I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: elizabetht on September 03, 2008, 07:05:00 PM

Title: Hair Loss
Post by: elizabetht on September 03, 2008, 07:05:00 PM
:yahoo; Does anyone know about hair loss from dialysis? I have started dialysis only 2 months ago and my hair has been falling out. I used to have really thick hair. I asked the doctor and he just poo-pooed it. Its not his hair that is falling out by the gobs.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: flip on September 03, 2008, 07:17:06 PM
It's true, some say zinc will help. A baseball cap works for me.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: okarol on September 03, 2008, 08:51:56 PM

I'm sorry your doctor doesn't think it's important.
My daughter lost over half her hair in the first 6 months of dialysis. We got some Nioxin Shampoo and I think it helped, or maybe she just was stable, but her hair grew back over time.
Here are a couple related threads:
Hair Loss http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=352.0
Just the Facts: Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=6983.0
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: boxman55 on September 04, 2008, 05:24:18 AM
I have not lost any hair to my knowledge but then again, I never had any hair when I started dialysis. I take minoxidil for heart medication and it grows hair every where except on my head. But seriously, I am sorry this is happining to you, I hope it stops soon...Boxman
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: peleroja on September 04, 2008, 06:32:55 AM
Since hair is protein, and we go on a limited protein diet prior to dialysis, maybe it's a holdover from those days.  Once on dialysis the protein should increase, as I've been told it's one of the smallest molecules in the body and more easily removed during dialysis. 
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Rerun on September 04, 2008, 07:52:12 AM
It is stress!  I lost mine and even went a bought a wig.  It now sits in the closet as mine grew back.  Go get it cut really short so the weight of "hair" is less and it will have a chance to thicken up and grow.

I like my wig better than my hair..... :waving;
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: jbeany on September 04, 2008, 08:56:57 AM
Mine thins and thickens as my iron levels drop and rise.  Get the doc to check yours.  The iron is very important for thick hair.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Sunny on September 04, 2008, 03:11:49 PM
Yes, I have this problem too. I am pre-dialysis and have seen 3 doctors about it and they all say they have no idea why it's happening to me, it's just in the genes.
I say BS, my Mom still has a full head of hair at 78 yrs and my 83 yr old Dad just started losing his. Obviously it's related to my renal disease in some way. I, too, would buy a wig if it got bad enough. Women need their hair. It's a self image issue. Hopefully, yours will grow again soon. Good luck.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: flip on September 04, 2008, 03:42:40 PM
Sunny, if you're on the pre dialysis diet, you probably aren't getting enough protein for your hair. It's a Catch 22 situation. A zinc supplement should help some if your Dr. approves.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: G-Ma on September 04, 2008, 04:11:17 PM
So sorry about your hair....mine fell out in clumps before dialysis and Dr and I thought it was the toxins in my system so I cut it short, and since dialysis it is much thicker....I've also heard that Tresseme' shampoo will help bring back hair growth.
Ann
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: flip on September 04, 2008, 05:42:49 PM
I'm using Rogaine now but I haven't seen any results.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: MIbarra on September 04, 2008, 07:28:54 PM
I had the same problem when I started dialysis. I told my neph and she started me on some renal vitamins. This stopped the hair loss, but my hair is now much thinner than it was prior to dialysis.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Jess21 on September 04, 2008, 07:40:36 PM
after a few months on dialysis my hair came out in chunks too (my hairbrush would be full and no one believed me for a while) and really thinned out..i was getting bald spots and my hairdresser could notice the difference before it got to the worst.  Thankfully, one day it just stopped and my hair has pretty much grown back.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: monrein on September 04, 2008, 10:19:58 PM
I have lots of hair (side effect of years of cyclosporine I think)  but some often falls  if I'm stressed, as in sick.  It does seem to grow back regularly and I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner which my hair stylist recommended.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: twirl on September 05, 2008, 02:57:26 PM
happening to me as we speak
it also happened about 8 years ago after I was in the hospital for a month
I was told that is normal after a major surgery
it is happening now and I has throat slitting surgery last May
hope it is the same thing
anytime someone says to me that my hair is so shinny ---- I think "oh, crap not again"
Flipbob --- why does the baseball cap help?
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 05, 2008, 03:13:40 PM
twirl, Len had a head full of thick, thick hair until he became critically ill in 2001, almost every bit of he's hair fell out. Dr. Paul the trauma surgeon told me that once his body recovered from the shock and nutrition got better (he had a small bowel feeding tube and was on TPN), that his hair would grow back but probably would be a different texture. Everytime since then, when Len has gone through some kind of surgery (and there have been many), about 3 months after, his hair will start to fall out again until we get his diet and minerals under control. He's hair is not as thick as it use to be anymore but he does have a head full.

