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There are a number of drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis that may help or hurt Alopecia. I first had AA when I was a teenager and before I had RA. Never took anything for it and it all came back within a year. Fast forward to age 26 and developed RA after I had my 2nd child. Throughout my life I never had thick hair, but never any patches. RA became worse over the years and began taking Everything from Enbrel, Humira, and even Orencia. It was after the Orencia that I began losing my hair alot. I then read about Xeljanz helping BOTH RA and AA. So I have been on that for about 4 months with my patches filling in. Since both RA and AA are autoimmune diseases, it is understandable that the drugs to treat both will help both.....but since they all have immune suppressents, they can also cause the very thing you are trying to help....joint swelling and hair loss!
Sorry you are going through this as well....I have been taking these biologic drugs for over 15 years and have yet to have any serious cold, infection, etc. the only reason I have swtiched them is when they eventually stop working for me for my RA. I just make sure I take my smoothie concoction I created every morning (blueberries, kefir, spinach, cherry juice extract (2 Tablespoons), banana, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, flaxseeds). I swear by this smoothie - lots of antioxidants. Plus I take a multivitamin, fish oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin C, Vitamin D and Biotin everyday! My Rheumatologists have always told me the #1 problem with biologics you have to worry about is getting an infection. And thank goodness for me I rarely get sick.
I came across a doctor on youtube who came across a study on autoimmune disorders. The study went something like this: for those of you who have Alopecia Areata from ages 0 - 9 then you will probably develop Lupus; for those you who had it at ages 10-18; you will probably develop RA. There was more to the study, but for me, it was MY story. Once you have one autoimmune disease, the odds of you getting another is great. His approach was all natural - but he is in another state and my insurance would not cover any of it (I believe he was some kind of chiropractic doctor). I truly wish I didn't have to take these biologics, but the RA is too painful. I have been off the drugs before and when you can't function (i.e. eat, sleep, work or anything), then you literally have no choice! I wish you the best.
I'm 51 now and have been going to RA since 26. I still feel fortunate that the AA has only affected me twice in my life and both times never AU, just patches.
Your dad passed from RA and diabetes, my mom passed from another autoimmune disease called Scleroderma and also at the age of 62. And apparently my mother had an aunt who had crippling RA. As resarch shows, genetics play a huge part in autoimmune diseases.
Try not to freak out because the stress will just make things worse. I know, easier said than done! This is a good site because we are all experiencing the same issues....some just worse than others. Just try to stay as positive as you can.
Kind of funny, because my son says I should try medicinal marijuana for my RA. I've looked into it.....if this Xeljanz stops workinig, then maybe, just maybe I will give it a try.
Same here - my finger nails and toe nails have almost completely flaked away (nothing but toughened skin left where they used to be). I at first thought it was psoriasis, but my dermatologist said it was caused by the alopecia (I have AU).
Maybe its because nails and hair share similar properties (eg keratin)?
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