Hair loss?

[cheriums]

I would be interested in doing a little survey here, if folks would just let me know: hair loss? no hair loss?  (I've done so much writing during Tx, I'm hoping to write a book about "sides.")  My TSH is normal.  I started losing hair around wk. 12.  If it were liquid, I would say it's dribbling out.  Faster and faster in the last 3 weeks.  (I'm now at wk. 20/24.)  My very experienced & excellent hairdresser gently warned me, hairloss AFTER chemo. is not uncommon.  You have all my sympathy, Kimmy.  I have little hair left, myself, and am seriously disgusted with it. Fine, thin, grey, WEIRD fuzz.  Yuk. I've read too many advice-type M.D.'s saying only about 30% lose hair, and not much, and women don't lose it in a pattern like male baldness. HA!  I have -- lost a lot and in a pattern like male baldness.  Hairdresser said, nothing to do but cut it short.  SHORT.  So she has -- shorter and shorter and very much shorter.  I'm lucky; I live in a city where a middle-aged woman can do that.  If my face were prettier, my nose shorter, I would have my hairdresser just buzzcut it like a Buddhist nun's when I go see her tomorrow.  Thanks, all, for letting me know about your own experience.  cheri

[dustbear]

Hi there. Old post and I'm new to this, so I'm not sure if it'll get read. I'm 21 weeks into a 48 week tx of interferon/riba and I just noticed bald spots at my temples!

I have thin fine hair and it started after about 8 weeks into tx. I try to wash it only once a week, and use a natural shampoo bar with organic conditioner. My hair clips feel weird on my head and my scalp is sensitive but not itchy. It's weird but I can taste the conditioner on my tongue after showering. I try not to brush it much, only the ends. I have cut off 5 inches and I'm just about to cut off 3 more. It took years for my hair to get to the length I want, now it looks like crap.

I wonder how long it will take after tx ends to start growing back.  

Also, on the Hepatitis C tracker it has a hair growth column.  Don't you think it should be hair loss instead? Who's going to grow hair on this tx?

[cheriums]

Hey thanks to all for the great (and revealing ... except, am I the only one going bald "down there" too?) responses!  Yes, Chev, you do.  And yes, Chev and Audrey and Fubarcat, I felt like cutting it all off and so I did.  Actually, my great hairdresser, who knew it really was the only thing to do, did yesterday.  Buzzed most of it.  Used the scissors on the top, where she left a little over an inch.  It looks and feels way, way better. It's now neat, perhaps even "cool" or "hip" and no longer feels so friggin' weird. I even got a compliment on it today! I'm collecting interesting (and inexpensive) earrings now, as part of the new look.  I've got the fine hairs on the chin, the longer and finer, floppy eyelashes and the wacko eyebrows, also.  A friend recommended I try mustache wax on the eyebrows.  Which I am going to do, as soon as I can find it.  Thanks again!! ... Runningwolf are you "listed" for e-mail?  Don't want you to feel ignored!  We DO care. cheri

[cuteus]

neither.  the hairs in the eyebrows seem to stick up as if reaching for a higher power, you need vaseline to keep them down.  in my case is ONE eyebrow. at least mumsie's match.

[honey1616]

haha Nope,,,haven't experienced that lovely side yet on hear loss....Oh,,but how I'm looking forward to it...Not! LOL  Yes the eyelashes growing are too funny,,,Same thing with me,,,when wearing my sunglasses, I have to pull them down somewhat or my lashes are hitting LOL  Do we lose that after tx?  That would be one side we could keep,,,right ladies! Ohhh as far as eyebrows,,,not sure what you all are talking about,,,are you losing them or growing bigger ones? LOL

[mumsie]

Hi everyone,the hair thing,at first thought I was loosing it(not my hair) 'cause nobody noticed it but me,but now it looks like I just woke up or something,I'm loosing it on one side more than the other,and it's not the side I sleep on !Yes all those other noticable nose and chin hair and fuzz...but it's the wacko eyebrows long straight hair that it spocktified and the long eyelashes ,I have to wear my glasses slightly  down my nose 'cause they touch the glass! Only 4 more shots to go, which is good because I'm running out of sites.It's funny the hair is the least of our problems, yet it's one we all seem to share.. how many have problems hearing? I chew gum ,suck on candy, stretch my jaw to the point that I split the sides of my mouth, it's like I just got out of the pool? What's that ? Did you say something?, better write it down....read ya later ...Take care ..Sue

[Versae]

My hair thinned greatly during tx.  Most of it happened about halfway through the 6 months.  Now a year after tx my hair is nice and thick again, only this time curly (it was straight before).  I'm enjoying my new look!  However I read in some cancer forums that it is common for hair to go from curly to straight after chemo, but then it will eventually go back to its original state.

