Aa
Hair breakage still
Hi Everyone, just wanted to say that even though I am feeling so much better since EOT the hair breaking off is still happening. Wish it wasn't but it is. I have been following other post on this issue and see its not uncommon. I know that now that my numbers are back up to almost normal, I have my vitamins and fish oil back into me each day ( I could not tolerate them during treatment) that at some point the hair will return. I am just glad the itching has stopped.
Thank you all for your comments...
Mo
Thank you all for your comments...
Mo
Im on week 32 of 48 and have had serious hair loss that started around week 15. I had it cut very short then and have used Nioxin religiously, but it just continues to fall out. I've lost about 60% at this point, have numerous bald spots. I have had to use a brush and blow dry very carefully to get my remaining g hair to cover the bald spots, but as the hair continues to fall out it is becoming a less effective tactic. Now I recently read another thread here complaining about rashes caused by Nioxin, and I've decided since its clearly not working anyway I will quit using it and see if my rashes improve. So far the best thing I've come up with for hair loss is a huge collection of hats! They are easier for me to wear than scarves, and I was able to find a lot of summer-weight hats for an average price of about $10 each at Sierra Trading Post's website. I also found a tutorial for sewing your own hat on YouTube and made one that way, and I invented my own design for a crocheted cotton beret with silk trim.
I think the hair will keep being fragile until it has grown back out enough to replace whatever hair was formed while on the meds - what's on your head is all stuff that formed inside the hair follicles anywhere from 1-24 months ago, depending on your hair length and rate of growth. We just have to be patient and wait for the new hair that will begin to form after the drugs are out of our system. I hate it! My dermatologist said there's nothing that can help now but after the drugs are cleared from my system it might grow back in faster with rogaine for women. I'm hoping by then I'll be so happy about being SVR that I won't care about the speed of regrowth.
I think the hair will keep being fragile until it has grown back out enough to replace whatever hair was formed while on the meds - what's on your head is all stuff that formed inside the hair follicles anywhere from 1-24 months ago, depending on your hair length and rate of growth. We just have to be patient and wait for the new hair that will begin to form after the drugs are out of our system. I hate it! My dermatologist said there's nothing that can help now but after the drugs are cleared from my system it might grow back in faster with rogaine for women. I'm hoping by then I'll be so happy about being SVR that I won't care about the speed of regrowth.
If it's any consolation, I noticed this morning that my husband has new hair growing on his back (he'd kill me for posting this, of course.) Assuming this is a precursor to hair growing back on his head.
Man, how did I miss this? I am obsessed with my hair, it was every place, all over my carpet, in the dryer on all over our clothes. I thought I would go crazy, I don't think I did
Now I am 3 months post tx and it has finally stopped and now I have chunks of baby hair every where, thank the Lord!
Thank you so much for posting this, I have been searching for hair help
As MikeSimon said, they sell Nioxin on Amazon.com, there are many types
Why I am always a day late and a dollar short I do not know :)
Now I am 3 months post tx and it has finally stopped and now I have chunks of baby hair every where, thank the Lord!
Thank you so much for posting this, I have been searching for hair help
As MikeSimon said, they sell Nioxin on Amazon.com, there are many types
Why I am always a day late and a dollar short I do not know :)
My hair kept falling out after tx, until just recently. It's so thin but I can see lots of little hair growing in.
Hair doesn't grow quickly but it does grow.
My skin felt very weird during tx, and I felt so drawn and old. The best thing is to avoid the mirror. Really, why torture yourself ?
The good thing is whether I look better or worse than before I began, I definitely look better than I did at the end of tx.
BTW: My hepatologist told me not to take vit E internally. Didn't ask him why, but I'd ask my doc before taking it.
Hair doesn't grow quickly but it does grow.
My skin felt very weird during tx, and I felt so drawn and old. The best thing is to avoid the mirror. Really, why torture yourself ?
The good thing is whether I look better or worse than before I began, I definitely look better than I did at the end of tx.
BTW: My hepatologist told me not to take vit E internally. Didn't ask him why, but I'd ask my doc before taking it.
