1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Hair loss from PMR or Steroids?

Posted by abbeyc @abbeyc, Feb 12, 2022

Hello, my PMR started mid December 2021 and I've been on steroids since early January (so about 6 weeks). 12.5mg for a few weeks, now 20mg. I'm noticing my hair is thinning and I'm nervous. Anyone else have this issue? I'm wondering if it's the PMR or the steroids causing the thinning and when it will stop. Anything that will help?

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Teri | @tsc | Feb 13, 2023
In reply to @pst "Is anyone else experiencing hair loss from prednisone? So, with the shakiness, weight gain, pie face..." + (show)
@pst

Is anyone else experiencing hair loss from prednisone? So, with the shakiness, weight gain, pie face and now hair loss I feel and look like an out of control beach ball!
I’ve been told there are supplements to get hair going again. Wondering if any of you have used and had luck with such products; if so, what was helpful?
I know marketers would tell you you could marry the pope if you took their products and since this forum is a bit of a focus group I thought I’d ask here. Thanks

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Hi @pst, I think I had hair loss before I started prednisone for Giant Cell Arteritis. I've been off prednisone a few months now and my hair has come back. I didn't take any special supplements.

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steph1939 | @steph1939 | Feb 13, 2023
In reply to @pst "Is anyone else experiencing hair loss from prednisone? So, with the shakiness, weight gain, pie face..." + (show)
@pst

Is anyone else experiencing hair loss from prednisone? So, with the shakiness, weight gain, pie face and now hair loss I feel and look like an out of control beach ball!
I’ve been told there are supplements to get hair going again. Wondering if any of you have used and had luck with such products; if so, what was helpful?
I know marketers would tell you you could marry the pope if you took their products and since this forum is a bit of a focus group I thought I’d ask here. Thanks

Jump to this post

I’ve been on prednisone for little over a year now. About 3/4 into taking that med for PMR my hair started falling out like crazy. My dermatologist put me on Minoxidil 2.5 mg and within 2 months the hair loss stopped. My hair has never looked so healthy and thick. Here’s the negative: I have additional hair on my arms and other areas. Today we decided to drop back to a 1/2 pill a day and see what happens. The new hair growing in on my head is rather curly and I’ve always had straight hair. All very odd.

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pst | @pst | Feb 14, 2023

Thanks for the information. Interesting choice: gorilla or beach all..🥴

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suetex | @suetex | Feb 15, 2023

In 2017 I lost a lot of hair due to being ill. (Not PMR) My hair which had just been wavy before came back in like I had a perm. I theorize that the hair follicles being empty for a time got flattened and that changed the hair that came back in. Since I just got treated for breast cancer I was glad that they decided to not use chemo as I didn't want my hair to fall out all over and come back super kinky like an afro. As I am blond, it would look very strange. What a thing to worry about, right?!

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suzivester | @suzivester | Sep 18, 2023
In reply to @abbeyc "Yes your story amazes me. 5 months in pain without a diagnosis ! Take care too!" + (show)
@abbeyc

Yes your story amazes me. 5 months in pain without a diagnosis ! Take care too!

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I had a similar experience. Pain from Aug 2022 but no diagnosis till Jan 2023. I have this feeling that doctors don’t pay attention to—or don’t believe—old women complaining of pain.

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