Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Enbrel and Hairloss

Hey all,

I haven't posted in a while since I've been busy with school, but I had a question about enbrel side effects. I've noticed the last few weeks a drastic change in the amount of hair that isn't staying on my head. Instead, I'm finding it on my pillow or in my bathtub, or clogging my drain. I'm still in my 20s, so I didn't think I'd have to face the problem of losing my hair for some years yet. Is it possible that the enbrel is causing this, or can this be the effect of arthritis? All the men in my family are bald, so I realized I'd lose my hair eventually. But I thought it would be a growing old thing, not a turning 25 thing...Has anyone else on enbrel found this to be a problem. Thanks for your help.

Jeff

Jeff

I don't take Enbrel so I can't help you there But my Brother lost his hair in his mid 20's and he was told that was normal and could happen at that age. In being the way that I am I had told my brother to think of the money he was going to save in not having to buy shampoo. Sorry for making a joke about this I know you must be a bit upset/worried about this.

John

Hi Jeff

The men in my family are bald/balding also. Even my oldest son Craig, who is 23 is very thin on the top.

Craig is not on any meds, as it is his younger brother Eric that has the AS, so maybe you are just getting thin on top from genetics, or even stress.

Craig keeps telling me that it is my fault, as they claim hair loss comes from the mums side of the family.

Hugs
Lori

Dear Jeff

One of my relatives used to collect hair off his brother's comb for a few days then sprinkle it on his pillow to make it look like he was losing hair very badly.
I think he combed a dog with similar color fur, too and mixed it in.

Any chance this is your problem? BlueNorthern

Ive been on Enbrel since January and my hair is falling out.

When I was on enbrel, the lady who cuts my hair said that my hair was getting thinner. I did not notice any hair on my pillow, and didn't really notice that my hair was thinner.

They say that baldness comes from your mothers side of the family... so look at your grandfather on your mom's side.

I started early... was in college, 21 yrs old.

Tim

hmmm.... i haven't noticed any unusual hair loss. my hair mostly turned grey though, when i was having a bad flare in my early 30s.

Hi Jeff,

I've been on Remicade since last Nov and thought I was experiencing hair loss also but wasn't sure at first if it was just my imagination. Unfortunately, it's continued on so I asked my Rheumy if this could be a side effect of Remicade. Her answer was definite, "Yes, it's most likely a result of Remicade. This is something we've seen often." Rats! I failed to ask her how bad it might get but I intend to ask at my next appt. Maybe it is a side effect common to this class of meds?

I've always had long hair and decided to have mine chopped short last week... hoping it will be less obvious (to me)... it's not conspicuous to anyone else yet, thankfully.

Since I'm also taking Sulfasalazine, I asked my doc if I should be on folic acid supplements also (hoping this might prevent more loss) and she said (in her opinion) yes, and I started supplementing about 3-4 wks ago. So far I've not noticed an improvement but I'm still hopeful.

The pain relief I get from Remicade is so dramatic that I'll accept this side effect if I must.

Take care!
mig

aloha, jeff

i lost a patch of hair in my beard while on vioxx...allergic reaction; and got another bald patch inthe beard
while trying sulfasalazine and my barber commented about the widening patch on the top of my head.

the patches in the beard filled back in over a little while...but thank you for asking this question...
i've been on enbrel for ten months now and my beard is starting to thin out badly...oh well...i'll inquire.

best...someone combed the neighbor's dog to fool you.
aloha Ben