Minoxidil (Rogaine / Regaine)

[Rozzy252]

Hi Girls....I've been using the Rogaine now since the beginning of April. I didn't notice an increase in facial hair. Although, the hair I already have appears to grow more rapidly. I'm finding that I have to shave my leg hair every two days instead of every three. As for on top of my head......nothing yet.....

 

[SadMom]

Boy, I can't find where I read that on the website now either. But, I stood in WalMart and read it off the outside of the Rogaine for Women box. I was surprised really... because it always sounds like it would be more successful. I guess for me, it's really a committment...

 

[Rozzy252]

I know what you mean. I am still a skeptic with Rogaine. I've been paying for the stuff for 3 months now. (Its expensive here in Canada too!!!! :roll: ) I think its just a bandaid for my problem until I figure out what is going on internally. But....every day.....I rub it in...hoping I suddenly turn into a chia pet......I'm still waiting....

 

[Matrix94]

Frustrated w/ doctor >:-{

Gaah!

SO, I had my appointment with my doctor this afternoon, where I'd hoped to get a referral for a dermatologist. As soon as I told her about my hair loss and my wanting a referral, she said (and I quote): "I don't give dermatologist referrals for hair loss." :evil:

She said that all they (dermatologists) do is check your thyroid levels and that there isn't anything that can be done for hair loss if it isn't thyroid-related. (What the ...?!)

So, she took a blood sample for my thyroid level (I'm sure it's going to turn out normal) and sent me on my way.

What the heck do I do now?! I know there's gotta be more options than 1) checking thyroid levels and 2) sitting back and doing nothing.

I'm SO frustrated and angry at being blown off like this ... and I really want to know if there's something other than Minoxidil that I can use to avoid the facial/body hair growth I went through the first time I tried the stuff 5 years ago.

Any advice MOST welcome.

 

[mariejoe]

ARGGHHH!

Doctors are maddening...what a power trip they must be on.

Can you con your doctor into sending you to a gyn or endo?? They should be able to test for more than your thyroid. Can you switch primary care doctors?
You could get the tests done on your own, but it can get pricey. Go to http://www.salivatest.com/.
Also pricey, find a doctor and pay yourself.

Check out this site, it's got some good info: http://www.hormonehelpny.com/articles.htm

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Rozzy252]

Ahhh....Doctors can be clueless sometimes....I suggest that if they don't know...then refer...quit dishing out info on a topic you didn't pay attention to in school. I don't know if you are in the states or canada...but here in Canada...we have walk in clinics...I suggest you find a walk in clinic and ask for a referral to a derm or gyn....then maybe you can be referred to someone else.....wow....I can't believe how mad I am for you.....hang in there and keep looking

 

[mariejoe]

This is kinda off-topic, but how do you like Canadian health care? RAte it 1-10, 10 being THE greatest? Are you denied access becasue of age or location to specialists, etc.?
I'm very curious. I've heard horror stories about how abysmal it is if you're REALLY sick. Although, the doctors here win no prizes. And, the media may not tell us the truth, like we'd all flock across the border, eh? he-he-he
Clueless, a large % of them are. And not just about hair loss. Running useless tests is another of my pet peeves. :roll: :evil: :cry: :roll:

 

[Rozzy252]

HI Mariejoe...
first of all thank you for the info on hormones and all the info that TotalDispair gave you. It has been helpful...I haven't had a chance to respond because we had a death in the family.....now I have to remember where it was I asked you the questions.....I'm spending the day backtracking from where I left off though.
As for Canadian Health Care....it has its pros and cons. There was a lot of cutbacks about a decade ago so the resources we had got cut. (due to our deficit). The resources are here....the only problem is that to see a specialist.....the waiting time can be long. So having worked as a nurse in both the States and Canada...I'd say they both have their pros and cons. Up here...we don't have to worry about insurance companies....we just have a health card and the government picks up the tab. But, like I said sometimes...its a long wait. In the States, I found that depending where you are.....the resources are numerous and you don't have to wait as long to see a specialist (depending of course how repuitable the specialist is...it could be a long wait).
Downfall for hairloss though.....Minoxidil is more expensive here even with the exchange rate...and 5% Minoxidil is not available here. Where abouts are you Mariejoe???

