new thread
Hi everyone,
I've been through my story numerous times, but just to refresh:
I used to post here frequently (2002-2005) and was proud of my mid back length hair. Around 2006 I started to notice thinning and it got really bad around 2008 to where I realized I was in danger of losing it. I tried every snake oil available along with scalp massages and what have you, and in the process managed to slow the hair loss, but not stabilize it.
In December 2009 I was so distraught that I gave in and saw the doctor. I thought that since I'm incredibly underweight (130 lbs, 6 ft.) and have many of the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, it'd be worth getting it checked out. Well, after a "thorough" exam of my scalp which consisted of shining a light through my hair for 5 seconds, I was diagnosed as having "Classic" Androgenic Alopecia, better known as Male Pattern Baldness. I have diffuse thinning, but with the presence of miniaturization, that's supposed to indicate genetics. I was tempted to use the prescription to Propecia that I was given, but I wasn't ready to give in just yet.
Well, about a year ago I started a holistic regimen which is something that's typically scoffed at, but I really think that I'm starting to see and feel results, and not just in my hair but other problems that I had. The main focus of my treatment has been my thyroid, but not limited to it.
Anyhow, I know it's not a difference of night and day, but the texture of my hair along with my scalp conditions have improved, no more inflammation. Also, the hair is getting darker and thicker, the miniaturized hair is growing in long as opposed to only 1/4 of an inch as before, and I have peach fuzz growing (vellus hair) in on the formerly slick bald spots on my temples.
The first picture is from August 2010, and the second is from March 2011. Most notably, you can see in the before picture that the right side of my hair line was receding, and it now appears to be filling in even though it has a long way to go.
Anyhow, I'm just thrilled to be making progress when a year ago I felt defeated and devastated.
Hi JK
Thanks for sharing what must be a nightmare situation for you and the dread of many of trying to grow and maintain our long hair. Your story and results so far are inspirational, and I hope you will continue to share your holistic approach with us.
I am sure we all wish you continued success.
Ian
Oh yeah, I'll definitely check back in as I continue to make improvements (hopefully). For now it's just refreshing to look in the mirror and see that I'm gaining rather than losing, and I'm not shedding excessively anymore. However, I'm encouraged by the vellus hair that has sprouted all along my temple regions, and the possibility of it becoming intermediate, or even terminal.
Good to hear. Hope your progress continues, and best of luck.
Frodo
Hi jk,
What a refreshing and encouraging story to hear that a holistic approach is helping here, rather than Rogaine or Propecia -- not that those products are all necessarily "bad"; just that I've heard many negatives from guys who have decided to go that route (including how extremely expensive they are, and that once you start, you must stay with it or loose everything to an even worse hair-loss situation).
Thanks for sharing your story with us -- and my best to you in your continued success!
- Ken in San Francisco
Basically, I felt that I had my back up against a wall, but realized that I still had time. What I mean by that is that I had enough hair left to where I had some time to explore different treatment options, and if one proved to be effective, I'd be able to keep what hair I had with the hope to recover more. The key was to know when to abandon something and move onto the next because my time was limited.
I viewed the FDA approved drugs as a last resort because they're costly, risky with the side effects, and you become a slave to them as long as you want to maintain your progress. I wanted to make sure that I explored and exhausted any natural remedy before trying these drugs because once you try them, that's it, you're stuck on them. Success isn't even promised with Propecia, and often times people go through some nasty shed spells and even lose more hair in the process before giving up.
For about the first 2 years I tried different snake oils which was basically a waste of time, in addition to a Saw-Palmetto based product which was ineffective. The scalp massages seemed to help with the inflammation along with some shampoos that I used, while cutting out the harsh commercial brands, but it was so painful to look in the mirror and see that hair line creep back slowly but steadily.
When I said that I gave in and finally went to the Doctor, that means that I had realized that my hairline was getting to that point where it was time to consider the "last resort", because any more loss would've been tough to recover when you're talking about a receding frontal hair line.
I just feel so fortunate that I was lead to a holistic healer in a time where I was basically defeated, yet still holding on despite no sign of hope on the horizon, and even more fortunate that it's actually working, not just on my hair but my overall health. I've had digestive issues for over a decade that left me with a burning esophagus, and I can say that as long as I avoid the foods that I was told to avoid, my problems have cleared up.
If I really can maintain my progress, I think there's a lesson in all of this. It was pounded in my head that "miniaturization" is exclusive to male pattern baldness so therefore it's strictly genetic and anything short of a powerful anti-androgen would be a waste of time. Well........
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I do remember you from a long time ago. It is good to see that you have found a hair treatment that is working for you. May your progress continue.
Scott
Welcome back jk! It has been a while.
Glad that you're on the mend and seeing some new hair growth.
- Oren
Hi jk,
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful success story with us on the hyperboard. I wish you the very best of luck in your continued hair growing journey!
Keep it growing,
David
I'm glad to hear that you have had some success with slowing your hair loss. It's a sad thing to have happen in the first place but perhaps even more so with someone who has put the time and effort into growing out their hair.
I wish you the best of luck with your continued treatment.
Thanks. Indeed, it was depressing and for a 2 year period I was consumed by it. However, what I can say is that it caused me to wake up to the necessary lifestyle changes that needed to be made, and I'm healthier for it. So, if in fact I can grow a portion of my hair back, it just might be a blessing in disguise.