Why is this happening and when will it stop?

by Erin
(PA)

My hair started falling out by the handfuls 3 weeks ago, which I know from Goggling like crazy is *nothing* compared to what some people have gone through. But it is devastating nonetheless.

I had a baby at the end of January, and in early July I noticed I was losing more hair than normal. "Ahh...just postpartum hair loss - no biggie," I thought. Then my husband asked me what was going on with the hair. We have a nurse line with our insurance and I called and told her I'd been losing more hair than normal for about 3 weeks. She asked for other symptoms and I told her I'd also felt a lump in my throat for about a week. She suggested it could be a thyroid thing - so off to the doctor I went.

So they ran blood work & did an ultrasound and found a nodule, high thyroid antibodies, and low iron. The office called and said I'd need a biopsy 5 days later. I freaked out. I went in early August for the biopsy, and the radiologist told me the nodule was too small, that a biopsy wasn't warranted - but if the doctor wanted it, he didn't know the reason and he couldn't find out because she was out of town. If I freaked out before, I went into full-blown panic at that point. The next day we drove out of state for a wedding, and I stayed with family for a week. I was not myself in the least. I didn't want to get out of bed, was having panic attacks, racing thoughts - you name it.

I came back and an ENT put me on Protonix for the lump in my throat. Three weeks into the Protonix my hair started falling out in clumps. I went back to my regular doctor, this time about the hair loss, and he put me on thyroid medication & iron supplements. I know that low iron and thyroid issues contribute to hair loss, but I wish I knew what the trigger was. Was it my ridiculous stress? I don't know - but I dread taking a shower every morning. I lose at least 150-200 hairs a day.

I constantly think about this. I Google like it's my job. I can't seem to get a grip. I know that only exacerbates the issue. It is helpful to read other people's stories, especially those whose hair stops falling out.

Editor’s Comments,

The panic and all that day till night thinking and worrying might probably be a reason for the hair loss. However, I strongly believe that the hair loss is caused by the Protonix (Pantoprazole) drugs because this drug has the tendency to cause some hair loss and it’s noted as one of its side effects.

Thyroid medications, either treating hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism also have potential to shed your hair as well because some have strong side effects and can change the hormone levels in the body. Many drugs and medications can trigger some hair loss while some strong ones can cause massively shocking hair shedding. Nonetheless, usually when you stop these medications, the hair loss will return to normal and the hairs will grow back.

You are also right pinpointing that stressing yourself mentality is like rubbing salt to the wounds. What you need to do is to try to take your focus elsewhere and try not to worry too much about it. Tell yourself that your hair loss will stop and it’s only temporary and check it after a month to see whether there are any improvements, if not don’t panic because it might last a little longer than usual but usually these kind of hair loss is never permanent and most cases the hair will grow back fully.

If you are still very uncertain by then, a visit to your dermatologist will definitely straighten things up. In the meantime, chill and don’t dread about taking your shower in the mornings because it will not contribute to any further hair loss. You might want to check out my Preventing Hair Loss section for more tips on how to manage your hair better too.