I'm not sure, and I'm not sure if men are different then women, with this matter, because men suffer from male pattern baldness naturally. I remember one man posting on here, that he still had a couple bald spots, months after his Tx stopped : (
If worse comes to worse, I guess I will tie a scarf around my head, and get some new earrings, etc. and I already have a well stocked make-up bag.
This experience is making us appreciate life, from a new, fresh perspective, and I think our beautiful attitude will shine thru, form the inside out, also.
My husband is pretty good about reassuring me that I'm not as "ugly" as I think I am...but the grey streak in my roots, plus the fact that I have a torso rash, which makes wearing a bra very uncomfortable, tends to make me feel deflated V V. My husband says women look more natural braless, but it's something that we have been wearing since we were 13 yrs old!
I dont know why that skin is so sensitive there, it wasn't when I was 18 or 20 yrs old!
If worse comes to worse, I guess I will tie a scarf around my head, and get some new earrings, etc. and I already have a well stocked make-up bag.
This experience is making us appreciate life, from a new, fresh perspective, and I think our beautiful attitude will shine thru, form the inside out, also.
My husband is pretty good about reassuring me that I'm not as "ugly" as I think I am...but the grey streak in my roots, plus the fact that I have a torso rash, which makes wearing a bra very uncomfortable, tends to make me feel deflated V V. My husband says women look more natural braless, but it's something that we have been wearing since we were 13 yrs old!
I dont know why that skin is so sensitive there, it wasn't when I was 18 or 20 yrs old!
My hair did not really get bad until after my treatment, and now like everyone else, hair is everywhere. I talked to the women who has been doing my hair for years, and I asked her if it would help not to shampoo as often or brush my hair. She told me there is nothing that will stop the breakage and hair coming out. The cells are dead already. I got my hair cut short but still is just flat. Nothing works. She said not color until hair stops falling out. So I too am a gray panther. I did not realize how vain i must be until all of this, i hate leaving the house. Anyway, it's just part of it. hang in there. Does anyone know how long it takes to grow back.
Ive posted this before but in case it helps...
The itch while on inc was horrible for me, it was tolerable during soc. Hair was brittle throughout both. I used coconut oil while on tx. You can get it at the grocery store usually near the shortening. Big scoop in the microwave for 10 secs to liquify. Wait until it's room tempt the touch, hot on the scal is not good. Put a towel on your pillow and go ton sleep or leave in for an hour or more before you shampoo. This helped with itchy scalp for a few days so did it a couple times a week. It also seemed to help with the breakage.
Used olive oil post tx. Just poured it on 1/2 hour before shower. This helped with the brittle. Itchy scalp no longer an issue. easier than the coconut oil.
Did not shampoo every day on tx. Did condition with nioxin whenever I showered but did not always shampoo. Did not blow dry.
Took biotin, think that helped too.
Hair loss was not that bad for me. Am guessing controlling the itchy scalp may have helped. Am 12 weeks post now, hair no longer brittle. I now see i have little two inch hairs blending in. Glad it doesn't look like a mullet :)
The itch while on inc was horrible for me, it was tolerable during soc. Hair was brittle throughout both. I used coconut oil while on tx. You can get it at the grocery store usually near the shortening. Big scoop in the microwave for 10 secs to liquify. Wait until it's room tempt the touch, hot on the scal is not good. Put a towel on your pillow and go ton sleep or leave in for an hour or more before you shampoo. This helped with itchy scalp for a few days so did it a couple times a week. It also seemed to help with the breakage.
Used olive oil post tx. Just poured it on 1/2 hour before shower. This helped with the brittle. Itchy scalp no longer an issue. easier than the coconut oil.
Did not shampoo every day on tx. Did condition with nioxin whenever I showered but did not always shampoo. Did not blow dry.
Took biotin, think that helped too.
Hair loss was not that bad for me. Am guessing controlling the itchy scalp may have helped. Am 12 weeks post now, hair no longer brittle. I now see i have little two inch hairs blending in. Glad it doesn't look like a mullet :)
I think if you keep taking your vitamin e, that should eventually kick in. The fish oil has always been too rich for me, but you did say you were using that also. Have you tried Flax Oil as well? maybe something plant-based may work quicker. I get the one that has the lemon flavor, and it can be used as a salad dressing, put in juice, or sometimes I just chug it down.
