Does the Hair Falling out thing...does it end?
 

Or will I go bald???

I've been on Copaxone since October 07. My hair has been thinning and thinning. I used to have nice thick hair. Now it's thin. Will it end? Or should I consider new meds???

I feel like crying. I'm not normally a vain person, but!!! I know it's a disease modifying drug, but shuoldn't it come with a disclaimer???

I'm just starting a thinning hair regimine, hope it works....:rain:

I've seen others with this problem, but I haven't had an issue with it thus far. One of those crazy things that's unique to each person perhaps?

My hair has always been really fine, but it looks thick 'cuz I have a ton of it. I don't color or perm it that much. I also rotate shampoos and conditioners. I use a fortifying one about once to twice a month, and a moisturizing one the rest of the time.

I learned with fine hair that using one type of shampoo too much will lose the effectiveness over time. It's a weird thing, but I have a few shampoo makers I can't use anymore 'cuz it does strange things to my hair now. :eek:

Hope the new hair regimine helps. :hug:

omg i too noticed my hair has thinned too and am on copaxone for 3 plus yrs now, and I also have had thick hair, and if one more person without ms says oh your getting up there in age its ok or its normal,No im not, im 46 thick bushy soft hair no grays its an ms issue or med issue not an age issue god that answer irks me sorry sidetracked there for a moment, lol like getting up there in age justifies going out to the kitchen 3 more times trying to figure out why you went out there the first time ugh arghhhhhh egads, opps did i jump track again, sorry this happened to me 3 times yesterday someone used that phrase, back to the hair this sucks, deb and i noticed it two or three days ago she asked me about it and it was visible in the mirror

ugh

Hi Gladys,
I'm on Copaxone too and notice my hair has been thinning in the past year or so. I'm on it almost 9 years though. I did get bloodwork done to check my hormones and thyroid and all was normal. I don't really know if it's the Copaxone or not in my case since I've been on it so long. My Ferretin ( Iron ) level was low last I got it checked and I'm on a daily Iron supplement. Just wanted to tell you, you're not alone and although I don't really have any answers, ( I wish I did) I can relate. :hug:

I've been on an interferon for 5 years. I've also got male pattern baldness running in my family. I still have plenty of hair, but it sure does fall out. It's definitely thinner right at the top, but I figure that after this long, if I'm not bald yet, I'm safe...:p

Interesting this topic came up now..I've noticed a very annoying thing..I'm pulling out handfulls of hair ~ not just when washing it, but several times throughout the day. And I am talking handfulls here..
My hair is very thick, very long, and has a natural curl so I don't perm..I have a hypothyroid which can cause that, but have my levels checked every year and take levothyroxin. My mom teases me saying I'm just getting my "summer coat", but this is the worst it's ever been (and I've been off Copaxone, not on anything now, for a year)..Hair doesn't seem to be thinning, but I'd love to know if anyone can enlighten me as to why this would get so bad so suddenly!

polar any chance the tyroid needs to be checked sooner and the meds are not as effective now?

That's the first thing I thought of, too, Frank..I just had my thyroid checked a couple months ago and already taking 100 mcg's of Levothyroxin..Plus, the other sx's of hypothyroidism aren't there, like severe skin drying, etc..I can't really say about fatigue as that's also always been my worst MS sx by far...It's a mystery..

Gladys, I may just be in the market for your new hair regimen if this continues much longer..I hope it works well for you!

Thanks all for responding!!!

My thyroid?! Interesting..... I remember reading somewhere that it was a common problem with MS.

I'll see my neuro next month for a follow up as it is...therapist in a couple of weeks...I'm sure I'll be able to get tested for this!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism

I hope one of my doctors can help....

Polar, the meds, do they help with energy and emotions? I'm curious since Copaxone is the only med I am currently on....

I can crochet people hats out of Fun Fur (also known in the crochet world as "muppet fur"...those poor muppets, killed for their pelts)


I saw some interesting fun fur the other day, it was bright orange and looked like the same stuff they make Christmas garland out of...just thinner.

So Erin, are you saying we should save our hair and send it to you? :rolleyes:

If it is your thyroid Gladys, they'll put you on a replacement med, probably synthroid or it's generic levothyroxin. It can take a month or so, but it does help relieve that "lack of energy" feeling, helps dry skin to feel better, stops hair falling out..They test your levels regularly to make sure the dosage is still correct, but that's easy. I just stop in to the clinic, they draw blood, and call me later that day to let me know..It's a medication you'd be on the rest of your life, but it can work wonders!
Let us know what you find out..Best of luck!

Nope.

I was talking about crocheted hats made out of muppet fur. (fun fur yarn)

Fine then. I was gonna go clean out my drain trap just for you. :D

Ewwwwww.......

Thanks Polar! :) I will let you know what happens with the dr's. :)

Erin & Twinkletoes....ROFLMBO!!! Much needed comic relief :)

I used to have massively thick hair, now it is so thin, I have to be careful how I wear it or it looks patchy, I am on thyroid replacement as I have no thyroid but my problems never started until the interfurons and MS meds and it has not grown back either even with all of the "hair rejuvenation" stuff.

Kay you could send fur from all of your animals but thinking most of them have feathers....so if we all want feathered hats you're our girl! Ummm but no thanks on the drain trap LOL!

I have successfully used an herbal shampoo for this. My hairdresser said that it is more a sign of general health than anything. She told me to brush my hair several times a day with a rubber tipped bristle brush so that the scalp was stimulated. And to brush thoroughly before shampoo and comb hair not brush it when it is wet.

The shampoo didn't start to show that it was helping for almost a month but then one day I noticed all of this new hair that was only a half inch long all over and within 6 months it felt thicker and a year later it was much fuller. It's generally only available in salons but I've seen it at discount liquidators as well. The company makes several different formulas for fine, thin, coarse, thick, chemical treated hair etc. For more information on the product and how it's supposed to work, go to www.nioxin.com

I have not needed to use it for nearly a year now but was glad it was there when I did need it.

The results are in! The normal TSH count is .4-4.5 (depending on who you ask, but right around there)..I had my last check in November, earlier than I first thought, and my level was 1.5 ~ almost too perfect! Today, just a few months later, my level was (drumroll please) 19!!!
They've upped my levothyroxin to 150 mcg's,and I have to go back for a recheck in six weeks..No wonder all my hair was falling out! Gladys, definately get that checked. I'm surprised I wasn't psychotic or something!

OMG!!! That is so way off! You poor thing. You must have been feeling just terrible. Hope you feel better soon.

I have been on thyroid meds for 19 years.

LOL..The MS sx and the hypothyroid sx are so similar, if it wasn't for my hair falling out I wouldn't have know the difference..
Gladys, I owe you one for this thread!:Thank you:

DANG GIRL!!!!!! We try to keep my TSH right around .2 to keep me somewhat hyperthyroid because supposedly after a thyroidectomy, if they leave the parathyroids you can actually grow thyroid tissue back if your levels get too high, at 19 I'd be a slug...a bald slug LOL!

Polar, I don't have a clinic to go to, I have to go through one of the local hospitals...with paperwork request in hand. It's just a couple more weeks to go for me. Now that I realize there is a potential for thyroid issues, I am more relieved and relaxed about it!

OMG about YOUR levels, though! You are VERY welcome that our lives coincided at this time ;)

My hairdresser recommened Nexus-VitaTress-Biotin Shampoo, I'm giving it a shot. I did save the nioxin site to my favs and will consider that as well.

I have tried nioxin etc even rogaine for women and mine won't grow back after 4 years! so frustrating...but I do live the minty tingly feeling you get from the Nioxin after using it!