My Telogen Effluvium is driving my CRAZY!!!!

by Curly Hair
(Canada)

I am a 27 year old female. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in December of 2009. I was shocked and terrified for my future. I was immediately put on Prednisone for 2 months. I was stressed out of my mind due to the side-effects of steroids and was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for some horrible side-effect to be bestowed upon me. Yet, nothing happened except some mood swings, increased appetite, increased energy and a massively wonderful thick head of hair.

In February I began taking Mezavant (5-ASA) to control my UC and Salofalk enemas. I was very happy and felt good about myself and that my UC was not going to control my life, I had a new and exciting outlook and was ready to go back to my norm. However towards the end of March, I started to notice my hair loss. At first seeing a few hairs embedded in my thick hair with a white bulb at the end of them didn't really scare me. I simply thought no it's not possible....could it be the Mezavant? No no stop over-reacting! However, as it progressed and I began noticing clumps coming out when I would brush it after my shower then I began to worry.

I immediately ran to see my family doc, he kept saying that it was simply TE and it would stop and grow back, nothing to worry about. Yet, as the weeks went by and more and more fell off it was very difficult not to worry. I went to see my GI and was very upset and demanded to be taken off my medication. Although he thought it was not the medication and that it was crazy to completely blame the meds when there was only a 1% chance, he still took me off the Mezavant and told me to use the Salofalk enemas should I get into trouble.

A week later most probably due to stress, I flared up; the enemas alone were not keeping my UC under control. At that point I had 2 options. Either take steroids again or go back on the Mezavant. With all the current stress I was dealing with I did not want to make it worse by taking steroids so I opted for the Mezavant. In the meantime I saw a dermatologist. He explained to me that it was indeed TE and that it was caused by my condition and was highly doubtful that the meds had anything to do with it.

My body is ill and it is trying to resolve itself, therefore it is not paying any attention to my hair at the moment. He assured me that it would stop and my hair would grow back. Both he and my family doc felt being taken off the Mezavant was not a good idea and that I should keep on with my meds and focus on getting my health back to 100%.


Even though I was given good news a part of me is still terrified. What if this doesn't stop? What if this is the medication causing this? Will my hair grow back as thick as it always was, or will it come back thinner? My hair was always long, thick, curly and healthy.

I look in the mirror and I feel it looks terrible. It looks stringy on the ends and my parts are quite wide. In the front, you can see my scalp through my hair. If this gets any worse it will be difficult to cover this up. Generally TE lasts 3 months, I'm pretty sure I have survived 2 months so far. Is it possible that it could be nearing its end? I began taking Biotin a couple of days ago, will this help at all? I am highly discouraged and depressed can anyone offer me some words of wisdom and encouragement please?

Editor’s Comments,

I would definitely recommend you to heed to your dermatologist’s advice. They are the pro in this area. Sometimes hair loss is inevitable due to certain illnesses or medications that you have to take to control it. I do think that it’s possible the meds are not the big influence on your thinning hair as well but more likely like what your doc said, your body is diverting its attention elsewhere in healing your UC.

Biotin is a great supplement for hair and most experts recommend it but there is no way to really say how effective the vitamin will be.

Many people with UC are tend to lack certain nutrition due to the reduced ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. That in fact can also be a reason for poor hair growth. If you want more specifics on this matter, check out this link below if you haven’t already.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ulcerative-colitis-000166.htm

Another option that you can consider is cutting your hair shorter to reduce the appearance of thinning hair. This is a good choice for you since your condition is usually temporary. The other thing you really need to do is to stop worrying and know that you are not alone. Calming yourself is one of the best medicines for your hair.