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avonex and hair loss
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:22 am
by jasonc
I've been taking Avonex for about a year now, and i've noticed my hair has begun to thin out quite significantly. Does anyone know how to stop this without stopping the interferon?
Thanks.
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:02 pm
by carolsue
I noticed similar hair thinning on Rebif. I started supplementing with Vitamin E and Selenium. Can't say I noticed any difference or not.
carolsue
Re: avonex and hair loss
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:22 am
by HarryZ
Carolsue,
Hair loss, although not common, is a possible side-effect of Avonex. You can read about all the possible side-effects of this drug by going to this site:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... 03537.html
Harry
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 4:10 am
by jasonc
Actually my doctor said that NOTHING could be done
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 4:59 am
by seelie
Ayuup Ayuup -
Was first noticed by my hair dresser, then my wife... then me.... Men are always the last to know (or acknowledge hair loss)...
Supposedly baldness is a sign of virility for men - but prolly not when it's interferon induced......
I've switched to Rebif now - and expect more (less) of the same. I'm not especially worried about it... but if I were of feminie persuasion, I would likely be more concerned.
If it's bald and walking around or a full head of hair in a wheelchair... I think this is a no brainer...
Hugz n Blessed Be )O(
=Greg
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 5:33 pm
by kareng7
Just followed an interesting line of research about thyroid problems and MS--since thryoid runs in my family. I found a study that says up to 24% of the people on interferon 1-a and 1-b develop hypothyroidism within the first year of treatment. Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss.
This study suggests you get tested if you're using interferon.
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/conten ... 004-2326v1
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 11:17 am
by BeckyLA
I've always shed quite a bit of hair, but lately it seems I'm loosing more. I've only been on Rebif for about 4 1/2 months, so I guess It might be awhile before I know for sure, but that would suck. A 24 yar-old woman going bald?
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:58 pm
by wintergirl
I did experience hair thinning/loss around the 5 or 6 month of using Avonex. I was lucky that I started out with a ton of hair to begin with I guess. Anyway.....it settled down and I can honestly say that after using Avonex for almost 5 years now.....I have just as much hair as before I started.