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I'm currently taking Asacol, Prednisone, 6-MP, and Remicade for my Ulcerative Colitis and I'm having extreme hair loss. The prednisone is causing hair growth everywhere EXCEPT my scalp, but I'm really not sure which drug is causing this, or if anyone else has experienced hair loss, and what they did about it.  I'm considering cutting my hair off, and wearing scarves.  I'm just having a really emotional time trying to deal with the disease itself, and now the physical side effects of the medications.  I've of course got the extreme moon face as well, with a wedding to go to in 2 weeks, I'm debating if I even want to attend looking like this.  Any info or advise would be greatly appreciated!

~Jen

 Reply posted for jen8585.

I'm suffering from the same hair loss problem and always wondered if others with colitis did too. I got so fed up with losing my hair that i went to a dermatologist and she checked my ferritin level (iron), which was low (30). She also said that since hair loss runs in my family, I am more prone to lose hair if I am malnourished, which I believe happens as a result of the colitis. I take a multivitamin, iron, fish oil and biotin everyday along with Lialda. I think it's been a year since i first saw the dermatologist and now my ferritin is 50 but it still needs to get higher in order for more hair to grow. There has definately been an improvement in hair growth within the last year but i am hoping that there will be more. Good luck to you and i hope this helps in some way!

 Reply posted for jen8585.

You could be anemic. I had bad hair loss until I started taking iron.

 Reply posted for jen8585.

hi, sorry to hear your losing so much hair.  I have delt with the same thing since I was 18, I'm now 22 and still haven't gotten my illness under full control.  but I wanted to let you know about some other medications because I took prednisone and asacol for along time and it never worked, imuran is a horrible drug, same with remicade.  I'm now doing so much better and I'm on Lialda, entocort, and 2mg of prednisone, I feel so much better and I'm not losing as much hair at all, my hair is finally thickening out again.  you should mention these drugs to your doc and maybe they will work better with your body.  hope this helps.

 Reply posted for jen8585.

Hi,

I am new here and just read your post.  I have Crohns and was on Prednisone a few times.  My haired thinned at my temples while I was on it.  Fortunately, I am Italian with thick hair, but I still have a weird spot there like a colick (sp).  Have not had any other issues with hair loss since then.  I'm currently on 6mp, asacol and remicaide.  Also have hypo thyroidism, some times that causes thinning as well.

Good luck to you,

Karen

 Reply posted for jen8585.

I don't know if this can be your problem. But when I started to get sick and I was on entocort I was diagnosed with Alopecia which is balding. If your scalp itches a lot and your hair is falling out then you may have this. You should see a dermatologists for this. I see one every month and get steroid injections in my head (which I just recieved more today). There really not that bad just a few pinches. Good Luck and go see a dermatologist.

 Reply posted for nana.

Thank you all so much for your response and words of encouragement!  It really means a lot to me!  Yeah, with all the different drugs I'm currently on, I guess it's no surprise my hair is falling out in clumps everyday.  I've since invested in some really beautiful scarves and head wraps.  I'm still planning on attending the wedding, appearance aside, I don't want to miss such a big event.  I'll just have to make due with what I've got and do my best to enjoy myself.  It's just not the way I had expected to look for a wedding, but they are aware of my condition, so hopefully I just don't ruin any important pictures.  HAHA!

 Reply posted for jen8585.

The only medication I am currently on is an antibiotic. Though my hair has always been thin, I have noticed that over the years it has become increasingly brittle. Split ends, dry, thinner than normal....I look back at pictures and can't believe how shiny my hair used to be. I always get questions at the salon like "do you straighten your hair a lot? do you over dye it?" It gets annoying. I feel for ya.

 Reply posted for jen8585.

Yes, every time I'm on prednisone my hair gets very thin.  I'm lucky though because I have very thick hair so it doesn't show too bad....

I really feel for you and the problems you are having, but please don't miss out on the fun !!  I had to attend my daughter's wedding with moon face and I know how you feel......I got a great hair do for the day and wore a beautiful dress and people know that you are ill.....don't be afraid to tell them it's the medication.  Most people have heard of the side effects of prednisone...they'll understand and actually you should awe them with your bravery to face whatever this disease throws at you.

You go Girl !!!

 Reply posted for jen8585.

I think pentasa is making my hair fall out, although my gastroenterologist thinks it's the disease itself that causes the hair loss. I feel it's the pentasa though (it's listed in possible side effects & I'm taking 9 /x 500mg tablets a day, as well as steroids). It's really distressing isn't it? I have been growing my hair for about 2 & a half years as well & now it's coming out in handfuls each day. Hope things improve for you. I'm trying folic acid supplements daily.

 Reply posted for jen8585.

I have taken Asacol, Prednisone, Entocort and am currently on Remicade by itself. The only time I experienced hairloss was when I was on Asacol. I also at the time was in a really bad flare and was not getting proper nurishment and was losing weight rapidly. My friend, who is a nutritionist, suggested that my hairloss could stem from malnutrition as well as medication. As soon as my flare was under control and I was eating good again I noticed some improvement slowly over time. I wish you luck.