hair loss

Went to the doc yesterday and talked to her about the fact that I am still losing hair.  I ended tx on Thanksgiving day.  That was certainly something to be thankful for!

Anyway, I did not lose a lot of hair during tx but did lose some.  Not that I have stopped, it seems it is coming out faster and more rapidly.  I did have a lot of hair to begin with.  Every morning there is a ton in the drain in the shower and also on the floor.  

the doc said that it could possibly go through cycles.  Stop for a while then start again.  she also said that the hair thinning/losing products do not seem to work. Getting married in June and would truly love to have a full head of hair.  LOL!!!

Anyone had any experience with any of the products?  

Thanks,
Shari

[Deb_c430]

I use Bioxin, a shampoo and scalp treatment. Not sure how well it works but it does not make it worse.  You do loose hair naturaly every day,  Aging process and stuff (not saying your old :)>)
Hormones and such.  Anyway  Congratulations on your marriage!

[chevyelcam79]

This seems like it comes out by the handfuls when wash and dry hair.  I try to wash it every other day so it doent dry out anymore than usual especially in the winter.  

LOL, no not that old 41!

Maybe I will give the bioxin a try.  Cant hurt right? Do you use it every time you shampoo?  Havent read up on the stuff.

Shari

[MYS]

My hair kept falling out after I finished treatment - I think this went on for 2 or 3 months.  Then it stopped, and when I say it stopped falling out, I mean I could comb it, brush it, wash it, etc. - and none came out for months.  Now 9 months post treatment, it's back to it's normal cycle.  
I tried Nioxin for a while, when I was on treatment, but I don't think it did anything.  I didn't like the way it smelled and I don't feel it got my hair really clean.  I ended up just washing it once a week with very gentle shampoo and using no conditioners, styling products, etc.  I don't know if all of that helped or not.  
What did help (psychologically) was a series of progressively shorter layered cuts, that way the layers hid the bare spots and the hair that fell out wasn't that long.  
It's a crummy side effect.
MYS

[nygirl7]

I lost 75% of my hair during treatment.  I started wearing wigs (still am while it's growing back nice and long again) because it was not only falling out but also cracking off teh ends etc.  I work in one of the biggest private beauty biz companies in the world and it just made me ill to be so grey, thin and bald while being here!

It did help me to feel much better about myself.

Human hair grows about a half an inch a month so...you can judge how long it will take to come back in again.

Unfortunately, it didn't stop falling out until I stopped treatment.  After 72 weeks I'd say honestly I lost 72% - but it's all coming back in again now.

I would not spend a ton of money on hair products - hair grows from INSIDE out so basically putting stuff on the outside doesn't do very much good.  Just a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will help but basically - not very much you can do.

Good luck.

[nygirl7]

Also - honestly they make some really great synthetic hair wigs that you can buy on ebay for only like $30.  I had decided I did not want human hair because it was an excessive expense that  really didn't need and instead opted for a couple of the other kind. NOBODY ever has noticed that it was not my real hair and in fact - although hair stylists of the highest magnitude are around all of the time...I've gotten complimented on my cut and color quite often.

It's only when I go from brown to blonde back to brown to blonde in one week that people remember, LOL.  I never hid the fact and some of the men here really believe I use temporary hair color to make it brown (hey I don't VOLUNTEER the information either!) hee hee!

[chevyelcam79]

Thanks!  I do have long layers anyway. ( Never did like my hair short).  I dont think I have any "bare" spots.  the layering does help.  My coworkers say that it is thinner than normal but looks fine.  You know how us women are about hair.   I will be post tx on the 16th, maybe it will stop soon I hope !  Might try the Nioxin too.
shari  

[chevyelcam79]

Dont think that I am ready for the ebay thing yet but thanks for the tip!  If it keeps falling out at the rate it is now, I will need it!  

Funny, mine didnt reaaly start falling out until after I stopped tx.  Was falling out a bit but is really bad now!

