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Tempted to shave my head.

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Posted 8/14/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I always loved my long, curly hair but it's been thinning out like crazy since June. I believe it's because of my anaemia or not enough nutrition intake or probably both. I'm trying really hard to force myself to up my calorie intake but its hard since more food = more bathroom trips. I'm also forcing myself to eat more variety, eating a small amount of different fruit and veg every day. Also eating lots of protein and drinking lots of dairy alternatives like rice and hemp milk.

I just hate taking showers and brushing my hair because it means seeing hair fall out. :( But I know I shouldn't stress over it because it'll make it worse but it's just so hard not too... I don't want to be bald at 22!!

If you've experienced hair loss, I would like to know how you dealt with it... How long until you noticed a difference when it started growing out... And what kind of short hair style looks good on a girl with super curly hair? :P
Posted 8/14/2014 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
My hair has been falling out and thinning like crazy. I added a biotin supplement back. I **think** I'm starting to see a difference.
Posted 8/14/2014 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Some on the Crohn's forum recommend biotin and folic acid. And nioxin hair products.
Posted 8/14/2014 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm actually already on biotin supplement but not on folic acid. So sick of swallowing all these pills, lol!
Posted 8/14/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
I always said that if my medication made my hair fall out to the point where it looked thin and scraggly and awful, I would shave my head. Cut it all off before it gets too bad, and give it to one of those charities that make real-hair wigs for kids with cancer. I think that would be so cool!

But it's drastic :p I've heard putting almond or coconut oil in your hair helps, if you're looking for a natural solution which isn't another pill to swallow.
Posted 8/14/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I do have a jar of coconut oil... Maybe instead of slathering it on my veggies, next time I'll slather it on my head, LOL. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt and perhaps at least make my remaining hair shiny if nothing else.
Posted 8/14/2014 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
if you research castor oil, it is very good for hair and not expensive at all.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/300875-castor-oil-effects-on-hair-growth/

i agree with you that it's from malnutrition and meds. i have been weirdly lucky in that my hair has never been affected from starving to death and all these meds. as long as you work on gaining weight and getting into remission, it should grow back. i know it's not easy either.

if the style and lack of hair is bothering you that much, i'm sure you could go to a hairdresser and ask them what would work best for you. they do short hair cuts all the time.
Posted 8/14/2014 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
My mom actually has a jar of castor oil!!! Sweet. And nah, I don't really care about style atm. :p If anything, I'll shave my hair to a buzzcut and wear pretty head scarves or something, lol. I'm just so tired of seeing my long hair fall out!! I think it'd be a huge relief to have it cut short.
Posted 8/14/2014 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I also lost most of my hair due to poor nutrition and all the meds I have been on . Especially Prednoisine.

I tried Biotin coconut oil and other crazy stuff nothing helped.

On the advise of my hairdresser I bought a wig.its the same grey color and style of my old hair.

Never looked back , now own 3 wigs.

Iam still too skinny at 98lbs,but hey at my age feeling good at how my hair looks turn
Posted 8/14/2014 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
That must be tough!..I think at 22 you could have it shaved, or cut short and still look cute!..its a big deal though so think carefully before going ahead with it...best to you!
Posted 8/14/2014 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
imo,

shaved/short = hot !
Posted 8/14/2014 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
I cut mine short about a year ago for the same reason. It did help my hair look better , but I will say I miss the long :( I'm afraid to let it grow to have the same problem again. I had a ton of breakage and it looked really unhealthy. The short hair on the plus side is a lot easier to fix and looks thicker and you cant see the breakage. I have fine straight hair so I can't help too much for styles. I would get a magazine or do a google image search on short styles for your hair. Another possibility is clip in hair extensions. It would add some fullness. Good luck with your decision.
Posted 8/15/2014 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I never even thought of hair extensions! Luckily my BF's mom is my hair dresser so I'm sure she'll have some ideas and can get discounts on things like hair extensions and such. I can't believe I never thought of that!
Posted 8/15/2014 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I think I read in another thread you're on prednisone.....that's what's making your hair fall out. I lost about half of mine at one point. The good news is it always grows back once you're off of it. Interestingly enough my hair used to be straight and when it grew back in it came in curly. Now I have wavy hair I never had before and I haven't been on Prednisone in 5 years!
Posted 8/15/2014 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
I started losing my hair in June but started prednisone last week. However, my first course of prednisone was from late March to early June. So I'm not sure if it's because of the prednisone or not.
Posted 8/15/2014 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely, it's from the pred...possibly in combo with the c.diff/pancreatitis and remi.

