Dealing with the hair loss on treatment

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I was asked on a prior post about something I found that has really reduced my hair loss on treatment, so I thought I would start a thread.  I went to a beauty supply store and found a group of products called Therapro by MEDIceuticals.  They have a group of products for thinning hair primarily to treat alopecia.  I bought a starter kit with the shampoo, scalp treatment, and spray that you use twice a day to begin with.  I noticed greatly reduced hair loss within two weeks.  They list a toll free number of 1-800-433-2903 in case you have a hard time finding the product.  It is not nioxin and I never did try it because I understood you needed to be using it before you started treatment for it to be most effective.  I hope this helps!

[Mister beagle bailey]

That was me who asked what it was called.  Will try to get it today, thanks

Beagle

[NYgirl]

As you know it's been REALLY messing with my vanity that my hair is so broken apart and falling out :( however as more handfuls come out I try to remind myself that every hair is equivalent to a virus that could be growing inside me - and it helps a lot.

That's my only "hair trick" up my sleeve but if I think of it that way it helps (but not too much, I cannot WAIT to have long hair again and to go to the stylist and get my highlights done and a good cut and just sit there in luxury!)

A wig will have to do for now :)

[Algernon]

I live in Austin so, in just a few weeks, I'm afraid I'll be joining the cool crowd with a crewcut or shaved head.  It would be cooler if I got a tattoo on my head but I'm afraid of getting another strain of Hep C (maybe I could try permanent markers instead).  Besides, I've had enough needles to last me a lifetime.

[NYgirl]

Hey algernon where you been?  It's so nice to see you again :)  How you feelin (aside from bein' sick of needles LOL boy can I relate!) :)

[Dale_Ray]

Thanks for the information. My hair is thinning and just breaking off to stubble. Doesn't seem to bother me much though. I notice my forehead becoming ever so large. One of my daughters told me I had enough space for another face. Legs and arms are starting to look like a Mexican Chihuahua. The hair coupled with losing about 20lbs since treatment started and ...................Oh Oh yeah and the little wart like things that just keep popping up on my skin everywhere. I don't think an 800 number can help me. Although a 900 number might make me forget my troubles ha! Have a great day. Dale

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I wonder if some of your hair problems have to do with the thyroid thing too?  Have you done any research on that?

I am not ashamed of my vanity - if I don't care how I look, no one else will!  ;o)

[Algernon]

Hey, I haven't been around as much because I had about 5 GREAT weeks with CLIMBING hgb (I even cleaned out the garage!).  Then it got too high!!  Can you believe that one?  So, now 3 weeks off procrit, I'm heading down the sinkhole again.  Probably back on Procrit soon--I won't let them wait so long this time!

I keep an eye on all of you guys.  I wish we could have a big party so that we could all meet and see each other's faces (and hairstyles/wigs).

XO

[OnAPrettyPoison]

You could get one of those temporary tattoos and have a new one each week!

[Algernon]

Brilliant idea.  I live just around the corner from a very "nice" little tattoo parlor.  I bet they even have temp tattoos that they could apply.  I'm starting to get excited about being bald.

[Alady1620]

I had very long hair until this weekend and it was coming out like crazy.  I'm in week 18 of treatment.  My solution to the hair problem was to cut it all off.  It was the best decision I've made in a long time.  My hair is very short now and I love it.  Also, I don't notice my shedding near as much.  I think it is healthier now and that helps it stay in my head. lol

[NYgirl]

Algernon
LOL I had the same problem with the climbing HGB. When I was on twice a week it went over 15 and now on only once a week it's dropping dropping dropping (but nice and slowly so at 10.5 my body didn't really notice the huge difference like last time when it dropped 6 points in over a week).

Were you on twice a week?  I bet you felt totally OVER THE MOON having that much oxygen floating around inside no wonder you cleaned like crazy LOL!

PrettyPoison-
One of the sides of the thyroid IS hair breaking and falling out so in addition to the sides from the Interferon and Riba...most of the thyroid sides are EXACTLY the same so I get a nice old double dose LOL.  Needless to say I am quite gorgeous dahling right now hahahhah.

[fishdoc]

so has anyone tried Rogaine, or similar things while on treatment?  I am not vain.  I don't own lipstick, mascara, Nada, zip.  Women that work with fish all day,, well lets just say the smell is enough to put most folks off, and thats before you walk around the corner..BUT, hair loss issues I don't consider in the same vein as vain.  I had "hippie hair" as my best friend calls it (long, and well, just long).  I cut it in prep for this treatment, and it is starting to thin.  I will try the Mediceutical stuff, but if rogaine is better/??

