Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Hair loss
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Hair loss
by Deb30, Feb 22, 2002 12:00AM
I have recently (12/6/01) had a meningioma removed from the temporal region of my brain. It was located behind my right eye and measured 5cm by 6cm. The surgery was a success and I have no neurological deficits. I did not have to undergo any chemotherapy or radiation. Shortly after the removal of my stitches (12/19/01) I started to experience severe hair loss in any area unrelated to my incision, it is in the back of my head and started out to be a localized spot. Since then the hair loss has slowed down some, but I continue to lose more than the norm. I did have a discussion with my primary care doctor who explained that it may be a case of temporary alopecia and that it will stop. That it was caused due to the high levels of stress and trauma that my body went through. My question is this: if this is temporary alopecia is there anything that I can do to stop it? Is there any type of treatment that I can do to help my situation? How much longer should I expect to lose my hair? Is my hair going to gow back? And, are there any devices used during surgery to hold my head in place that might contribute to the loss of my hair? Any suggestions or comments you have would be helpful!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Feb 23, 2002 12:00AM
While alopecia related to stress has been well documented throughout the medical literature, I could not find anything regarding intraoperative positioning, brain tumor (in the absence of chemo and radiation), or neurosurgery and alopecia. Hair loss can certainly be stressful in itself, but many times it is only temporary and has been documented to be reversible when directly related to stress. FOr more info, consider seeing a dermatologist who specializes in alopecia as this is unlikely to be a primary neurologic problem.
I am a 48 year old female who suffered hair loss in the back of my head after both open heart surgery and a stroke.Iwent to see a female dermatologist who did not blow off my concern,anxiety and embarrasment.She was very kind and informative.It is a condition known as Telagon Aflubia(spelling) and it is the body's response to severe pyhsical stressors such as the surgery/stroke etc.She started me on a regime of high doses of Predisone to slow down the loss,Started Rogaine topical,and also started Aldactone .The whole issue is the hair is going through a "shedding"phase that is excellerated by the body's response to the trauma.All the above meds slow that process down and allow the "normal cycle of shedding and growth to return.Now 2 years later with this regime I have a normal abundance of hair,it has all grown back.Find some one who will be sensitive to this issue and get treatment.