How long can you discontinue Rogaine for?

[blue16]

I've been using Rogaine foam for 1.5 years, and have had some slight regrowth and maintenance. Good enough for me!

I used it for 8+ months without noticing any side effects. However, this year that I've been getting some racing heartbeat and palpitations. I've had some basic tests, ECG and 24-hour holter, and nothing horribly wrong. Which makes sense since I am very healthy overall, and I don't really have any chest pain or any awful symptoms, just a pounding heart beat.

So I'm trying to rule out minoxidil as a cause or contributor. I do suffer from anxiety, as well as some chronic muscular pain, as of about a year ago. He believes that there is an interaction there between the pain/anxiety/nervous system which is causing the heart issues. I don't really disagree with these, as these issues seemed to start some time after my pain/anxiety/stress got really bad, but not before using Rogaine for 3/4 of a year without noticing any symptoms. But my dermatologist says the only way to be sure is to discontinue it for a month, and see how I feel.

My derm didn't seem too concerned about a month long break, but of course there is no way to tell. I have been seeing some improvement in my heart issues, so for now I am continuing use of minoxidil along with my physio exercises for my pain. But if it doesn't get much better, then I feel I will have to stop using Rogaine for 4+ weeks to make sure it's not a main cause for these symptoms I've been experiencing. Any idea, realistically, how long can I discontinue Rogaine without seeing a noticeable drop off in hair in the long run? Thanks

 

[jamesrav2]

you might consider some meditation or deep breathing before applying the minoxidil. I too noticed pounding heart after applying, however I would apply after taking a hot shower before bed - so was it the hot shower or the minoxidil, or both? So instead I waited after the shower and did some deep breathing, then did the needling and minoxidil. Seemed to be much less pounding. Whether due to laziness or worry about the heart thing, I got very sporadic from time to time, and the consequences are pretty bad. To the point of 'sticky' slick in the crown area. Depressing. This latest go (1x / day) has really been a nice surprise, definite fuzziness in the crown and the front hairline hair is growing longer & faster. I will be curious to see what 4 good months of application & needling does this time (I've been using minoxidil forever, 25 years?? - it's totally cyclical. Use and things improve, stop and they degrade quickly).

 

[Hemingwayfan]

I've been using Rogaine foam for 1.5 years, and have had some slight regrowth and maintenance. Good enough for me!

I used it for 8+ months without noticing any side effects. However, this year that I've been getting some racing heartbeat and palpitations. I've had some basic tests, ECG and 24-hour holter, and nothing horribly wrong. Which makes sense since I am very healthy overall, and I don't really have any chest pain or any awful symptoms, just a pounding heart beat.

So I'm trying to rule out minoxidil as a cause or contributor. I do suffer from anxiety, as well as some chronic muscular pain, as of about a year ago. He believes that there is an interaction there between the pain/anxiety/nervous system which is causing the heart issues. I don't really disagree with these, as these issues seemed to start some time after my pain/anxiety/stress got really bad, but not before using Rogaine for 3/4 of a year without noticing any symptoms. But my dermatologist says the only way to be sure is to discontinue it for a month, and see how I feel.

My derm didn't seem too concerned about a month long break, but of course there is no way to tell. I have been seeing some improvement in my heart issues, so for now I am continuing use of minoxidil along with my physio exercises for my pain. But if it doesn't get much better, then I feel I will have to stop using Rogaine for 4+ weeks to make sure it's not a main cause for these symptoms I've been experiencing. Any idea, realistically, how long can I discontinue Rogaine without seeing a noticeable drop off in hair in the long run? Thanks

You should reduce ur dose to 1x a day.