Question:
I am 4 years post op and hair is still falling out like crazy

I will be 4 years post op on July 2. I used to have very thick hair. It did fall out like everyone said and then it basically stopped and went back to the normal few strands. My hair is so thin now. Well in the last few months my hair has been falling out like if I would have had surgery again. When I wash it, its in my fingers, when I blow dry it I have to sweep the floor, its rediculous. I eat alot of protien, what else can I do. My PCP has me on prenatals, perscription zinc, perscription Vit. D and A. I take iron. I am going to be bald soon I'm afraid. Anyone else out there like this. It gets real annoying when you trying to cook or do the dishes and just stand around and you feeel the hair falling on your arms or shoulders. Any suggestions to be welcomed. Tina C.    — tchandler (posted on June 29, 2005)

June 29, 2005
Have you tried taking the Vitamin biotin, it helps and get the protein in. I started taking it two months after surgery as suggested by Drs. office, and I still take it, I am out 3yrs 4 months. Hair is doing great, My husband also added it to his supplements because he was going bald, his bald spot has peach fuzz on it now for the past 3 yrs, the size of his bald spot is the size of vanilla wafer, It has not gotten any bigger he recommends it to any male friends going bald.
   — dee145

June 29, 2005
Have you had a full panel of lab tests run (and do you get copies, and compare them to your previous tests)? Having had the BPD/DS, I would imagine you have had fairly extensive labs run regularly ever since your surgery, and that those would be the basis for the vitamins your PCP has you on now. Are you sure you're taking the most absorbable forms of those vitamins, and that they're not being taken in an order where some cancel each other out (for instance . . . no calcium with iron)? Are you doing protein shakes (how are your protein levels doing on the labs with all protein coming from food)? Are you tracking your labs to be sure the vitamin regime you're on now is actually working? And have they run thyroid panels as well?<P>In your shoes, I'd be all over the lab tests (and I'd be doing internet research to satisfy myself all the proper tests are being run and/or getting a second opinion). I'd be getting copies of the results. I'd be reading and comparing them. I would *not* just do what doctor says, without critical inquiry. Docs these days are often too busy to do that kind of detail work, and nobody cares more about your own health than you do.
   — Suzy C.

June 29, 2005
Get Rogaine for Women or the generic brand Minoxidil 2% for Women. It works! I've always had thin, silky hair and after the surgery loss I wanted to make mine thicker. After 4 months of using Rogaine for Women, I'm already seeing a significant different and I rarely use it more than once a day (twice is recommended). Also, it works great on eyebrows, filling in those annoying little bald spots. I put a drop on a Q-tip and wipe it across my eyebrows (don't get it in your eyes!). My eyebrows filled in within the first month and now look like they did when I was a teenager. Take all the recommended vitamins, but if you want thicker hair try Rogaine.
   — [Deactivated Member]