Hi fatfluffcat.........thanks for your reply. How long did you have your merina before you had it removed? I guess I was really hoping that the hair loss I'm having is similar to the shed I experienced after having my children as a result of the hormone shift and not the merina itself. Unfortunately if the hair loss continues........that would not be the case. Did the hair loss cease immediately upon removal of the merina? Thanks again for your reply..........anybody else?