermatologist to use minoxidil (rogaine) but that I would have to use it continuously.
So I use hair care products that give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair—Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. I use the #4 line for colored hair with progressed thinning. I feel it does make enough of a difference for me.
You can find it a your beauty salon or at ULTA beauty supply.

Jump to this post

My hair was falling out for months and I was on Plaquenil. When I stopped taking it my hair stopped falling out. I am on 5 mg prednisone. I don’t believe it is the disease causing hair loss. Maybe it is another drug you are taking.

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1 reply
jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Aug 15 7:43am
In reply to @bunnykfl "My hair was falling out for months and I was on Plaquenil. When I stopped taking..." + (show)
@bunnykfl

My hair was falling out for months and I was on Plaquenil. When I stopped taking it my hair stopped falling out. I am on 5 mg prednisone. I don’t believe it is the disease causing hair loss. Maybe it is another drug you are taking.

Jump to this post

It may not be the prednisone, it certainly doesn’t help! But I’m on thyroid medication and my estrogen has dropped since I had to stop hormones after 10 years—I did have nice hair on the hormones, but they are too risky to take for too long! ☹️

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