Your body's going through a LOT, and the hairloss and growth process is a long one, unfortunately to see good results once the cycle starts functioning normally.

Get a cute short haircut....how curly is your hair?

q
Posted 8/15/2014 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah... my body definitely feels like it's going through a battle, aha. My hair's pretty curly, not like afro curly, but I have lots of locks. I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out with help from my BF's mom... just feeling a bit self concious to ask her because I feel a bit embarrassed about it.
Posted 8/15/2014 5:39 PM (GMT 0)

annadee said...
... just feeling a bit self concious to ask her because I feel a bit embarrassed about it.

You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Use things like this to bring awareness about UC to other people. I'm sure your friend's mom will know what to do and give you a real nice style. Good luck!
Posted 8/15/2014 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I say cut it!
However, biotin, folic acid supplements and rosemary oil mixed with coconut or grape seed oil massaged into your scalp once a day (if you can sleep with it on even better) will help.
I had hair loss from hydrocortisone enemas and my short, thick hair became shorter, thin hair. I got a new haircut/style until the hair loss stopped, then I had so much new hair growth I had to cut my hair in a pixie cut because I had tons of spiky hair and long strands too, it looked strange!

It took about 6 weeks after stopping the steroids for the hair loss to stop and the new growth started around then as well.
Posted 8/17/2014 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to say that I had similar problems with my hair really falling out and being thin. I think it was the asacol I was on. Could have also been the periodic doses of prednisone and all the other stuff I tried. Anyway, hang in there. I thought my hair would never get better and it did. I'd stopped taking meds for a year or two and that might have been it. I'm amazed that I'm older and have more hair than when I was in my twenties. So don't despair. This isn't permanent. :)

Also, the longer my hair was, the more it fell out because of the weight. Can you go shorter with a headband or bandana? Could be super cute and start a trend. :)
Posted 8/17/2014 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I work for Aveda as a hairstylist and we have shampoo and conditioner called invati and clients have told me
It has worked for them. the main ingredient is turmeric!

My hair has been thinning a bit too :(
Posted 8/31/2014 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
So I lost about 3/4 of my hair from Prednisone, the taper specifically and my body adjusting to the hormone changes from tapering. The one and only thing that helped it grow back faster is this Laser comb thing my dermatologist suggested. It wasn't cheap, around $400 I think, but it really made new hairs sprout out fast! I use it 3 times a week. My hairstylist even noticed the difference. I have long hair (used to be really long but had to cut it shoulder length since it was so thin), so it's taking a long time for it to look fuller. But it's now at the point where the thicker hair is almost to my chin, anything below that is still thinner.

Other than that, I've tried biotin, folic acid, Nioxin, L-lysine, protein shakes, iron pills - none of that made it grow back. I'm sure it's all great for your hair and nails, but doesn't make it grow back any faster.

I do use Aveda Pure Abundance shampoo, really makes the hair look thicker. The Invati stuff I thought was just for hair loss due to breakage? Not sure but that is what the fine print says anyway.
Posted 8/31/2014 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I did end up cutting my hair. My hairdresser was able to make it look thick and full with a cute bob, so I didn't even have to cut it too short. My hair is still thinning but I've accepted it. Once I stop the pred, I'm sure my hair will start to grow back in a couple of months. Worse comes to worse, I'll rock some head scarves. :)
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