Hair Loss post Triple Tx

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi, I finished Triple Tx (Solvaldi, Interferon, Ribavirin) on May 1, and the last week or so I am really noticing a lot of hair loss, it is just dropping off me! Getting very thin. Probably low Vitamin D (from being inside so much) and low Iron (from anemia?). Going to look into a general multi-vitamin. Anyone noticing the same thing?

[DGA123]

Thanks, Susan.  But I think hair regrowth is different for men as we are genetically supposed to thin as we age.  I'm in my 60s and have already experienced some of that.  I was okay with what I had for my age but now I'm not happy.  This too was my third time and each time I lost more than ever grew back.

[susan400]

Due to all the interferon and Riba treatments I've done over the years, including this one w/the Sovaldi, too.., I've had hair loss and regrowth numerous times and haven't had long hair for about that last 20 yrs.  The longest I've had it was a one time between TX's, it was was about down to the bottom of my neck.  I've just kept it shorter to deal with all this growth/regrowth.  The weird thing it that alot of the newer hair has been more wavy and cowlicky, whereas prior to any treatments, it was always stick straight.  Currently, I had it in a short layered style and have continued to get regular shape-up trims in order to make it look semi-normal.  I just didn't like that running the brush through it and having a bunch of hair be coming out in my brush and on the bathroom floor.  It just seemed easier to deal with keeping it cut shorter.  Susan400

[DGA123]

In my opinion that only looks good if you're black.  Doesn't work for most white guys, no offense to those who shave their heads.

[patra_]

Just hang in there.  This, too, shall pass.  I know - it drives you crazy but it is not permanent!

I told my husband when mine starts coming out, I'm going to have my head shaved and get a big flower painted on my scalp.  He said he wants to paint it!  Is that a neat man or what?

Anyway, remembered that dye is not good on treatment, so decided paint isn't either, so will just get some big earrings.

Have you thought about the bald look til you hair starts growing back?  A better look for a man than a woman, but what the hey!   : -).

[DGA123]

I cut mine too.  Had a long braid.  Did it even BEFORE treatment as I knew what was in store after 2 tries before.  Just didn't think it would get so bad and noticeable.

[Dee1956]

Hi there! Over the years I have been here I have seen other males comment on their hair loss or use of Nioxin.
I assumed it was connected to the Incviek, Peg, Riba and part of it was but another part was that my thyroid was not working right.  Also just the shock of tx can cause hair loss.  My hair looked like dandelion fluff after treating.  When it came back in it was curly which I have never had before.  Now it is much better than before.
Cheflady's husbands hair fell out too.  
Hang in there :)

[patra_]

D:  See Cheflady's post above, dated June 13th.  She said her HUSBAND's hair came out so bad he had to cut his ponytail, but that EOT, it grew back. P

[DGA123]

Thanks. I'm still surprised I'm the only male who has mentioned this.  You ladies usually have so much more hair to start with and so many more styles you can use during the grown interim.  We are all paranoid as well about pattern baldness.

[hepc4Sandi]

I don't think it will make any difference, male or female, I think your hair will return to it's normal growth pattern when the Riba is out of your system. My hair is growing in like gang busters now, I am 4 months EOT. You could ask your hairdresser, they may know. I live in San Diego, where there are many chemo and HIV/AIDS patients, and my hairdresser called it right. Good luck.

[DGA123]

I've read thru all the posts and can't find any from males about their hair loss.  Would love to hear from some of the guys on this.  Thanks.

[DGA123]

Ditto.

[DGA123]

I'm 6 weeks EOT after 24 on S/R.  My hair is still falling out.  As a male this was the WORST side effect of the rib.  I'm hoping it will stop falling out and start to grow back again as I've started to wear a cap for the first time in my life.  Having been thru the old chemo route twice before I knew this might be in the cards but was hoping it wasn't and that the hair loss was caused by the interferon.  Apparently not.  After all that I still relapsed so I'm ending up with far less hair AND the virus.

[hepc4Sandi]

Thanks, it is really no big deal, at the time when I posted this I was 6 weeks EOT and it surprised me that it was falling out, a delayed reaction. Now almost 4 months EOT it is still falling out, but new hair is growing in. I have it cut short, and I like it that way, I probably will get it cut really short soon to be more that length of the new hair. I could have lost it all and it would have been worth the SVR12 I rewarded with.

[rockymoe]

I did 8 tx with interferon and my hair always got real thin I have fine straight anyway. The worse when I did triple tx with Vic,Int and Riba.
It has down in and is thicker now. Don't worry it's only hair.
I also lost all my pubic pair about 5 yrs and it never grew back which is fine with me as long as I have hair on my head!

