ISIS
08.08.2008, 00:52 |
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG (Spironolactone, Aldactone) |
Hi, ladies.
I've never posted but have been an avid reader here since I found the site.
I won't go into detail about my emotional devastation about losing more than half of my hair since April 2008 because I kno every woman reading this feels my pain and knows EXACTLY HOW I FEEL>
I'll give a brief backstory. I had long, luxurious waist length auburn hair that grew like weeds.
When I would take it down after a workday everyone at work always showered me with compliments, strangers at stores and gas stations would always come up and actually touch my hair while telling me how beautiful it was.
My hair was "my" thing. I find fault with every other physical aspect of my outward apperarance. My hair has been the only thing in my life i was always happy with and proud of.
Around March of this year i noticed a thinner area in my widows peak on my forehead. No extra shedding at that point.
By mid april when my hair was wet i could see thru it from a side view, like when i looked at my top profile i saw thru my hair and could see the whole round arc of my scalp.
WHOA I freaked of course.
Did some online research and headed to the derm. I demanded a biopsy and extensive bloodwork. I got the same brush off most of you have gotten but i'm a force to be reckoned with. I pushed for the tests.
I use doctors for what i need, mostly labs and scripts while i reasearch and diagnose myself alot of the times for non life threatening stuff. It helps much to go to your doc armed with things you have been able to rule out by extensive research. Speeds up the process.
Anyway, everything came back normal, My Zinc was low by like 2 points and i had minor miniaturization of surface follicles, but no scarring or inflammation.
They gave me an augmented for of bethametazone and high dose biotin.
I was already on the biotin and had started an extensive vitamin regimen aimed at hair health.
Thru may my shedding got worse. And it was at an all time high thru June and July losing around 300 + hairs a day and i dreaded the shower.
I tried regentresse from CVS a 3 step plan with a low dose topical progesterone/zinc used every other day. Also started NU-hair regrowth tablets and the DHT blocker tabs.
The shedding was still terrible but I started seeing alot of new growth finally after 4 months when i started the nu-hair.
Still i was losing alot of hair, at this point i don't even leave the house without a hat or using this color stick stuff that fills in my scalp areas so it's not glaringly white anymore.
Saw my regular doctor last week and she talked alot about PCOS. I have no strong indicators of that but a few minor things might be signs of a minor case taking hold at the start of the year when i noticed the thinning starting.
Haven't had the pelvic ultrasound on that yet.
I've had SPIRO all along but was very reluctant to take it at such high doses, and was worried about messing with hormones.
I'm 35 BTW. After reading up and actually seeing alot of peach fuzz hairs in a high powered magnifying mirror, i decided to try the rogaine?spiro/bethametazone/retin a route.
Im lucky to have a doc that will write me anything i ask for when i present my research and state my case for wanting to try these meds.
I have been using the betha for a few months, doesnt seem to do much on its own my shedding was at an all time high when i've been using it.
I read on this site about topical spiro. I been taking the 100mg twice a day orally for about a week now with little change in my shedding.
So to sum it all up.
topical steroids, topical progesterone, nioxin treatments, and short term oral spiro, and 1 month on the Nu- hair saw palmetto/ chinese herbs regimen, all with no change in my shedding but did start some regrowth.
The regrowth really stared after the Nu-hair, the chinese ingredienst are listed on this site in the general hairsite homepage under the natural tab...NOT IN THE FEMALE SECTION BUT THE REGULAR HOMEPAGE!
Since i feel these did help with alot of noticeable regrowth i do recommend them
I haven't started the rogaine yet because i go to my doc again this monday when i'll ask for the topical retin a to mix with it and some more betha to apply after to tame any irritation from the mixture.
So what I decided to try for kicks was topical SPIRO!!!
HOLY COW!!!
MY SHEDDING HALTED COMPLETELY...THE FIRST TIME IN 3 MONTHS!!!!
I MADE MY OWN MIXTURE AND AFTER 3 APPLICATIONS I LOST 6 HAIRS TODAY.
I BURST INTO TEARS WHEN I RAN MY HAND OVER MY HAIR AND EITHER NO HAIR OR 1 OR 2 HAIRS CAME OUT IN MY HAND INSTEAD OF 20 TO 30.
i'M NO DOCTOR SO TRY THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
This is what i did. I took the step 2 follicle stimulator from my regentresse 3 step stuff, added about 10 drops of my betha for the augmented delivery system in that solution and then took 800mg of my spiro tabs and crushed them up and added them to the bottle, It's a 4 oz. bottle
I apply it with an eye dropper to my scalp, just a little bit and rubbed it in. I mean it's prolly a quarter to half ounce total so less than 100 mg of the spiro is applied at the time.
