I have been on abx for about 9 weeks (following a *very* positive WB for Lyme, and a lot of nonspecific symptoms of illness for appx 1.5 years). I started on Doxy (2x per day) for 4 weeks, supplemented by Omnicef (2x per day) after 4 weeks.
I had a herx during weeks 1-3 on the doxy, but the time since I started the Omnicef has been HORRIBLE. Feeling awful. I have been off the Omnicef since Friday and will switch to Ceftin tomorrow, in case I am better able to tolerate the herx/side effects/lyme gremlins.
I've noticed some hair thinning over the last several months, which seemed to have at least stabilized when I started taking thyroid (bioidentical) in December (this was prior to the lyme test results).
However, over the last few weeks, I feel like I've started loosing a lot more hair. At first I wrote it off to wearing my hair longer than usual (who has the energy to get a haircut?) but I've realized that it really is much more than I've "shed" in the past when my hair was as long as it currently is.
Does anyone know if/how the inflammation that seems to get blamed for so many lyme symptoms (including the herx) could cause hair loss? Or of any other lyme-related explanation for an increase in hair shedding?
In the meantime, I will try my cat's Furminator brush to see if I can pick up the excess hair I am shedding on the nice furniture. (Kidding!)
Thanks Kim
-------------------- Wildlife biologist working in tropics since 1997; tick bites in Nicaragua in March 2007, started getting sick May 2007; diagnosed with Lyme based on serological testing in Jan 2009; treatment starting Feb 2009. Wish me luck! Posts: 116 | From Seattle | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think it can! Bringing this to the top for more help!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Most likely it is low thyroid. If you started in
Dec. Did you start low dose and build up? It is
hard to regulate in Bb people. You can actually
have hypothyroid blood but symptoms of
hyperthyroid. Meaning hair loss, increased body
weight, etc. Doc told me to stay on my 100 I
take, so I would just be aware of it and since
you just
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I lost alot of hair over the years as lyme chipped away at my health in general.
When I started meds, the hair loss lessened except when I went on a med for Babesia that specifically said side effect of hair loss. Can't remember the name but it wasn't any you mentioned.
In my opinion, yes, hair loss can be due to all of the above: the lyme, the meds, the thyroid etc. Once they all mesh together and start to work, I believe you hair will thicken up and like me, you may later notice that your hair is thicker than it has been in a long, long time.
I think mine is as thick as when I was a teen and I'm in my 50's!
I'm also a hairdresser so I'm tuned in to these things.
Good, balanced health will bring your hair back. Yes you may loose some in the transition but I believe it will come back even better.
Posts: 982 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic