Hi to all...

I'm a little confused on the hair loss issue. I wore my hair very, very short for many years, but I have let it grow out over the past year and a half. When my hair was short, I did notice some hair on the bathroom floor but I didn't think it was anything significant. Now, however, I'm noticing what seems to be a lot of hair loss. I have read that it's normal to lose approx. 150 strands a day, but what does that really tell you?!? I haven't counted but it just seems like I'm losing MORE than I did before. Specifically, when I wash my hair, my hands will be covered with strands, and the same thing happens after I put mousse in my hair. The other day, I noticed that the hood of my sweatshirt was full of strands. I have a lot of thick, wavy hair so it would take a lot for my hair to actually thin. Still... I'm not too sure what I'm dealing with. Does hair loss occur only during a flare?!? Maybe this is just normal shedding?

Also... I think there was a thread on this already, but I can't find it. My gums have been bleeding a lot when I brush my teeth. I use a soft toothbrush, and while I have had this problem in the past, it is definitely more consistent now. Lupus related?!?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm going to bump this up because there have been some new developments since I posted this yesterday...

I think that I'm not very good at knowing when I'm going to flare. I'm a teacher and, since school ended, I haven't been feeling 100%. Well... I probably didn't feel 100% for awhile but I was too busy to notice it completely. It was an incredibly stressful school year and the end of the year was even more stressful (I didn't think it was possible). So... since late June I have been dealing with bowel issues (diagnosed IBS in '03), fatigue, fatigue, fatigue, the noticeable hair loss, bleeding gums, then yesterday my joints hurt terribly (knees, elbows, ankles, shoulders, neck [not a joint but it still hurt!]), and I had, what is for me, a low-grade fever (99 degrees; when I feel my best, I have a temperature of about 97.7 or so). I'm basically thinking that everything is connected now.

The problem is that I also suffer from anxiety issues and poor stress processing, so I often attribute my physical symptoms to being "stressed out." Of course, everytime a doctor told me that I got furious because I felt they were dismissing my physical symptoms. Why I do it to myself is beyond me...

I'm still a bit unclear on the hair loss/bleeding gums issue, though, so I would appreciate any and all input...

Thanks,
Kim

Hair loss, it does suck. At least it is flare-related. My doc says the hair cycle is long, like three months of growth and three months of inactivity, so that even after a flare it may take time for your hair to normalize. The think that helps me most is taking boatloads of Udo's Flaxseed Omega 3 oil caps. They don't have the fishy taste. I take six a day when I have the hair loss issue. I too have thick hair. When I get really freaked about the hair loss, I make my hairdresser cut it shorted and razer cut it on the ends to look more edgy. In my mind it distracts from any breakage along my hairline, and as you mentioned, shorter hair falling out is less noticable to you and everyone else. Hang in there, hair!

Bleeding gums. I'm told that lupus can cause periodontal disease. I've not experienced it, but I suggest you get to the dentist. My rheum recommends seeing him first for the right antibiotics BEFORE seeing the dentist since your immune system is compromised with lupus and drugs for lupus. Don't let the dentist give you sulfur-based (sulfa-based) antibiotics, which are contraindicated in lupus patients. Better to see your rhuem before the dentist. Good luck with your teeth and your well-being! Sorry you are stuck in a flare.

Jennifer

I have experienced hair loss recently, and posted a thread but never got any real great replies. I went through a period just like what you are experiencing now. I can say it leveled off, I haven't really lost any more, but I haven't had a great showing of new hair either. I see my rheumatologist tomorrow (first time since January), so maybe I can give you better info tomorrow..
pambyboo