new thread
Hi everyone,
Happy New Years ^_^ ! It's been a little while since I've posted last (had one or two replies here or there). Mmmm, well, when I was diagnosed with MPB last late(r) September (2012), it was quite a huge shock to me... my long dream of finally having long hair thrown down the drain by my father's genes (gee, thanks dad :p !). I started taking a hair loss drug my dermatologist prescribed to me to to save my hair but I fell silent not knowing if it would work, worried quite a bit. Didn't know if my hair would just continue to fall out or not.
It's been almost three and a half months since so I can't claim victory yet... would be afraid to. When I look at the Norwood chart (you learn all kinds of things when you don't really want to), I'm really just at a 1 (vertex) which is encouraging, but that little spot right in the front, even though it's hardly noticeable, bugs the heck out of me >< !!! The fall-out that was supposed to happen with the drug I started taking was very minimal and gradual, so it was hardly noticeable at all (pretty much, I think). Funny thing, my wife commented that it seemed like my hair started growing faster after I started taking that drug and I also noticed a lot of new little hairs springing up across my head, so now I look like a Chia Pet through my hair ~_~ . I'd rather have that then no hair at all ;D !
So now all I can do is wait. Optimal results happen after one to two years, so I suppose I still have a ways to go (at least six months) whether to know if things are working like they should or not. I also recently went off of one really needless medicine that I was taking because of complaints on the web of it making hair fall out, so I can't help but to hope it was actually that that was doing the damage instead (I guess that complaint I made about a Mane 'n Tail product in July after my vacation, which Hairball took note of, was actually caused by things beginning to happen on my head~).....
Anyways, enough about that. My hair continues to grow (still kind'a hemline unfortunately, but we'll see if this pill will help that out eventually). Had a trim on Christmas which was nice... and three years are coming up in March - hard to believe, aiming for another three ^^ ! Also have been trying some different hair styles lately... the worst one was the french braid (for Christmas, boy did my mom hem and haw :p ~)... talking about hair-pull, yikes >< !
...but that's the nice and fun about long hair - it gives you a feeling of being free, especially when the wind blows through your hair :) . About a week ago I didn't shave for about a week (was sick) and after a while my wife said I looked like a Viking... nice, wish I had that in my blood :p hah!
Ahh, I've jabbered long enough. Hope everyone has a great beginning to 2013, hope it's a good year for everyone, best wishes to all and hope your hair journey is a successful one ^_^ !!! Back into lurkdom (for a while, perhaps).....
Sincerely,
Eric :)
Hi Eric, Happy New Year to you and your fine family:)Thanks for providing that update post and to think I got honorable mention!LOL.Have to say I feel for you as it has to be unnerving to want to grow long hair but have this hair loss issue to contend with.Certainly I hope the treatment works for you but the waiting is the hardest part.I assume if it is successful then it will require taking it for life?I guess it's worth it if it saves your mane as I would certainly take it in a heartbeat if faced with a similar situation.Thankfully hair loss
is not in my family gene pool even though other un niceties are:( lol.So at least whatever happens I'll still have hair on my head.Anyway, aside from that, I think your on the right road to a solution.Please do keep us posted as things develope my friend.We are all here rooting for you:)Rah Rah Rah!!!!Cheers
Mârk
Wow Eric your hair is beautiful, what a great length and nice color, beutiful hair.
Tom(Hairboy)
Hi Eric,
I was happy to check the board tonight and see your update! I really am loving your hair with the natural v shape hemline! The color and texture of your hair is awesome! I have been waiting for an update from you.
I am going to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for great health and success with your hair growth. Please don't let the little bumps in the road discourage you! And please don't cut your wonderful hair! Please keep us updated and take care of yourself my friend!
Ted
Hi Eric,
Happy New Year to you as well, and thank you for your excellent update. Your hair looks good and thick as far as I can tell, and appears to be growing nicely as well. It does appear that your routine to combat the hair loss is working for you, and good luck in the future!
Keep it growing,
David
Great update, Eric. I love the lively way you write - it comes across as a real conversation instead of mere prose and is good to read.
I think most guys have some kind of MPB; it's mostly just a matter of degree. My own hair is receding a little bit in front but I probably notice it more than other people do. We tend to be our own worst critics (especially if you're as vain as I am! :). It's good to know the drugs are having some effect on yours. Keep us updated.
Damon
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Your hair looks good. I don't see any thinning at all. It must be very early MPB. Catching it now gives you a leg up.
Scott
Looking great, and a Happy New Year to you too!
- Oren
I have MPB too. I have been taking DHT blocking medication for three years prescribed by a hair restoration surgeon. This has stabilized my hair, shedding normally in small amounts. It takes about a year for the medication to be fully effective. To counteract side effects, I must:
1. Keep my body weight at 160 lbs at 6 t ht. with minimum body fat.
2. Go to the gym every day to maintain muscle mass. Use heavy weight lifting methods.
3. Consider the hair transplant to restore any loss areas on the scalp. The only way to wear long hair is with a full scalp. No receding hairline is necessary. The hair transplant is effective, and costs have come down.
Taking the DHT blockers combined with the hair transplant is the only way to maintain longhair over a lifetime. The DHT signals hair follicle failure when inherited with 75% of men over the long term. Hair loss can become so bad by age 55 that many just shave it, reinforcing the short hair style.
Not me. I'm a lifetime long hair.
Don
Don,
I wouldn't have guessed that you have any MPB so the DHT blockers must be working. Usually by one's late 20s a guy should have a pretty good idea whether he's really going to have severe baldness. I would say it's unlikely you would lose enough hair that you'd feel compelled to shave your head even if you didn't take the medication.
The nice thing with transplants is that you never have to worry about them once they're done. The downside, of course, is surgery, losing the hair from the back of your head and the fact that not all the follicles will take and you might end up losing some in the transplantation process.
Good luck!
Hey everyone,
Thank you all for the kind comments... it's great to have a supporting bunch of guys like you!!! As the saying goes, keep it growin'!
Sincerely,
Eric