Help Severe Hair Loss

jasminestellick · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject: Help Severe Hair Loss

I have been diagnosed with lupus for about 1 year now, and I have started having severe hair loss, I have talked to my doctor about it and he just tells me that it is because of the prednisone and the hydroxychloraquin that I am on? I am not sure what to do and it is not getting any better. If anybody has any suggestions that would help it would be graetly appreciated. I really don't want to go bald, and also I am located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and I am having a very hard time finding a support group here. If anyone knows of one let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Jasmine

SoleSinger · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

Hi!

I'm in Golden Colorado!! Nioxin shampoo and scalp therapy has helped me a lot!!! I've been dx'd just about a year too! Last July!!

Glad you found us!
_________________
"All sounds are potentially dangerous.
All sounds are potentially medicinal.
All sounds are beautiful." ~Yoko Ono

jasminestellick · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:13 pm Post subject: Severe Hair Loss

Thanks for your reply, I will have to try the Nioxin Shampoo.

buddhabelly · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject: I know how it feels...

I know how you feel about the hair loss. I was newly diagnosed only on March 2006. Little by little I'd notice some hair falling out. My hair's been getting thinner and thinner. I used to have long thick hair, and now, its sooo thin. I think its the lupus that's causing the hair loss for me. I've noticed the hair falling out before I was on prednisone. I look at myself in the mirror each morning and want to cry. Crying or Very sad

I miss my hair. I even bought my first clip on ponytail. I just started using the Nioxin product this weekend. Hope it works for me like it worked for others... Keep me up to date with your Nioxin progress... Wink

jasminestellick · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:25 am Post subject:

Hang in there Buddha Belly, It will get better, I went to the doctor this morning and he told me that the lupus and the prednisone puts your hair growth on a schedule, Normally your hair falls out in intervals out of different places at different times, and when you have lupus the disease makes your hair shedding syncronized and it all sheds at the same time, So he told me that instead of having hairloss a little at a time that I will now have "seasons" like spring winter ect. where my hair will fall out and grow all at the same time. He told me that the disease and the prednisone will have to same effect on my hair. He also told me that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I won't go bald!!!, then he said just consider this season "fall" because my hair is falling out, Ha Ha. At least he has a sense of humor. So just hang in there. As for the nioxin, I have been using it for about a week or so and I can already tell a difference so I would suggest it to anyone that is having problems of this kind. Rolling Eyes

Sheryl · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:30 am Post subject:

Wow, that is interesting about the "seasons." I'm not on prednisone but my hair is still falling out.

I have only used the nioxin for two days, but I am pretty sure there was less hair in the shower drain than usual today. I am optimistic!

buddhabelly · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:44 pm Post subject: "Season's" of hair loss

Thanks for the good news Jasminestellick! Very Happy

It cheered me up. Smile

I like that analogy about the seasons of hair loss. Now I understand why my hair is falling out. Good news though... I've noticed little hairs sticking straight up from the top of my head and some on the back. They're little baby hairs that are growing back. I'm so happy! Very Happy

The Nioxin is doing something to my head. Its like miracle grow for the scalp! I also noticed ever since I've started using Nioxin, less hair has been falling out. Very Happy

Can't wait til my hair grows back! Very Happy

jasminestellick · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject:

Budda Belly,
I am glad to hear that you are in better spirits, As far as those little hairs that you are seeing, they are called "lupus hairs" yes they have a term for everything. Good luck with everything and if you just need to vent type me a line. This can be a very hard thing to deal with by yourself and family and friends don't always know what to say because they don't live it everyday. Keep your chin up!!!!! Laughing

Jasmine
_________________
What hurts, Will only make us stronger

Ariel · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:38 am Post subject:

Mine kind of comes and goes but I lost a lot of hair before I was dx'd.

I started taking biotin supplements along with Omega oils (it's a mix if fish, flax, and borage) and that seems to have slowed it down. And the hair I have looks healthier.

buddhabelly · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:54 am Post subject:

I"ve been using Nioxin for a little over a week now. I've noticed some progress, just wish it would work faster. My hair is still falling out, but I've been finding less amount of hair in the drain. So that's a good sign! Razz

I'm just getting anxious, because I see the little hairs sticking up everywhere. I've been using some hairspray or gel to tame those little 'lupus hairs.' I'm so happy that my hair's slowly coming back. Very Happy

I've also been taking Biotin as a dietary supplement and fish oil (which also helps with inflammation). Hope I get the same positive results that you got Ariel... Has all your hair grown back yet? I used to complain about how thick and long my hair was... Now I miss it so much. Crying or Very sad

Sheryl · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:34 am Post subject:

I'm glad it's going well for you two... I thought the Nioxin was helping for a day or so, but it seems to be falling out faster than ever now. I've been using the Nioxin for only ten days.. and there is more hair than ever in the drain. It feels so thin when I run my hands through it. Crying or Very sad

It's not that I'm obsessed with my hair or anything - it just feels like the last straw - what ELSE am I going to loose?!?!

Grr. Sorry - sort of depressed lately.

buddhabelly · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:59 am Post subject:

My hair has gotten very thin too. This has gotten me so depressed. I can't do much with my hair right now. If I wear it down, everyone will notice my thin hair. But if I wear it in a pony tail, everyone will see my bald spots. So, I end up wearing it in a tiny bun. I sometimes wear a clipon ponytail when I go out. Its so sad, I know... I miss my hair. I get so self-conscious during the day at work, checking my head whenever I can, if any bald spots are showing. I started noticing my hair was falling out since February, before I was officially diagnosed with the Lupus. I ask myself each day, "when is it going to stop falling out?" I'm trying to stay optimistic. I do see little hairs (lupus hairs) growing back. I even see patches of hair growing back as well. Is it the Nioxin and the vitamins causing my hair to grow? HOPE SO... Is this just a phase? Will my hair grow back to how it was? This whole situation is frustrating me. I shouldn't complain so much, because I know there are others who are coping with other symptoms worst than hairloss. Sorry for being such a cry baby about this... Crying or Very sad

SoleSinger · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:15 am Post subject:

I know it's hard, but it DOES take time, and SHOULD help... I can't say it helps everyone, but I know it helped my hair a lot... Give it til the end of the bottle and if it still isn't helping, don't get anymore! You should see SOME kind of improvement by that time! Another thing that I was always told was good for hairloss is taking prenatal vitamins... And apparently good for your nails, too if you have nail problems! So that might be another avenue to try??

I've got my fingers crossed for you!!! Keep us updated!

Smile

_________________
"All sounds are potentially dangerous.
All sounds are potentially medicinal.
All sounds are beautiful." ~Yoko Ono

buddhabelly · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:22 am Post subject:

Prenatal vitamins? Idea

Where can I get them? Is there a special kind to get? I'm using Hair, Skin, & Nails Formula by GNC Women's. It has 2500 mcg of biotin. Thanks for the tip! Wink

SoleSinger · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:32 am Post subject:

I'm sure those help, too! I THINK you can get prenatal vitamins at any grocery store... I'm not really sure... This is only something I have heard... Actually, I heard it in beauty school when we all cut each other's hair and eventually wanted it to be long again... I was told that they help your hair grow... Not sure about thickening it up or anything, but it would stand to reason, yes?

I haven't tried it yet, but it won't hurt you unless there is something in them that your dr. says you can't have... And also maybe compare it to the vitamin you are already taking... It may not be much different... I dunno!

Smile

Glad to help!
_________________
"All sounds are potentially dangerous.
All sounds are potentially medicinal.
All sounds are beautiful." ~Yoko Ono