How long did your hair loss last?

[f_else]

I've been on Azathioprine for about three months now and have just noticed some light hair loss. I have lost hair before (post-operatively) so I know that this is how it can begin.
I know a lot of people on Aza experience hair loss as a regular symptom, but because the drug seems to be working for me at the moment I want to try and stick with it despite the hair loss. My question therefore is, if you have experienced hair loss as a side-effect of Aza how long did it last? Did you have to go off the drug to stop it, or did it eventually slow down and stop by itself? The last time I lost my hair it lasted a couple of months and is now growing back as a fuzz. If that is all that will happen I think I can put up with it, but if the hair loss is a continuous and long lasting side-effect I might rethink my plan.
Thanks so much for answering me.
Fabs

 

[dxw]

I've been on Imuran for years. In my experience the hair loss is mild, short term and hair returns to normal thickness. Also, I lose hair when I'm anaemic so it's a good idea to have blood checked.

 

[Liverpool FC]

Fabs I've been on it now for about 18 months now and i do attribute it to a receding hairline lol (no one else notices but i do). It does seem to have settled and being a man its sort of hard to say if it would have happened anyway - but i'm 23 and no history of early baldness in the family.

But for the job it has done so far its definately a price worth paying! Hope thats helped

 

[ErikaHouston]

I had massive hair loss for 3 months and now just tons of regrowth hairs that frizz . It should stop soon! Good luck.

 

[f_else]

Wow, thanks so much all of you for replying, your posts are really reassuring. I went to my GI today and when I asked him about it he couldn't give me any answers. He checked on his computer some of the medical databases and do you know how many articles have mentioned hair loss and azathioprine since the 1970's? 23. And most just listed it as a side-effect with no further information, so it is not really any area which there is any information on. Anyways I have decided to stick with it for the moment, and hearing that you have all experienced hair loss but that it isn't necessarily attributable to the drug, or that it has not lasted has really made me feel better.

 

[ErikaHouston]

Glad you are sticking it out, I think you'll find it stops soon! I swore people would notice but no one could tell, pretty amazing how much hair we have! The drug has worked for me thus far (started in January).