Fighting Hairloss- MY Diary

[YellowJacket]

Day 45


Hey sorry guys, Ive never been so busy with work in my life... not much time to spend here anymore....


Its been a month and a half now since I started my propecia and minox. Not much has changed, Im stil severly shedding, but like I said before, Im not sure where the hair is coming from. Ive kept my hair a little longer and I plan on getting it cut after work this evening. Im interested in seeing if there are any baby hairs to spot. I found some awesome information on Propecia & Rogaine lastnight while searching around, I will post the articles this evening as well.

I havent missed an application of Propecia or Minox. and I have sometimes been using a little extra minox. throughout my scalp.

On a negative note, Im not sure if its just me or not, but my vertex (crown) seems to be thinning gradually now, maybe thats where all this shedding is coming from. I will ask my barber this evening.

I expect the shedding to slow drastically or to stop in this coming month. 3-4 months is the tiem frame in which you should see a halt in shedding and possibly some re-growth, so we'll see. Its getting down to the nitty gritty.

[YellowJacket]

Day 48

Got my haircut pretty short, cant really tell Im loosing too much hair, but it sure is falling out at a rate of about 25-35 hairs per shower and a few more during the day. Rogaine shouldnt kick in until around early December, so waiting it out is tough. Propecia shouldnt take that long, but Im not going to hold my breath.

As far as sides go, I have none. My sex drive, if anything, has increased pretty dramatically. No problems getting it up either. Ive been getting wicked headaches late at night, not sure if its from anything Im taking or this damn monitor.

I made a serious decision in my life this evening. I have decided that if indeed my hairloss stops and I see any regrowth at all, I will be giving up anabolics all together and go all natural. Believe it or not, it was a tough decision. I know people take their Propecia and add in Spiro while on, but to be honest, I just dont trust that. I never though losing my hair would be a big deal, until I began losing a substantial amount. So we'll see.

Almost 50 days into this and hair lose hasnt stopped only sped up, but I expected it so Im keeping to the normal routine.

1mg Propecia ED
3ml Rogaine, applied to each 'horn' or hair line and the vertex (crown area).

I must give a HUGE bump to Nizoralman at www.wholesalehairproducts.com for his very quick shipping and stand up service over and over.

On a final note for tonight, Ill be looking into some Spiro within the next couple weeks.

[YellowJacket]

Day 50

WEll after 50 days of treating my hairloss.... I can honestly say I dont know if its anymore noticavle Im losing hair on this day as it was on day 1. Ive had no comments other than 1 friend who noticed, but he's irrelevant


My hopes are still high that within the next 50 days, Ill be regrowing some hair, or at least stop the currect shedding, so I consider myself about half way through this mess, because in the next 50 days Ill know if Im going to be able to keep my hair ot not.

On a final note, I added in a Polysorbate based shampoo this morning, used it for the first time so Ill see if it has any notcable added benefits. Still will be using Nizoral 1% and Head & Shoulders as well.

[rodman9866]

keep at it strong man!

it is always darkest before the sunrise man and that is where you are right now!

[new231]

Hey YJ I feel you on the decision to stop the anabolics all together if you do get the hair back. I made this same decision about 6 months ago, even without any hair loss from the gear. I just decided that I didn't want to take the chance because I know myself and it would be very difficult for me to handle hair loss. It's just me though, and I know you can feel me on that one. I have been natural for the last six months and I am making great gains, especially with my diet better than ever!

[YellowJacket]

Day 57


Ok, this past few days I think Im noticing a trend.....

It seems that Im losing a lot of body hair. Not arm hair or leg hair, but the light 'peach fuzz' at the center of my chest and around the umbilicus. This is certainly a plus... but Im noticing that my facial hair is increasing and I dont mean my chin or upper lip of beard but the little hairs right under my eyes are getting thicker and blacker, no idea what to do about this. The area between my hair and eyebrows is also increasing in density.

Just when I thought I was going to beat my hairloss, this shit happens and I consider these side effects. Now Im confused on what to do. Id rather be bald than have an unusual, warewolf face.... if anyone has any ideas on how to decrease or rid these hair,s please let me know.


