Pepe, when my hair fell out like yours has, it did grow back. Not as full as it was, but it did grow back. The way I could tell was, about 3 weeks or so after the start of the fall out, I could feel tiny prickly stubbles when I lightly ran my finger across my scalp in the oppisite direction of growth. It may take less or more time depending on how fast your hair normally grows. It looked a little strange during the growing back period, but I was just so happy I really didn't care. I didn't use any of the new products that may help it to grow in faster. I don't think they were available back then. I know how devestated I felt when it happened to me, so I know how you feel. Try not to worry too much, it will grow back...it just takes time. Hope this helps.

Hugs,
Pat

Pat - Yes this helps a lot. Some people say it will, while others say it will not.
What was the reason for yours falling out? I'm happy for you that it did. It is very devastating to see and feel clumps of your hair coming out at a time. Very scary. Fortunately, I had a lot of hair to start with. I'm afraid to use any products as I hear conflicting reports, some people say it makes it worse in the beginning. I think I will stick with the biotin and pray. Your message did help. Thank you. Dorothy

Wow sounds like we have a lot in common with these tests. The only test my primary ran were ANA and antinuclear antibodies. ANA positive and the antinuclear antibodies was high. Not sure how high. And like you, I have a high thyroid antibody but TSH and T4 are normal. So, have they officially said you have Lupus?? I hope you are feeling well and I thank you for your response. Dorothy

Dorothy, I had a very low thyroid and it is believed to have been from that. My GP at the time knew it was very low, but didn't think too much of it. When I went to my GYN he knew it was low as soon as he saw me. My skin was very dry, hair dry and falling out plus weight gain. Not to mention extreme fatigue. He retested and started me on synthroid. This was back in the 70's and apparently hypothyroidism wasn't taken too seriously by most GP's. In the 80's my mother, her twin sister and their two older sisters were diagnosed with it also. They probably had it all along and just went undiagnosed. If this should turn out to be your problem, it is easily treatable. Either way, there is still a very good chance your hair will grow back. I wish you all the best.

Hugs,
Pat

I'm sorry that I didn't reply sooner...I haven't been diagnosed with Lupus...Whenever I go to see my rheumy, I don't show any evidence of having arthritis, although he agrees that I have arthralgia...Mine is very strange...It tends to worsen at night, and rheumatology offices aren't open at 10pm unfortunately, so it's sorta a catch-22 or something...Oddly, my arthralgia/inflammation has lessened for the last many months...I used to have swollen ankles, knees, various fingers joints....There was also a time when my hair was falling out...not much, but definately falling out...My hair is very thick, so it wasn't noticeable, but the drain in the shower wasn't happy...

I've gone to the hospital in the past re. the joints hoping that the docs. would do a biopsy (not sure if that's the right term) of the fluid in my knees in the hopes of a diagnosis...But they always refused to do that...They said that they don't do investigational work, only emerg. work.(warning: bitter comment ahead) I guess they like to wait until the patient is completely disabled before they treat. When the car needs gas, and the warning light comes on, they turn off the light rather than fill the engine.

For now, it seems that the joint issues are under control. Annie's prolly right that it's the prednisone doing a lot of the work, but even before the prednisone, I wasn't having as many flares...Seems like my immune system put precidence on acetylcholine as the real enemy over the old joints...Maybe they were making fun of it for being so shabby!

Right now, I'm being watched...I haven't seen my rheumy in a long time...I'm going to call tomorrow to book an appointment...

I hope that you get some answers soon....Do you know what your thyroid levels are at? I know that what is 'normal' for some isn't always 'normal' for everyone...I have a fantastic book about thyroid disorders by a very good endocrinologist...If your levels are even borderline, that can be enough to cause symptoms (hair thinning/loss is one)...

Good luck, girl!
nicky

Hi everyone, (sorry this is so long - I'm home alone and bored)!

Pat, your message made me smile because i am currently going through the "awkward" re-growing phase and it is SO annoying! I always had fine hair but a lot of it. I'm not sure if it is the pred, azathioprine, or my thyroid that caused me to lose hair, but it seems to have stopped. I remember one morning I showered and forgot to clean out the tub. My husband ran into the bedroom panicked after his shower and started to inspect my head sure he would find a huge bald patch based on the amount of hair he found in the bath!

I occasionally wear glasses and I lost a lot of hair around my ears where my glasses rubbed, so now I have silly tufts growing back. I joke that I look like one of those wishing trolls when I wake up! To make matters worse my hair is growing in curly and I have always had iron-board straight hair.

I'm not sure why I've stopped losing my hair but the new growth is about two inches long now. My hair dresser keeps assuring me it won't be long until it's all caught up with my actual hair! Phew!

Wishing you all luscious locks!!
~Kathy