I am still taking it orally as well but it's a very low dose getting absorbed thru my scalp so i just started taking my 100mg dose like evry 14 to 16 hours insted of 12 to offset the small doses that enter my bloodstream thru the scalp.
Ladies this result is only 3 days old and counting so it may be a fluke but i'm so beside myself i had to share it and put it out there to try if you're interested.
In 3 days i'll see my doc and tell her what i'm doing and ask her about dosage orally while im using topical as well to make sure it's not too much.
I'm still gonna try rogaine with retin a to see if i can turn the peach fuzz back into regular hair before the follicles die off.
When i wake up and go to the bathroom i have hairs on my arms in my underwear, in my sleeves and always i grab my hair into a loose ponytail and run my hand down it and ALWAYS AT LEAST 10 TO 20 HAIRS COME OUT IN MY HAND AT FIRST RUN AND OFTEN HAIR CONTINUED TO COME OUT IN MY HANDS FOR 3 TO 5 MORE VERY LIGHT PULLS.
SINCE I DID THE TOPICAL SPIRO YESTERDAY I LOST 2 IN MY MORNING RUN MY HANDS OVER MY HAIR AND TODAY IT WAS NONE. I USUALLY CONTINUE TO LOSE HAIR LIKE THAT ALL DAY EVERY FEW HOURS ID RUN MY HANDS OVER MY HAIR LIGHTLY AND LOSE ANOTHER 10 TO 40. YESTERDAY I LOST A TOTAL OF 6 DOING THAT AND A BIT MORE DURIING A BRUSHING.
i LOST A MINOR AMOUNT IN THE SHOWER NAD I'LL REPORT BACK AFTER MY NEXT SHOWER TOO. I'VE ONLY APPLIED IT 3 TIMES SO FAR CAUSE I WASN'T SURE, BUT I'LL GO TO MORNING AND BEFORE BED APPLICATIONS.
tHE ONLY DRAWBACK IS THAT IT HAS A MINOR SKUNKY SMELL ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER APPLICATION BUT MY HAIR THICKENING SPRAY SMELLS GREAT AND AFTER I APPLY THAT I DONT SMELL THE SPIRO ANYMORE.
THIS IS WHAT IS WORKING FOR ME AT THIS VERY MOMENT AND GAVE IMMEDIATE RESULTS.
I'LL DISCUSS IT ALL WITH MY DOC IN 3 DAYS TO GET HER MEDICAL INPUT
AS I SIT HERE BEFORE I SUBMIT THIS I JUST GRABBED MY HAIR AND RAN MY HAND DOWN IT AND ONE HAIR CAME OUT THAT'S ONLY THE 5TH SO FAR TODAY LIKE THAT AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENES DURING THE SHOWER AND BRUSHING.
I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE. I WANT ALL YOUR PAIN TO BE RELIEVED AND ALL OF US TO GET OUR HAIR BACK.
DON'T GIVE UP, READ, TRY, AND TRY AGAIN, GET PUSHY WITH YOUR DOCS, GO IN ARMED WITH REASERCH AND STATS. SOME DOCS ARE NOT UP TO DATE WITH THE LATESET INFO BUT YOU CAN BE AND WILL BE AND DON'T SETTLE FOR THE MEDICAL BRUSH OFF.
GOOD LUCK, PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU ALL.
P.S, sorry this is a novel already i kno, lol
I think and this is just my educated guess talking, that oral spiro isnt enough to help in TOTAL. It's not to my knowledge and controlled release drug. we are taking 100mg twice a day or 200 mg at once, either way there is no guarantee that an adequate amount is in our blood to counter the dht at all times. at once a day you're sure to have hours a day when the med is metabolized and gone and at twice a day there is still med free hours.
most drugs leave within 4 to 8 hours and taking more than 200mg a day is too much and dangerous. I saw a lady here taking 400...HONEY STOP NOW!!! that's too much and so dangerous.
try my method to catch the dht on all fronts. take your oral doses to catCh what you can in the blood, then crush some up and apply topically in a low dose to cancle out any DHT that gets thru during times the drug isn't in high concentrations in the blood.
it just makes sense from a science point of view. and that HE SHOO WU herb in my expierence really does promote fat hairs and regrowth. i'm proof.
