A new diagnosis - seems vain but I am upset about it...

[CAMary]

I guess in addtion to the MC gene, I inherited another *doozy* from my parents....

This morning I went to the dermatologist to investigate issues I've had with an itchy scalp and excessive shedding of hair - it hasn't responded to shampoo. Well I have a dandruff-like dermatitis condition on part of my head, but he said the hair loss is *female pattern hair loss*!! It is thinning only on the top of my head, which he said is a classic symptom. Supposedly it is fairly common for women around menopause and older. I felt like I was punched in the stomach! I may be more angry about this than MC - I guess I am much more vain about my hair than I thought! I have to use Rogaine 2x day FOREVER (or until they discover something better!) and see him again in a month after collecting shedding samples once a week to see if it decreases at all. Rogaine has mixed results, and I didn't even ask worst-case-scenario - I guess I'll need to use it religiously and hope for the best....

I never had *good hair* in my life - thin, fine, mousy-brown and stick-straight. BUT at least I had a head of it...

So now in addition to being a "food freak", I will be a "hair freak". I'm not usually one for self-pity, but I know you guys will understand when *one more thing* just seems too unfair...

Thanks for listening!

Mary (who's wondering why she didin't get her dad's "get into Stanford" gene )

[grannyh]

I know how you feel. I don't know if I have female pattern hair loss... mine is receding at the temples (like the men in my family). Mine has always been baby fine, straight and not much of it....

I try not to focus on the negatives (fecal scream:), hair, and now the teeth are giving out on me...

You definitely will not find granny winning any old lady beauty contests..LOL
grannyh

[annie oakley]

Hi Mary....It's not self Pity, It's totally unfair when we get loaded up with things one right after the other....so vent away! That's what we are all here for. I lost some hair after using the Asacol for so long and it hasn't come back either. Doctor says it may not. Hang in there, we love you, Love Oma

[Peggy]

Aw Mary that sucks! I'd be complaining, too, believe me. Momster had quite a problem with hair loss just a while back...I'll ask her about it.

Love ya
Peg

[barbaranoela]

Mary~~~~~~
I am shedding also----and it is bothersome-----Lou laughs @ me---but damn these men---they dont understand----

I feel its due to all this friggin(being polite) stress that has been chasing me all the time---

I just read an article---and that good old STRESS can play a major factor---and also I shall throw in the thyroid issue---

Being my thyroid blood work ups have been normal--I shall go with the stress--

If I get any info I will let U know---
Luve Barbara

[Momster]

Hi:

My hair loss seems to be getting better. I tried Rogaine, but it didn't help.
I've been using Nioxin Shampoo and conditioner and taking Biotin as a supplement and it seems to be helping. I think I'm even seeing some regrowth. I had an itchy scalp also, but no rash. I was told by my Dr. that it was a reaction to some type of drug I was taking, but she wasn't sure which one. I did stop ametrypteline and that seemed to help.
The biotin is better absorbed when taken with food, but check with your Dr. to make sure it doesn't cause problems with the MC. Maybe a few more knowledgeables on the Board might know if biotin could cause problems.
Well, I must go - got a nasty case of the flu and I break out in a sweat easily. Feeling a bit better tonight though.

You are all in my thoughts.

Love - Momster

[starfire]

Mary, you're right - it ISN'T fair!! I'm really sorry and I sure hope the rogaine helps.

There are so many things I'd like to "fix" about myself that I'd need a list to keep track.

Love, Shirley

[tex]

Biotin is an OTC vitamin supplement, and excess amounts are excreted in the urine, so its not likely to cause adverse side effects. Biotin defiencies are rare, however:

Certain rare inborn diseases can leave people with depletion of biotin due to the inability to metabolize the vitamin normally. A dietary deficiency of biotin, however, is quite uncommon, even in those consuming a diet low in this B vitamin. Nonetheless, if someone eats large quantities of raw egg whites, a biotin deficiency can develop, because a protein in the raw egg white inhibits the absorption of biotin. Cooked eggs do not present this problem. Long-term antibiotic use can interfere with biotin production in the intestine and increase the risk of deficiency symptoms, such as dermatitis, depression, hair loss,2 anemia, and nausea. Long-term use of anti-seizure medications may also lead to biotin deficiency.3 Alcoholics, people with inflammatory bowel disease, and those with diseases of the stomach have been reported to show evidence of poor biotin status. However, the usefulness of biotin supplementation for these people remains unclear.

I'll assume that you haven't been eating large quantities of raw egg whites.

