Hair loss due to medication side effects - any advice how to improve state of my hair

[messyhairmessyhouse]

I have been taking medication for a health condition for over 6 months, previously had very thick bushy hair. My hair seemed to improve initially over the last 6 months, more manageable, easier to style and it was only when I had it cut a few months ago that the hairdresser commented on hair loss, I really hadn't noticed. Of course this explained why my previously thick unruly mop had become easier to style. Due to going through a very stressful time the hairdresser and I put it down to stress. However, recently the hair loss is noticeable as in the amount coming out when I brush it and that there is visible thinning at the sides of my head. I've recently found out that hair loss is a side effect of my medication - why if why didn't I realise this before! I've been to the GP who's advised I reduce my meds and we're looking into an alternative and I'm having bloods done to rule out any other cause but because of the ting they are confident the medication is the cause.

I'm reeling with the realisation of how bad the state of my hair is, over the space of a few weeks it's gone from thinning to visibly thinned and when I brush small fistfuls of hair will come out. I'm finding it very stressful and so scary and then it makes me feel vain which I'm really not. So, any advice would be greatly appreciated, I've googled and seen about Biotin supplements am already using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner at least that's what I think it's called, no longer using a towel on my hair to try to reduce breakage and using either an old t shirt or microfiber headwrap thing. Any dos or donts and things worth spending money on would be appreciated, don't have much cash but I really want my hair to grow back so will scrimp and save for things that work. x

I had a lot of hair loss following illness earlier in the year, which meant that I lost a lot of weight exceedingly quickly. Mine has stopped shedding (it probably shed for 2-3 months) but you can still see my scalp and I am not convinced I can see it growing back yet.

I used minoxidil, which may (or may not!) have stopped the loss. It is specifically for people who suffer from hereditary male pattern hair loss, but it encourages your hair to grow more hair and come out of the resting phase. I get mine from either Amazon or ebay (it is much cheaper in the States) but it is available at most chemist and is probably worth a try. The good news is, it should grow back, if it was caused by medication, once you come off it.

Best of luck!

Thanks for that. I've had a look at the reviews which are really positive, the only thing that worries me is it says you may notice more shedding to start with. I understand it's necessary in order to start new growth but scared how bad that will look.

Thanks for that. I've had a look at the reviews which are really positive, the only thing that worries me is it says you may notice more shedding to start with. I understand it's necessary in order to start new growth but scared how bad that will look.

Yes, I was worried about that as I did not think I could afford to lose any more, but I took the view that if I did lose more initially then it would prove it was working and more hair would grow back quicker. It was har d to tell if it made the hair loss worse initially, as I was losing so much anyway. It has certainly stopped now although I am still waiting for it to thicken up.

Minoxidil (Regaine) works, but only for as long as you use it.
When you stop the 'regained' hair will fall out - unless of course your underlying hair problem has resolved.

Are you likely to be able to change your medication in the long term?
Short/medium term would a shorter or different hair cut help appearance?

My only personal experience of hair loss was postpartum when I lost handfuls of hair, had to stop washing my hair halfway through to unplug the the plughole and my pillow case was black with hairs every morning. I lost hair mainly around my hairline at my temples and it became very apparent. It lasted about 2-3 months, then slowed down and reduced to more normal hair shedding and a year later my hairline was back to normal.

Best of luck, I hope you get there

My sister lost all her hair few years back and she went completely bald. It was due to some adverse reaction for Imuran. She got a shampoo from the dermatologist and it started growing and now she has long hair like she once had. So I think that you should go and see a dermatologist without using something that others used as it might not work out on you.

If it's Azathiiorine (Imuran) you're on then it'll just keep falling out. Over 18 years of being on it I lost half my hair thickness. Took about a year to return once off it (but I'd had surgery during this time which also set it back a few months)