I hope that is what you are going through. Your body is still recovering from having your throat slit. Give it some more time and then talk to the doctor about what you can do to help things along. Have a great weekend. We are waiting for tropical storm Hanna so we will be house bound.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: twirl on September 05, 2008, 04:09:41 PM
OH NO
W&W tie those little Yorkies down
how close are you to the coast
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 05, 2008, 04:50:50 PM
twirl, we are surrounded by water. The Chesapeake Bay is less then a half a mile away, the Patuxent River is less then that and the Potomac River is a little over a mile. Isabel and Ernesto did us real bad. Made me lose hair (that keeps us on topic).
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: flip on September 05, 2008, 05:12:08 PM
It even caused the NASCAR races in Richmond to be postponed so I guess I'll just sit around tonight and tomorrow night and grow hair.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: twirl on September 05, 2008, 08:53:07 PM
W&W
I hope I do not watch the weather station and see w&w flying by
that long hair of theirs would be in terrible knots
please stay safe
we have to give our dogs benadril during hurricane weather
kind of knocks them out
STAY SAVE
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Lilu323 on September 09, 2008, 02:13:52 PM
I lost my hair twice in my life time. Both times it was because I was really sick and surgery. The following might sound weird to people but the following worked for me. Starting to eat again. Making sure my numbers were good. Chopping the hell out of my hair. Getting rid of all the dead ends. Massaging my scalp for 20min every night and washing my hair with natural organic shampoo. It smells obviously like garlic but you can get non scented. My hair rt now is up to my ears and the bald spots are covered so I know how you women feel. I think losing my hair was worse then the surgery. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: MiSSis on September 09, 2008, 04:51:47 PM
I've never had thick or luxurious hair (unlike my twin brother who has a full head ... so not fair!).  It's always been fine and skinny but in the last 6 months or so I've noticed it falling out and breaking off more and more.  I've tried several different shampoos from my hairdressers but nothing really seemed to help.  I've gotten good at wearing headbands and "arranging" it to cover the really thin spots.  Last week I asked my neph about it and he didn't think there was any correlation between my hair loss and dialysis (which I find really hard to believe since I'm constantly fighting with low protein levels due to PD.)  Anyway, yesterday I met with my PCP and mentioned it  again and he's scheduled a blood test which he says will help to show what might be causing my hair loss.  I didn't even know they could test for something like this.  I go in Friday morning (I'm having several blood tests drawn that have to be fasting) so I'm hoping that something will show up.  Sounds weird, doesn't it ... to hope for something to be wrong so that it can be fixed and I'll be able to keep at least  some of my hair before it all falls out!
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: okarol on September 09, 2008, 05:11:00 PM
Hair Loss aka alopecia:

Alopecia

Alopecia probably is more common in ESRD than in the general population; however, alopecia has not been studied specifically in ESRD, and no reports exist regarding its prevalence or etiology. Likely causes of alopecia in ESRD include SLE or chronic telogen effluvium. Chronic telogen effluvium may be related to the multitude and severity of illnesses encountered by patients, or it may be related to commonly used medications such as heparin, antihypertensives, or lipid-lowering agents.