This quote is from:

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/Supp/Biotin.htm

Tex

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Mary,

It is not fair and it seems that for a lot of us on this forum, the other conditions that arise after our CC or MC diagnosis just gets us down more. Luckily I have been blessed with very thick hair and always straight and am sure I inherited it from my dad who had a full head of silver gray hair until he passed at 88. On the other hand, I also inherited his gene for horrible teeth and probably in February and March will have the last of the bottoms extracted and replaced.

I surely hope the Rogaine works and does not cause any side effects.

Love, Maggie

[Polly]

Hi CA Mary,

Bummer!

Hopefully it's just temporary. Maybe if you clear up the itchy stuff, this will improve too. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Didn't you notice hair loss with the asacol like Oma did? I seem to remember that.

When I met you I thought you had great hair - all my life I wished I had long straight hair, just like yours. The grass is always greener..........

Don't blame you for bring upset. Rant and rave all you want.

Love,

Polly

[CAMary]

Thanks everyone!

As usual, this is the #1 place to find support from people who care

This is just another one of those curveballs that life hands you - and you have to step up and handle it!

Momster - thanks for the biotin tip! I remember using biotin shampoo when I was about 14 and on an "all natural beauty products" kick (mud masks etc...) I have to go to the health food store this weekend for some gluten-free stuff - I will look for a supplement I could take - can't hurt might help! I will also look into the Nioxin shampoo, once I am done with the prescription stuff for the dermatitis I hope you are feeling better!!

Polly - yes I think back to the *temporary* problem I had while on Asacol - I wonder if I had that side-effect b/c I am predisposed to hair-loss?? I haven't taken Asacol in 4 years, and my hair *did* grow in thick and healthy during the interim....I hope clearing up the dermatitis may arrest the shedding somewhat - fingers-crossed!

Mags - sorry about your teeth - aren't genes a crapshoot? I have much better teeth than my parents - but my dad has very little hair at this point - thin for many years, then he actually got a form of alopecia, where his body hair started to fall out - oh well there are *worse* things they could have passed to me...

Barb- glad to hear I'm not the only one I know thyroid and stress etc. can be factors - but I had normal bloodwork not long ago - and the fact it is thinning only in the crown area is the clue it is female pattern stuff...If you hear of any "magic bullet" cure - please share!! LOL

Tex- thanks for the biotin info - no raw eggwhite consumption here

Shirley, Pegster, Oma and Granny - thanks for your support and understanding..I really appreciate it!

I know if it gets bad, there are many options available to women nowadays - the lady on a local TV channel who does movie reviews is known for her *unique* hats - I suspect she has some form of hair loss. Also, I suspect my MIL has something going on...her hair always looks the same, but once at their house I was using the restroom and saw a bottle of hairspray labeled "for synthetic hair and wigs" which caught my attention...

Onward and upward!!

Mary

[artteacher]

Hi Mary,

My hair is the same: thin, stick straight, lost a lot with each pregnancy, also have uncontrollable dandruff from all shampoos, unless they have zinc pyrithione in them. It used to be a hard ingredient to find, but most dandruff shampoos have gone to it now, I think. So maybe you've already tried that and it doesn't work for you. I'm not sure it helps the thinning hair except that it stops the inflammation and irritation that might worsen hair loss.

I tried Nioxin and it didn't help me.

I have a thyroid problem and take levothyroxin.

I did have a autoimmune problem, which probably contributed.

My mom has really thin hair, so there might be a genetic component.

So be sure to let us all know how Rogaine and anything else you learn helps you! And sorry, I know exactly how you feel. I think if I had a choice of being healthy, or looking healthy, I'd choose looking healthy.

Love, Marsha

[tex]

I think if I had a choice of being healthy, or looking healthy, I'd choose looking healthy.

Love, Marsha

At great risk of being perceived as a male chauvinist pig, I'm going to guess that gender has a very strong influence on choosing that option. At any rate, I'd have to say that choosing health, over a healthy appearance, would be a no-brainer for me. LOL.

Love,
Tex

[starfire]

I won't call you a M.C. because I think you just might be correct and I just MIGHT choose the LOOKING also.

Love, Shirley

[grannyh]

To be very attractive a man only needs to be ONE of three things, handy around the house, rich, good looking:)

Women on the other hand have to be good looking no matter what.. she can be stone stupid and unable to boil water but if she is good looking all else is forgiven...LOL

Thank heavens I can boil water :)
grannyh