I know beans are good for that kind of thing also, strengthening for the kidney...not sure about hair though.
You might want to try that Royal Jelly, that the bees make, and give to the queen bee, that is also strengthening, and I find it kind of delicious, and horrible, at the same time.
The bees wax products I use, just seem to kind of coat my hair, which makes it appear more full, but it may prevent breakage, if there is a protective coating on the hair shaft.
I just bought the Dessert Essence Tea Tre shampoo and conditioner, for my itchy scalp, but havent tried it yet, but it also has peppermint, so I'm sure it will be tingley.
,
I know beans are good for that kind of thing also, strengthening for the kidney...not sure about hair though.
You might want to try that Royal Jelly, that the bees make, and give to the queen bee, that is also strengthening, and I find it kind of delicious, and horrible, at the same time.
The bees wax products I use, just seem to kind of coat my hair, which makes it appear more full, but it may prevent breakage, if there is a protective coating on the hair shaft.
I just bought the Dessert Essence Tea Tre shampoo and conditioner, for my itchy scalp, but havent tried it yet, but it also has peppermint, so I'm sure it will be tingley.
,
Funny story about your mom! I remember when my mom was doing that.
Yes, people keep telling me that others won,t notice but I don.t believe that. My hair is not falling out, it's breaking off. A lot. Oh well. I tried every different shampoo and for the itchy scalp I use T Gel. That ones works the best for me. I cut my hair short when it first started and I have not had to have it trimmed for many months so that tells me it's not growing.
Yes, people keep telling me that others won,t notice but I don.t believe that. My hair is not falling out, it's breaking off. A lot. Oh well. I tried every different shampoo and for the itchy scalp I use T Gel. That ones works the best for me. I cut my hair short when it first started and I have not had to have it trimmed for many months so that tells me it's not growing.
I've got a wig if anyone needs one. My hair started growing back little baby hair as early as week 35 of tx. Slow but sure. Even new growth is brittle right now though. Looking like Thing One. (:O
Karen :)
Karen :)
I am on week 17 right now, my hair seems to be falling out a little faster each week, although i don't see any bald spots yet, I find hair everywhere, my driver seat in my car looks horrible, everyday it seems I am taking off so much hair.
I don't blow it any more, I do wash it every day still, but may slow down on that, I only brush it in the morning, then don't brush it for the rest of the day, I do oil treatments every 1-2 weeks and use 3 min conditioner alot. I kind of have that wavey tosseled just got out of bed look most of the time, which is hard for me, cause I always kept my hair pretty maintained ...thinking about taking some vitimins or something for it.
Most people don't seem to notice though, or at least they don't say anything... except my mom who is in a nursing home and has lost that filter that tells when 'not' to say something...she comments every time I see her, ha.... She tells me your hair looks horrible, what are we going to do about it? You should brush it or put it up, and get a hair cut! She doesn't even see that well anymore, I don't get how she notices!
My point is, it probably seems worse to you then anyone else...people really aren't that detail oriented where they pay attention to things like that, ha...unless they are in a nursing home...
I don't blow it any more, I do wash it every day still, but may slow down on that, I only brush it in the morning, then don't brush it for the rest of the day, I do oil treatments every 1-2 weeks and use 3 min conditioner alot. I kind of have that wavey tosseled just got out of bed look most of the time, which is hard for me, cause I always kept my hair pretty maintained ...thinking about taking some vitimins or something for it.
Most people don't seem to notice though, or at least they don't say anything... except my mom who is in a nursing home and has lost that filter that tells when 'not' to say something...she comments every time I see her, ha.... She tells me your hair looks horrible, what are we going to do about it? You should brush it or put it up, and get a hair cut! She doesn't even see that well anymore, I don't get how she notices!
My point is, it probably seems worse to you then anyone else...people really aren't that detail oriented where they pay attention to things like that, ha...unless they are in a nursing home...
I'm on week 27 of triple tx - first 12 with incivek - and my hair is falling out so much that I could knit a sweater with it all. every morning my pillow has a fresh coating of hair. this is much worse hair loss than my first tx which was SOC. If i thought i would ever have enough energy to go out and wear it i would invest in a cool wig. Doesn't seem much point as I spend most days on my sofa.As my hair has always been short I only run my fingers through it and dont use a comb or brush - so havent noticed it breaking off.
Here's hoping it starts growing back soon.
Jellyburt
Here's hoping it starts growing back soon.
Jellyburt
I take Biotin 5 mg. every day and have found that my hair is much healthier and growing faster by taking it. Also, I cut my hair very short to prevent a lot of breakage. Maybe this helps. VioletBlonde
Hi,It sounds like you are doing pretty good, that's good news! Sorry about the hair. I am 4 wks post treatment and my hair is still coming out . I went and had it cut real short.I was hoping to avoid that. Mine started falling out a lot at wk 20_ 24
The frist and second week post treatment was the worst I had to go buy Draino. Hair loss just started slowing down this week but that may be cause it is so short and I do not see the big globs of hair going down the drain. Run Forest Run !
The frist and second week post treatment was the worst I had to go buy Draino. Hair loss just started slowing down this week but that may be cause it is so short and I do not see the big globs of hair going down the drain. Run Forest Run !
Shhh...please don't tell my husband, I keep telling him the hair loss will stop right away. I'm very glad you're feeling better, and are on the road to recovery. Your hair will come back, maybe even better than before!
my #s are almost normal...my bun is off but i'm having a little trouble staying hydrated...my fault though...my hair is straight now...its ok but its growing slow and uneven...i really think we need time to get all the way there...i worked hard today and carried lots of heavy lumber...that felt so good.....billy
my hair quit falling out about week 34. it's pretty thin right now. i'm 11 days from EOT. but all over the top of my head i have 3" of new hair coming out and it sticks straight up. i use a hair gel to keep it down. well, at least i'm getting more hair! hope your hair stops breaking soon. best wishes. belle
mo - I am really surprised it is still breaking, but my hair is so thin, I can see how it could happen. Mine stopped falling out about week 30-32 but I can't feel any of the little stubby growth of new hair, so I don't think that will happen until I am done. My hair is just so flat and lifeless now, I cannot do anything to it or for it. If I use product it just sticks out or sticks up if the wind blows. So I prefer it soft, at least.
How is your hemoglobin doing post? Are you feeling better otherwise?
bean
How is your hemoglobin doing post? Are you feeling better otherwise?
bean
Glad you're feeling grand. Ahhh, who needs hair ( kidding). I'm on week 5 w Vic. Starting to feel a little itching but not bad. So you had a problem w/ taking vitamins. Only yesterday my tummy complained when I took my handfull of vitamins. Made me wonder. Hey, happy Sunday!
My scalp has been very itchy this week, so I am a bit worried that this may be the beginning of hair loss/breakage.
Have you had any luck with any special shampoos? The Interferon causes this side effect.
So far, I have been only washing my hair once a week, so when it looks dirty, I wear it up loosely, with a soft hair-tye. Then, I stopped dying it, so I am now a Grey Panther....and a couple days before I wash it, I do a oil treatment on it, with a product called Waxelene ( a petroleum jelly substitute) which has organic soy oil, bees wax, organic vitamin e oil, and rosemary oil.
And most important: I never comb or brush it, or blow dry it.
I also wear big floppy cotton sun hats, if I'm not on my bike
Have you had any luck with any special shampoos? The Interferon causes this side effect.
So far, I have been only washing my hair once a week, so when it looks dirty, I wear it up loosely, with a soft hair-tye. Then, I stopped dying it, so I am now a Grey Panther....and a couple days before I wash it, I do a oil treatment on it, with a product called Waxelene ( a petroleum jelly substitute) which has organic soy oil, bees wax, organic vitamin e oil, and rosemary oil.
And most important: I never comb or brush it, or blow dry it.
I also wear big floppy cotton sun hats, if I'm not on my bike
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