If we were to take a poll I bet the 2 things aside from pain etc that people
would say bothers them the most are hair loss and loss of shoes to wear.
They are topics that come up so often.  The meds do strip hair of shine
sometimes and so many cause the thin hair.  The shoes - well don't get me
started.  Nothing fits properly over these swollen feet but maybe once the
treatment starts - if it starts.

My worst time wasn't the hair loss but the hair gain.  When on cyclosporine
and prednisone combined I had the thickest longest hair no matter how many
haircuts I got.  I grew mustaches, sideburns, black hair on arms.  I
resorted to shaving every 2 days on my face and my arms every 3 weeks or so.
It was ridiculous.

I haven't been on mtx enough to make a difference.  Still trying to get rid
of the uti and sinus infection enough to go back on 2.5 mg - yup the point
is in the right spot.  I am not really tolerating even that - mouth sores,
stomach problems and I bet when we get rid of the infection the wbc will
show its real self.  So no hair loss from that so far - thank goodness.  But
I do sympathize.

Kate I think what you are doing is great.  I would really stress the no muss
haircut if possible - no hairdryers or curling irons is my motto.

The other thing she might mention is regular pedicures if you can't do it
yourself.  That is good foot care and you can find reasonable and safe
places.  The other thing is that people on blood thinners, and prednisone
should not have waxes - it can rip the skin off or bruise them.  My spa will
now not do waxes with those meds.  Being familiar with how easily someone
like Diane has skin problems opens ones eyes on this (I never do waxes
because I am a wuss!)

Great idea Kate.  Wish that the dermatologist would get a solution Diane - I
can only imagine how distressing it is - especially if you are not getting
relief anyways.

Kelly