Oral Cytoxan and hair loss

[kygirl59]

I am taking 100mg/day of oral Cytoxan for Vasculitis and am really losing a lot of hair.  I have been on it for 4 months and will probably be on it for another 4 months.  This is the 2nd time I have been on a round of Cytoxan, but the 1st time (20 years ago) my hair just thinned a little.   This time it is really coming out.  I was under the impression that taking Cytoxan orally did not cause significant hair loss.  Has anyone else had experience with oral Cytoxan and hair loss?

[Joni686]

I never had a problem with my vitamin D level until I was put on Cellcept, a chemo type drug for my lupus.  My vitamin D levels dropped and I had to take 50,000. IU once a week for a month.  My levels are still low even after all that and I am taking 1000. a day.  I think I will up it to 2000, a day.  Mercy is right.  The Cytoxin you are on is probably messing with your Vit. D.

I also have vasculitis.  I have it around my heart and have had many problems with it for the last month or so.  I was in the hospital for 4 days in January because my heart rate was very high if I even got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.  My heart was having a hard time beating fast because of all the inflamation around it.  I am on a concoction of meds now and my heart rate just the last four days seems to be under control.  Of course I basically spend my days on the couch and around the house not doing anything like lifting stuff or moving fast.  It really ***** because I used to be active and I would love to go the the gym or ride my bike but I haven't been able to do any of that for a year and a half.

Message me and let's talk.  Maybe we can help each other.  I am on Imuran, Prednisone, two heart meds, celebrex and a few other meds.  I do not have the side effects you are talking about on Imuran.  As a matter of fact as long as I eat a full meal before I atke it I can't think of any side effects I have at all so far.  I've been on it a little over a month.  Where do you have vasculitis?  Skin or organs?

Message me.....

Joni

[mercygracious]

I believe your vitamin d levels are due to the illness and the meds.

[mercygracious]

what kind of vasculitis do you have?  I read alot about vasculitis because this is what my symptoms point to but still have no diagnosis of anything.  Have you gone to the vasculitis foundation website?  There is great info on there.  I think you will find it helpful.  It will provide you with alot of other links as well.  In reading about the cytoxan this is usually the first level of treatment for an extreme case along with prednisone.  They usually combine the two and then from what I understand they will tend to put you on Imuran once you have been successful with the cytoxan.  Anyway, yes I have read the horrible side effects which one of them is definitely hair loss.  Well, just the vasculitis alone can cause the hair loss not to mention the cytoxan and prednisone.  I am sorry this is happening to you though.  It sounds as if you have had vasculitis a very long time and could probably share alot of info with the rest of us who believe we may have it or know that they already have it.  In any case, I look forward to your response and any info you may be able to provide will be of great help!!!!  I don't know why they don't have a vasculitis community on here!!  They definitely need one!!!!  What kind of vasculitis do you have???