View Full Version : Hair loss in the shower/sink & comb/brush -- HELP?!
StephanieB
July 7th, 2008, 10:09 AM
I now this is a loaded question, with many possible answers (all of which might be correct)..... but...
For the past year or so, I have noticed that more hair than usual (a significant amount!) has come out when I wash, or even comb or brush dry. Each time.
My hairdresser noticed it last week at the wash sink, and she exclaimed in dismay, "Aiiiiieeeeeee! Cha!! You're losing a lot of hair - más! You don't usually lose this much when you wash? Este mucho? Cada vez que? Each time?"
(and she held up the usual amount that I've been losing at each wash)
I nodded, said that, yes, lately, I'd been losing that much when I wash. And almost that much each time I comb or brush.
She clicked her teeth, and asked me if it was "the shots, the medicine". Because, she said, she'd lost a bit of hair since she, too, has been getting "the shots, the medicine".
I have been getting cortisone/steroid injections into my spine, thanks to my ruptured discs. One in January, one in March, and one last week.
She's a few months and an injection behind me, for the same problem.
Now, I know I'm not in the best of health.
Severe depression (and the resultant lack of taking care of my hair for over a year) must have taken it's toll.
Being obese might further take toll; I dunno???
The meds I'm on probably take further toll... I dunno what meds might affect my skin and hair and nails.
I'm on --
Tramadol (TID - 3 x daily)
Tizanidine (once daily, at night)
I have been on morphine, at times, to control the pain. On and off since 14 or 15 months ago.
Of course, the steroids they keep pumping into my spine so I can remain upright is appalling... and I know that adversely affects my hormones. Hubby has to literally lock me up for a few days, after each injection, because I get 'roid rage' seriously enough to be a legal concern.
I've been so damn depressed, that, often, I'll not bother to get up and wash (or even to comb my hair) for days on end... maybe up to a week or so at a time.
When I remember to do it - I take my usual vitamin/mineral one-a-day and other supplements.
Besides the obvious (strict adherance to taking my vitamins & supplements, trying to eat regularly and healthier, strictly enforcing basic daily grooming habits) -- what else can I do to stop this much hair loss???
Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions. :)
embee
July 7th, 2008, 01:33 PM
That sounds horrible and I have nothing to offer but good wishes. I also went through a med related hairloss when my thyroid went wonky, but now I'm evened out again.
It's odd, but when my dog took steroids he got *more* hair.
Devon77
July 7th, 2008, 02:23 PM
I bet cortisone/steroid injections are the problem... In my house my fiance has a back problem much like yours! So we now your pain!! I hope it gets better soon.
feralnature
July 7th, 2008, 02:31 PM
Oh Bless you.
I am Bipolar and Epileptic and take lots of meds. My hair falls out when i am on certains ones. It can't be avoided if you MUST take the meds.
If you are overweight it is possibly from your medication and of course, your diet. You most likely eat too many carbs and not enough protein. I have started the Paleolithic Diet (Caveman Diet) and am doing well. Increase your general health and your hair will respond. Take care of yourself first though. If you need the meds, take them.
lora410
July 7th, 2008, 02:48 PM
my honey has 6 or more herniated disk and is on morphine amongst other things so I know what your hubby is going through.. I would suggest the following
Mix some carrier oil with rosemary, lavender, sage, and thyme. I had some bad shed from stress etc and from the first day. Massage this onto your scalp scalp for a few mins and leave on for an hour or so and wash out. My shed has dramatically decresed. I am sure all your meds arent helping either :flower: This as well as other recipes can be found in the EO article HERE (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=584&highlight=Essential+oil)
Maravel
July 7th, 2008, 03:51 PM
I recently went through some scary shedding as well - so badly that I went to the doctor about it (and I don't even have insurance!!).
To make a long story short, my hormones needed balancing. I ended up going the natural route - I stopped taking all non-herbal medicines and supplements, and began a hormone-regulator tea (made for me by an herbalist). After three months of that, my cycles regulated themselves (finally!!) and my shedding slowed down.
I also notice that I shed a lot more doing CO washings. Could your products be contributing to this in any way?
HTH! I'll be sending good hair thoughts your way!:p
sipnsun
July 7th, 2008, 04:00 PM
I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time StephanieB, but your hair issues could be caused by all the above. Depression alone is enough to make you lose hair, but with the meds on top of it, it may be making it worse. Hang in there, it has to get better. In the mean time, try changing up your hair routine and see if it helps. Good luck!
podo
July 7th, 2008, 05:03 PM
I had one of those injections in my spine - swore I'd never do it again! I'd rather have surgery!! (Degenerated disc here!)
I take the Tizanidine once in a while, and I tried Tramadol but it didn't work. I now deal with the morphine daily, and have recently started Fentonyl patches.
When I was on Clomid (fertility drug) I had insane hair shed (actually 6-8 months after the medication). It goes away after a month or two, but it's scary while it's happening. Research "Telogen Effluvium" and see if the meds you take regularly have been known to cause it. If you can't stop taking the meds, then you're stuck with the shed, but it shouldn't cause you to permanently lose your hair; it just shifts the growing phase. Unpleasant and frustrating, but not permanent.
