I could use a little help

[bridget]

:confused:

I just found this site the other night when I was up again worrying about my hair loss. I guess I have some general questions and just need some support in general. I am driving my husband crazy with my depression, anger & anxiety. He says he can't even see it and that we are all getting older (I'm 37) and to expect changes in my hair. I want to believe that, but I'm not sure that's the truth. I did go to a derm. one time and he said that my hairs are not as dense, that age plays a factor (everyones favorite line I guess) and to use men's rogaine foam. He also had me brush my hair every am for a week and put all the hair that came out in baggies. The results were that my loss was in the "normal" range. I know my hair and it's not how it once was. My thyroid checked out fine as well. I guess I want to know where to got from here.....another derm, a different doctor? I have not used the rogaine except for a couple of times which left my hair greasy and scared me to death that if I quit it would fall out anyways (if any grew back). I guess I should give a quick back story....hair fine, but thick. after my second child (he's two and a half), my hair fell out, which I expected, but this time it got thinner and thinner...ongoing hairloss be jumpstarted by the shed you have after a baby? Bottom line is I'm scared and I'm finding it hard to be present for my kids when I'm sad, anxious & depressed.

Thanks for reading this:)

[Angela]

Have they tested your iron levels?

[bridget]

They did a complete blood count back in October and my Hemoglobin & Hematocrit came back in the normal levels. They didn't do any specific test for iron, but my understanding is that it would show up in the two counts above. Do you think I should ask for iron testing?

[chickie1]

Yes, check your iron with a blood test scheduled by your doctor.
That was the 1st thing my doctor did, and my level was at like 20, where it should have been at about 70, or something. I've been taking 130 mg. of iron for about 8 months, and my levels have gotten back up into the 60's. They say some people, that is their only problem. It definately helps!

[bridget]

Thanks for the info, I will follow up with that for sure!

[chickie1]

I know the feeling of total panic and anxiety with the thinning of your hair - I'm feeling the same sick feelings. It's disturbing my sleep, and I try not to think about it too much because I get panicked. The thought of losing more hair after going totally through menopause freaks me out!
Do look into taking spirolacone, too. My gynecologist and my dermatologist both suggested it, and I do think that has helped me the most, although I do use the 5% Rogaine 2X a day. I hate it, but I want to use every available resource. I use the Toppix powder and everybody says they don't know what I'm talking about "thinning hair". That's because they only see me when I have the Toppix powder on. Seriously, I wouldn't go outside without it.

Good luck.

[bridget]

Thanks, it's always nice to feel like you're not alone:) I will ask about the spirolacone...if you stop using it does your hair go back to falling out? That's why I am apprehensive about using it. I am very nervous about using all those chemicals for an indefinite amount of time. I appreciate your help and your suggestions are ALWAYS welcome!

[chickie1]

I've never asked about whether your hair falls out agains if you quit taking spirolactone. That's a good question.

I do worry about taking medications, too. Especially since as I've gotten older, and it seems like I take more meds. I do believe many medications are causing hair loss, especially when doctors seem to be prescribing pills for everything now! I'm trying to only take what I really have to now, so I understand.

I also am taking GNC brand "Hair, skin and nails" vitamins, and also GNC brand Womens formula daily vitamins. Exercise helps, too, they say, though I am not great with maintaining an exercise program! I am a high anxiety person, and when I do exercise, I do notice I feel better, am less stressed, and that can only be good for not only your hair loss, but me in general.

I have noticed that my hair loss seems to go in phases. I know that there are growing phases and hair loss phases your body goes through and is natural. But sometimes my hair appears like it has filled in a little and I definately notice the difference, as did my dermatologist. Then I think the Coloring of my hair sometimes burns my scalp and I start to lose it again. Then I'm back to square one.

Sorry to blab on and on, I just want to share my experience and hopefully help you if there is anything that I can do. Thanks for sharing.

[finaleofseem]

About the spiro: for me, I don't think it re-grew a ton of hair (maybe a little?), but I find that it mostly helps stabilize my shed.

I went off it for about a year, and did notice that my shed was slightly higher then.

Hope this helps!

[bridget]

Is spiro supposed to be long-term? Did you go off of it for a reason? I love this little community, everyone is so helpful:)

[finaleofseem]

Bridget -- I think it's supposed to be long term? I was in college at the time and money was tight -- I didn't think it was doing a whole lot to help, so I quit. :) I'm back on it now.

I was also a little more of a lush (don't judge, I was in college!) back in those days, and you're not supposed to drink very often while on it, because it's a diuretic on its own.

[kathryn21]

when they checked ure thyroid did they scan it or just give u a blood test because my blood test came back normal but i have a big problem with them?? did they also check your ovaries ?? apparently that can be a cause as well i have a friend with that.

[carlz1983]

hey bridget! Just to let you know ur not alone hun! Im feeling exactly the same jus posted my story! the vitamins really helped my growth and I have found that trying to find ways and being positive helps the stress lessen! Besides I think stress makes it worse! Thanks for the tip on iron levels, where would I get this checked?

really klike this forum

[chickie1]

You should probably find a good dermatologist in your area so he can have several things checked for in a blood test. Iron is just one of them, as is testing for lupus (also can make your hair fall out, as any antiimmune disease can), thyroid, etc. My dermatologist says he sees tons of women with this problem all the time.

As for the Mens Rogaine (FOAM, only! Not greasy like the regular Rogaine), I think that even if you don't grow more hair, it is supposed to help the hair you have keep growing longer. The spirolactone may be the same, even though my gynochologist insists she sees women regrowing hair in the front especially with spiro.

Yes, I believe stress plays a huge issue in hair loss, too. It's like a vicious circle. You're stressed because your hair is so thin, and the stress just causes it to become worse! I have yet to find a really good solution to my anxiety over this issue. It's really killing me.

[hairscared]

Chicki 1 did your hair return when your iron levels came up?

[hairscared]

Kathryn, How do they check the ovaries and for what?

[chickie1]

It might have grown back in a little, but it mainly seemed to stop the loss of more of my hair, I think. Of course, when you use spirolactone, rogaine, AND iron supplements, its hard to determine what helped and what didn't. My doctor did say that low iron is responsible for a lot of women prematurely losing their hair. I will try just about anything at this point!