 

[mariejoe]

first of all thank you for the info on hormones and all the info that TotalDispair gave you. It has been helpful...I haven't had a chance to respond because we had a death in the family....

Sorry for your loss!

Downfall for hairloss though.....Minoxidil is more expensive here even with the exchange rate...and 5% Minoxidil is not available here. Where abouts are you Mariejoe???

Can you buy it online in US$?

I live near Detroit, Michigan, near Lake St. CLair.

 

[Rozzy252]

Hi Mariejoe...
The only problem with buying it online is that they don't guarentee that it will cross the border or not. So to be honest I haven't tried. I'm an hour away from the New York border so if I really wanted to ...I could go buy some one day in New York. I have a question for you though....is Minoxidil 5% a prescription deal??? my derm was recommending that I try the 5%. but its not available in Canada. I laughed at him too because he said that if I really wanted to , I could try putting it on more than twice a day (the 2%)...I said...okay....what time in a day do people have to put it on 3 or 4 times a day???? I don't know about you...but I will put it on twice a day...only if I'm not going out for a little while....my hair looks horrible for the first little while its been applied. I can see bald patches...and it looks like I've been to the gym (maybe thats a good thing because I haven't been in months.... :lol: ) talk to you soon,
Rozzy :hairy:

 

[mariejoe]

Hi Mariejoe...
my derm was recommending that I try the 5%. but its not available in Canada.
Rozzy :hairy:

Rozzy,
5% is over-the-counter. It's Rogaine for men, but I've used it, my derm recommended it too. Not realyy sure, I think the FDA didn't do the clinical trials on 5% on women, but it's cool to use it.
If you do go to NY to buy it, places like RiteAid, CVS, and Walgreens have a store brand, which is much cheaper.
It does have a different consistency, I don't remember exactly what, cuz I haven't used the 2%, but I'm told it is different, so be prepared for it to be maybe oily-ier on your scalp.

I'm glad to see you sense of humor :laugh: . We need to have a laugh. I often wondered what would happen if we just fogot ALL about our hair for six months. Would it feel lonely and grow back, he-he. I swear, if my hair-do starts looking bad cuz I don't have enough hair, I'm cutting it REALLLLL short, and going to the wig section of the forum. I've got a long way to go to get there, but between my hormones and my atkins-related Telogen Effluvium, ...I'm getting tired of this sh*t.
Head...quit shedding already. THIS IS AN ORDER!!
:freaked2:

take care...talk to you soon

 

[jvantin1]

Hear hear Mariejoe...I'm getting sick of this sh*t myself. I mean, how long can we go on agonizing as much as we already have? I really am beginning to feel like, screw it...my guy loves me, what the hell, I'm gonna buy me a wig that's more beautiful than the hair I had in real life.

I've already been doing research. I'd buy a vacuum wig...a real long vacuum wig.

 

[mariejoe]

jvantin1,
What's a vaccuum wig?
I started looking on the internet. Can't hurt to do some preliminary research.
Seriously, a change of focus might help. Like all the women who couldn't get pregnant who get pregnant after adopting.

Folligen, Nizoral, all the sprays, shampoos, caonditioners and gels/mousses I've bought. The few I could use, the rest given to my hairdresser. It all adds up.
How long can a good wig last? :hairy:

 

[SadMom]

wigs?

The whole wig thing..... I don't know. I've never been one to even tolerate a hat well! Head gets hot and itchy. With the seb. dermatitis.. and not being able to get to my OWN scalp, I am afraid I wouldn't make a good wig wearer. I feel like either way, natural hairloss, wearing a wig, or whatever... it all screams to those who know you... I DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR!!! Some of you sound way braver than me :lol: And that's great..

I feel like a big flogged wus! Just beaten down. On the days I put my hairloss in universal perspective... I do OK. But the thought of it never totally leaves me and it hangs over everything. I am SSOOOOO tired of dealing with it.

 

[mariejoe]

Re: wigs?