Other than this, all is well I guess. Still losing a good bit of hair when I wash my hair, but Im still waiting it out.

[jgb0607]

This is a great thread man!

Just hang in there!

I've been taking just Propecia for about a year and it took about 6 months to really notice any effects. I think you should just stick to your routine and you will be fine. I have similar genetics to you and every male cousin on my mom's side of the family has the same hairline, or lack of one! LOL

Anyways, the Propecia has slowed my hair loss greatly and has possibly stopped it. I have not seen any regrowth, but that's Ok!

I wear my hair short, 1 on the sides and a 3 and 1/2 on top.
I'll just shave and grow a goutee if it thins too much!

Like I said, just hang in there a little while longer!

[YellowJacket]

Thanks for the encouragement brother!

[956Vette]

Keep the updates coming YJ! I myself started losing my hair very young. around 17-18 yrs old-pretty shitty huh? Well i have had a transplant done and take finasteride ED and use niz 2% 4-5x/wk. If you ever want to know the name of a great doc, let me know(but he's not cheap).
Dont stress, and best of luck with your hair situation bro!

[YellowJacket]

Day 68


Finished another bottle of Rogaine tonight, still have yet to miss an application of it or miss a tab of Propecia.

Hair is still falling out as much as it ever has, although its no longer just falling out in the hairline area, but now my hair is thinning on my entire head, Im even losing hair on the sides and the back part of my head (just above my neck).


Im praying to God I do at least grow the hair back that the Rogaine has knocked out, if thats the case, here in 6 weeks or so, I should be seeing some regrowth. Although Im still content with it stopping shedding altogether, I still havent lost enough hair where anyone but myself can notice. Ive been geling my hair (which was said to be ok even through hairloss) and you still cannot tell even with gel in my hair.

The mental and emotional part of this battle sucks. Sometimes I think being bald is alright and maybe I should save my time and money and just let it go, then I see old friends, old girlfriends, etc. and I just HAVE to keep my hair......


Thanks for all the kind words in this thread and the PMs, excellent motivation for me...

[YellowJacket]

Day 70

Well today I got my haircut as short as its been cut since the whole ordeal began. Again it doesnt look too bad at all to me, although there's obvious thinning. My barber commented that my hair seemed to be thicker than 4 weeks previous when he cut it, of course Im sure he was bullshitting me for a larger tip. Didnt work.

Picked up a couple more bottles of Rogaine today, going for more Propecia at the end of this coming week......

This hairloss is getting pretty expensive, approaching $300 already in various hairloss products. Growing very impatient waiting for them to 'work'

[LiquidEL]

Hey YJ, great thread bro. I thought I would chime in on my experiences.

My hair started thinning when I was about 25. Nothing bad. Until my career path lead me to insurance sales. I stressed so much that my hair fell out terribly. I left that job soon after it started and it subsided.

But baldness runs in my family and I accpeted it. My brother (5 years older) is completely bald. My dad always had a bald spot and a little thinning.

At the age of 31 I wanted to use some minox and get back to the gym. Well before I did that I told myself I had to stop smoking, or it all didnt matter. Did I mention I smoked? Well I quit cold turkey on Christmas Day (at mass) of 2000 when I was 31.

Not long afterwards I started using just minoxidil (generic wal mart) I used minox for about 6 months and it had a very minor effect. My woman said she could see some limited growth (at best). She may have just wanted to keep me happy. And I think it helped keep my hair placated, but Im not sure. I soon quit as my professional life interrupted many things I did, including my gym time.

Well about 2 years later (2003) I could tell that my hair had greatley thinned from where it was 2001. Enough that now it could become a conversation piece. I did not like that. Im more then willing to shave it, but I do like my hair and my old flat top that I used to be able to have.

So I told my woman that I was going to make a serious effort at trying to regrow my hair. She always supports me no matter what. Did I mention I have a lovely lady? So I decided I was going to get the 5% name brand Rogaine this time and go see a dermatologist. I also did alot of internet research.

I started using the Rogaine just like you had. 1/2 mil (0.5) an application, twice a day. At first I only did the hairline, thinking it needed a jump start, And was thining to fast to do a style with it as I was also getting a "spot" up front in the middle.

Sept 9th.
Rogaine (5%) .4 mil on hairline 2 times a day.
Nizoral Shampoo 1% 3 times a week.
TGel 2 times a week.
Head & Shoulders 1 time a week.

I then placed an order for Folligen and received by the end of Sept. Folligen is supposed to help with shedding. So I starting putting it on my hairline and crown immediatley. I try to do this everyday, but it is green, so it doesnt always happen. Cant have a green head and conduct business. My hair was shedding so it was a welcome addition.

Sept 29th.
Folligen (cream/lotion) 5 times a week. Used as styling gel as well.

On Oct 1st I saw the derm. I asked for Propecia (finesteride), nizoral 2%, azaelic acid and topical spironolactone. She wanted a blood test to get completed (pending) and would not fill the spiro as of yet. "Lets see how all of this works with the minoxidil first." Ok I said, you're the doctor. But I did mention to her that the side effects she is aware of are from oral Spiro and I wanted topical, but she didnt change her mind.

She also 'scribed Azaelic Acid 15% and the trials previously (DR Lee) had only been done with 5%. A supposed topical DHT inhibitor. This was a little new to my doctor, but she understood it could help with skin care. But the 15% is strong and can burn quite a bit. The Folligen actually helps the scalp heal from it Ive noticed, but it is itchy as well.

October 3rd
Propecia 1mg 1/d
Minox .4 ml 2/d
Azaelic Acid 15% 1gm/5/w front and crown. *burn*itch*burn*itch* I would do it every day, but skin has to heal.
Nizoral 2% 3/w. (1% 1/w.)
TGel 2/w
Folligen 5/w

Did not apply minox to the crown until 10th, wanted to avoid sheeding by use of the folligen for 2 weeks. Not sure if it made a difference yet, but I know it didnt hurt.

So on October 10th I upped the minox to .6 ml 2/d and did the hairline and crown.

By the 13th, hair had begun to grow on my hairline. I could see it. Little fine velious hair. This is just over a month later from first minox application. The propecia and acid and folligen may have helped the minoxidil. As I stated, I had used minox before and this was as much growth as I had in 6 moths the first time. Better yet, this was up front and not just on the crown as it was last time.

Excited? You bet. I also was peeling like crazy. The Acid/Minox/Folligen/TGel/Nizoral was wrecking havok on my skin. But in a positive way. I am scraping away skin, but it is regrowing. But the hair is growing up front as well. A dandy trade off. I have had 3 very red/scab marks in the past 2 n 1/2 weeks, but the Folligen has helped the skin repair. Also I use a neutrogena lotion when I need to hide the peeling (as best as I can), when I go out, with this anti-oxidant. But I still have alot of redness around the new skin area where I apply all the stuff on the hairline.

Well on the 18th my skin was peeling very badly. My woman took notice and said something about my flakes that she saw. I had been trying to keep it under control for the last couple weeks. Then it hit her. She stopped and looked and pulled my hair back somewhat and said' You are growing hair!". I said "yep" matter-of-factly. She started laughing a pleasant laugh.

She could not believe that you could actually grow it back. Through all of her encouragement their was still some doubt. Now not only did she see it, but it was up front and obvious. She had read the package where it said for "crown only" and asked my why I put it on my forhead. I told her, "if it would grow hair on top, why would it not grow hair 3 inches away?" She just shrugged it off at that time. The majority of it is quite small but a few might be as long as a quarter inch. Since that day she has applied the acid and minoxidil whenever I ask her.


As of today...

I have been using minox on my front hairline for 43 days.
Only been using minox of my crown for 9 days.
I have used Nizoral 1% and TGel for 43 days. Soak for 5 minutes.

Ive used Folligen 23 days. Crown and hairline. Leave in.

I have used Propecia for 18 days.
Azaelic Acid 15% for 18 days.
Nizoral 2% for 18 days.

I have grown hair in frontal bald spot. I have grown hair on my hair line. I have grown hair on my temples. Most of it is a short fine baby/fine hair. But some of it is definitely a little bit longer and thicker. But it would still be classified as velious hair (as opposed to thick "terminal" hair). Regardless, its filling in my areas with "follage" that already helps when styling my hair and filling the trouble areas.