from: Dermatologic Manifestations of Renal Disease  http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic550.htm
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: MiSSis on September 09, 2008, 07:07:06 PM
Wow, three strikes against me.  Blood pressure meds, cholersterol lowering drugs and Lupus.  Probably should consider shopping for a wig like Rerun did.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Cincygrandma on September 10, 2008, 07:01:55 PM
I started losing my hair after starting dialysis last Nov.  The dietician told me it might be because my protein was low.  I started eating an egg or two at least every other day for the extra protein (my cholesterol isn't too high, so eggs were ok).  I also starting taking a daily renal vitamin.  My protein is now running at or near normal and I'm no longer losing my hair.  It took about 3 months for the loss to stop, and don't know whether it was the extra protein or the vitamin that helped, so will continue both.   
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Sugarlump on September 16, 2008, 11:00:38 AM
I was on dialysis for 3 years and had terrible trouble with my hair falling out. Since i have very long hair it was
 very noticeable and eventually the doctors changed my regime for a heparin free dialysis, using citric acid
instead. It instantly made a difference. Particularly if you have a line instead of a fistula. Check what's being
used.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Stacy Without An E on September 16, 2008, 04:27:32 PM
Nephrologists as a whole could care less about the side effects when it comes to Dialysis.  As long as you're meeting your lab goals and they're getting paid by the insurance company, they're really not concerned.

My Greek Goddess friend recommended Nioxin because she had similar difficulty with hair loss.

I've used it for the past six months and although it doesn't seem to help grown any new hair, it does help the hair you have grow thicker.

Like we need any other indignities in addition to Dialysis huh?
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: lruffner on September 20, 2008, 08:50:15 AM
Hair Loss aka alopecia:

Alopecia

Alopecia probably is more common in ESRD than in the general population; however, alopecia has not been studied specifically in ESRD, and no reports exist regarding its prevalence or etiology. Likely causes of alopecia in ESRD include SLE or chronic telogen effluvium. Chronic telogen effluvium may be related to the multitude and severity of illnesses encountered by patients, or it may be related to commonly used medications such as heparin, antihypertensives, or lipid-lowering agents.


from: Dermatologic Manifestations of Renal Disease http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic550.htm




I have had flare-ups of Alopecia since I was a kid and it is no picnic. Thankfully, I just get the bald spots, while others lose every bit of their body hair. Luckily, it has only happened to me 3 times, but the spots were as big as an extra large egg. The worst of those times, it was on the top-front-center of my head and was so humiliating. I had nightmares of looking like Gallagher the comedian..lol...good thing I have terribly thick hair! Anyway, the best person to see for this is a dermatologist. They will either inject some type of steroid into the spot or use an air gun to blow it in. I have had both done and it worked, but took a while, and the hair comes back like baby hair.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: RightSide on January 30, 2009, 05:21:22 PM
Yeah, my hair started thinning and falling out; I'm getting bald for the first time in my life.  I've started taking a renal vitamin with zinc, we'll see if it helps.

Between ESRD and HD, my hair is falling out, my skin has gotten rough and sandpapery, and due to pains in my bones, I walk up a flight of stairs like an old man.  (I'm seriously thinking of buying a cane.)  And with the skin and hair changes, I look much, much older too.  All this in the space of a couple of years.

Ever seen that old Star Trek episode in which they contract this aging disease that causes them to age decades in a few days?  I feel like I've caught that disease.  Maybe I have.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 02, 2009, 04:50:58 PM

I'm sorry your doctor doesn't think it's important.
My daughter lost over half her hair in the first 6 months of dialysis. We got some Nioxin Shampoo and I think it helped, or maybe she just was stable, but her hair grew back over time.

Yikes!!! My hair is so fine and there's so little of it to begin with! I've already got my wig picked out!  It's my hair cut only shinier and thicker!   ;D
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: BRANDY on February 02, 2009, 05:05:16 PM
I also have awful thinning of my hair and rough skin  , its like I have no oil in my skin. And my fingernails split,  I have them cut back to the quic k My soles of my feet are awful, I put lotion on my heels but it doesnt seem to help.  I ordered some lotion from  Avon, she said it would  do the trick   We will see.  I dont know what would help any of itAny ideas to the problems?   :thx;
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 02, 2009, 06:20:30 PM
For my dry skin (especially my horribly dry, cracked feet), I use Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. It works great! But it's their cream, not the lotion.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: monrein on February 02, 2009, 06:25:02 PM
A high quality DHA fish oil supplement might help a bit.  I take 4 capsules a day of Ascenta HP.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 02, 2009, 07:22:56 PM
I take an Omega 3-6-9 vitamin twice a day. Is that pretty much the same thing? If it is, it's not doing anything about the dry skin for me.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: monrein on February 03, 2009, 06:16:19 AM
Yes Paddbear, it's an Omega 3 fish oil blend.  The one I take is a concentrated high potency formula and I have found it beneficial for hair shininess and my complexion but I take it really for it's benefits to heart health and possible cholesterol-lowering properties.  However, when we are really ill, any benefits at all may seem insignificant or non-existent.  I don't think there are any miracle pills or foods out there, just a bunch of little things that might may a difference when they're all added together.  I also use masses of creams and lotions.  I try all different kinds and like to slather myself from top to toe after a shower.  At the very moment I'm using Crabtree and Evelyn's Rosewater and Glycerine Body Cream but I've tried just about everything.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: Dan.Larrabee on February 03, 2009, 06:57:38 PM
Now you all have me freaked out! I only started dialysis 4 months ago and have not cut my hair sense I started. It’s longer than it ever was, including in high school. Does anyone find time to cut your hair? Oh well, I will just get a shirt that says something about my hair and my cool vein in my arm. Bring it on!!
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: kellyt on February 03, 2009, 07:09:06 PM
I have lots of hair (side effect of years of cyclosporine I think)  but some often falls  if I'm stressed, as in sick.  It does seem to grow back regularly and I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner which my hair stylist recommended.

