HAIR LOSS - HELP

I'm 5 1/2 months out and am losing so much of my hair. I asked my doctor's office if there was anything I could take or do other than increasing my protein to help and they did not have any suggestions. I was wondering if any of you have had any success with any types of supplements or different vitamins. I take my regular vitamins and calcium and I've really increased my protein as much as I can and I'm still losing hand fulls. Please let me know your suggestions. Thanks.

Hi Rebecca - I'm in the same boat as you. Luckily I was blessed with a VERY thick full head of hair so it doesn't look so bad - but I hate the handfulls that come out every day - and I see the difference when I look in the mirror. The 2 main suggestions I received from OH (I think it was in the Q&A section) where to increase protein to a min of 80g a day and to take the supplement Biotin (it's a b-vitamin). I have been doing both now for about 2 weeks. While the hair is still coming out - it has slowed down a bit and I can really tell the difference on days when I forget either the protein or the supplement...so I do think the combo of the 2 helps a lot.

I have fine hair but I had a lot of it and it's pretty long but now it's so thin. I was just doing some research on line and some of the things recommended like Provillus are $40 a month. I will try the Biotin. I'm going to hit GNC today on my lunch hour. Thanks for your help!

Not that this will help your hair loss Rebecca, but mine is falling out too. My protein levels are good, I take biotin and my regular vitamins, and my hair was thin to start. Yikes, it is not nice! From what I have read, this happens at about 4 months (plus or minus) then stops. It is the reaction to a major surgical procedure and the rapid weight loss. The good news is that it DOES grow back. My Nut said: extra supplements only make money for the manufacturers and we secrete the excess in our urine, giving us expensive urine and nothing more. Maybe others will have a more optimistic suggestion for you.

My doctor apparently thinks the same thing and didn't give me any suggestions like I said other than increasing my protein. I guess I'll just get the Biotin and hope for the best. It's just so depressing and scary. I keep looking for bald spots! Have a good day!

Dear Rebecca: I took Biotin for the first 3 months and have not had any hair loss (at least that I have noticed....). My surgeon said it may or may not help. I got a bottle of 90 for less than $3.00 at Wal-Mart, so it's a cheap thing to do. A lot of people say that it helps..... I hope this does not last long for you. Dawn

I'm glad you posted this question. I'm going through the same thing right now and have been losing big clumps for about a month now. My hair was kind of thick, so it doesn't look bad, but it is a lot thinner. I thought about cutting it short, but I'm chicken. I did try increasing my protein, but I haven't noticed a difference. I think I'll try the Biotin like others have suggested and maybe the combination will help. Hang in there! You're not alone!! - Jeannette

I just went to Walmart and got the Biotin. I couldn't find it for $3.00 but it was under $7.00. I hope it helps. It just worries me because my doctor didn't have any recommendations other than more protein and I'm thinking it's just something I'm going to have deal with it and it sucks! I'm sure with us having thick and long hair we lose more. I see my hair everywhere and I'm trying not to bru**** as much or wash or style it as much because so much comes out. My hair dresser said not to touch it with a brush or a pic****il it was almost completely dry. Anyway, good luck to you. Maybe we can holler at each other in a month and see if the Biotin works.

I asked my doctor and he gave me the same advice about increasing protein intake. He said it was a problem that I would have to deal with for a little while but it wouldn't last. My hair dresser said to come back if I thought it was getting too thin and we could cut my hair a little shorter and put more layers in it for a fuller look. My hair goes to the middle of my back now, so I may end up having her cut it to about shoulder length. I'm getting so tired of my hair strands being everywhere. I feel like I have to vacuum the bathroom every morning after I get done blow drying my hair. Or there are strands on my clothes all the time. My oldest son (he's 8) even started complaining about my hair because it was on his clothes and backpack. It's everywhere! I keep thinking it's got to stop soon because I can't possibly have that much hair for this to last a couple more months. I'll go buy some Biotin tonight or tomorrow and let you know how it works. Let me know how it's going with you. Jeannette

My 2 cents: Its my understanding that the damage is done at surgery and there is no way to stop what is going to fall out from falling out. Upping your protein and adding biotin will help strengthen the hair that is not going to fall out ( and yes there is hair on your head that is not going to fall out lol we wont go bald) and also strengthen the new hair that will be growing back in. Biotin will NOT help stop the fall out. But it WILL HELP with the synthesis of protein that helps your hair grow back in stronger and thicker. You will also notice a change in your nails when you take it to. Zinc is another one you could add that helps in healing and basic normal growth function. Felicia