MESALAZINE, STRESS & HAIR LOSS - HELP

I was diagnosed with UC in November 2012 & have been taking Mesalazine suppositries (1g) daily since then (course for 5 days when flare up occurs, then every second day, then third and so on)
Since seeing my gastro after my flare up was really bad, she advised to take 1g suppositries twice daily with the same course. She has told me that i dont need to take them every day.

Since getting into this routine, im losing my hair. its falling out in clumps in the shower and its much thinner than it has ever been. Ive always had thick, wavy hair & its changed dramatically. at first i thought it was because I had hair extensions for 8 months,(due to having my hair cut short and getting through that 'awkward' growing period), but didnt seem to have this problem when they were in and have since taken them out and noticing huge amounts of hair loss since upping my dose on mesalazine.
Other variables include having PCOS and being highly stressed lately, so im not sure if this is a mix of issues causing this or it can be directly my medication.

i had read on forums that other people have experienced the same thing being on medication for IBD, so im wondering if anyone can help me.
I just spoke to my doctors partner in the office and he basically dismissed my claims saying its more likely due to stress than from the medication im on, and if it was then id be the first person. i did tell him id read of other stories and he didnt seem fazed by it. im not really convinced myself.
He sent through another prescription for PREDSOL and i noticed it is familiar to Prednisone and that freaks me out as i know there are acute side effects with prednisone.

If anyone can help me out it would be much appreciated.

 

predsol is definately a form of prednisone. It is a fairly common medication to be prescribed for UC (to quickly sometimes but other times neccessary)

I had a fair amount of hair loss while on prednisone myself. It is disconcerting when it is happening.

Your mesalamine dose/ method is extremely low. Most of us (if able to used mesalamine) are on a much high dose and many of us take it orally and rectally.

I would suspect that the hair loss is not directly from the med (althought possible i suppose) but more from any or all of the conditions you are currently having. Stress - yup.. hormone imbalance- yup, ... autoimmune disease- yup. not to mention it could be a whole other diagnosable issue on it's own. (eg: Alopecia is autoimmune affecting hair loss in particular... )

MOst of us who are also able and or willing to take medication do so daily and will continue for the rest of our lifes or until the figure this diesease out once and for all.

Do lots of research, and seek a different treatment and/or doctor if you feel they are not covering all the bases.

hi canadagal,

do you still experience the hair loss or did you combat it some way? Id really be interested to know.

I agree im on a low dose, im just trying to cover all bases as to why and why its happening now. ive been on medication for 6 months (or longer) and only had the hair loss the past month.
Im really scared about losing my hair. stress im sure is a HUGE factor & also having an autoimmune disease.
Will continue to research and will look into seeking another GI

Thanks

for me, it stared about a month or so after starting prednisone. It was handfulls in the shower.., luckly i have thick and light coloured hair so it was not really noticable to anyone but myself but it was still worrysome.

Once on lower doses of prednisone (tapering) it was less and less and a bit ofter stoping it completly I could see tons of new growth hairs all over my head!.

I think treating it (if even possible) really depends on what in particular is causing it.

I lose hair on mesalazine always, the bathroom floor is constantly covered with it. I also think being always borderline anaemic doesn't help

Mine happened suddenly, Ive been on it for about three years, them
Suddenly it started falling out