[honey1616]

haha I'm cracking up over "hair hugs" LOL  Of course we do need this even though I am laughing,,,I am starting to be a very concerned hep person here over this hair/wig situation.  I like Amerabrit's idea over purple wig,,,haha We could all spot each other a mile away and look at each other and know we were all going through something "special".  Hmmmm,,,not sure if that is a good word but anyways,,,you all know what I mean!

[ringeding]

Runningwolf.....wow, you are amoung some wonderful people here,as you know,those considering tx-ing,  those tx-ing for the first time and many tx-ing for the second and third, or extended tx.....i am so happy that you feel these sides to be more tolerable....hang in and stay on board here, i honestly could not have lasted without this place and the wonderful friends i made here and e-mailed through out my tx..

...HAIR.....HAIR....HAIR....UGHHHHHHHHHHH.. even the most secure amoung us can be deeply effected by the loss.  initially, i thought it a great learning, growing almost spiritual opportunity to 'face self'....with out the aid and comfort and distraction of glourious HAIR!!!  HA HA HA ....that was when i thought i'd lose abit, it was easier to be phylisophical about it then!!...i must say it looks hysterical though, the little 'fuzzy tuffs' at my temples that are growing back, or just simply broken off, look like little 'horns' if i don't have on a baseball cap...audrey girl....oh man, i don't know what to say sweetie pie.....mine is still coming out too and has gotten so bad post tx....so maybe some of us loss it after tx.....but remember the goal!!!....to slay the dragon!!!....and to try and get a great wig in the interm.

cheers all...oh yah.....and 'hair hugs'
kimmy

[Amerabrit]

Runningwolf:  Good luck with tx, we're all pulling for you:)
Cheri:  I am on week 17/48 (shot this Friday).  So far no hair loss.  When I started tx I let my hair grow longer than normal in anticipation of the fall out, I had to cut it last week because it grew too long, my hair is what I have always considered my best feature so I wasn't thrilled about the prospect of losing it.....  I have decided that "IF" my hair does fall out, I am going to buzz cut it and buy a purple Cher wig!  Otherwise, sx are minimal.  Good luck! (I'm on PegIntron)  

[Fubarcat]

My hair has fallen out in massive amounts.  It started so thick and shiny and was one of my favorite things about me and now I look like one of those guys who tries to "comb over" long strands from one side to the other.  It is the one side effect that is really bothering me.  I can deal with aches, pains, red welts on my legs, alligator-like skin, but the loss of my hair?!?!?!  Ugh.  I am getting what's left of it cut off short next week.  Hopefully it will grow back after treatment.  I'm 22/48 right now.

[honey1616]

Sorry to hear that you are still having repercussions from this dang medicine!  Well,,,there is no doubt in our minds that this is some very potent stuff and I can't believe that your hair is still coming out 2 months post.  Have you been eating good and had an appetite since quitting and taking vitamins?  I'm sure you have and saw you were exercising! Hey,,,your idea of cutting your hair and going blonde,,,Sounds fun and exciting,,Go for it!

[honey1616]

Hi Chevy,,,Well,,its my usual 3:30 in morning and wide awake! Its raining here and I just finished a post to you and lightening hit and knocked out electricity!  Whew...scary here for a minute and then it kicked back on.  Yes I did get satin pillowcases and use but I think Cuteus hit it one time when she said,,,its what is going in our bodies internally that is causing sides so all we can do is try to relieve some of these as best we can.  Hey,,,you always have such a special way of making everyone feel so good about themselves here and I know everyone joins me in saying....Thank You!  Gent is a very lucky man and you tell him,,,Honey says to take you somewhere special when you are finished up and feeling up to it!  However,,,you have to be in close range to a computer also to check into medhelp,,,LOL

[audreywald]

The hair the hair the hair thing is freaking me out. It started at week 10, I was so careful - I got these great products, my hair was so shiny and bouncy - and when it started to fall out it did not matter a damn bit what I tried, It started at shot 10, I only did 4 more shots after that, the hair loss got worse, I have been off tx for 2 months and I have this combination of bubble cut/monkey hair.

If I were thinner and younger I would shave most of it off and dye whats left freaky blond. Maybe I will anyway.

Also 2 months post tx I had to start on a new (additional) AD - can the meds still be affecting my psyche?

Any of you old times out there, will I ever turn back into me?

[hepcgetlost]

Running Wolf...you've come to the right group and we're all here with each other and for each other. You've been through so much and I admire your determination and commitment. You will make it!! And with the Pegasys and this group, it should be less grueling this time. Keep posting!!! Have a great week! Judi

[honey1616]

haha Sandi,,,Only you would think of that comparison but yes,,,I want the prize...WIG LOL  Sounds like you are a good mommy cat and looking out for "Honey Pumpkin" and the rest!  LOL  what does your hubby say about you keeping the rest because I could have sworn,,,you said one time you already had cats..

