Breakage...Back to Square One?

So my hair was shedding and breaking like crazy when I washed it today despite pre-conditioning prior to washing it. I decided to do a henna treatment and that seems to minimize it pretty well, but not stop it completely. I also noticed my hair was drying out much quicker after my final rinse . I feel like I have taken a huge step backwards and I don't have a clue as to what the hell I've stepped in because it's obviously some serious *ish . Okay not too serious, not life or death it's just hair, but I would be lying if I said I am not totally bummed out about this especially because I have a big event coming up and planned to show off my progress...When I retrace my steps I know what it was that I did to derail my progress, but more than that I have noticed that my hair seems to do a downward dog around the 6 or 7 post week mark. Add those two things together and I am not looking too pretty. I've figured out the severe breakage I am currently experiencing, but I really need to figure out how I can remedy this post relaxer breakage issue going forward because I refuse to relax any sooner than 8 weeks post (I would much prefer 12 weeks, but I know my hair limits)....what am I gonna do?!

ETA (March 14/2010): It has occurred to me that henna is really drying despite its benefits so I will simply need to up the DC with a richer/thicker moisturizing conditioner, because it seems the HR and Aveda Dry Remedy isn't going to cut it as a follow up DC. I realized that even though I don't love the Mizani Hydrafuse it was the only DC that made my hair feel real moisturized and strong after I hennaed when I used it once. Something I will have to think about.