I have not grown any hair on the side towards my ears, but my skin has been peeling their. I have not grown hair on my crown but I have not used minoxidil their but for a short while. I have had no chest pain from minox and no beast-itch/gyno from propecia, so no sides of concern.

I am not sure if it is the propecia or minoxidil or any of it that is the main cause, but it is working. If it had been the purely the propecia then some growth on the crown should have been visable, so I will assume its everything in conjuction for now.

I must consider that hair does become dependant on minox and propecia when they cause growth. It is possible that this hair growth is in some way related to my previous use of minoxidil. It would be unlikely, but its must be considered.

In your case YJ, I would like to add (you know this Im sure) that the hair initially grows in cycles. Im not talking about the hair that is already present. That grows all the time while we sleep. I mean new hair. When the dormant follicle produce hair. Not possible when DHT is choking it and it gets no nutrients.

From what I have read it begins its "new" stage about every six months. This would lead me to believe that I may have been lucky in my timing this time. As such it is possible that you are a little unlucky in your timing.

Lets assume that you need to be applying minoxidil/propecia for 2 months for it to take affect in your system. (everyone is different) Well lets say that you started using them only 5-6 weeks before your "new" stage started. This could mean that you would have to wait for the next new stage before seeing results. That could be a long time away. Some reports have said 4months+, but 6 months should be the extreme case. And thus the safest for me to relay to you.

Now noone can tell you when your (or anyones) "new" stage will start. So it may be in a week or 3 months. Just don't let up. At least not yet. You must allow it a fair chance to see results. 70 days would only be 2.5 of possible 6-7 months to innitiate.

My doctor rescheduled me for end of February to see if anything happens. Thats 4.5 months later. She also told me that I needed to be willing to use propecia for a year to possibly see results.


I thank you for your thread an posts YJ. I look forward to everything that happens to you and wish you the best of results.


PS: It is NOT cheap.

[YellowJacket]

Awesome post Liquid.....kick ass contribution...

[fractious]

Hey YJ, I am 26 and starting recede. (This sounds like an AA meeting ) It's pretty noticible just above the temples where most mens hairlines make a slight > in. After reading your post I decided I'd try some Rogaine even though it's not supposed to be used on receding hairlines. I figure fuck it, what do I have to loose? Nothing but a few bucks.. I'll keep you posted, I'm taking some pics tonight so I can see if there is actually progress.

[LiquidEL]

How goes it YJ? 3 weeks later. Was hoping to hear some positive news.

[YellowJacket]

Originally posted by LiquidEL
How goes it YJ? 3 weeks later. Was hoping to hear some positive news.

You're right (Been really busy)

Day 90

Still havent missed a single application of Rogain or a tab of my propecia....

Got my hair cut again tonight, fairly short, still cannot tell my hairline is fading... but hair is still coming out drastically. Like I said before, no idea where all this hair is coming from....

On the more emotion/mental side of hairloss, the more I look around at other guys around my age, the more I begin to consider myself lucky (never thought Id say that!) but there's a lot of men my age who have very thin hair (probably more genetically than having lost it). But still, losing your hair sucks.

Next payday, Ill probably be throwing in some Spiro. Im not having a lot of trouble maintaining my gains I have made from anabolics, since I have decided to go all natural, this is pretty important.

Will update soon, thanks to all those who have added input andh ave began to become interested..

[new231]

The more I look at guy's hair at any age (even college guys), most of their hair is either thinning or receding. I looked back at my high school year book and seen many fellow classmates with hair receding. I never noticed that until I actually put my mind to it and peak into their hairline. It's just a guy thing when it comes to hair loss.

[YellowJacket]

Day 101


Hard to believe its been 100 days since I started this biotch.

Still no hair regrowth (that I can see) but Im not real concerned with any regrowth, more concerned with just stopping the shedding, which after my shower tonight is now slowing a bit. The hairline really isnt fading back as quick anymore, but Im seemingly losing hair everywhere else, even the hair on the sides and the back (just above my neck) are falling out easily...... odd.

