Please Help Me Save My Hair!

[marvel-lover]

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've been able to jump on here. Life got crazy busy!

Anyway, I was recently diagnosed with Gastroparesis, though I've been struggling with this for a few months now (I count my blessings; some people don't get diagnosed for years!). This means that my stomach is mostly paralyzed; this is, unfortunately, chronic. As a result of my inability to really eat much, as well as how frequently I'm throwing up, my hair has started falling out and has become rather dry. I've lost over 50 pounds in 3 months. I know I need nutrition, and my doctors and I are trying to figure out how to combat that, but it's really difficult when whatever I put in comes straight back out, undigested.

I really appreciate all advice, though I can't just start supplements or vitamins without consulting with my doctor. I'm more looking for suggestions on what I can do with my hair, or products I can use, to save it. I just almost reached one of my biggest goals of having hip length hair, and I can't stand the thought of it falling out!

Thank you!!

[AutobotsAttack]

Sending much love your way.

To be honest, I think your energy and focus should be continually shifted to your health right now. I know that’s easier said than done, but it is something that’s second compared to you getting better at this moment. Your hair tends to mimic whatever state of health you are currently in. No amount of topical stuff is going to mask what’s going on on the inside, in order to preserve your hair.

You could manage to keep the length moisturized, and protected and up and out of the way. But other than that, focus on your body first and foremost, and keep working with your doctors to get better and better, and your hair will eventually bounce back.

[pili]

Oh, marvel-lover! I'm so sorry to see this. Lots of healing thoughts are headed your way.

I agree with AutobotsAttack. Do benign neglect of the gentlest sort, and focus on your health. No amount of product or technique is going to make much of a difference. Just find ways to get healthy.

[Katia_k]

Definitely focus on your health. Maybe get some nice nourishing deep conditioners to use, as part of self-care even more than hair care. I know when you feel terrible, it's nice to be able to have something you can "work" on to give yourself something pleasant to do. So look for masks or DT's with good ingredients that will nourish your scalp and moisturize your hair, and give those a try. They will probably do the best to help you, and maybe be good for mental health too as you get this all sorted out.

I hope you and your doctor figure out a plan that will get you back on the road to being healthy. Sending good thoughts your way.

[lapushka]

Honestly, I think there is fairly little you can do. Have they considered tube-feeding you? Because losing that much weight is alarming and needs to be addressed, but I'm sure your doctors know that. In fact, I am a little shocked that they're waiting so long with all this. :flower:

Wishing you well!

[manticore]

There are some great cookbooks on amazon full of recipes that help with managing gastroparesis thru diet.

Good luck and hang in there!

[lapushka]

Have they recommended a dietician, marvel-lover? Have they mentioned anything they're gonna be doing to address this? :flower:

[marvel-lover]

Thank you for your replies. This is almost definitely going to end with tube feeds, but we want to exhaust all other possibilities first. Some days are pretty good. Like today, I was able to eat half a ham sandwich and I’m only moderately nauseas and bloated and in pain. Other days I can’t even drink my Ensure. We are trying medications, but they only help 40% of people with my condition, and only for so long. So fingers crossed! The issue is that my hair is my anti-anxiety and I worked so hard to keep it healthy. I’m so anxious about my health, all I want to do is take care of my hair to help that, but my hair is suffering. It’s so frustrating, but I need to stay positive.

[lapushka]

Thank you for your replies. This is almost definitely going to end with tube feeds, but we want to exhaust all other possibilities first. Some days are pretty good. Like today, I was able to eat half a ham sandwich and I’m only moderately nauseas and bloated and in pain. Other days I can’t even drink my Ensure. We are trying medications, but they only help 40% of people with my condition, and only for so long. So fingers crossed! The issue is that my hair is my anti-anxiety and I worked so hard to keep it healthy. I’m so anxious about my health, all I want to do is take care of my hair to help that, but my hair is suffering. It’s so frustrating, but I need to stay positive.

I hope something works, and if not tube feeds it is... it is going to have to be that way, for your hair's health and most importantly for *your* health. It will be fine! I know it's hard when you're hungry and can't keep food down. I hope they're on top of this and that you get this sorted asap. Keep us posted. :) And good luck to you. :flower:

[marvel-lover]

Thank you Lapushka! You’re an absolute angel!

[lapushka]

Thank you Lapushka! You’re an absolute angel!

You're so sweet! :flower: :grouphug:

[KlutzyChy1]

Oh sweetie, my heart aches for you so much. What you're struggling with now is so similar to what I went through a couple years back. I too had stomach issues that made it nearly impossible for me to eat or keep anything down that went undiagnosed for an entire year. My condition is chronic as well, though it is mostly under control now & only acts up under severe stress or after eating certain foods. While I didn't lose nearly as much weight as you have, I was borderline healthy weight to begin with, &went from 96lbs to 76lbs. I would get full extremely easily, become bloated, my stomach would become distended &hard to the touch,I would have naseau, vomitting, etc. I know how scary this is. I would get sick every time I tried to eat, so then I became terrified of food & eating & would put off trying for as long as I could because the pain was too much for me to handle. For me personally, it was caused by extreme stress & believed to be a form of ibs.

Anyway, I know how hard it is to make your hair an after thought, but in my case, the condition of my hair didn't begin to improve until my health began to improve& that is what is most important right now. Once you get your body to where it needs to be &it has time to heal, everything else will follow suit. Now I don't know how it is in your case, but could you perhaps try juicing or something similar? Maybe just take fruits & vegetables & blend with a little water to try & get some nutrients & vitamins in your body. I don't know how well your stomach will be able to handle this,but it may be easier for it to digest than the ensure, since those tend to be heavier & thicker. Or perhaps you could try primarily liquids? I know when I was gaining my weight back, having things like ensures & smoothies were the easiest on my stomach. Maybe protein powder with water or a non dairy milk? I know that bone broth is supposed to be loaded with vitamins & minerals. Just to get anything in your system. Again, I'm sorry if these are things you have already tried.

Reading this brought me to tears. I wish you so much love & luck on your journey. I can already tell you are such a strong woman to be able to go through this. For me,it was the hardest thing I have ever had to struggle with. Just know that you are not alone & if you ever need anyone to talk to or vent to, you can always come to me and I will try to support you. This is something very near & dear to my heart & I hope that you can make a speedy recovery & put this nightmare behind you soon. ❤️

[hennared]

I went through a run with this. It lasted about a year and a half and then somewhat suddenly (it seemed) resolved itself. I did not take medication.

What helped me was VERY small meals, and since I could well tolerate yogurt, I used a lot of liquid/powder supplements mixed in that. (All In One was my favorite - pricey but worth it!!)

I also found rice porridge cooked in a crockpot overnight with lots of bones made for something I could digest and I got the nutrition from the bones extracted into the porridge.

If you can tolerate nut butters, that's another great source of nutrition. I was oddly enough able to tolerate that, despite the fiber content in some (ie, almond, peanut).

I think the best thing you can do is try to find what you can eat. Exhaust the possibilities! Hopefully there are some foods you can keep down?

Basically in gastroparesis (as I understand it) fiber is not your friend; especially in raw veggies. But you probably know that! I hope you get well and your body resolves this 'on it's own'.