Thinning Hair -
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I wash my hair once per week. I cannot blow out my hair since my mx so I go every Saturday to the beauty parlor. I only apply the minoxidil/retinal spray to my problem areas- both temples and the top of my scalp. It gets matted down but I brush that out every AM
Babe
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I can vouch for this working very well for stress-induced hair loss....my friend uses it. Much more effective than Nioxin. How it works for loss because of treatment, I don't know. It's reasonably priced though. Might be worth a shot.
http://www.segalshairlosstreatment.ca
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babs & leggo - Thanks. I'll probably start with minoxidil as it's what my MO suggested. I'm glad to know it won't be a disastrous mess. Everyone is really helpful and I so much appreciate it.
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Should I be asking for a referral to a derm?
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Rozem - That will be my official starting point.
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If your hair is an issue I would go to a hair replacement specialist. They only do hair! You'll need to make sure the dr you go to does PRP or medical treatments for hair loss and thinning.
Babs
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My 26 year old son tried Minoxidil. The instructions say you can experience hair shedding. I kept looking at his head and thought his hair looked worse. I was happy when he stopped. I'm sure it works for some people or no one would be buying the product. It definitely does not work for everyone.
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hello ladies
how many mcg's of Biotin are you taking? I have a physical today and will ask my GP but im curious
I bought 300mcg but my gf said shes on 5000mcg???? maybe that's the problem Im not on enough?
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Rozem - 5,000 Biotin is recommended for hair loss. I've been taking it for a couple years and I'm still losing hair from menopause and AIs.
Babs - My dermatologist said the injections only work for certain types of hair loss and it won't work for me. I'll get a 2nd opinion.
So...my dermatologist prescribed a Rx shampoo and iron supplements in addition to the Rogaine. She said most often the hair loss stops after 6-8 months. I'm at 6.5 months so I'm hoping any day now. She also said the hair I lost is unlikely to come back. Depressing but not as bad a cancer.
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hair loss is not likely to come back
omg
WW my GP said the medical guidelines say 500mcg so I guess 5000 is the amount prescribed by naturopaths? derms? is there any contradiction with tamox?
she did all my blood work to check ferritin levels/iron/thyroid and said we will start here.
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I'm only taking 1000 mcg a day. Guess I should double it. On a bright note, my sister's hair thinned considerably on Femera. Shetook it for 5 years and stopped around a year or two ago. Her hair did return to normal. It took awhile but it did come back.
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I just ordered a shampoo with caffeine that's supposed to stimulate the roots. It's called Alpecin and I've seen it in Europe. I figure it's worth a try.
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Rozem - I don't know where I heard 5000 mg. My dermatologist didn't blink at it. I need to slightly increase my iron. It's not low but a higher level is better. I don't recall my numbers.
Joni - I'm really glad to hear about your sister's hair!
snorkeler - Let us know how you make out with the shampoo.
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Thanks WW. I will up my dose. Gotta at least try
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Hello Ladies, I lost my hair from chemo and my hair started to grow back two months after my last chemo, I was prescribed to take Tamoxifen, and I did for about a year and got switched to Femara after my full hysterectomy, that's when I statred to notice of thinning hair.
And I started to use Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner and it does helps my hair to grow more and faster. I still shed my hair but these shampoo and conditoner helps me to restore what I'm loosing everyday.
I also takes 5000 biotin everyday, the quick dissolve kind.
MVP
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MVP - I used Lucky Kentucky Mane and Tail years ago. It made my hair shiny but I stopped using it because for some reason I was of the impression that it wasn't good for my hair. Thanks for the tip!
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WW - hhmmmm I guess it works for some and not to all.
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Please be careful when supplementing with iron -
from this article: http://www.cacare.com/iron-and-cancer
a) Numerous studies have shown that cancer is highly iron dependant. This is because rapidly dividing cells require iron for DNA replication. The cancer cells' need for iron is so great that they will steal iron from normal cells and from iron stores.
b) Higher dietary iron intake has also been associated with an increase in cancers stimulated by the powerful estrogen estradiol.