This looking around at other's hair is helping me cope a bit better with losing my hair. Its still tough to see big guys who obviously juice and have a full head of hair, makes me kick myself at the shitty genetics I was given.

Still applying the Rogaine as directed and still taking 1mg ED of Propecia. I have been doing more research on feedback on Propecia results.... found this...

PROPECIA Clinical Trials
To find out if PROPECIA does really work for men with male pattern hair loss, two 1 year clinical trials were conducted on 1553 men with mild to moderately severe male pattern hair loss. The trials were conducted in 16 countries around the world.

The men in the trial:
The men enrolled for the trial were aged from 18 to 41 years. They all had hair loss, and ranged from mild to moderately severe – stage II to V on the Norwood-Hamilton scale.
Placebo-controlled – men in the trial were divided into two groups. One group received genuine PROPECIA, the other received dummy pills that looked identical to PROPECIA.
Double-blind – the packets of pills were coded but otherwise unmarked, so neither the patient nor the doctor knew whether the pills they were using were PROPECIA or dummy pills (placebo).
Randomised – the doctors and men in the study did not know whether they were going to receive PROPECIA or placebo. This was randomly assigned at the start.
Multicentre – the trials were carried out in different centres around the world.

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The trial process
Once in the trial, patients were not allowed to alter their hairstyle, or dye their hair. At the start, all patients were given placebo pills for a two week run-in. This helped them into the habit of taking pills once a day.

All patients used the same shampoo throughout the trials (Neutrogena T Gel). Once started on a course of pills, patients visited the clinic every three months, where they were assessed.



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Patients were evaluated using the following assessments:

Hair Counts

Researchers counted the number of hairs men gained or lost from a small area of clipped hair (cut to 1mm in length) at the front of their head. This was done using microphotographs (extreme close-ups) of the area taken with a specialised camera system, preset for focus, distance (primary magnification 1:1.7) and exposure. A dot tattoo placed in the middle of the clipped area was used to centre the photographs. Photographs from the start, at 6 months and at 12 months were converted in to dot maps of each visible hair, and hair counts were made using scanners and imaging software.

Patient Self Assessment

Patients completed questionnaires consisting of 4 questions about their treatment’s effectiveness, and three questions about their satisfaction with their own appearance.

Investigator Assessment

The doctors conducting the trial (investigators) assessed patients using a standardised rating for hairgrowth – from –3 (greatly decreased) to +3 (greatly increased).

Global photographic assessment

3 dermatologists experienced in photographic assessment of scalp hair growth reviewed standardised colour photographs from test centres around the world.

The dermatologists did not know which patients had received PROPECIA and which had received placebo (they were ‘blinded’). They graded each photograph using the same rating as the investigators (see previous screen).

Safety Measurements

These included adverse event reports and clinical and laboratory evaluations.

Pretty promising, thats just Propecia alone I assume, let alone adding spiro (which I have yet to do since Nizoralman is a week or so late deliverying my Rogaine, so now Im in a tight spot, low on money and almost out of my currect bottle.... another story however) and adding Polysorbate to Propecia, you would think the results would be quicker or a bit better, right?

[fractious]

Originally posted by fractious
Hey YJ, I am 26 and starting recede. (This sounds like an AA meeting ) It's pretty noticible just above the temples where most mens hairlines make a slight > in. After reading your post I decided I'd try some Rogaine even though it's not supposed to be used on receding hairlines. I figure fuck it, what do I have to loose? Nothing but a few bucks.. I'll keep you posted, I'm taking some pics tonight so I can see if there is actually progress.

Well as a 3 week update - the area above my temples where my hairline was receding is gradually moving outwards now! New hairs are popping up all along my hairline. I feel very good about this! I did manage to take take pictures the day I started, I think I am going to go home and take some more so I can see if there is a large difference. My girlfriend says that it's definetely working so I am happy. Hopefully within the next few weeks the missing patch of hair will continue to fill!!

Rogaine rules!!

Frac

[YellowJacket]

Awesome news brother! Keep us posted...

[THE BOUNCER]

So hows it going you bald bitch.