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Remicade Hair Loss

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/13/2011 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I had 2 infusions of remicade and noticed my hair was shedding and decided to stop going for treatment. I talked to my doctor and advised my concern about the hair loss and he stated that I could just increase my Asacol Dosages and I should be fine. Does anybody know when I can expect the hair shedding to stop and the hair to start growing back? It has been approximately one month since I my last infusion and I am still shedding hair. Is there anything I can do to help with the hair growth? I am a 27 year old male and hair loss is not a genetic trait in my family. Hope someone out there can help!
Posted 11/13/2011 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
steveohhhh9,

Welcome to the forum, Steve.

Yes, I understand hair loss only too well - it isn't pretty. And I understand how pissed off that makes you.

Remicade isn't the only drug that causes hair loss, asacol or the mesalamines are big culprits there too.

How long will it last? That very much depends on your own immune system, and also how well you are absorbing your nutrients (through foods and supplementation).

But what was your diagnosis that made your doctor prescribe remicade (that's usually a drug of last resort)? Can you set up a signature with your diagnosis, meds taken, etc... this way you won't have to keep repeating the info when you ask questions?

Are you seeing a Gastro?


 

Posted 11/13/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry,

Ive been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis since august of 2006. I had a pretty pad flair up in February of this year and they placed me on Asacol HD and Prednisone with a very slow taper. Me being a person who has trouble gaining weight, I was able to bring my weight up from 145 to 165 lbs with the Prednisone. I ended my Prednisone in June and had realized that with that out of my system I had lost my appetite and the weight started to fall off. The doctor recommended Remicade to help my body absorb nutrients better, however he failed to mention that hair loss would be a major side effect. I had noticed some slight shedding during the time I was put on Asacol HD however since I was put on Remicade in late September, It has been shedding more rapidly.

Here are my prescriptions:

3 Asacol HD pills
3 300 mg Urso Diol Pills
1 Vitamin D (2000 iu) Pill Daily

To be honest, I have not taken my Asacol HD pills in over 2 months when I started my first round or Remicade. The doctor advised me that the Remicade infusion would replace the need for Asacol HD. I am just super concerned and I personally don't know anybody that is or has experienced what I am going through.
Posted 11/13/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Remicade for a year and had hair loss too. The Remi didn't work so I then had j pouch surgery. So my hair suffered for a while (prednisone will make your hair fall out too). I lost even more because of the anesthesia from the surgery. Now it's a year later for me (I am drug free now) and my hair is finally back to normal. It takes time to grow back.
Posted 11/13/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
ByeByeUC,

I knew prednisone caused hair loss, but did not know that anesthesia could do that too.

I'm glad your hair grew back, mine still hasn't :(

Posted 11/13/2011 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
steveohhhh9,

No problem.

Yes, like byebyeUC mentioned, prednisone will cause hair loss too.

I understand your concern.

It'd good you are taking vitamin d, do you have blood work to check your levels?

Are you on any other supplements? Probiotics?

Folic Acid and Biotin are known supplements to help with hair growth (or to prevent hair loss), but I haven't found it to be helpful.

What's the status of your UC now that you are on remicade?

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