[Karay]

Careful, careful with the products out there.  I went to a "specialist" (ie, they can charge you double the normal price, ha, ha) who gave me Nioxin (spelling??)  After a couple of days I started with terrible headaches...after a week of this my doctor sent me for a CAT scan and he still couldn't figure out why I was getting them....I mentioned the hair treatment and he freaked.  Apparently these products can lower your blood pressure & my was already low so this ended up being the cause of my headaches.  I'm no longer using anything & seem to be fine - my hairs a wreck but in the long run who cares!

[goldyn]

thanks for letting me know what is causing this hair falling and breakage (epithelial cells) at first iwas ok with it even sticking on the shower to dry to try to get sympathy from my husband ...worked a little he started cleaning a little more..but im a leo and i have always had a mane i have 3 heads of hair ... and im only on week 18 fri and ive already lost 1 and 1/2 heads im going to be bald by christmas,,,i work with 2 and 3 yearolds and today on the playground one looked at me and said YOUR HAIR..i said whats wrong  and she gave me alittle face and pointed and said your hair .. i said okyou go hop like a bunny and she did  im having a hard time because only the lady im working with knows im on drugs but not really  what they are for so i guess im hopeing my hair will start slowing down on the falling out stage .

[lilmoma]

Well, I have to admit,......Im am paralyzed with the fear of losing my hair. It is one of my best features, compliments all my life.Help!!!!!!!!!!
I know (intellectually) you are right, but my heart just cant match up with the logic.I am only going to do shot 9 thursday, but I DREAD the moment my hair begins to fall.

NYgirl: We need to talk about the wig thing!

lilmoma

[can-do-man]

said....I just don't want to see folks spending money. It would be better spent on soy icecream or a veggie burger.

You know this ole mutt loves ya but soy icecream and veggie burgers? YUK, I can think of things much more fun then that.

How you been chev?

[can-do-man]

says.....It is one of my best features..... I kinda doubt that, Can't remember the last time i said wow look at that hair. Now legs, buns and well you get the ideal. Just find you a shaggy hair dog and make your own wig.

When i become only a hair man, somebody just shoot me.

[Paris47]

At first I was thinking to myself, "I don't care about my hair, it will be exciting to see changes as long as I get healthy as the end result".  (Being Bi-Polar can give you a warped sense of humor anyway) I wanted to use that sense of humor to get me though this, but now I am really starting to get scared...
Trust me, I am no beauty but my hair is something that I guess will be so obvious to others, I have managed not to discuss my health at work (except immediate boss) but now this will be the time when something will be said by my 100--??concerned--??
co-workers. (I worked in a large Social Service Agency)
& feel stupid for even thinking that I don't care.
I don't know if I can handle a wig,
I don't wear make up and a wig seems to be
something I would have to 'manage'.
Another silly thought. Does anyone just wear pretty scarfs?

[jerialice]

i laughed real hard...... chiwahwahs and 900 numbers- sounds like a country song to me! oddly enough my hair didn't do too bad last time and as soon as i stopped it came back pretty nice. it was the eyelashes that drove me nuts. they were growing in wierd loopdy loops and getting all tangled up. i finally had to cut them off. course that was a trip since i could hardly see without my glasses and had a sharp little object near my eyes....brrrrr, not to mention the fractured vision effect. i definitly had the stick woman look as well. and how old can my hands look??? the cool thing is that i had these warty things on my hands and they all went away from my last tx!!!

i am waiting to see what happens THIS time! i am taking good vitamins and eating like a horse. wierd tho- i already lost a pound in one week. wah. i still wasn;t back from last time. any suggestions on how to get thru tx # 2- at least a year? i am down 2 shots argh.
ja

[can-do-man]

Another silly thought. Does anyone just wear pretty scarfs?

Silly? I think thats a good ideal, sense your not gonna lose all your hair. Nobody gonna think anything about it. And you say trust me, im no beauty. Bet your better lookin then you give yourself credit for. All women are. Best of luck going forward.

[Alady1620]

I guess now all of us ladies kind of understand how men feel when they start losing their hair even when they're not on any kind of treatment.  At least ours will grow back.  lol

[can-do-man]

Hey there, i got hair. Not a bare spot on my head. YET. I sure hope mine grows back. When mine starts going from this poison i got me a supply of ball caps.