Is this shampoo good to use while on Prograf?  I have super thick hair and it usually comes out quite regularly to absolutely no ones notice.  But now that I'm on Prograf I can create a hairball every time I wash my hair.  It  doesn't feel as thick these days.

Does this side effect last forever on the Prograf or does your body eventually even out?
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: monrein on February 03, 2009, 07:18:34 PM
You can try the Nioxin Kelly, it won't hurt.  My hairdresser recommended it to me a couple years ago and I use it almost every time I shampoo which is only once a week.  I used to wash it every day or two but it that stripped too much oil from the hair and it's much much better since I wash it less.  I've lost about half my hair now since switching to Cellcept from Cyclosporine and no immunosuppressants for the past five months or so.  Lots of little new hairs growing in but it falls out faster than it grows.   I think I'm going to be on Prograf also post-transplant so we'll be comparing notes for sure.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 03, 2009, 08:06:36 PM
Can I have some of that hair that's falling out Kelly? I'd love to have some thick hair! I could make a wig!  :rofl;
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: kellyt on February 03, 2009, 08:23:24 PM
Sadly enough, you COULD make a wig!   :rofl;

Monrein, so is it the Prograf or the CellCept that causes the hair to fall out?  I'm enjoying not having to shave my legs regularly - I'm enjoying that a lot!  But I'm starting to get concerned about my head.   I don't wash my hair everyday.  I usually go 2-3 days before washing it.  I usually wet it everyday, because if I didn't it would be ca-razy and wild and people would stare for sure!  I also found a great serum called Bio Silk.  It's expensive, but I buy the sample size for .99.  It makes my hair super soft and not so prone to tangles.

Also, Monrein, please email me the hospital address you will be at for your surgery on the 23rd.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: monrein on February 04, 2009, 03:59:09 AM
I've never taken Prograf before but I've been told that I'll likely be on it this time round.  In my case, it was the cyclosporine that made me grow masses of hair...everywhere, I might add.  Head, chin and upper lip, peach fuzz on cheeks and earlobes (small plush animals look out, here comes competition) and thighs as hairy as a hobbit.  So when they switched me to cellcept all that hair growth levelled off and I started losing hair instead.  I think some of the loss was probably also due to my being ill again and pre-dialysis, not eating anything and vomiting.  I don't know what will happen this time.  Cyclo made my hair coarse and curly, Cellcept made it go straighter again, transplant failure made it fall out and now the next adventure will hold who-knows-what-surprise.

I'll email you the address when I look it up.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: kitkatz on February 04, 2009, 03:36:08 PM
They had me on Minoxidil for blood pressure and Lordy  did I grow hair everywhere. I was looking like a hobbit for awhile,there.
Title: Re: Hair Loss
Post by: kristina on February 16, 2009, 11:23:08 AM
:yahoo; Does anyone know about hair loss from dialysis? I have started dialysis only 2 months ago and my hair has been falling out. I used to have really thick hair. I asked the doctor and he just poo-pooed it. Its not his hair that is falling out by the gobs.
I also have had my hair falling out as well and then it grew back again. It could be a shock reaction. It also could be connected to suffering from Systemic Lupus or MCTD and the hair loss could be due to a flare-up. Good luck from Kristina.