Love the pic with Steven Tyler!  Is that real or a pasted pic?  I love Aerosmith also!  Always wanted to see them one more time when I remembered it and would enjoy it more LOL!!!

Shari

[Deb_c430]

Lol I kind of like the way it smells! Sort of relaxing!  I like that it makes me scalp tingle, so if nothing else I can "pretend" it is helping.  Another thing I found really helpful for both hair and skin, is rinse with cold water, you will shreak!  But it make sit not so itchy.

Nygirl, I am liking the idea of a wig, my hair is fine, but so far no bald spots,  Does the wig though irritate the scalp, make it thin quicker? I like the idea of being a red head every now and then!

I wash every other day also,  and blow dry on cool.

Agrees about us and hair, that is always one of my main worries, the first thing I start checking...  Hair vain!

[Deb_c430]

One other thing I liked what you said nygirl, about feeling better about yourself, think it is important,

[chevyelcam79]

Yeah, the feeling good about your self is very important!  I feel good that so far I am SVR but now the hair thing, the low muscle tone is making me feel depressed.  I know I should feel good about the UND and the engagement and I do!  But somehow I am a bit down about not being back to myself.  Make Sense?

[Deb_c430]

I think so too, and Congrats!  It takes awhile, but you will get there, I think for me it is such a different disease, I am grateful it is not cancer or aids.  There is such a fear about the word hepatitis; people think we are low lives or dirty.

We don’t have pretty pink ribbons to wear, or bald heads, so it feels so much about us is hidden. Inside I often feel like I am walking around with a time bomb in me.  Even the big stars that have this disease stay pretty quiet about it.

I can tell you, that your muscle tone will come back, with some minimal walking, stretching and toning.   With every day you will feel better and more your old self.  I think what your feeling is normal, it is a left over feeling; I don’t think we can ever go back to whom we were, but we can adjust and makes our selves better now.

Relax, I am pretty sure your fiancé is proud of you and you did an awesome thing, I do what I can for me, when I can, to make myself look healthy and well.  Your hair will look great and on your wedding day the beauty will be there!  We are woman and part of our nature is to want to feel good about our looks!
Deb

[chevyelcam79]

OMG!  Thank you!  We did not start seeing each other until May 2007, I started tx in June.  If he can put up with me thru this, he can for the rest of his life right?  He was and is my backbone thru this.  Thank God he came into my/our (12 yo son) lives.  Never thought I would marry again after a 12 year marriage but seems like the second time around you just know what you are looking for and for both of us IT JUST CLICKED!!!!

Funny you talk about everyone making us feel like we are dirty.  Just last night I was watching that Emergency ER show.  The ER doc got stuck by a needle he used on a patient that was jaundice with Hep C.  He was scared to death and talked about what if he had it.....  he would end up with cirrohsis (spelling) and die after 20 years.  It was so sad that even a doc (well intern)would say such a thing.

I am going to start the ab lounger (maybe) if I can do it.  I work for a county parks and rec department and we have a walking trail here.  Unfortunately, I never used it like I should but one of my co workers and I are going to start walking (she has a second child and baby leftovers) and we will do it together.  Helps when you got a friend to go with you.

Yeah, it is like a leftover feeling! And I look at life in a totally different light now.

Jimmy is very proud of me!

Thanks for the kind words!

Shari

[Deb_c430]

No worries!  Just start slow, don't go nuts and wear yourself out!  

Your blessed to have found Jimmy, I been married for 26 years to a wonderful man, we have stood by each other through lot's and I wouldn't trade him for the world!  Also second marriage, first was to young!

best wishes all round!
Deb

[Deb_c430]

No worries!  Just start slow, don't go nuts and wear yourself out!  

Your blessed to have found Jimmy, I been married for 26 years to a wonderful man, we have stood by each other through lot's and I wouldn't trade him for the world!  Also second marriage, first was to young!

best wishes all round!
Deb