It means full head of black hair in chinese, well some of my regrowth is fatter hair that is almost black in color. i dont care what color it is i can dye it to suit me, lol.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
08.08.2008, 02:47
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Well after hours of reading the rogaine and hormone forums. I think i'll adjust my plans.
This is why reading and research are invaluable.
Reading studies i thought the rogaine was the way for me but after reading your experiences, i may hold off on that.
Also the very low over the counter topical progesterone treatment in the regentresse may have been causing the increased shed i saw last few months.
In some cases i read it can cause extra hair loss, so i will stop using that now that i made my own topical spiro, betha cocktail to use for now and see what happens.
I'm scared of the rogaine.
I have alot of peach fuzzon the bare scalp between remaining hairs and it seems rogaine is the only way to revive these hairs but after all the negativity i've read and the extra shedding i'll wait awhile on that i think and see if this combo topical spiro/oral spiro plus the steroids works.
i will ask my doctor to take a closer look at my adrenals as well.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
08.08.2008, 04:21
(edited by ISIS, 08.08.2008, 04:31)
@ ISIS
|
1st brushing in months without 100's of hairs falling out |
well feeling slightly confident after just under 3 days worth of my shedding reduced by about 85% i decided to give what's left of my hair a hearty brushing with my wide toothed brush like i used to. No delicate baby strokes with my heart dropping and anxiety building with each handful that came out.
WELL I LOST AROUND 15 TO 20 HAIRS AND A FEW WERE BREAKAGE AND NOT FROM THE FOLLICLE.
I am trying so hard to not get my hopes up or think i've finally found my cure.
BUT THIS IS HONESTLY THE FIRST TIME SINCE MAY THAT I'VE LOST SO LITTLE HAIR.
The sense of calm and peace i've felt over the last 2 days with the decreased shedding is like nothing i can explain. I actually was the closest to my old self i've been in 5 months. I was cracking jokes to my friends on the phone and my thoughts of hairloss didnt consume me and dominate my every thought.
This topical spiro cocktail I've been using doesn't make my hair greasy or undesirable for styling like alot of topical stuff i've used. My hair actually has more volume after i apply it.
I'm not a crazy dreamer, LOL. I don't believe in miracles, but it seems whatever combo of ingredients i used seems to be perfect for my hair at the moment and actually makes it feel better.
It could be the follicle stimulator with the betha which is augmented and highly absorbed that is making my hair suddenly feel and look better because i don't see how the liquidified spiro could do that.
I've used all 3 on their own with no difference, but this cocktail really is amazing, it's a shame the ingredients are prescription because i would seriously try to bottle this and patent it if it works long term.
You would think that the powdered spiro in the mix would dry pasty or white on my head but it doesnt. just that slight skunky smell and i think i may have fixed that too. At my last application after it dried i took a bit of my hair thickening spry by nioxin and a bit of pantene leave in conditioner(havent used this sice may, hair too thin) a sprayed a quick mist on my head and now i dont smell the skunky odor. as long as the results don't change i think i'll keep doing this.
I'm going to dye my hair later tonight. I switched to all natural no chemical dyes back in march when i noticed a slight thinning and it didnt seem to help any so i went back to my Nice-n-easy but i leave it on for less time and go longer between dye jobs.
This will be the true test as I always lose more hair in the shower and comb out after i color. i want to see if it's the normal loss i always got when dyeing or if its like every shower where i lose at least 200 in the shower and another 100-200 combing it after the shower. Maybe I can take my second shower in 4 months without a panic attack and tears as the handfuls of hair just keep coming.
You lose more hair during the process cause the dye exfoliates the scalp, but it also wipes out any bacteria or dht on your scalp too so if you color dont panic and think it will make it worse.
ALSO ABOUT NIOXIN....
Ladies this has worked for me in the few weeks i've been using it...i think...
I only have the shampoo, conditioner and hair thickening spray. They didn't have the treatment serum in stock.
Now, i still have the dread shed in the shower when using it(minus my last shower while using topical spiro)...BUT...even before i use the spray my hair feels thicker and has more volume after the shower...amazing since ive lost hundreds of hairs in the process.