Runningwolf,,,Everything I have read,,it does seem pegasus is much better as far as sides and we need all the help we can to get us through it right?  Glad to have you join us and yes,,,Great group and great place to share joys, sorrows etc...

My hair started coming out at about week 17 and still is and I am starting 21.  It just seems to slide out EVERYWHERE!! haha Hopefully,,,I won't be bald! Everything I have read,,,it seems like everyone goes through stages and then it subsides,,,Finger crossing!

[RUNNINGWOLF]

thanks,,,,,,my BONES have finally started to ache horrible inside,,hip and thigh,,,couldn't make itthrough the day without apain pill and ihate those

[derail]

I also am a 1A was on pigetron and riba for 20wks before terming early, the sides were horrendous the rash severe and anemia extraordinaire and oh cheriums hairloss started at week 3, not that i could spare any .Ive had HCV for about 45 yrs. and was dx feb2003 additional probs with diabetes and hi bld pressure compounded situation Docs were cautios about procrit/treatment until 3 wks before i term'd they said i had allergic to it I now feel it was the riba . a new course of tx is planned for the fall as the dragon has booked the second dance (pegysis) dont give up on the forum Inthe 2-3 weeks since i been here ive learned a lot from all the posts

cheium. the hair is returning, thicker and darker than before and my eyelashes ehich were always long  have gotten longer

[TnHepGuy_]

If you find you can't post a question to start a thread because they are closed - just ask within an existing thread. Hopefully someone will be able to answer any questions that you have. As you know, there are alot of good, knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive folks here.

Keep at it and crush the virus!!!


TnHepGuy

[sofarsogood]

Hair loss began week 18 or so. Off tx now. Hair loss subsided.

[layla]

Hi RW, I am on week 65 of tx and I am very sick of tx so I often don't follow the forum as much as in the past but I am glad to hear pegasys has been easier for you. I take the stuff myself. I just hope it works....I haven't seen your other post and leave on a business trip tmmorrow but I hope someone also post to you. The support here can be great. Have a good day...LL

My personal experience with hair loss is it happened to me at about 3 or 4 months into tx and scared me because there was so much coming out on my pillow, then after a couple months it stopped falling out. It's definately thinner but I don't think others notice. Now ever couple of  months it comes out again but pretty lightly for a week or two then it is ok. It also stopped growing for about 3 months a little after 48 weeks on tx but it started back up after about 3 months of that. I did save on haircuts though! I wear it very short now which helps. I think it is like most sx, they come and go. LL

[RUNNINGWOLF]

i am feeling very ignored,,,no one has even acknowledged my comments,,,what more can i do???

[LvdByGod]

my head looks like the old bar of soap that used to be available for kids..."fuzzy,wazzy"...."fuzzy wazzi,wasn't fuzzy was he? remember the price inside? the more you washed with him the less fuzzi he got....like my head...

my toy inside will be a "wig" free via insurance company...i'm allowed one wig in my lifetime...i hope it will be real hair and the sandyblonde color i always wanted...my hair may not ever grow back because my mom had baldness in her last days...so it's in my genes...i was losing it alittle before tx...now...yuck...

how do you discribe this fuzzi thin mess? does'nt it just make you want to cut it all off...to end the agony of the piece by piece,clump by clump...hair everywhere syndrome?....i shed more than all 5 of my cats put together!!!!



p.s. most peoples hair will grow back fine they say...how many veterens here have had thier hair grow back fine? please encourage us.....or just tell the truth....

[RUNNINGWOLF]

Hi to all my encouragers!!!  I have had hepC documented since '93,,but I am sure I got it before then,  maybe from a needlestick i got while working in dialysis, 89-92,,or perhaps during my wild and crazy hippie days,,dunnit madda, still gotta kill the dragon!!!  I am genotype 1A and tried rebetron/peg while it waw still 3 shots a week,,that about killed me and i had to stop,,, so then the pegelated was approved so I went on riba and peg 1x week,,,,don't remember when exactly my hair fell out,,, but only about half of it fell out from all over,,so it just lookied thin,,,,i am on wk14/48 and have not lost hair yet,,,Pegasus is much kinder as far as sides go and i need that cause i had to quit tx the second time after 8 months,,,am really trying to do all the right things this time and by damn i am gonna finish this tx, come hell or high water
you all really encourage me THANKS!!!  I have tried for several weeks to post a question, but it is always filled up,,,but i wanted to get to know you and let you all know me,,,dont think i can do it wothout a suport group,,,never had one before.

[DebbieDo]

Hi, I'm at week 23/48......i have some mild hair loss at about 8wks.  I tried Nioxin treatment for my hair and i got an allergic reaction from it.  My head burned and itched so badly. I use regular shampoo now.  My head still itches terribly.  I wash my hair now every third day.... I have sort of a receding hairline and it seems now to be more receding, ....Dealing with it...Killing the dragon is most important to me..