More Hair Loss Questions!!!!

I think that hair tends to fall out more at this time of the year, which may be why you're noticing it a lot now. I've definitely noticed a lot more of my hair coming out these days. Not enjoyable.

Really, I think it's cyclical. It will likely get better but the autumn/winter is difficult.

I know it sucks - I have SUPER thin hair and I'm a woman in her 30s-- but remember that it's just hair. Having someone sympathic as a hair cutter helps. I hate feeling self-conscious when I go to a new salon. And someone creative might be able to cut your hair to give it some extra body.

Not that I'm recommending this, but coloring your hair does make each hair a little thicker. I do because I like the color but also, I can use all the help I can get. I just avoid over-processing.

Hang in there. I know I've obsessed about it too and when I relaxed about it, I felt a lot better. If your hair loss is from medication is WILL come back. That's what the doctors told me. My hair loss is the plain old genetic female hair loss, so it won't. But either way, some times of the year are worse than others for everyone.

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Meds:
6 MP
cortiform
tylenol/codeine

I lost hair on Asacol and a LOT of hair on 6mp. Hair loss stopped when I got off both drugs. You may want to look into some shampoos and conditioners that help regrow hair and/or that add body and fullness. Ask your beautician to suggest a brand. I think a shorter cut, if you don't already have one, is also easier to fluff and make look fuller.

I buy a shampoo for a hair salon. It is high in protein, and the conditioner you leave in. I have used it off and on for several years, because of the $ I dont buy it all the time accept when things are really acting up.

I am not sure if I can post the name of it on here or not.

nope, I dont sell anything........ that is not my cup of tea :)

If you tell your hair dresser why you are wanting it, I bet they will sell it at just above cost.

I will type it off the bottle

The shampoo is REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC - Extreme Shampoo - fortifier for distressed hair - shampooing fortifiant.

The conditioner is by the same company. REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC - Extreme 0
Anti-Snap - leave in treatment for distressed hair.

I put the conditioner in after I towel dry my hair,

http://www.redken.com/products/displayBrand.cfm?b=263

those are the only two that I have tried, I do switch off to another brand every so often like they say you should, but only do that a few nights.

We get hair trims on routine - she has now said that my hair would be strong enough to have it high lighted. - but I am going to wait until after my colonoscopy, just to make sure.

I used to have long thick hair, it is back to at least some what thicker and past my sholders again, and I dont have the little pieces sticking up on the top from being broke off.

I hope this helps someone.

The issue of hair loss comes up repeatedly on the Crohn's forum. I wrote this two years ago after researching the medications we take and the possibility of hair loss from those meds. I have had two bouts of hair loss due to medications used in the treatment of CD. My opinions are my own and before taking any actions I describe, please consult your doctor.   Azathioprine [Imuran, Azacan, etc] is a folic acid antagonist. Folic acid [folate; B9] is found in highest concentrations of foods that people with CD often avoid, fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables. While your doctor may have measured your folate level in your blood and pronounced it "normal" it still could be too low. A folate level on the lower end of the normal range in a person with CD can lead to deficiency. Since azathioprine interferes with folate, and your diet might be insufficient in folate, deficiency can occur. My doctor prescribed Folic Acid 1 mg daily. Within two months of adding this, my excessive hair loss had stopped and I was regrowing hair.   Methotrexate is a more widely known folic acid depleter. It works by interfering with folic acid activation. If you are on this drug and not taking folic acid, you must talk to your doctor. The amount of folic acid that you need will be determined by your physician based on your MTX dosage.   6 - mercaptopurine [6MP/Purinethol] can also cause temporary hair loss. 6MP is a purine antagonist and that might be part of the cause.   Sulfasalazine is also a folic acid inhibitor and you need supplementation. Again, your doctor should prescribe prescript ion strength folic acid based on your Sulfasalazine dosage.   Good information about folic acid here: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp   Mesalamine [Pentasa, Asacol] can also cause hair loss. Unfortunately some physicians are not as compassionate in recognizing that excessive hair loss can be quite traumatic to the sufferer. Hair loss from mesalamine can sometimes be controlled or minimized by dosage change. If you suspect that your doctor is going to say that hair loss is NOT due to the mesalamine and you suspect it is, the following study can be printed out to take to your appointment. Diffuse alopecia as side effect of mesalazine therapy in Crohn's disease http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8553032&dopt=AbstractPlus     Prednisone is used to treat some types of alopecia [hair loss]. In others taking it for IBD or other autoimmune diseases, prednisone has been reported to cause hair loss. I do not know what the mechanism that causes it, or if there is an antidote to it. I lost 50% of the hair on my head, and all of the hair on my arms and legs. I grew facial hair. This reversed once I was off the prednisone   Alcohol also depletes folic acid and B12 vitamins.   Remicade has reportedly caused hair loss in some individuals.   Before adding folic acid supplementation, be sure to talk to your doctor. Excessive folic acid can mask Vitamin B12 deficiencies and you should have both levels tested.

Many thanks for all of the information.

Ides - it probably time for me to boost my folic acid intake again. The Imuran has been good for my UC, but my hair still breaks easily.

okiemom - i'll be on the lookout for this shampoo!

I think part of it is also stress and malnutrition from being sick. Another "side effect" of this darn disease!

My hair loss started when I tapered off prednisone last march/april. It is still falling out (on 25 mg 6mp) and I am completely obsessed with the loss and very self conscious.
Dakotagirl- just a quick question, your hair started growing back on imuran? how long have you been on this med?


any help or support is really appreciated

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2.4 g Lialdia and 25 mg 6mp
2000 mcg biotin, Iron and folic acid supplement
Ca and alendronate for osteoporosis