TX SX - update: Good News § Bad News

[Amerabrit]

Last night was my third Procrit shot and I am feeling stronger which is great; I have days when I forget I'm sick and feel as well as I did before tx. The bad news is, I'm on shot 21 tonight and my hair is definitely starting to come out. I noticed it a couple of weeks ago, not handfuls, but when I wash my hair I see those knotted pieces that look like dead spiders in a wet web, desperately clinging to the sides of the tub?  My hairbrush seems full after blow drying. I startd out with very thick, long hair (I will never again complain about how long it took to dry) and right now, my friends can't tell but I can!
Going forward my questions to all of you ladies experienced with this tx, sx are:  At which week did you first notice thinning hair? How long is the general progression from thinning hair to bald?  Does thinning hair have to result in an eventual cue ball?
I appreciate we're all different but I would like to be prepared as much as possible.  Last night I had my hairdresser cut it to just about shoulder length, in layers and highlighted it for maybe the last time while on tx?  I'm guessing in about one month I'll need the pixie cut followed by the buzz cut and finally - The Purple Cher wig!*!
When I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself, I think of Scott; MikeSimon; Cindee; Judi; ThhepGuy; Audrey; Daryl and all whose names will not fit in this small space; your stories humble me, inspire me and remind me to keep this annoyance in perspective!
Ladies - I eagerly await your responses,sincere thanks for your time:)
Layla: Good luck on Monday:)

[mikesimon]

I'm not a woman but I didn't like the hair stuff one bit. Mine thinned a bit and got poker straight whereas it has always been very curly. But I don't think you will reach the cue ball stage. My experience has been that the thinning slows down and eventually stops. I don't lose any hair anymore. I guess some people might have a worse outcome but I don't think most of us go bald with this tx. So relax - you'll be fine. Mike

[new-sojourn]

My hair thinned, b/2 yrs later, its now very dark and curley, whereas it was light grey-brown and straight.  My hair grows very fast now and the texture went from 'corse' to 'soft' b/very thick.  So I ended up w/soft, dark thick curls.  Not bad trade.

[Ambush]

My hair started coming out around the 20 wk mark and continued for about 12-15 weeks.  I've lost easily half of what fine straight hair I had.  It still amazes me how much hair can come out and we still have some left.  I just gather what's left up in a clip so it doesn't drive me crazy plucking hair off myself all day.  No one really seems to notice or at least they don't say so.  I'm on week 58 (tomorrow) and I'm losing hair again in the last month.  I don't think you'll lose it all ~ maybe invest in some pretty clips and come up with a new "do".  I don't mean to make light of it....it is a disturbing side I've not enjoyed.
I'm glad the Procrit has kicked in for you.  It's amazing stuff, isn't it?  Keep up the good work.  It sounds like you're doing great.
ambush :)

[Oreos]

Glad to hear the Procrit is kicking in and you're feeling better!  

Before starting tx, I had thick, wavy, shoulder length blonde hair (with "several" grays sprinkled in for good measure).  About week 20, I started shedding.  A constant shed...wherever I go...in the tub...on my brush...in the car...meetings at work...on my pillow...competing with my cat to see who can make the biggest hairball.  I'm on 32/48 and still shedding.  Ah!  But only the blonde hairs are falling.  The grays hold on - it's an interesting look, but only to me.  No one else seems to notice.  If it keeps on going, I'm headed to the mall to pickup some cute hats.  That will be my new "style."  Quite frankly, I don't give a hoot about what others think.  I'm not thrilled about the hair loss, but I'm undetectable and it's worth it if I stay that way : )

[cuteus]

that is the darndest thing isn't it? the damn grey hairs hang tough, like weeds.

my only "post question" this year was a sort of obituary to my departed hair. That's how freaked out I was that hair wash day! I was told to cut it down before tx(also long hair) and I couldn't, so nature took care of it herself!
All that hair that has left my head and I still have enough so that no wigs are considered. at week 52, it seemed to have slowed for a few weeks now, but this week it seems to have shed more than last. maybe the anemia or lower rbc has something to do with it. As I said before: NO bald spots!

I am sure our pets are getting a kick that our "fur" is making as much of a mess...

[TnHepGuy_]

Really glad to hear that your Procrit is working it's magic for you. It's gotta make a world of difference to not be chronically wiped out 24/7.


