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sara j

09.08.2007, 11:40

Hopeful (Accutane or Medications Induced Hair Loss)
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I think that I may be at the beginning of a turnaround and wanted to offer this update, hopefully it may help show that these things aren't always a lifelong sentence.

I started shedding a massive amount of hair in late-February. On my worst days, it was 500 hairs (yes I count 'em). Primarily, though, it was a consistent 250-300 hairs daily. I took blood tests, and my 16-page result report showed everything was normal; tested negative for PCOS. My first doc said AGA and put me on Spiro.

My second and third docs said that they didn't see an alarming amount of miniturization and they guessed that the shed was induced by surgery I'd had 3 months prior, and diagnosed TE. In early May, I began Rogaine, 5000 mcg biotin, and started eating a balanced, healty diet. I also went on 2.5 mg finasteride as a safety measure incase the dx was wrong. Everyone agreed that there was no 100% definitive diagnosis to my shedding.

Plus, at a certain point, I willed myself to quit obsessing and dwelling on my hair loss and continued to live my life as normally as possible.

Now, for the past week, I've noticed a significant improvement - after 5 months of intense shedding in which I've lost about half my hair.

Every day that I don't wash, I comb my hair vigorously over the tub twice a day and count up the hairs; same on wash and blowdry days. The worst day so far this week has been 150 hairs. It still sounds bad, but it is half of my usual shed. This morning was amazing in that I combed my hair over the tub and just ONE hair fell out. Praise God.

Who knows if it'll come back to full-force shedding, but I think I'm on the road to improvement, if not recovery.

I hope that this gives a bit of hope so fellow sufferers. I did not think there was a light at the end of my tunnel, but now I'm thinking there is.

sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

09.08.2007, 15:36

@ sara j
Hopeful
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So glad to hear it Sara That is wonderful news, please keep us posted!

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

sara j

09.08.2007, 19:09

@ V
Hopeful
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Thanks V.... However, I'm not counting the proverbial 'chickens before they hatch.' I've heard about too many people who say that their TE kickstarted AGA. I'll be feeling better if my six-month derm appointment shows that there's not an increase in miniturization. But the good news remains that my shedding has slowed and there's a good amount of regrowth happening. I'm going to have to credit the 5% Rogaine on that one.

� So glad to hear it Sara That is wonderful news, please keep us posted!

sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

10.08.2007, 09:04

@ sara j
Hopeful
Post reply

Do youthink you will stay on the fin 2.5mg is you have continued success?

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

sara j

10.08.2007, 10:02

@ V
Hopeful
Post reply

Yes. Doctor Reed said to me initially that I am supposed to stay on the meds for 9 months, then he'd take me off it to see what happens. If there's continued stability then I'm good. If not, then it's back on the finasteride. I guess I am chained to the Rogaine at this point as well. I'm thinking it's best not to tempt fate!

� Do youthink you will stay on the fin 2.5mg is you have continued success?

sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

10.08.2007, 10:11

@ sara j
Hopeful
Post reply

I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, KWIM?

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

delilah

10.08.2007, 12:11

@ sara j
Hopeful
Post reply

I'm curious if he attributed your shedding at all to the IVF attempts? Congratulations so glad that you're headed in a positive direction.

delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

sara j

10.08.2007, 17:16

@ delilah
Hopeful
Post reply

I've never had an IVF treatment. He presumes that an earlier surgery may have caused the TE

� I'm curious if he attributed your shedding at all to the IVF attempts?
� Congratulations so glad that you're headed in a positive direction.

sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

delilah

10.08.2007, 19:42

@ sara j
Hopeful
Post reply

sorry confused. Glad you're better

delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

sara j 09.08.2007, 11:40	Hopeful (Accutane or Medications Induced Hair Loss) Post reply
	I think that I may be at the beginning of a turnaround and wanted to offer this update, hopefully it may help show that these things aren't always a lifelong sentence. I started shedding a massive amount of hair in late-February. On my worst days, it was 500 hairs (yes I count 'em). Primarily, though, it was a consistent 250-300 hairs daily. I took blood tests, and my 16-page result report showed everything was normal; tested negative for PCOS. My first doc said AGA and put me on Spiro. My second and third docs said that they didn't see an alarming amount of miniturization and they guessed that the shed was induced by surgery I'd had 3 months prior, and diagnosed TE. In early May, I began Rogaine, 5000 mcg biotin, and started eating a balanced, healty diet. I also went on 2.5 mg finasteride as a safety measure incase the dx was wrong. Everyone agreed that there was no 100% definitive diagnosis to my shedding. Plus, at a certain point, I willed myself to quit obsessing and dwelling on my hair loss and continued to live my life as normally as possible. Now, for the past week, I've noticed a significant improvement - after 5 months of intense shedding in which I've lost about half my hair. Every day that I don't wash, I comb my hair vigorously over the tub twice a day and count up the hairs; same on wash and blowdry days. The worst day so far this week has been 150 hairs. It still sounds bad, but it is half of my usual shed. This morning was amazing in that I combed my hair over the tub and just ONE hair fell out. Praise God. Who knows if it'll come back to full-force shedding, but I think I'm on the road to improvement, if not recovery. I hope that this gives a bit of hope so fellow sufferers. I did not think there was a light at the end of my tunnel, but now I'm thinking there is. sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 09.08.2007, 15:36 @ sara j	Hopeful Post reply
	So glad to hear it Sara That is wonderful news, please keep us posted! V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
sara j 09.08.2007, 19:09 @ V	Hopeful Post reply
	Thanks V.... However, I'm not counting the proverbial 'chickens before they hatch.' I've heard about too many people who say that their TE kickstarted AGA. I'll be feeling better if my six-month derm appointment shows that there's not an increase in miniturization. But the good news remains that my shedding has slowed and there's a good amount of regrowth happening. I'm going to have to credit the 5% Rogaine on that one. � So glad to hear it Sara That is wonderful news, please keep us posted! sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 10.08.2007, 09:04 @ sara j	Hopeful Post reply
	Do youthink you will stay on the fin 2.5mg is you have continued success? V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
sara j 10.08.2007, 10:02 @ V	Hopeful Post reply
	Yes. Doctor Reed said to me initially that I am supposed to stay on the meds for 9 months, then he'd take me off it to see what happens. If there's continued stability then I'm good. If not, then it's back on the finasteride. I guess I am chained to the Rogaine at this point as well. I'm thinking it's best not to tempt fate! � Do youthink you will stay on the fin 2.5mg is you have continued success? sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 10.08.2007, 10:11 @ sara j	Hopeful Post reply
	I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, KWIM? V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 10.08.2007, 12:11 @ sara j	Hopeful Post reply
	I'm curious if he attributed your shedding at all to the IVF attempts? Congratulations so glad that you're headed in a positive direction. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
sara j 10.08.2007, 17:16 @ delilah	Hopeful Post reply
	I've never had an IVF treatment. He presumes that an earlier surgery may have caused the TE � I'm curious if he attributed your shedding at all to the IVF attempts? � Congratulations so glad that you're headed in a positive direction. sara j is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 10.08.2007, 19:42 @ sara j	Hopeful Post reply
	sorry confused. Glad you're better delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO