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Anyone use tanning beds while taking MTX, low dose Prednisone and Remicade!

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 4/30/2008 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi- I know this is a stupid question because it tells you to avoid exposure to sunlight while taking MTX, but I wondered if anyone has and if they had any reaction at all? I am going on a trip to for a wedding next month and I feel very pale and have gained weight from the Prednisone. I think I wouldn't feel so self conscious if I was a little less pale. I am working on my weight and eating right and exercising but the paleness isn't doing anything for me. I don't really like the self tanner lotions or sprays either. I did tan last spring while taking 6MP and had no problems. Just wanted some other stories before I make my decision. Thank You, AKG :-)
Posted 4/30/2008 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
Resist the urge to tan at this time. Try the Jergen's bronzing lotion. Your body can't tell the difference between a tanning bed and natural sunlight. My Rheumy told me to steer clear, wear 50 spf and buy some shirts with long sleeves and wear a hat. I trust him.
Posted 4/30/2008 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Tanning beds??? I have never used one personally but I do know that when I go out into the sun, I use spf 70, ridiculous and a bit over the top, I know, but I wouldn't take any chances..especially if you are fair skinned.  MTX and any kind of sun exposure are a bad idea!! I even ended up with a sunburn through my jeans last summer while  on my MTX.

Posted 4/30/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I use tanning booths all of the time !! No bad reactions at all. I am on Mtx, pred, plaquinil and Humira ! I have no skin issues, just joint inflamation. I feel sooooo much better with a tan. After going through all this crap ( health wise ) isn't it worth it to feel a little bit better by looking good ????
Have a good day !!!
Posted 4/30/2008 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Be careful hon. True...despite all of this crap, the last thing we hang onto are our looks and when that goes! geesh. so i do hear ya.
Keep in mind though...if on your meds AND IN A TANNING BED...you could end up looking like a swollen red lobster, far worse than being pale.
I love being albaster! it's very chic!
be very very careful.
Posted 4/30/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have to chime in one last time on the sun and add to what Erin said..we do have to hang on to what we have and the MTX/Plaquenil is harsh on the hair as well, but back to the skin..I have noticed the MTX seems to also put small brown spots on my skin if I am not super careful to put loads of sunscreen  even on my hands, so please be careful just from a cosmetic standpoint...after last summers sunburn and I wasn't out in the sun but 10/ 15 minutes, the brown spots are here forever, and I have tried everything to get rid of them..I agree with Erin its better to be pale especially once you get older (your skin will thank you!)
Posted 4/30/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
AMEN sista'!
Be pale & proud AKG! You would be surprised how much more luminous your natural skin color is (and how many more copliments people get who don't tan.)
It is a hard cycle to break though eh? When I was in highschool I used to go tanning, it really did feel great...like 25 minutes of forced vacation. It was soothing kinda'.
But seriously, I wouldn't chance it BEFORE A WEDDING! Like mom says...oy! Spots on top of everything else!
I'm sure you look just beautiful the way you are; however it's easier to hear it than actually believe it yourself. (I feel like the statepuff marshmallow man with this round of prednisone). And I'd do anything to "feel better about myself".
Are you able to get any natural sunlight instead? And use a high SPF?
Heck...if you really REALLY want to go ahead & look and feel your best (which you deserve) ask your Dr.'s opinion on it.
Best wishes.
Posted 5/1/2008 11:47 AM (GMT 0)

the tanning salon i USE to go to has a med list of drugs not to enter on with risk levels.  I typed use in caps lock because mtx and pred on are on the "list" and they were a higher level so they didnt even let me tan!  so fair eyed fair skinned me is doing the pastey and doing just fine.  i guess i am getting older because i use to be blonde too and now i no longer dye my hair on mtx and i foundout i have dark hair with plenty of greys! hahahaha  pretty shocking to see dark brown on my head and not my skin lol 

but be healthy and keep safe from the uv rays. scool

Posted 5/1/2008 3:10 PM (GMT 0)

Another alternative to tanning is the moiturizers with self tanners in them and I think Jergensens and Neutrogena make them, I have used them in the past and they really work if you are fair skinned! Especially if you have a special event coming up and you don't want to risk the tan in a bottle (fearing turing orange) these are a great alternative. 

Yally, why don't you color your hair? are you not supposed to while on MTX? I have now found some grey (just enough to start flipping out about it) and had color for the first time yesterday, close to my natural color. Is this something you are not supposed to do? Sheesh please say its okay to color hair whilie on MTX.

My daughter is 11, and I'm already harping on her about skin and sunscreen, she thinks I'm insane tongue It's not only for when you go swimming, I tell her.

Posted 5/1/2008 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your opinions and advice. Yeah maybe I'll try the moisturizers again and see how that goes. And what about the hair?? I have an appointment to get my hair highlighted next week (the first time since starting MTZ) is that not good? My hair is aweful too! It used to be naturally wavy but has gotten very curly and it doesn't look good because it's curly in the wrong areas. I try and straighten it sometimes if I am going somewhere "special" but if it's humid then it gets wavy and disgusting looking! It seems I always put it in a ponytail! I thought maybe if I get it highlighted I will look a little better. I had gone back to my natural but looked pretty blah so I decided to get it highlighted a couple months ago and now need to get it redone. Thanks again! AKG
Posted 5/2/2008 3:34 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I don't know what it is about these meds and hair, but I had planned on growing mine out...forget it!! Now it is always so dry and it doesn't seem to grow at all or very slowly.  My hair used to be soft but now I have tried everything even salon shampoos, and I never use a hair dryer or stylers but you can't tell.  I had mine colored a couple of days ago and nothing bad happened to my hair, it don't see any difference so I think you are okay :-)   It didn't make mine any drier at least! I really hate these meds, and the plaquenil if you are on it is a huge culprit for bad hair, since that is what I started out on and that was the end of good hair (and skin). The MTX only seems to add to the problem eyes Hang in there I know it can be depressing!

Posted 5/2/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)

I am on MTX and have been since 2008.  I use Wen shampoo/conditioner.   You can purchase it at Sephora; it's pricey but it is an all in one and makes my hair feel fresh and clean.

It also brings back the health luster lost from being on MTX.

I do color and being an all in one it works great.  So it may be something youw ant to consider.

 

Have a great day!

 

Posted 5/3/2013 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, why not get a spray on tan.  My daughter was married last June and she got one.  It looked great.  I'm not sure what the chemicals are in them, but it could not be any different than the self tanning products.  Just a suggestion.  Agree with all the other comments I'm sure you are beautiful just as you are.  AnnieRae 
Posted 5/8/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had any sun or tanning issues with the mtx. so weird how things affect us all differently. It's been so cold and wet here this winter, I was seriously tempted to do some tanning just to get some heat on these creaky joints.
Posted 5/9/2013 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
ahh yes I like the tanning bed for the heat on my joints as well.... havent done it in a couple of years but when I go to the beach I love the way the heat from the sun makes my joints feel.... I have never had a problem with the sun or tanning bed so I cannot address that issue. I am glad to hear that what is causing my hair to look like dookie is the meds tho..... I thought it was just me..lol My hair is super curly/frizzy.... I have found that using a curling brush helps with this.
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