massive hair loss...PLEASE HELP!!!

[mandyleigh]

Hey ladies...
I'm in a bit of a pickle here. In the past few months my hair has been falling out in buckets!! When I shower in the morning, I have to clear the drain several times so the water will drain out. Then when I brush my hair, it looks like someone is sheering a sheep!! I can't yet tell by looking at my scalp that it's thinning, but my god, I feel as though I'll wake up one morning and be completely bald. I'm 24 and not ready to be losing my hair at this rapid of a rate! I've been diagnosed since Sept '01 and am currently on continuous supression with Ortho-Cyclen. If anyone has ANY suggestions on what to do...PLEASE HELP!!!
Thanks in advance!!

Mandy

[KlassicalKat]

I am so sorry. I have been losing hair steadily, too. It is by far one of the cruelest symptoms of PCOS and it is so heartbreaking.

Have you ever gone to a dermatologist to rule out other possible causes (such as skin conditions and such?) That might be an idea to consider.

Through other cysters with hairloss on this board I had heard of a shampoo and conditioner/scalp treatment called Nioxin. My hairdresser recommended it 2 weeks ago and I have been using it. It is hard to tell, but so far, there seems to be less hairs falling out. I will keep you posted. I hope and pray that it works and that maybe it could help you, too.

I have tried taking Brewer's yeast tablets and also the "Nourish Hair" vitamins from GNC, but they didn't seem to help.

I don't want to go the Rogaine routine because it is expensive and if you stop using it, the hair falls out again, so I have been told.

I will be checking this thread, too to see what other cysters have to say.

Please know that I am very concerned about this, too and wish we didn't have to deal with this terrible symptom!

Kathryn

[mandyleigh]

Thanks for your response!! I actually tried Nioxin shampoo today for the first time! I went to get my hair cut about 3 weeks ago and the lady said "ohh, I see some shadowing here, and you're only 24, that's not good." I wanted to grab her comb and shove it somewhere!!! She suggested the Nioxin scalp therapy and shampoo. I've only tried the shampoo thus far. Hope it works!! Good luck to you!!!

Mandy - fingers crossed!!!!

[KatrinaAnne]

Mandy,

Hi hun. I am not sure how you feel about herbal medicine but I have heard that saw palmetto and vitex really help for hair loss! I am on saw palmetto right now...for excess body and facial hair. I have not been on it long enough to tell if it is helping but many cysters have said that is has!! I hope this has helped...and I hope you find something that helps you!

[ShellyA]

I also have the hair loss problem. Mine started falling out 3yrs ago. At that time my hair stylist suggested Nioxin. I've been using the shampoo, conditioner, NX3, and one other thing that you leave in your hair(sorry I can't remember the name) Anyway my hair is still falling out. The only thing I will say is what hair I have is healthy which I suppose is from the Nioxin but it certainly hasn't stopped the loss.

I also have tried the Brewer's Yeast and Nourish Hair. Again with no improvement.

So far no answers, I'm only very thankful for each day that I have hair on my head because I really wonder when it will all be gone.

[CathyWood]

Mandy-Welcome to SC. I am glad you found us. Hope that you will be able to get some answers soon. See you around