TnHepGuy

[Honey15637]

LOLOLOL Cuteus,,,,You can come up with some crazy stuff:

that is the darndest thing isn't it? the damn grey hairs hang tough, like weeds


Went to my new Dr yesterday and talked about this shedding hair as it is bothering me and plus its just nasty,,,falling everywhere and hanging on my arms,  I said "Do I need to order a wig"? (haha,,,he is probably thinking as looking at my shoulders,,,noo we can just make a quick toupe with that mess on shoulder)   His reply,,,"We see so many patients with hep c and on interferon and yes,,,thinning hair is a side but,,,,I have never seen a bald one yet or anyone that had to order a wig"   Sooooo,,,,I'm praying he is right because my underneath hair is gone,,,My mom was here today and said to me she couldn't tell that it was as thinned out as I told her.  Well then,,,,I lifted my hair on sides and said look underneath,,,,She said OMG,,,you have lost alot so my top hair is covering NO underneath only lol

Amerbrit,,,we all have days where we kinda are feeling down and you so deserve a few,,,,I never hear you complain about anything,,,,You are such a trooper!

[layla]

My hair started really coming out fast about 3 or 4 months into tx but then stopped after maybe 6 to 8 weeks. It seemed so thin to me and my husband but no one else could really notice. I do wear my hair very short so that helps. After that it was fine and most grew back in while on tx though it is still thinner and dryer than before. I'm on week 68 now. I haven't heard of anyone going bald so far. I have heard if you lose it in big patches it is more of a problem but this seems somewhat rare.

Thanks for thinking of me. I'm a bit nervous but I guess that is to be expected. LL

[jonihs]

Blow drying is probably the worst thing you can do while on tx. w/ the next being coloring or highlighting. I lost 1/2 of my hair and am still losing it 7 weeks after completing 24 weeks. But I can see new little hairs coming in. The coloring is not only bad for your hair, but also the toxins get in and have to be dealt w/ by the liver, not good. I took a course in hazarad waste clean-up and your hair is the easiest place for absorbsion, next being palms of hands and bottoms of feet. Hope yours stops soon!!    Joni

[Dorothy and Toto]

My hair has been like straw the last couple months and I am on week 21 also.  Now the hair loss has started and I have cut it short and spiked like it was a couple years ago.  My skin is very dry-and on and on and on.  

For many years I was a cosmotologist and owned a salon/hair replacement center. Those hair products to make the hair grow do not do much except empty the wallet-the massaging part is good for the hair follicles.  Stimulation will help the hair grow back quicker.  Blow drying is not bad for short hair-mine can't get any drier!  There are some safe alternatives to permanent hair color except they will only darken, not lighten.

Glad to hear the Procrit is helping.  My neupogen is working too.

[Honey15637]

Hey,,,Glad to hear that their is a hairdresser in the house! You said blow drying is not bad for short hair but what about med length hair.  I always blow dry my hair each morning before going to work,,,I wouldn't have time to let it just air dry,  But I still feel,,,on this medicine if its going to fall,,,its going to happen no matter what.  I have heard some say that they don't wash as much or blow dry but do you think it matters?

[Dorothy and Toto]

So much of your hair will fall out during treatment.  You can wash it less and brush it less, but when you do it looks like a big amount in the brush or shower.  Wash it as often as you want with a good shampoo and conditioner.  If you can, don't use a real hot blower as that can dry out your hair.  The only problem you might get from a hot blow dryer on medium long hair is split ends-some breakage. Now if we could get a dermatologist here and get rid of the itchies and dry skin....

[Sioux]

http://www.nioxin.com/nioxin_products/index.cfm?s=nioxin_products

Ilost about half of my hair by the 6th month of tx. My niece is a hair stylist and recommended the Nioxin. After using it for about a month, It started growing back.
Looked like little porcupine head. LOL ...
I bought It at Ulta II. They also sell it at hair salons.

[Mysterygirl]

To help with the hair loss, use Nixion hair products (can be found at salons)!  Trust me, you will love, love, love this stuff -it is like a hair miracle in a bottle! :-)  It not only helps with the hair loss, but it will make your hair soft, shiny, and fluffy!  I still use it two years post tx bacause it is such awesome stuff!  Start right way...even for those of you who have not started to experience the hair loss (or even if you have not yet started tx).  It is the BEST and will make you love your hair (even with less of it! :-)

[Amerabrit]

Thanks all for taking the time to respond, lots of good advice and humour too.  I'm going to copy and paste your responses for future reference:)

To the guys:  As Mike pointed out, this is an issue for all of us and I'm sorry I didn't realise that; probably because I think of bald guys as quite sexy..  Hope these tips help you guys too.
Have a great weekend everyone:).

[cuteus]

ty for the  nioxin link, it has been used by many here and it works for some and others have had a bad allergic reaction, so it is best to invest in the trial size first instead of the full set. there is another product that competes with nioxin and seems to have extra benefits.

Honey: I never blow dry my hair, I go to work with the "wet look" and wash it 2-3 times a week. I have colored it since I can't stand looking older than this tx is making me, though.
last week I was ready to email you that hardly any hair came out, that is also the week I remembered to take my antioxidants including zinc and vit e, some biotin. Huuummmm.....

[cindee]

Amerabrit Hey! My hair started to come out in about month 5 of tx. It was coming out by the handfuls, but I could run my fingers in my hair and a lot would come out. I also noticed it when I washed it. I found an alcohol free hair spray ICON from the local beauty supply. It was okay, but seemed to make my hair "hard" and "sticky". I started washing my hair only once a wk and let it dry on it's on. I have since found on QVC.com a shopping network....products from Nick Chavez. His products are all natural and I have been off tx since Nov 7th. My hair is in better shape than ever. I use his products.....volumizing elixir and Plump 'N Thick leave in thickening creme. I use reg shampoo, but soon I'm going to order his shampoo also. I asked Galen here on the forum...she is a professional hairdresser and I wanted a perm. She told me to condition it alot and as long as it wasn't brittle, it would be okay. I did have a perm, and it worked perfectly fine!!!!! I still let my hair air dry, because I like to use electric rollers in my hair. I try to use as little heat as possible. With a perm in it, I let it air dry, and then roll it on electric rollers...it holds the curl really good and then after a day or so, I use the Nick Chavez Plump "N Thick and put about a quarter size in my hands and rub it all in my hair. It takes it back to the original curl...w/o having to wash and roll it again. Also w/ a perm..your hair always looks thicker. I wish ya the best!!!!! And I never lost so much that I had to wear a wig. But I would have if needed. I did grow VERY LONG eyelashes during tx. But BOO-HOO....they fell out. They're still short but w/ some masscara they look thicker. I really am going to check out some false ones this coming wk. I love long lashes, as I always had them before.

Well I didn't mean to write a book!!! LOL  But I hpe this helps you! I love ya bunches and will always keep you in my prayers. I hope this post finds you feeling good. Much love @ many prayers, Cindee


Chevy!!!! 2 more to go!!!! WOW you're almost there!!!!! You've always been an inspiration to me and I'm SURE to many others as well. I love you and I wish for you to CLEAR this nasty virus!! You take care and I love ya girl!!!!! Prayers to you and all, Cindee

[Honey15637]

Perm huh?  The only problem with doing a perm is,,,whatever scraggles you have up there,,,LOL Might be burned and come out.  Not sure but kinda hesitant about perm at this point.  Hey,,,Did you say you lost 47 lbs???  Man,,,,That is alot of weight to be only at 6 month mark,,,By the end of the year,,,We are going to be looking for you on this board lol  Try to find something you really like and for stomach and if that is all you eat,,,then so be it but you really need to put on weight now,,,Just my 2 cents worth lol

[cindee]

Hey and what you said about the perm making it all fall out, was exactly my feelings. I figured if it did all fall out I would buy a wig! But I did make sure my hair was NOT brittle like Galen told me to check before the perm. I conditioned the heck out of it for about 2 wks before the perm. I, like you was tired of the "flat" sragily look! But I was lucky the perm did just fine...and mine was a professional perm, much harder on the hair than a "home" perm. I was so happy when I was pulling the perm rods out....I used to manage a beauty supply house...so I can purchase professional perms, as I also went to cosomtology school for about 10 months. I gave up school, because I found a job that paid almost 11.00 an hour and that was back in the early 80's. So I purchased my perm...it was a Zotos...and I rolled it up, my g.daughter put the solutions on it. And she did a great job! I paid her 10.00!!! But like I said before, I was so happy that when I took my perm rods out, that my hair didn't come out w/ them!!!!! But if it had fallen out...I would have gotten a wig. So either way it would have looked better. So if ya do a perm..I wish ya the BEST!!!! I'll say a pray for your hair!!!! No kidding...I will. I love ya girl...let me know what you do. Love @ Prayers, Cindee

[cindee]

okay...shhhhhhhhhhh..but come back to this post and let me know. Good luck and I don't think you have anything to worry about...shhhhhhh love ya, Cindee

[cindee]

shhhhhhhhhhh.....how's the hair? I'll keep checking back here. Love @ prayers, Cindee