My Hair Is Falling Out?! Any Ideas To Stop It?

[FindingMyself88]

Ok so my hair started gradually falling out 2 weeks ago, but has majorly increased this week. It's to the point that my past the shoulder, use to be thick hair, is now very thin! It has done this before when I was incredibly stressed, but this is the worst. Someone asked me the other day did I get my hair thinned out?! I just got out of the shower and while washing my hair, clumps were falling out into my hand. I put them in a ziplock bag because I am going to the doctor today about something else and I plan on showing it to her. I've seen several post about this happening, but has anyone had any luck in making it stop? I've tried taking biotin pills before, they didn't help.

 

[Loner]

You're not taking tramadol are you? That is a side effect. Try not to stress about it I guess. Easier said than done.

 

[FindingMyself88]

No I'm not taking tramadol. This happens anytime I get really stressed or have a lot of anxiety, so I think thats the why. I just want to know ways to stop it.

 

[BewitchedBewildered]

I would see a dermatologist or endocrinologist if your normal doc doesn't have any ideas. Just a suggestion, I had a friend with same issue and her derm helped.

 

[Candleflames]

That sounds really frustrating. I experienced the same thing after having my kids. It was because of the estrogen drop for me but lots of things can cause hair loss. Seeing your doc and taking in a sample is a great idea. She'll probably want to do some blood work to check your hormone and vitamin levels. The cause will likely tailor the treatment.

My suggestion is to make sure your getting adequate nutrition. Take a multivitamin if you need to and do something nice for your self that will help you relax. When your test results come in you'll know if there is an underlying medical cause or if it is stress. I hope you get your answers soon.

 

[Suzetig]

My hair falls out when I'm stressed, I find taking an iron supplement really helps it grow back again - when I'm stressed my iron levels seem to suffer for some reason and that can impact hair growth.

 

[FindingMyself88]

@BewitchedBewildered dermatologist is a possibility, but an endocrinologist is a diabetic doctor, how would that help?

@Candleflames thank you for sharing and yes, it is VERY frustrating! I know about a month or two back they checked all my levels and everything was fine. My doctor keeps a pretty close watch on me because of all the health problems I have had. She may want to do bloodwork again though :/. I don't like being a pin cushion lol!

@hmmm, never heard of iron levels causing it. She may suggest something, I am already on a prenatal vitamin (not pregnant!) to help with some issues I've had.

I will post again once I see her, I go in about 2 hours. She is going to say you came in for one thing (possible ear infection) and ended up checking three things lol. Thankfully she loves me and we are really close :)

 

[Candleflames]

I don't like being a pin cushion lol!

LOL, me neither.

 

[Shadowofdoubt]

An endocrinologist is someone who specializes in hormones, thyroid problems can cause hair loss. But if this has happened before due to stress, than reducing the stress would be a logical, though not necessarily doable, solution. Otherwise I'm not sure what you can do...sorry.

 

[FindingMyself88]

@Nera thank you, I had only a limited view of an endocrinologist. I just knew I went to one for my diabetes.

I just got back from my doctor and I guess it went good.. no blood work and no new medication lol :tup:. @Candleflames I took the sample and she said hers actually falls out worse than that and not to be concerned. She knows about my PTSD and depression, so she did say it was probably stress related. She did recommend cutting it if I was okay with short hair, she said it would make the hair lighter in weight and might help it shed less.

As for my ear issue, she said I have a narrow tube and as long as it isn't a huge issue, there was nothing they would do. She did suggest wearing a mouth guard at night to keep me from clinching my teeth because that can worsen things.

For knee, she is referring me to a sports medicine doctor in their same office. She moved my knee a bit and did say she felt some "crunching" on the side that I have had the meniscus removed. So I go to see him on Monday.

So yeah, I didn't really get any direct answers lol but with my insurance expiring until August, she didn't want to run any unnecessary tests. I am thankful for her, she is SO patient with me and caring.

 

[Candleflames]

First off, a woot :woot: for not being the human pin cushion today!

So for now you can work on managing the stress to see if it helps. If only it was as easy to do as say. What do you like to do for just you? Do you have some hobbies? Can you handle getting a massage or a pedicure or a nice soak in the tub?

I like meditative activities like going to a quiet museum or spinning yarn or playing some mellow music while playing a game of solitaire.

 

[FindingMyself88]

@Candleflames yes for sure lol! :) She almost had it done but then decided to wait, she saw the relief on my face lol! Back in January when I got really sick, I was stuck around 22 times in just that month! Plus last year when I fell and hit my head, it caused swelling on the brain so I had to have multiple spinal taps to relief the pressure. Plus I get regular (once a month) shots in the hip. That's enough for me lol!

Well I love to paint, but it's honestly become my journal now. I do have a canvas, so maybe I can do something for fun. I am going thursday to ride horses at my old barn. My doctor wasn't too thrilled about this with my knee but I promised to wear my brace. She knows how much horses mean to me, so she said okay. I may start going to the park again.

I can't tolerate too busy of places, it increases my anxiety...