1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Hair Loss from Prednisone

Posted by annee55 @annee55, Aug 9, 2024

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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cyndiefromnc | @cyndiefromnc | Sep 6, 2025

I am not on any other medication and never have been and my hair has thinned out considerably, so it must be the prednisone.

Horribly frustrating.

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | Sep 7, 2025

Has anyone that has lost their hair during prednisone had experience with it growing back? How long if you did? My hair is awful. So thin and still falling out!!! I’m tapering now and am on 9mg.

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Sep 7, 2025

Since tapering off P and being on Kevzara, my hair has improved! I’m 8 wks off Pred.

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elizterrel | @elizterrel | Sep 8, 2025

I did a lot of shedding! When I was on 30mg prednisone my black clothes were covered with silver hair. It's getting better now that I'm on Kevzara and down to 2.5 mg prednisone.

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janb62 | @janb62 | Feb 23 9:15am
In reply to @szf10 "I’ve been on prednisone since January 2024. Started at 15mg and now am at 5 mg...." + (show)
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I’ve been on prednisone since January 2024. Started at 15mg and now am at 5 mg.
I’m also on Plaquenil 200mg 2x day. And have also been taking Actonel for osteoporosis since March.
My hair loss is significant. I’ve never had beautiful hair but this is so upsetting. Aside from the loss , my hair has become brittle and frizzy. At times I look like Albert Einstein! Not sure if my hair will ever recover.
Thankfully I discovered Toppik ( powder) which I sprinkle on the bald spots each morning. The powder fills in the spots and stays on all day. At least it makes me feel a little better going out in public.
But must says it’s just so upsetting to have these medical issues in the first place. Then to be on so many medications for PMR and OP and have hair loss and loss of self esteem, just adds insult to injury.
Thanks for bringing up the topic. I thought I was the only one with this issue because my rheumatologist didn’t think hair loss was a major issue with these meds.

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@szf10
I, too have had significant hair shedding since taking prednisone. I have GCA and started on 60 mg. The shedding didn't start until 8 months in and hasn’t let up even tbough I am down to 4 mg. My rheumatologist wasn't sure of the connection and suggested checking ferritin levels, B12 and thyroid function. I feel exactly as you do - it's hard enough dealing with illness nevermind hair loss. Hopefully it is telogen effluvium which is the kind that does grow back once off prednisone.
I use Clairol cover up powder but will look into Toppik. This has been a big hit to the ego. Good luck to us all!

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caroljeand | @caroljeand | Feb 24 9:24am
In reply to @elizterrel "I did a lot of shedding! When I was on 30mg prednisone my black clothes were..." + (show)
Profile picture for elizterrel @elizterrel

I did a lot of shedding! When I was on 30mg prednisone my black clothes were covered with silver hair. It's getting better now that I'm on Kevzara and down to 2.5 mg prednisone.

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@elizterrel
I’m now on Kevzara and off prednisone 4 days. My silver hair is all over my clothes and house. I can’t tell if it’s mainly broken off or coming out at the roots. My hair at the top of my head is all different lengths so I know I’ve lost a lot from breakage.
Frustrating!

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kathleenclaire | @kathleenclaire | Feb 24 11:41am

My rheumatologist was not at all surprised at my hair loss on Prednisone. My long hair is now cut short and fingers crossed that regrowth is in my future. I’m at 5mg, decreasing 1mg/month.

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sjc123 | @sjc123 | Feb 24 2:31pm
In reply to @janb62 "@szf10 I, too have had significant hair shedding since taking prednisone. I have GCA and started..." + (show)
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@szf10
I, too have had significant hair shedding since taking prednisone. I have GCA and started on 60 mg. The shedding didn't start until 8 months in and hasn’t let up even tbough I am down to 4 mg. My rheumatologist wasn't sure of the connection and suggested checking ferritin levels, B12 and thyroid function. I feel exactly as you do - it's hard enough dealing with illness nevermind hair loss. Hopefully it is telogen effluvium which is the kind that does grow back once off prednisone.
I use Clairol cover up powder but will look into Toppik. This has been a big hit to the ego. Good luck to us all!

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@janb62
I also have GCA, and started on 60 mg prednisone. I also started to lose lots of hair about 8 months in. I am now at one year in, and down to 2 mg prednisone, I have also had monthly Actemra/Tyeene infusions since the beginning. My hair is beginning to come back now, and hair loss seems to have stopped. So…hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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janb62 | @janb62 | Feb 24 3:45pm
In reply to @sjc123 "@janb62 I also have GCA, and started on 60 mg prednisone. I also started to lose..." + (show)
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@janb62
I also have GCA, and started on 60 mg prednisone. I also started to lose lots of hair about 8 months in. I am now at one year in, and down to 2 mg prednisone, I have also had monthly Actemra/Tyeene infusions since the beginning. My hair is beginning to come back now, and hair loss seems to have stopped. So…hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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@sjc123
I really appreciate the positive feedback. I have not been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and needed to hear this right about now. Continued success to you .

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linnead | @linnead | Feb 25 1:38pm
In reply to @janb62 "@sjc123 I really appreciate the positive feedback. I have not been able to see the light..." + (show)
Profile picture for janb62 @janb62

@sjc123
I really appreciate the positive feedback. I have not been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and needed to hear this right about now. Continued success to you .

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A year ago when diagnosed I was on 40 mg pred. Then dropped to 20 and now tapered to 5 mg. My dermatologist told me she didn’t think the hair loss was from pred but rather from the stress PMR puts on the body. She gave it a big long name. Now that I am at 5 mg I think my hair is coming back. 🤞starting Kevzara Friday. Finally gave up on the taper. Too much pain for too long. Lord have mercy on all of us! 🙏😊🌸

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