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flaviarose - thanks. I will speak with my MO. I am not sue about the validity of the site and a quick survey of the literature is not showing anything diffinitiv. I would like to think my docs would alert me before recommending iron.
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I have been reading your posts with interest, looking for ideas re my thin hair. Biotin doesnt seem to help, but I am not ready to stop taking it. I will look for the shampoos, - it's worth a try!
WW, - I asked my onc about taking SlowFe, - but she advised against it. Your situation may be different if your #s are low. Have you tried the Rogaine yet?
In the mean time, - I just purchased a new short wig, - much like the hair i now have, but thicker!! (My original wig was longer, to resemble the style that I had before chemo.) I have yet to wear it, - but it's good to have when I cant wear my baseball cap, and want to look a little more as I hope to look!
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To all
The best thing for thinning hair is biotin if it works for you. Check your ferritin ( iron) level. For hair it must be 70 or more. If it's under ask your MO about taking iron. Mine told me not to take it. I didn't ask why. A shampoo with 2% ketoconazole is the best to use but you'll need a prescription for it. Also, use minoxidil with retinal. You can also try a PRP treatment which has no contraindications for us. I use a minoxidil/retinal combo that we sell in my office and recently U had a PRP treatment from the dr I work for. I'll know in about 6 months if it worked. I hope so. It's worked well for most of our patients-about 85%.
Babs
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i forgot to add that my GP said to use minoxidil instead of rogaine...she said its OTC
I had my ferritin levels checked, will report back once I get the results
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just received a Harmon drug circular inside Bed Bath and Beyond catalogue. 5000 unit of Biotin for $7.99. Use coupon for additional 20% off.
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AnotherNYCG - My dermatologist told me to use Vitron C as an iron supplement. My iron level is at 60 and she said above 70 is needed to prevent hair loss.
Rozem - Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine (5%). I'm confused.
babs - Thank you for the info. about the Minoxidil with Retinal. Is that OTC or prescription? Is there a brand name?
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The minoxidil with retinal is sold in my office. ( I work for one of the premiere hair specialists in NYC). The dr I work for came up with the formula based upon research he did and we had a special compound pharmacy makes itfor us
If you want more info PM me
Babs
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Ok, ladies, now I'm worried. I ordered Natrol Biotin 10,000mcgs at Amazon... it looks like it's legit, but obviously this is double what everyone else is taking... is this something I should toss?
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Lisey - I was told to take the 10,000 mcgs chews. MCG is microgram not milligram. 1 microgram (mcg) = 0.001 milligrams. I started dealing with the hair loss in mid April. Between the Rogaine, iron, prescription shampoo and high dose biotin my hair loss has really settled down. I did have a scalp biopsy and it confirmed the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is rather unpredictable and tends to continue with periods of greater or lesser hair loss.
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Hi Warrior - did the doctors tell you if your alopecia is a result of the chemo (taxotere) or the hormonal therapy (Aromisin) or both?
I'm finishing up TC chemo right now and next year I will be put on estrogen blockers so I want to know what to expect!
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I posted on this yesterday, while stats indicate 6% have permanent hair loss from Taxotere, I think a much larger percentage of women have serious changes and thinning. Add early menopause, and joy, yet another thing to deal with.
I cannot overstate the power of a good hairdresser. My post-chemo hair was a shadow of its former self, and it took years, literally, to find a cut and a smart stylist who was part of my team in getting me back. I have a lot of thinning at the temple. Turns out bangs are absolutely the way to go in my case with my hair type. There are even days I don't think about my hair anymore--this is huge for me. I used to be afraid of the wind, having seen some pretty ghastly photos of my hairline in high winds!
I have tried all the supplements, and figure Rogaine as a last resort, only because I don't want to add any other things in. I take D, fish oil, and both do seem to keep systems a little better. Biotin didn't work for me, but it could for someone else. I have also heard good things about the Aveda Avanti line, though it is spendy.
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I really doubt my hair loss was from chemo. My hair grew back to its former thickness after chemo. I did use cold caps. The hair shedding started a few weeks after I started aromasin. My dermatologist said it normally tapers off after 8-9 months. I'm pretty much on schedule. She did say that overall it is unpredictable.
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