I've lost a ton of hair last 3 weeks and my hair only seems slighty thinner when in all honesty i think it should look worse.
It leaves my hair feeling like hay if i don't mix a dollup of pantene conditioner with it. My hair feels soft when i do that.
Some people say nioxin actually makes u lose hair...not sure about that but i'm curious.
I've read that Nizoril actually can remove 98% of scalp dht?
i think i'll give that a try too
It is fri Aug 08 2008.
My new regimen will be:
Topical spiro mixed with betha and follicle stimulator/Oral spiro/ nu-hair vitamins regrowth for women and DHT blocker/ hair shaft thickener for men and women/ Nioxin and nizoril rotated.
I'll hold off on Rogaine and the topical progesterone for now and report my results with regular updates along with info from my doctor and any test results.
Any suggestions or ideas or success stories are welcome and i'd love to hear them
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
08.08.2008, 04:45
(edited by ISIS, 08.08.2008, 04:52)
@ ISIS
|
Nu-Hair regrowth is not pubic like |
I read some stuff here about you gals getting pubic head hair??
I do not think the fatter almost black hairs i reported are the same thing.
They are darker than my normal shade of hair, but they are bone straight, and occurred before i started any spiro.
they are not course really either, they are just bigger hairs than usual, they almost have the coursness of some of my gray hairs but in no way pubic like...so i hope these newer fatter hairs are not androgen activity, they aren't stubby i mean they are growing in well i have some on top that are close to a half inch long...
thoughts??
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
10.08.2008, 08:03
@ ISIS
|
Still working losing less than 30 hairs a day so far |
my topical spiro cocktail along with the oral is still working.
I admit I did chicken out on dyeing, but I will dye in the next day or two.
Running my hands thru my hair and having no hairs fall out or when they do 2 has been the most, i swear to you just days ago before i started this topical spiro it was at least 10 each pull.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
delilah
10.08.2008, 13:42
@ ISIS
|
Still working losing less than 30 hairs a day so far |
» my topical spiro cocktail along with the oral is still working.
»
» I admit I did chicken out on dyeing, but I will dye in the next day or
» two.
»
» Running my hands thru my hair and having no hairs fall out or when they do
» 2 has been the most, i swear to you just days ago before i started this
» topical spiro it was at least 10 each pull.
ISIS I'm sure the Spiro is working for you but I doubt that it would work in one day no matter how much was absorbed that day. You're probably seeing the results of it working over the last month or two but you will probably get added benefits of applying it to your scalp as well since more will be absorbed.
I'm very happy for you that your cocktail is working for you ..keep us posted bc it's always good to know when something works...maybe it would be great in conjunction with oral Spiro for an added boost.
delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
11.08.2008, 01:56
@ delilah
|
Still working losing less than 30 hairs a day so far |
I've only been on the Spiro oral for a few days before i tried the topical not a month! I took some spiro oral foe a week or so back in March when it all started and stopped after reading all the stories and an increase in my hair loss. i only recently decided to give it another go.
I swear to you at any time before i applied the first topical dose i would lose at least 10 to 20 hairs at a pull and over 100 in a brushing.
look you can believe me or not.
I have no reason to come here and offer you false hope.
I am not selling anything.
And have tried everything minus rogaine and its been 4 days with hardly any shedding at all.
yesterday i only lost 12 hairs will pulls and brushing.
good luck all.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
11.08.2008, 03:48
@ delilah
|
Experiment proves it is the topical and not the oral that is working for me. |
Well i tried a little experiment just to be sure because I also could not believe that this topical cocktail could be this instant shed cure.
Today when i awoke i just took my oral dose and didnt apply the topical, It has been about 20 hours since my last topical application and sure enough handfuls of hair came out in a pull and brushing.
I put the topical spiro on immediately!! I curse myself for second guessing what I know has been working and mourn the 60 or so hairs i just lost.
Look I don't know how or why it is working but it is amd i'm glad. Perhaps it's the potent augmented delivery system created by adding a small amout of my betamethazone. Either way with oral spiro i still shed like crazy, with the topical it halts the shedding in its tracks within an hour of application.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
delilah
11.08.2008, 06:42
@ ISIS
|
Experiment proves it is the topical and not the oral that is working for me. |
» Well i tried a little experiment just to be sure because I also could not
» believe that this topical cocktail could be this instant shed cure.
