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Hair and ulcerative colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/10/2008 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ok I'm having a tough time trying to figure out this whole thing. I've had ulcerative colitis since I was 12 and right now I'm 19. about 10 months ago I started on Remicade and after a few visits I was having no symtoms of flare ups and what not. about 3 months ago I noticed my hair has started to change. It was getting thinner and the texture was somewhat changing. At first I was really schocked because my hair is kindof a big deal to me. I then realized it wasn't too much of a big deal because I wasn't losing any hair really, it was just thinner. After a week or two of that is when hair started coming out like crazy. It has now been about 10 weeks since my last remicade treatment and I have gotten off of it because of this whole thing. My concern is how long will it take for me to get my hair back to normal? Is there anything specific thing I should be taking? I've been getting shampoos, vitamins (biotin), and doo gro products. Maybe a few days a week, my hair is back to normal but than the next day for example, it would be completely lifeless and dead. Thanks.

Post Edited (Kev man) : 9/11/2008 11:45:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/10/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I find it coincidental that you developed UC at the age of 12 and are currently 19 years of age, the exact same is true of me.

Anyway, in terms of your hair issue. In addition to Remicade, were you taking azathioprine or methotrexate?
Posted 9/10/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Or are you/were you taking Prednisone? That made me lose my hair and caused a lot of thinning. This continued until about 6 months into my treatment of Remi and now I have a full head of hair and thicker than before.

Posted 9/11/2008 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Kev, just wanted you to know about a company that helps people that are losing their hair, whether it be thru meds, alopicia, or chemo. Whatever the cause. Their clients are both male and female and the work they do is absolutely awesome. The company is located in Nashville, Tennessee and they have clients from Georgia, Alabama, Carolinas, Kentucky, California, Las Vegas to name just a few. I thought you may want to check them out. Their website is:

http://hairforwomenhpi-px.rtrk.com/

Hope this helps you some!

Gigi1227

Currently Flaring
Canasa
Asacol
Mega Probiotic
Multi Enzyme
Psyillum
Metamucill Fiber Wafer
Nicotine Patch for 2 weeks
Posted 9/11/2008 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Gigi,

Have you or someone you know used their services? I'm still hoping my hair loss will slow down or stop soon so I haven't purchased anything yet. I am starting to look into hair replacement and/or very good wigs so if it gets to that point I'll already know where I want to go, since by the time I concede that real action needs to be taken I'm guessing I will want results fairly quickly.
Posted 9/11/2008 4:36 PM (GMT 0)

I got on the forum just to discuss this particular issue.  Mine's a little different because I started having my hair loss after a colectomy (I just had the second of three surgeries to have it reversed and get a j pouch).  At first I was really upset about having an ileostomy, but to be honest I've pretty much dealt with that and this hair thing is what is bothering me the most. 

It was a little delayed, but maybe a month or so after surgery, my hair just started falling out in extremely alarming amounts.  It has since slowed down a bit, but it is AWFUL.  You can completely see through the little strings that hang around my head, and now the new hair that's growing in on top looks like spikes.  I'm also not sure if it was the surgery or the illness leading up to surgery that caused this, so I'm worried I have another bout of hair loss to look forward to now following the second surgery, and still another in december for the third surgery. confused

If anyone has any advice or suggestions to offer, I'm all ears (ears which you can see when my hair's down : P).  I've already looked into extensions, and they price they gave me was $2000!  Help!  I feel like, haven't I dealt with enough, and now this!

Thanks,

Courtney

Posted 9/12/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Piper_Chris, yes, I know about this company. They are very highly recommended. I have seen their work first hand. They also have people in the music industry, as well as, actors that come to them. If you would like further information, you may email me at [email protected]. I will be happy to give you more info thru email. Anyone else that would like info may email me as well.

Gigi1227

Currently Flaring
Canasa
Asacol
Mega Probiotic
Multi Enzyme
Psyillum
Metamucill Wafer
Nicotine Patch
Posted 9/12/2008 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I am having 'hair issues' myself. I have been on prednisone for 9 months now (became dependent so they are trying to get me off of it using 6-MP) and i can't believe how much my hair has fallen out as well as how the texture has changed. It is very 'frizzy & dry' looking even though it isn't dry or brittle. It looks horrible and i have tried everything and anything to try to calm it down. I have very long hair so i don't really want to cut it shorter but i am getting tempted too!! ugh.
Posted 9/15/2008 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am having hair issues as well. It could be the Remicade, it could be stress. I am strongly considering pulling a GI Jane, if my hair gets thinner. What do you all think?
Posted 9/16/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Jack = I'd try a new style over the GI Jane. That's a bit extreme and will take a long time to regrow. It might really effect your confidence and self-esteem. I cut mine to about chin length, bob style, and it made it seem thicker.
Posted 9/16/2008 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have been lucky, I guess, because I have tons of hair and get even more, like on my face, when on prednisone. And it grows really fast when I'm on a protein diet.
Just a warning here, my naturopathic doctor told me he is getting more patients with UC who have been on baldness medication. Much like those of us who took Accutane and got UC.
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