I'm not sure if there's anything you can do to make it stop except to stop the meds and wait for it to run its course. If you require shots to stand up then stopping the meds may not be an option, though you might want to consider different methods of treatment. If you haven't already done so, try a TENS unit or the lidocaine patches. I loved both and still use them. Talk to your pain management doctor about treatment options - there are a LOT of drugs that are available for this kind of pain. Shots are the "quick fix" (if you can stand them) but may not be the best thing for you. On the other hand, if you go the drug route you may end up in a slightly hazy daze for 90% of your day, but you'll have your hair!
Whatever you do, remember that if it is Telogen Effluvium then it will require a month at least to get out of your system. Possibly up to 3 months.
Another possibility is hormones. The Clomid I was on really fubar'd my hormones, so that might have actually been the cause. If you're overweight then you may have PCOS too (you don't have to be overweight to get it though - every woman should get checked out). That will destroy your hormone balance, and may affect your hair.
Hope this helps...
*hugs*
paper
July 7th, 2008, 05:44 PM
My Mom had to take steroids for her liver. She lost alot of hair and gained weight from them. After a few months like that, she demanded to her dr. to try another medication. She refused to take any more. Once she stopped her hair grew back full, and shes lost alot of weight.
Good luck Stephanie *hugs*
StephanieB
July 7th, 2008, 08:02 PM
All this loving support... plus more in PMs.
Thank you - all!
If good hair thoughts and wishes and prayers will help my hair, then I'm set for life. :D
Hormones out of whack might also be part of my problem. I stopped menstruating - my last period was November... or was it October?
I got it on board the Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas... yeah. That cruise was in October.
My doctors all say it might be the steroids that they've been injecting into me every 3 months. Or it might be natural - my mother went thru menapause early - at the age of 50 or 51. Or it might be my obesity... which might be because of the steroids. I was heavy before, but nothing like I am now! Being wheelchair/scooter-bound and on sterioids -- a BAD combination for weight control!!! They don't know. They guess. They don't even care, I think.
Let's see...
lifelong severe chronic clinical depression (last suicide attempt was January 2006; the 1st was in 1989)
bipolar
OCD (obsessive - not compulsive like Mother is)
failing physical health
just diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, type III in November... and there is no cure
financial woes (mostly thanks to my mounting medical bills, and who isn't financially stressed these days?)
just become handicapped - wheelchair/scooter-bound - since January (and NOT liking it one bit!!)
severe stress (see my list ^)
Nope. I have no reason to be losing my hair, eh? :rolleyes:
I don't wanna complain and complain. No one likes being around a chronic complainer.
But if I don't say what's wrong, how can anyone help me?
I'm not looking for sympathy... but hair advice would be nice. :)
I've just begun CWC, this past week. (since I found this website and read a bit)
I ordered some cleansing conditioner, which ought to arrive next week, or the week after.
WaimeaWahine
July 8th, 2008, 07:45 AM
All this loving support... plus more in PMs.
Thank you - all!
If good hair thoughts and wishes and prayers will help my hair, then I'm set for life. :D
Hormones out of whack might also be part of my problem. I stopped menstruating - my last period was November... or was it October?
I got it on board the Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas... yeah. That cruise was in October.
My doctors all say it might be the steroids that they've been injecting into me every 3 months. Or it might be natural - my mother went thru menapause early - at the age of 50 or 51. Or it might be my obesity... which might be because of the steroids. I was heavy before, but nothing like I am now! Being wheelchair/scooter-bound and on sterioids -- a BAD combination for weight control!!! They don't know. They guess. They don't even care, I think.
Let's see...
lifelong severe chronic clinical depression (last suicide attempt was January 2006; the 1st was in 1989)
bipolar
OCD (obsessive - not compulsive like Mother is)
failing physical health
just diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, type III in November... and there is no cure
financial woes (mostly thanks to my mounting medical bills, and who isn't financially stressed these days?)
just become handicapped - wheelchair/scooter-bound - since January (and NOT liking it one bit!!)
severe stress (see my list ^)
Nope. I have no reason to be losing my hair, eh? :rolleyes:
I don't wanna complain and complain. No one likes being around a chronic complainer.
But if I don't say what's wrong, how can anyone help me?
I'm not looking for sympathy... but hair advice would be nice. :)
One of my favorite movie lines is: "When the mind is in pain, the body cries out." So a healthy mentality can affect your hair. The power of positive thought works. :)
I was on and off medication for depression for several years and finally found an all-natural remedy. Not a cure by any means, but when it does work, everything changes - diet, weight, nails, hair, and my energy to take on everything else.
Medications have so many side effects it's difficult to tell. Hopefully your shots will be temporary. If it doesn't interfere with your meds maybe a B12 supplement would help your hair as it promotes tissue growth - whatever that means! - but I would assume it to include hair.
And of course your hair is supposed thin as we age... I dunno.
*I know little about other hair growing tips as a newbie, but have volunteered with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for over a decade. :cheese:
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