The whole wig thing..... I don't know. I've never been one to even tolerate a hat well! Head gets hot and itchy. With the seb. dermatitis.. and not being able to get to my OWN scalp, I am afraid I wouldn't make a good wig wearer. ..... Some of you sound way braver than me :lol: And that's great..

I talk big...don't know how I'll feel if it actually HAS to be a wig!! Might happen, though. Haven't worn a wig in 30 (yes, thirty) years. And then I had waist length hair. Hope I don't have to go there now...Not brave, really.
:lol: :roll:

I feel like a big flogged wus! Just beaten down. On the days I put my hairloss in universal perspective... I do OK. But the thought of it never totally leaves me and it hangs over everything. I am SSOOOOO tired of dealing with it.

I think we have all been where you are. Esp. when first joining the forum. It is all so overwhelming. And sooo much info. to absorb. And the questions: Telogen Effluvium? Androgenetic Alopecia? both?
But here is a place to vent, and maybe feel better. We are in this together. Posting has helped me a great deal, even though I don't always have anything valuable to say, and even when I'm wrong about stuff.

 

[mommyof2]

New Rogaine User w/ lots of questions

My hair has been thinning for the last two years but its just so thin that when I look at myself in the mirror, I can see half way to the back of my hairline.

I saw a dermatologist on wed. The dermatologist let me know that the hairloss was inherited. And there was nothing I could do about it. I said "I'm 27 years old. It has hurt my self esteem, my husband is starting to be bothered by it. And I dont want my children to be ashamed of their mother. (they are at a fragile age. 6 and 8 your friends tend to notice if your mom is losing her hair.) He said I understand that but everyone has things they have to live with. This is one of them. Or you can try Rogaine and have a 50/50 chance of it doing something instead of making the rest come out.

Needless to say I left the office very nicely. But have cried all the way home.

My thing is, he didnt do any blood work or anything. I was a new patient and was in there all of 15 minutes from start of paperwork to end of visit.
He also said that if I saw where I would be able to tolerate the 2% than I could call him and he would call in the prescription rogaine. Is there such a thing?

I started the Rogaine 2% on Sunday morning. Do I wash my hair every morn and night before I use this stuff?
How do I keep my hair from looking oily from the Rogaine?
Has Rogaine been proven to actually start to regrow the hair?
If this doesnt work are there other prescription options?

Thanks,
Misty

 

[vanessa]

Momof2,
I would be hesitant about starting any hardcore treatment before getting bloodwork. If you have hairloss related to thyroid, anemia, or some other type of physical problem then the Rogaine may do more harm than good. That being said, I have been using Rogaine 2% since July. I use 1ml in the morning and in the evening. It doesnt tend to make my hair oily so I only wash my hair everyother day (it is also a way to keep my sanity). Be forewarned that many people experience a pretty bad shedding phase that can last longer than what is stated in the package. Mine has lasted approximately six weeks, the first four being really bad. Now I have noticed a slowing down of the shedding. I am not sure about hairgrwoth as it usually takes four months to notice anything. I dont know if it will work, but anything that will make me maintain is at least worth a try. I am also 27 and started noticing thinning in January of this year. Read the info on this site and make an educated decision about your treatment. Hope this helps.

 

[mommyof2]

Thanks Vanessa!!

I called my gyn today. I have an appt w/ him in Oct. He said to stay on the Rogaine. And he will find the cause of the hairloss in Oct or sooner if he can get me in. But the Rogaine will be a good thing to go ahead and start. He also told me to call the 800 number on the Rogaine and get a special book that Rogaine was giving away and some free coupons.

So I guess I'll stay on this and see how the dr feels in Oct.

 

[mariejoe]

Your gyn sounds like he may be helpful. You're lucky. Know what bloodwork to have done. There's a list on this link: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/women/step2wom.htm

To those, I would add estrogen and progesterone. They need to be at proper levels, too.

 

[mommyof2]

Thanks Mariejoe!!
This forum has been so helpful. I have gone "alone" on this for so long and now I feel better just talking to all of you. Thanks so much!

Misty