Not my lovely locks!!!!

[Angelee]

Ever since I started suffering from lupus I have found I go through periods where I lose quite a bit of hair. However, it was never a real problem because I had such thick hair to begin with that I didn't have to worry too much, I just had to make sure I didn't let too much of it go down the shower drain when I washed it.

But this time things are different. It is falling out much more rapidly and it is starting to look and feel thin. I don't want to cut it, but I don't see any other choice if this keeps up because it is starting to look straggly and terrible.

I have very long hair and it has always been one of mine and my husband's favorite parts of my appearance. I also worry that he will not find me attractive once I cut it because he has never seen me with shorter hair and my long hair has always been a big draw for him.

Does anyone know of any products that make hair look healthier and fuller? i'm desperately trying to put off this cut, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Angelee

[leahb133]

I had the SAME issue as you. I had LONG hair and THICK hair and me and my husband loved it. But unfortunately during one of my flares, it thinned out quite a bit and i ended up having to cut it short.. above my shoulders. It grew back really nice, but as far as any products that will help it or anything, i dind't find anything.. the reason that is though is i think since it is falling oot becuase of medical reasons .. i dont' think there are over the counter products taht can stop that.. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

If you have any questions for me, you can pm me. I had the exact feelings you are. When she cut my hair i was bawling. It was a hard thing to go through -- and i am so sorry you have to experience it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

[peonyprincess]

Angelee,

I too have had the misfortune of losing some of my hair. I didnt want to cut my hair, as I had waited so long for it to finally grow, however, it was starting to get that thinning look. I was able to buy some of those hair extension pieces to match my own hair and voile...I had a nice full head of hair again......or so everyone thinks! I just pull my own hair back into a ponytail and add the hairclip. I have found one particular brand that I absolutely love. If interested PM me and I'll give you the name of the brand and the site in which to buy them!!

Nancy

[Bouchie11982]

i had lost my hair throughout the cytoxan treatments and beforei was done with the treatments a friend's mother whom was going through chemo therapy she said for me to try Biotin but preferred i asked my renal doctor about it first. he approved and i was taking 3 tablets twice a day and one i lost all of my hair, i had possibly 3-4 inches of new hair coming it. it came back in thick and even more curlier then before.

[cuddles]

hey angelee.....I hear exactly how you feel......I had very long hair and I lost alot of it and it thinned out a great deal.......I hated washing my hair cause it was so noticable......it was very upsetting......once I started taking my meds and they started working the hair loss slowed right down.......I had to cut my hair though cause it looked terrible thinned out.......I have had short spiky hair for about 2 years now....my last visit to the hair dresser was great cause she said my hair seemed to be getting thicker and there was lots of new growth......that was awesome news.....it's very tempting to grow it long again, but I think of how hard it is to do in the mornings sometimes.....my muscles just don't co operate with me.....now I wash my hair and voila it is done.......cutting your hair can be a big decision, but who knows you may end up not minding a shorter style for a little change......hope you feel better soon.....take care.... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ok.gif

[oesa]

Hi Angelee - I lost my hair when I was 14, and it was really sad for me.

I try to look on the bright side - my mom tried to help by getting me a perm (it WAS the 80's, don't laugh too hard....) Skinny white girls should not have perms, ever, but it was good for some laughs, even if it didn't really help my appearance much... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hehe.gif It looked even worse once I developed the prednisone moon face. Round face, round hair - not a good combination.

It grew back in eventually just the same as it was before. I keep it shorter now - there are some really stylish shorter cuts (layers are good) that are easy to care for, and suit lots of face shapes. I also love the "treat" of a cut every six weeks...

Find a stylist you trust, someone who will listen to what's going on with your health and your lifestyle, and go for it! Good luck,

Lisa

[Deborah Rumbles]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif I'm so sorry for you, I don't know of any products either.I have long hair down to my bum, it used to be really healthy and thick.It's been getting thinner for a few years and I also get patches of alopecia.However I have found that Methotrexare definately thinned my hair bad, are you on any similiar drug as it could be that.

[stefanie]

Hi Angelee

I've been there, just this past christmas (of all times) I lost a huge chunck of my hair and had to have it hacked off, i too have always loved my long thick hair and cutting it to just on my sholder made me cry for days. My Boyfriend liked my long hair and I was staying with him over christmas after cutting it off and I thought he might not like me anymore, but this shows that true love prevails.

He took me in his arms and said that I was beautiful and that he like my hair (which I had them layer go for that instead of a striaght cut it makes it look more full and stylish)
He said it will grow back and to tell you the truth I like it this way better, but it has begun to grow back and since the big cut i haven't lost much hair at all anymore, so maybe it just needed that.

Hope you feel better, don't worry your hubby will love you just the same!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

[erieras]

It has been 9 years since I got diegnosed with SLE and I had to cut my hair short many times already. When I got married I had my hair under my waist when I cut it for the first time I looked like a boy but I hated the sense of seeing ball of hair every time I brushed it or showered know I am letting my hair grow since my daughter saw some of my wedding pictures and she liked my hair so I am trying to grow it again it's hard because I have the fear of loosing my hair the way I did before and not only that but I try not to brush my hair so often as I did before my illness.

[Angelee]

Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions. Some of you asked if it was due to medications and no, it is simply due to my general ill-health and the fact that I suffer from anemia and B-12 deficiency. Stress and certain seasons make it worse as is natural for everyone but it is really bad now.

I am currently seeking out a style that I might like when I cut it, because it seems that I'm not going to have much choice soon. I have a square face, so if anyone has any suggestions or pictures I could use help coming up with ideas. Please bear in mind that while I can straighten my hair I do not do it often because it makes it fall out more, so think about naturally curly hair, big natural curls.

Thanks again everyone. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif