my hair is falling out!

I just took the 19th shot. My hair is starting to fall out ALOT.  Everytime I shower I get a wad at the drain.  My head itches a lot.  

[Eyedeas]

Normal for tx.  From what I've read it's usually between shots 12-20.  It will grow back!  Try nioxin hair products.

Kim

[seashell55]

My hair started thinning out around shot #15.  I noticed around shot #24 it stopped.  To me it is noticeable but my friends didn't seem to see it.  I did get it cut to my shoulder around week 25. Good Luck.  Have a great weekend.

[Martee]

I just did my l9th shot last night. My hair is also falling out.  I started noticing it about 4 weeks ago, but now it's more and more. My husband says I'm imagining it, that I just didn't notice before how much we shed hair. But I know it's not normal for me to lose the amount of hair I'm losing. I have baby fine hair to start off !
I just hope that at some point in time it stops before my 48th shot cause I'll be bald by then.

[britgirl]

PLease do not keep the myth going that it "always" grows back - it does not. My nurse told me that about 20% of patients lose their hair permanently. Of course, we are not bald, or even have bald spots, just very thin hair. I estimate I have 50% of what I had before tx, and I have been finished for a YEAR!

[Ambush]

I had long baby-fine hair to start with and for about the last 10 weeks is has been coming out like crazy.  (Shot #21 tonight).  I have to wear it clipped up or I shed all over and it is a mess.  I am down to washing it only twice a week as there is NO oil left.  I know it is the least of my problems, but it is scaring me now that I will lost it all.  I hope it stops soon.  Looking forward to "hat" weather.
ambush :)

[ziggyc]

I too did shot #19 last night.  My hair was also thin to begin with and has been falling out like crazy for the last 4-6 weeks.  My hair is so thin I am starting to think about buying a wig.  I learned about Nioxin products from this website and started using them a few days ago.  Does anyone know how long it takes to start producing results?  Does it actually stop the hair from breaking off or does it encourage new growth?  Im not really sure what to expect.  

Does anyone else have swollen lymph glands in the groin area?  I have had this since the first shot.

[MajNeni]

Hey, Ziggy,
Have you brought your swollen lymph glands to your doctor's attention?

[lackalustre]

my hair was thick to begin with, ive lost about 1/2 of it and hope it grows back.  i do know someone who did tx. whose hair never came back after stopping.  sure getting tired of pulling up hair off EVERYTHING.
   shampoos are notorious for containing tons of chemicals, even salon ones.   like sodium laureth, etc... propolene glycol...
   i buy one from Aubrey Naturals, camomile. from the health food store.  it contains only basic ingredients.  you can even dilute that with water too to avoid the harshness of soaps on your scalp.  hey we have to have clean hair.

[ziggyc]

Yes, I have.  She never heard of this side effect before, so she recommended I see my gyno. I brought it to my gyno's attention and she thinks it is from the tx.  Neither one seemed overly concerned about it.

[ziggyc]

How did you know about Nioxin products from the beginning?  Did your doctor share that with you?  My doctor doesn't seem to share any helpful hints until I report a particular side.  Then I think, wow I wish she had told me that a long time ago.  Might have made a difference.  Who knows.

[doll face]

I had really long thick hair, I lost about half of it my first time on tx but I cut it to shoulder length about half way through treatment. It also got baby fine and frizzy. About one month post tx it started growing back and getting its normal texture back. One year later, on round two of tx (16 weeks tomorrow) and I am already losing handfuls again. My nurse said that the second time around my hair might not grow back this time. She had no explanation why. But if I slay the dragon this time it will be worth it to me.

[ziggyc]

Yes, please share.  I am using a Cleanser (shampoo), Scalp Therapy (conditioner) and leave-in Scalp Treatment.  Also, using a Folicle Booster once or twice a day.  Seems like more hair falls out from working this stuff into my scalp.

[Martee]

Yep...I see and feel more falling out when I work the scalp therapy by Nioxin into my scalp.

I hope these products work because they leave my hair pretty limp. Maybe if I wasn't using them even more hair would fall out. Who knows. My doc never told me about Nioxin. I found out about it on this forum.

[quak]

I've lost about half the amount of my hair too.  I just keep it short and do not WASH it everyday.  I used Nixion products and kept the scalp conditioner in all night.  Drink plenty of water.
I'm hoping it will grow back since I stopped tx two weeks ago.

Lori

[ziggyc]

Lori, I hope it comes back too.  Keep me posted.

Zig

[Sioux]

Hi, I just did tx # 29, I too had alot of hair loss, I already had thin fine hair. My Niece who is a hair stylist told me about Nioxin, I started using it around 2 months ago, I noticed little sprouts comming up after 3 or 4 weeks, and it is still growing. Now the thinning is not as noticable as it was before.

[bllume]

I did shot #7 on Friday, and send greetings and thanks to all on this forum for the sharing of experiences, info and encouragement. I live in Asia, and have had no success in tracking down Nioxin products here. Can someone tell me what specific products to buy? Their website lists several products, my best bet is to get someone coming to the US to buy some for me; and specifics wd be very useful. Hair's still ok, but over here we don't have hat weather to look forward to ;-) and this trip to the store will take a while so .... Thanks!

[ziggyc]

Did you use Nioxin hair products during, or after, tx?

[oldhippiechick67]

Go to www.nioxin.com    and they have a link to find salons even in ASIA!  Doesnt look like you can mail order it but good luck to you!! It is closer than you thought!  OHC67/ Ol Hippie Chick

[bllume]

Thanks for the tip! I wrote to them via the website and they have since replied with a local distributor's contact!

[cindee]

My hair fell out a lot for about 2 months..it has stopped now. I was told to stay away from anything w/ alcohol in it....for skin or hair, I too cut back on washing my hair, I have also cut back on baths...sounds yuky, but I don't usually go out...but to dr @ lab appointments. I take what my Mother calls a "bird bath", just washing off @ sink. This too has helped my itching. prayers are w/ you. ~Cindee~