»
» Today when i awoke i just took my oral dose and didnt apply the topical,
» It has been about 20 hours since my last topical application and sure
» enough handfuls of hair came out in a pull and brushing.
»
» I put the topical spiro on immediately!! I curse myself for second
» guessing what I know has been working and mourn the 60 or so hairs i just
» lost.
»
» Look I don't know how or why it is working but it is amd i'm glad. Perhaps
» it's the potent augmented delivery system created by adding a small amout
» of my betamethazone. Either way with oral spiro i still shed like crazy,
» with the topical it halts the shedding in its tracks within an hour of
» application.
I'm not saying I don't believe you but I don't know if the hair reacts to things applied the same day. Let's hope it works and you've come up with a cure.
delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
trish
11.08.2008, 20:14
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Isis,
That's great! Please explain the bethametazone to me. What does it do? Is the mixture oily after you apply it?
Trish
trish is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
Leelee
26.08.2008, 18:51
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Hi Isis,
That is amazing!!!
Can you please let us know exactley what you use and how you use it? Whether it is before or after a shower, etc...
What is beta? How much do you use? What is this regentresse stuff you speak of? You cant tell us this miracle cure and not explain how to use it!! Please help, I want to try it right away!!
Thanks
-Leelee
Leelee is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
26.08.2008, 22:41
@ trish
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Hi,
Since there was no interest in my story i stipped updating, lol.
It is still working like magic and I feel i have my life back again.
Betamethazone is a topical steroid lotion under brand name diprolene. It's listed on many hair sites as a rogaine enhancer and is often given to people with TE hair loss as well.
Regentresse is available at CVS in the hair isle.
What I been doing is Either taking step 2 from the regentresse or the nutri-ox thinning hair treatment(available at sally beauty) mixing one of those topicals with a few squirts of my beta and ground up spiro tabs and i spray once or twice a day, usually twice once in AM and PM
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
26.08.2008, 22:43
@ trish
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Not oily at all in fact it gives my hair wonderful volume.
If you add too much powdered spiro and not enough liquid you can get a chalky effect when it dries.
As long as you mix it right it leaves the hair full of volume and clean looking.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
ISIS
26.08.2008, 23:00
@ Leelee
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Also, please go back and read my posts ..i know they are long but I explain EVERYTHING i am doing and everything I have tried.
Most of your questions are answered in my first post. lol
I saw my doctor 2 weeks ago and got test results and other stuff.
Since people are interested I will sit down and make another long post detailing everything my doc said and my progress when I get a chance.
Look for it later today or tomorrow.
The Spiro is working great both orally and topically.
My doctor said that after applying it topically and having my shedding halt is totally possible and i'll explain it all in my next post.
I've had no side effects from the oral spiro 100mg 2x a day...had a normal peroid with no extra bleeding and I've had a little more energy and lost 5 pounds since starting it , My doc is thrilled and thinks Spiro is what I need to be on. we also added a few more supplements to my regimen after my bloodwork came back and i'll tell you all about those as well.
take care.
ISIS is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
megan
29.08.2008, 17:43
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
Can't wait to hear your update. Do you need a doctor to prescribe the beta stuff?
Thanks for sharing!
megan is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
Leelee
02.09.2008, 09:23
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
We are waiting impatiently i need to get my hair back on track asap!
Leelee is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
Leelee
09.09.2008, 15:08
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
We are still waiting for you! Where did ya go?
Leelee is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
dougherty
01.10.2008, 23:36
@ ISIS
|
MY STORY AND WHAT HELPED...LONG |
hi, i would like to try your cocktail, but i have a few questions. ok what exactly is spironolactone and bethametazone? and do i need a perscription for them from my dermatalogist. i also run on my treadmill every day so will this solution run down my face and affect my eyes, or does it dissapear within a certain amount of time when appied to the scalp? how many times should i apply once or twice a day? and if its once a day should it be at night before bed? and do i also have to orally take the spiro. i am 35yrs old also and have been shedding for 10yrs. and for the pass 8months i have been taking an herbal pill,i still shed not as much as before but i want it to stop completely. i have never taken any birth control or any tye of perscription meds before thats why i'm asking. i do have a dermatalogist appt on oct 22 2008 so can you please respond with your info so i can get these two items from my derm if they are perscription meds.
thank you so much for sharing your experience with everyone, hoppfully this will work with who ever tries it..............
dougherty is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
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