Hair loss with UC/ on Asacol

Hi,

New here, recently diagnosed with UC, male 38.

So I have had bouts of this UC for many many years, but they were always fleeting and corrected themselves, I assumed some of the symptoms were from internal hemorrhoids.

about 5 months ago, I had a serious flare, at which point I became very concerned and was then diagnosed.

I (luckily) didnt go on prednisone, but rather asacol 4800 mg/day for about 1 month. This seemed to knock it back into more or less remission thankfully. My doctor wants me to stay on asacol at 2400 mg/day for a *year* saying that I have a 40% chance of another bout, a 60% chance of not needing it. On the other hand, he says if it comes back, it will likely not respond to asacol and will need dreaded steroids.

I am also fighting hair loss, separate form this, and it is a *big* stressor in my life.

I have been on a few medications for the hair loss and am trying to maintain a really good nutritional regimen and medicine regimen to control/reverse it.

My shedding was quite low, but sometime around either the flare, or the asacol (cant remember exactly), I have begun to shed again, which I cannot afford to do!!

Im in a real dilema here as to whether I should take this drug in order to stave off another flare, but may be hurting my hair!

I know asacol can cause hair loss, but that some posters think it is the UC, not the meds.

Any thoughts??

thanks

Thanks,

So youre saying that your beard grew fast (normal) then slowed way down during flare, then sped back up upon remission? What about your head hair?

My son is 14 yrs old and has been taking 4800 mg of Asacol HD  a day for months (just swtiched today from Asacol to Sulfasalazine) is having Remicade infusions and takes Prednisone.   His hair is falling out.   Last week I really noticed it.  I dont know which drug is the culprit but what I do know is that it sucks for a teenager to have to deal with, especially when none of the drugs seem to be working to get and keep him in remission.    If the drugs work to help control you UC, then I would suggest taking them and dealing with the hair loss.

MotherofTeenwithUC said...
My son is 14 yrs old and has been taking 4800 mg of Asacol HD a day for months (just swtiched today from Asacol to Sulfasalazine) is having Remicade infusions and takes Prednisone. His hair is falling out. Last week I really noticed it. I dont know which drug is the culprit but what I do know is that it sucks for a teenager to have to deal with, especially when none of the drugs seem to be working to get and keep him in remission. If the drugs work to help control you UC, then I would suggest taking them and dealing with the hair loss.

I was also a teen when my hair loss began. it's tough... even tougher for girls. wigs feel fake, extensions don't always work, and solutions are expensive. i have spent hours after hours crying while i threw out clumps of my hair. i had kids on my floor ask me if i had cancer when i was in my freshman year of college because they noticed how much of my hair was in the garbage (i was the only one with that color hair so it was obvious). i had customers at work commenting on how stupid teens were these days for shaving crescents into their scalps. people are harsh. eyeliner helps to hide the small bald spots. playing around in a mirror can help him figure out how best to style his remaining hair. schools will allow him to wear a hat or head covering if you talk to them about it. i know it sucks. if he ever wants someone to talk to, i'm here.

Many members on the Crohn's forum recommend folic acid and biotin to counteract hair loss from IBD meds.