There have been some other threads on this. Maybe run a search for a more complete answer.

I don't think anyone has wound up bald yet, no.

He's wrong. It's listed as a potential side effect on the materials I received when I was discharged from the hospital.

For me, I lost what seemed like a lot initially but then over the last couple of years, it slowed down and now just seems to come out periodically, and I can see new growth. For me, it's on the sides by my temples. I keep my hair trimmed regularly so it's healthy, and I use dry shampoo to make it feel thicker. I also rarely wear my hair in a pony tail any more because my hair seemed to be breaking around the rubber band. making it look even thinner, to me

Also if you type in "hair loss" or "hair thinning" in the search field above, you'll find a bunch of discussion threads on this topic.

I lost a TON of hair while I was on warfarin. Since I've been off my hair has started to grow back. I think I read that someone got a prescription shampoo from their dermatologist to help...might be worth looking into since you're a lifer.

hello

yes i have the same problem i have been on warfarin since last june, my hair started falling out and i was very worried, but what i would say is that after about 4 months it did start to slownand now only a small amount comes out . All i can say is eat healthily lots of friut and veg and lean protein and quorn, i found that once i started to improve my diet my hair improved. Dont worry too much it will slow down

best wishes

Sharon (in UK)

My hair fell out by the fist-fulls during warfarin. I swore that I was going to be bald, too. As RMB mentioned, it did start to taper off about month #6. Your hairdresser should become your new BFF. I went to a layered cut and had deep protein conditioning treatments once a month. I also used a Redkin protein conditioner at home twice a week. At least the hair left on my head looked great! I tried a hair/nails/skin vitamin supplement but it messed up my INR so I had to stop taking it.

I've been off warfarin about 5 weeks now and have lots of hair re-growth so it was definitely what caused my hair loss.

It's a total bummer, for sure. I can empathize. I decided I wasn't going down that easy. The only thing lighter than my hair may have been my wallet but it made me feel better that I was doing something pro-active.

Good point about your hairdresser. They can give you some ideas and products that can make your hair appear or feel thicker. Sometimes just changing your part helps. For me, taking a few inches off and keeping it that length has helped.

You know what else might help, depending on your level of thick skin: ask a friend, partner or loved one how noticeable is the thinning. My husband is meticulous with his own appearance, and so when I ask him if something does or doesn't look good on me, or if I am wearing too much make up or if he likes a new hair cut I got, he is always honest about it both good and bad. When my hair started thinning, I was very unnerved about it, and felt like it was really noticeable. So I asked him if he could tell. He said Rachelle, honestly, the only reason I know you're losing hair is because it's all over every surface in the bathroom. But otherwise, he couldn't tell. And he's one to touch my hair a lot, so if he can't see it, then I just presumed others couldn't really tell either. That helped me, knowing I was probably the only person who could tell.

There's this product by Sexy Hair (the people who do the Big Sexy Hair products) that is a volumizing and texturizing powder. You sprinkle it on your roots for a lift and run it through your hair. I used it all the time, on my roots, around my hair line etc to thicken up my strands. It's kind of expensive (like $15) and it comes in a small container, but you don't use a lot so it lasts a long time.

I do know that hair thinning can be a result of coumadin, and although I experienced massive hair loss right after my PE and assumed it was coumadin-related, I now realize that it wasn't actually that, because even once I came off coumadin I still experienced periods of more than normal hair loss (although none so bad as that first time). Just the PE experience itself can cause hair loss too (which was the side of things my doctors always favored - PE can also cause some temporary fingernail changes too).

I do think there's a point that we kind of build up the issue more even in our minds than what is reality. Although my family did (and does still) comment even without me asking that they could see my hair was noticeably thin. Like RMB said, maybe ask them if you have a thick skin, haha! But even though they could see a difference, it wasn't quite as bad as I had imagined looking, I felt like I looked like some ancient baby doll with just a few little tufts on my head!

My hairdresser did help quite a bit with styling also, and although I never purchased it, she told me about a product at the natural foods store (a shampoo not a supplement) that helped to thicken the hair that was there.

Actually, for awhile the re-growth was almost as annoying as having lost my hair, so just be prepared for that too. As it started coming in I had these short little hairs all over my head, which wasn't too big a deal, except for that I had these weird short "bangs" until it grew long. I don't even like bangs ever, but one-inch and two-inch long bangs look super strange. I just kept telling myself, at least it was good, that my hair was coming back.

Yes, I started warfarin 6 months ago and I experienced major hair loss. My hair was coming out each time I would wash it. It eventually thinned out so much that I am wearing hair extensions.

I had hair loss for awhile after I left the hospital.. it seemed to taper off though... Dr. Said it was partly due to the trauma my body went through with the pe.

the member Emily9 has joined DS specifically to promote a snake oil hair loss product and is therefore pulling up old threads and advertising their rubbish product.

It's been reported to DS and they will be banned and their replies removed. Sorry for the intrusion into your community.

Mark, Community Leader, Bipolar.

Hey Calista1975

Yes! I have been experiencing hair loss also. My pharmacist wasn't aware of this as a side effect. I can literally pull handfuls out when I run my hands through my hair. I'm fairly certain it is down to the Warfarin as I sure didn't moult this much before!

Also, my nails are brittle and week, where they were very strong before.

I think seeking a dermatologist is a good idea. It can't do any harm. Good luck!

I have a bit more hair loss than before but nothing major. It has definitely got better 12 weeks in, not so much going now. My nails though are shocking! Used to be long now short and brittle.

Mark, thanks for catching that so quickly.

Bumble & Bumble also makes a product that thickens up your hair and gives it lots of volume. It sprays on and is wonderful!

I'm looking forward to checking out the one rmb mentioned, too.

I have been taking Biotin to help my hair since even before my PE. My fingernails and toenails are strong and hard...lethal weapons!