Hair Loss

[Dream_Catcher]

Hi, I am 6months Post Op and in panic now after reading everyones response. My hair is fine and thin to begin with and falling out due to Progarf and Prednisone. Iv been using Biotin for years and 2 months on Monat shampoo and conditioner and treatment. Haven’t seen any results .... just a lot of thinning, my bangs are see thru. I don’t know what else to do.

[PostivelyJo]

I was here too. My thick hair grew fine and thinned. It really really upset me. I took biotin and zinc, I was given iron (for something else ) .... my hair started falling out at 6 months and continued at what I thought was an alarming rate for at least 4/5 months. I brought peptide hair strengthening serum from a company called The Ordinary and then it all suddenly stopped.

My hair hasn’t returned to normal but it’s stopped falling out. It’s the drugs. Just give it time and try not to over focus on it - something I didn’t manage !

Good luck

[bakermaker222 in reply to PostivelyJo]

Did the iron make your hair fall out? I, too, am on iron and my hair is thinner than before transplant Thank you.

[PostivelyJo in reply to bakermaker222]

I don’t think so . It’s hard to tell, I was neutropenic and had a lot to deal with and it was during lockdown. iron - well Ferritin Is needed for hair growth I thought

[-8754]

I’m a Male 1.5 years post TP doing great, I’m bald ( I make it look goooood!) so no issue here. However, I have had clinic with a woman who was transplanted the same week I was. She lost all of her really incredible hair. Saw her last week, all grown back. Get ready, I’m sure you’re hair is coming back. Good luck!

[PostivelyJo in reply to -8754]

That’s good to hear. I hope she feels good about herself. I had no idea this is a common issues for transplant patients . I look at myself and on bad days I stare at a stranger in good days i shrug my shoulders and smile !

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Have you told your transplant docs regarding your hair loss? I think it is a pretty common complaint especially that first year. My transplant center doctors were able to reduce the dose of my immunosuppressant meds - Myfortic, Neoral and prednisone.

When I was approaching my first year I realized that my hair was actually coming in thicker.

Please talk this over with your doctor before you take anything for hair loss, even something over the counter. Always check with your doctor before taking anything.

[bakermaker222]

My hair has changed also. I am 1 year post transplant, I live in Az. so I had to take a Valley Fever drug for 1 year. I am currently taking Viviscal and Biotin. My hair is coming back but I am not sure it will ever be the same. I also take prograf and cellcept and 5 mg predisone. Good Luck.

[ncogneato16 in reply to bakermaker222]

What is Viviscal? I am on the same Antirejection meds and it started falling out at like 6 months post transplant and the hair loss has been going on for about 2 months now. I am on vitamins/supplements biotin, B12 and will add the zinc. Thanks for the post I will look into Viviscal.

[bakermaker222 in reply to ncogneato16]

It is a pill that I take daily. I talked with my PA and she said it was OK to take. I ordered it online. Go to Viviscal.com. The only thing I don't like is that make it from shark fins. My hair is still thinner than it was before my transplant but, we have new kidneys and they work so I am grateful. Good luck to you.

[Dream_Catcher]

I have talked to my Doctors who just told me it was due to my medications and said it was ok to take Biotin. I have my 6 month check up in 2 weeks so I will see if they say anything new. I’m going to try that Ordinary serum iv been seeing that a lot. Thanks for all your input makes fame feel better.

[NewLeaseOnLife14]

My hair in my crown dissipated. Basically, everywhere—all over my head. I was devastated and depressed. I had gained the few lbs I always wanted only to be walking around looking like the Beaky Buzzard. It passed though but it seems like it took forward. I’m two year post op and my hair is thickening up with castor oil treatments and daily scalp massages. You have to just let your hair go through the phases right now and ride the wave the best you can. Hats, head wraps etc. it will grow back. Good luck!!

[ThisAdventure]

Hi, I'm a bit ahead of you on the transplant journey – one year post, and yes, this is tough – esp as young women, and it's something I didn't expect at all!

I'm not sure if there is much that can be done to stop it, asked my Dr too and it's the meds, prob cellcept for me. Some people on here have said biotin has helped them though.

I've realised that my old long hair has pretty much stopped falling out now, so this won't last forever. It's like my hair went into shock and then one day it just started to grow new hair again, thick and full (literally all the same length at the mo, like bangs). So try not to panic (it's hard, and yes, there are bad days and that's okay). We will get through this – and maybe try out some new hairstyles on the journey!

[parojulie123]

I am going through the same. It started right after 3 months post Transplant and continued for 2 months. I have lost 3/4 ths of my thick long hair. I cut it off. Its really thin and I can see my scalp in the front. Taking Biotin, B12 and Zinc daily. Visited Dermatologist but gave no good advice. But last 10days I do the fall reduced a bit. It could be I have nothing such left to lose. It is very depressing but I tried not to think about it too much. Given I received the gift of life, I have accepted this. Hope my hair will starting growing back atleast some of it.

[Yankcg70]

You are lucky you are finding it now. I am a female post 31 years and when i started there was not much to do about it. When i am at home, i can live with it, its thin on the top, but do wear a wig for work or social functions. Its not easy but i weigh the good with the bad. Ill take a wig that i can change and be different style or color whenever i want then be tied to a dialysis machine 3 days week. Its not easy but sometimes you take the good with the bad especially with a procedure as life altering as a transplant.