[Dee1956]

Good Morning! Livelife is right, as my hair got straggly at the end I would trim it to help it look a little thicker.
At one point my hair looked like dandelion fluff, now it is thicker than it has ever been.
Hang in there
Dee

[Livelife777]

Hi Sandy.   Didn't lose my hair with Tx, but did with the dreaded chemo.  Try and keep gradually cutting it shorter as it starts to come in.  You may want to get a blunt cut as I'm sure it's already fringed out from the layering of hair loss.  Believe it or not, I brushed the heck outa my hair when I was hanging out and it caused it to grow quicker. ( My stylist idea).  
With your skin you may want to try a mud mask, or peel off version.  They sell it at Wal Mart and it really cleans up the remaining dead skin.  I also use an Almond Scrub as an exfoliant that does the same thing.  If you don't have it make a paste out of sea salt and lemon juice but rub lightly.  The lemon also gets rid of brown spots for an added bonus.   Sound like a Mary Kay wanna be I know, but getting back to your old self does heal the soul.
Hugs.....Kim

[Dee1956]

Hi I hope your hair is now coming back.  I wanted to mention that I had a problem with my thyroid after finishing tx.  It did resolve itself but I was told that definitely added to my hair loss.
Have you had your TSH, free T3, Free T4 checked?
Take Care, Dee

[Mmorgan854]

Hey Sandi, my memory is just not what it used to be so in case I missed the wonderful news about your SVR, I'll say it if I forgot..CONGRATULATIONS, SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU CLEARED. hearing the positive results from people really cheers the heart an soul.  I had never turned a computer on before this past Christmas, an soo glad my daughter insisted I get with the times.  I'm thankful to be able to reach out to people that are dealing with this struggle. Thanks for all your advice,    Again, so happy for you.. Mary

[patra_]

Good to hear your hair is growing back.  I (we - many of us on the Forum) knew it would.  As for you skin, treat it nicely.  Do you moisturize every day?  If not, please think about it.  I have finally learned to moisturze morning and @ bedtime and really believe it helps.  I am not necessarily one who believes in the most expensive bottle on the shelf, just a plain moisturizer but there are lots to choose from and if you get more esoteric, there are ones to help skin regeneration (their claim), ones ingredients to help remove old or damaged skin (again, their claim) but still, something to moisturize a t a minimum, will help our skin get back to normal.  

Ohh, and keep up the hydration - wonderful for the complexion!  Pat

[hepc4Sandi]

Hair update, my hair falling out has slowed down, no one has even noticed unless I pointed it out. Lost probably half. But now it has started growing back, 1/2" fringe is growing in. I am now 15 weeks EOT. Skin is peeling a little still, RIBA skin damage seems to be pretty deep, so will take awhile to grow out---or maybe it is because I am 64! That's all! Sandi

[hepc4Sandi]

It did take 8-10 weeks before I was feeling ok post treatment. 14 weeks post EOT now, feeling so much better! Hair is still falling out, but not as bad, skin is peeling from the Ribavirin. My gall bladder pain (I think that is what it was) that I had for quite a while post treatment has gone! I was worried it was something else. Started drinking apple cider vinegar with apple juice 30 minutes before dinner, and it seems to have really helped. Energy is returning, still not 100% but close. Walking at the zoo 3 times a week now (7.5 miles), have put on a couple of pounds, appetite has returned. Feeling so thankful about the SVR12. Just wanted to give you all an update on me.

[Mmorgan856]

I'm so excited for you an sure praying that you will have your new life free of this virus.. I have never made it to end of treatment before so I can't speak from experience, but I would guess the 3 mth. Waiting period has got to be a nail biter,   Im so hoping that time goes by quickly for you.  Ale care. Mary

[hepc4Sandi]

I am now 11 weeks EOT, go next week for my 12 week viral load draw. My hair is still falling out a hair, one at a time, not in clumps. It doesn't seem to be growing very fast, but it is growing some. Probably have lost 50%, but no one else can seem to tell. Hang in there, you are not alone. Congrats on being UND, I hope I have the same result in 2 weeks.

[tzusmom]

I am 4 mo post solvaldi/riba/int treatment and am loosing my hair, hairdresser recommended cut short, so I did, am just waiting for my hair to stop falling out. My hepatologist said this medication stays in our system for about 18 months....so I am in it for the long hall. All through treatment I told myself that I was not going to loose my hair only to have it happen after treatment ended. By the way, I am clear, no detection of HEP C AT ALL!!!!!!  Its all worth it.  
I have had hep c for about 44 yrs.