Now hair falling out???

[spgreenfield]

  I noticed at about 3 months post op that I was beginning to have my palms covered in hairs while shampooing...this morning (at nearly 4 months post op) I could actually PULL my hair out on my AN side!  I know that there is less moisture, probably oil gland activity and maybe circulation on the AN side while the nerves heal and possibly regenerate.  I am female - use a thinning hair shampoo because I have very fine, thin hair and this is a first.  I tested it and it IS definitely my AN side only.  Believe me I didn't try too much to pull but when wads were coming....I stopped!

Anyone else have this?  Am I molting because it's spring?  How come only on one side then???

Pam 

[Jim Scott]

Pam ~

This is a new one for me.  Usually, hair loss is associated with radiation treatments, not surgery.  However, we know the body is traumatized during and immediately following any major surgical procedure and AN surgery certainly qualifies as a major surgery. In the months following AN surgery, the body is fighting to heal itself and I've read that the hair growth cycle is sometimes temporarily shut down by our bodies in order to direct more resources to healing.  This may be whats happened in your case although the hair loss in that specific area might indicate some direct trauma to the hair roots when your hair was shaved for the surgery.  This might be a good question for your doctor. 

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure that if your hair loss is confined to the AN side and is related to the surgery and/or the healing process, it will grow back to it's normal state within a few months. Meanwhile, treat it gently and don't do any more pulling. 

Jim

[chloes mema]

Jim

Do people get hair loss with CK?  My hair dresser said I'd probably loss some hair so this weeks hair cut looks like a boot camp recruit.   

Just curious.

Karen

[spgreenfield]

Jim - thanks for the reply.....the area that's shedding is nowhere near the surgical site...just on the numb AN side.  I'm going to cease using alcohol based hair products for a while and see if that helps.  Obviously that side since it has less/or no fluids (eye. nose, skin is dry) probably the scalp is suffering as well.  Now I guess I'm fortunate that my hairdresser decided to cut me very short...as any longer would put more strain on the strands as well as look even worse once growing back in.  So maybe I need a short style for a year or so?  My acupuncturist agreed that it may have something to do with the lower/lack of circulation on that side and will improve once things have healed better. 

This was a banner/bust week for me.....got a tear duct plug (yay) and new Rx for glasses (double yay) but was horribly dizzy all week long.  We've begun the tree blooming season here and I think I recall a string about allergies being much worse for someone after their AN - so I'm wondering if I'm "spacey AND dizzy" so it seems much worse....

Pam

[Jim Scott]

Jim

Do people get hair loss with CK?  My hair dresser said I'd probably loss some hair so this weeks hair cut looks like a boot camp recruit.   

Just curious.

Karen ~

The short answer to your question is 'yes'.  However, hair loss is not automatic.  When I was being set up for my 26 FSR treatments, the radiation oncologist commented that "you might lose some hair' (at the radiation site).  However, on the day my FSR treatments began, he told me that he had 're-calibrated' the 'dosage' (of radiation) and that I wouldn't lose any hair.  I didn't.  Still, FSR is a bit different than CK.  Although I received a total of 27 Gy radiation, it was spread out over 26 separate 'sessions'.

In any case, it's only hair and grows back in.  I wouldn't be too concerned about this.


Jim

[Jim Scott]

Pam ~

The short haircut is probably a good idea for now.  So is avoiding alcohol-based hair products which, obviously, dry the hair.  As I told Karen, hair grows back (and your very short haircut won't necessarily be permanent).

For what its worth: my wife has had a very short haircut since we were married - and I still think she looks cute! 

Jim

[chloes mema]

Thanks Jim.

After I posted I did a search on the net and found that yes it can happen.  Oh well, like you said it's only hair and it will grow back (hopefully).   

Not that I have that much.  Mine, too, is thin, fine and I'm using shampoos to help thicken it up.

Pam - hope the change in shampoos and a good short cut help.  I kind of like mine now that I have it (REAL short cut).

Karen

[Mei Mei]

My hair was falling out a few years before my AN and found out I had a low thyroid so am now on thyroid med.     This wouldn't explain the loss on AN side only.    I will ask someone on  my next visit next week and get back to you.
MM

[Suu]

G'day Pam

Could you update us in a week or so and let us know if your change in routine has worked please?

Good luck! 

Suu xxoo

[spgreenfield]

It's been almost 2 weeks since I changed some things.  And just to let you know I'm going to be double-checking my thyroid levels as well - I'm ON thyroid but a very low dose.  It's just that without moisture on the AN side of my head I'm seeing some things.  I've had to completely change my skin care regime as well - never had dry skin, now all of a sudden I DO!   

So I stopped using an aerosol, alcohol based product on my roots, and yesterday I THINK I saw a reduction in hair on my hands.  I've also become more gentle with how I wash and condition - but already using Nioxin, I'm doing what I need to be already.....  Maybe it's because it's spring and I'm molting somewhat, but gosh....palms COVERED in hair isn't normal!  But I can't say I've had brain surgery before either.

I've decided to use a vibrator on my face and scalp - had been using on my face, but added scalp recently.  It's a little painful in that when nerves awaken and heal, the first phase is pain....but I don't concentrate on those areas.  I am encouraged in that I'm getting a "tingling" feeling on my scalp when I do it - which means those surface nerves are healing....

Wish I had better news.....

Pam

[jaylogs]

Pam...the first thing I thought of when you mentioned hair loss was thyroid.  Maybe with all the trauma on that side of the head there may have triggered something because of your thyroid levels being off (more sensitive?) I'd be interested in hearing how this turns out! And yes, no more pulling hair!   Good luck!
Jay

[opp2]

It is my understanding from hours of research and having lost tons of hair 3-4 months after my babies were born, and then again 3-4 months after my AN surgery, that it probably isn't the radiation or the anesthesia (for some of us) that makes the hair fall out, but the stress the body goes through during the surgeries or in my case, home births.

[spgreenfield]

Opp2 -

Sortof like how a transplanted plant will lose its leaves upon transplanting, but they grow back?  Sometimes known as "shock?"

Pam

[Suu]

I love the part where you say your scalp is tingly now.

Keep on keeping on as it looks to be working.

Lovenhugs,
Suu xxoo