[fishdoc]

I'm with you.  Nice old hippie bandanas, and baseball caps for me.  Speaking of which, I am driving through Sturgis next week, guess I gotta stop at the harley davidson shop and get the hubbie a hat....and I bet they have some interesting bandanas...

[dyce]

Figure I fix this problem, went and got me a teddybear cut last sat. I have probably 20 ballcaps to keep the ole cranium covered. What the heck, us dudes are handsome hair or no hair.

Dyce

[jakeone29]

This guy here almost cried this morning looking at the hair that wasnt there anymore.. Ladys you make me smile and thank you for your strength humour and suggestions. jake  week/16, peg/riba, 1a
,at week 12  vl is 14 thousand // vl at start 1.1million .. keep on rocking iun the free world

[can-do-man]

Sounds like you got the right ideal, just leave that pitch fork at home.

Dyce, its those durn hairy butts women don't seem to like. But then you can always get a nice wax job.

[dyce]

I guess us guys will do anything for the ladies, OUCH!!

Dyce

[dyce]

Ha fishdoctor, tomarrow is your cbc day right? Hope yur doin good !

Dyce

[goldyn]

thanks chevy its so nice to hear good outcomes from someone who has already been through all of this, i hope you realize it helps us all so much have people like you and others who have been through tx keep us keepin on ....
                thanks angie

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Back from work!  I am not really a make up girl, but I wear a little in the winter, really none in the summer.  My hair issues, because it is really long and thick, is I find it EVERYWHERE!  It gets stuck in the top of my pants, stray hairs wad under my arms, it's on the back of my chair at work, it curls around my toes at night, and on and on.  I intend to cut it for locks of love in a few months and I still want it past my shoulders.  It has grown a good 3 1/2 inches since I started treatment in August.

Paris, you won't go bald, and mine didn't start to fall until around week 20.

Can Do Man & Dyce, I am more than positive that we have the highest quality of men on this board, hair or no hair, it's those hairy backs we girls don't like!

[Chriskid]

Wow the juggler was too much, no brain fog there.

[strator]

That was awesome.I didn't want it to end. I clicked on his website and he's got some really interesting writings on his life. Thanks for posting that, just the thing I needed.
Be Well,Dream Well,
Don

[Paris47]

Just wanted to say thanks for the supportive comments.
Can't wait for the process to begin, since then it means
it will be closer to the end of the tx. If I have to wait to week 20 for hair to fall out, then I know I am that much
closer to then of the whole tx process.
thanks again...
I do love a bald man...must admit that is one appealing site
for my eyes.

[friole]

This hair business is for the birds.  Mine is so short now, if it were shorter, I would be bald.  I am at week 39 now and it seems to have quit falling out, but not thinning.  Always have had thick hair with some curl and this is just beyond me.  I am kind of like you, Fishdoc, and others who say they don't wear makeup.  I don't either, and my hair has always had to have a maintenance free style - I am not good at styling.  So this thin straight hair is just beyond me.  I have tried all kinds of gels and mouses to lift it up, but frankly, I would rather just have it lie flat and not bother with it.

can-do-man -- ha ha ha - thanks for putting this hair thing is perspective - you don't know any "hair" men?  That's about right - but I don't think we woman do our hair for the men anyway.  Mostly for the women.  My hubby only hates that my hair is so short.  I don't think he cares about the thinness, altho he knows it bugs me.  He still likes the hippychick style. And I gotta agree with you - not soy icecream.  Sorry Chev, but I will do the real thing there.

jakeone29  - don't know if this is your first posting, but welcome.  Glad to see you out of the woodwork.  Your beginning stats are similar to mine - I had vl of 1.5million and am a 1a.  I was clear (with a sensative test) at 20 weeks, but not clear at 12 weeks either (altho I only had 40 IU/mL then).  Has your treatment doctor or team recommending any changes since you didn't meet the 2 log drop at 12 weeks - like upping the peg or riba?  Would be interested to know.

[FlGuy]

Went home last night and did a search on camel toe.  No wonder I got 'restricted' messages on work computer. First merkins, then camel toe. Where do you come up with this stuff?  At least I know where your head is at. Still scratching my head about the crack bleaching too.

[GoofyDad]

<i>My hair issues, because it is really long and thick, is I find it EVERYWHERE! It gets stuck in the top of my pants, </i>

Hmmm. Some bloomers with tight elastic might help you keep it where it belongs...

<i>it's those hairy backs we girls don't like!</I>

Sorry to hear about that problem. Seems like you have it everywhere! Maybe this issue will pass once you get off the riba. Otherwise, maybe those electric clippers would help you keep it in check?