Question About Minoxidil

Hi, I have AA, with the last time pretty extensive loss, with complete regrowth, well I'm losing again, and this time I decided to try the Minox. I am still actively losing, but am regrowing at the same time, the spots already have hair, and it's not the usual white hairs, there dark, I was just wondering if it could be actually working? I am usually quite bald for months following a shedding. I have been using the 5% once daily, as I work 2nd shift I can't apply the several hrs it suggests before bedtime. If you have used this with success, or not I'd love to hear your experience, the only other Rx I've used is Clobetasol. I also have brow loss and I read it can help with that too. I'm really feeling helpless again, I think that's the worse part, the not knowing what to do. Thanks for your help.
Christine

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Permalink Reply by Christine on July 28, 2009 at 3:27pm
Hi Carolyn,
I'm so sorry you've really been put through the ringer on this, It just shows how little strong knowledge is out there, and we go to the Dr's for help and get information and they just have the same numbers and uncertainty that is the hallmark of AA. If it helps I've been going down this road for some time now, I have tried to do as much as my own research as I could, and still do. The numbers are all over the place with AA, I know I've read that somewhere between 80-90% regrow hair within a yr. But that is no guarantee that it will not happen all over again. It is so easy to get on the computer and find so many different studies some giving very different findings (guessing) I think it may be time to find a different Derm. if you can, even if he gave you sound advice I have to say his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired. This is such a roller coaster ride for most of us, the shedding and regrowing, then shedding again, just the uncertainty that is AA and the lack of control any of us have over our hair demands that we surround ourselves with those who can uplift us we have enough down days. Try to stay positive, I know that sounds easier than it is at times, you are fortunate to be able to meet with others face to face, my closest support group is a 1-2 hr drive. Keep me posted please...Christine
Permalink Reply by Carolyn Ferrie on July 28, 2009 at 10:24pm
Hi Christine,
I now know what can happen , I have reseached this disease long before I saw my Derm(whom I never will go see again,) you are right , he doesn't have a good bedside manner by no means.From what I have seen written from other alopecians in here and on the chat line, I now think its best to let it take its own course and not use anything, just let it grow back naturally if that happens , just have to wait and see and as far as I can see, it does'nt stay anyway , you just lose it again, so why go through the whole devastating process again.Seems like there is no end to it anyway so I think I will just accept it and wear my wig for always if I have to.Seems like a losig battle to me.And I am definately not taking any steriod injections and am not using any kind of ointments again.Thank you for your support , it is well appeciated. I am going to try and stay positive from now on and not beat myself up over this anymore, I'm exhausting myself and I need to let it go now and accept it the way it is , what happens, HAPPENS.But there are no groups here in Newfoundland , I can't meet anyone face to face, I don't even know anyone else here with it,there must be some but must be all in hiding, never heard of anyone here yet.I would love to meet other ppl to talk with face to face but there isn't anyone here as far as I know.The closest ppl to me are in Ontario and thats a 3 hr plane ride from here, not to mention the cost of the plane ticket to and from there,but am going to try and go meet someone some day in Ontario, I have reatives there to stay with while I am there.Thanks again .(HUGS) and keep in touch.Bye for now.
Permalink Reply by JeffreySF on July 27, 2009 at 11:51am
I don't know if this is a coincidence or not. But twice now I have had a little nick on the back of my neck from shaving. I think perhaps some minoxidil got in there and I get this welt that starts weeping this clear fluid.
I use an alcohol pad some neosporin and a bandage overnight and it's all better.
Not sure if this is the minoxidil or what...It just happened last night. Grrrrr Better today
Permalink Reply by Christine on July 27, 2009 at 3:41pm
Hi Jeffrey
I'm glad to hear that your better, I did read some info that said irritation was a side effect of Minoxidil, I haven't had any of this, but on the directions of the brand I bought stated not to apply to abraded skin, so maybe this was from the Med, Did it hurt? Does it look inflamed? The other possibility is that just the nicking caused it, I would have done just what you did with the neosporin, just in case. One thing I have noticed with the Minoxidil is sometimes my scalp can get kind of flaky, I don't have dandruff, so this is new since I started, but the Clobetasol really does that to me, along with pimple type sores, so I've laid off that, and just doing the Minox for now. Do you use any other med along with the Minox ? Hope things cont. to get better.
Christine
Permalink Reply by JeffreySF on July 27, 2009 at 3:52pm
Hi Christine,
My neck is fine today. I think I had an abrasion and the miox got in. It didnt hurt but it was red, dry and inflamed and had a clear discharge. This happened once before.
I have never experienced any flakiness except when I got a sunburn. Haha.
I dont use anything else on my head so this has to be the culprit.

Jeffrey
Permalink Reply by Christine on July 28, 2009 at 3:36pm
Jeffrey,
Glad to hear all is better. The flaking is gone now, may have been from the Clobetosol. Be Careful with that razor my friend..haha Christine
Permalink Reply by JeffreySF on July 28, 2009 at 11:06pm
Haha I'll be careful. I use an electric razor but I guess I have delicate skin.
Glad your flaking is gone.

Jeffrey
Permalink Reply by Christine on July 27, 2009 at 3:44pm
Angela,
Were you talking about the Clobetasol or the Minoxidil? I have had a lot of irritation from the Steroid, but no side effects really from the Minoxidil so I've stopped the Steroid.
Christine
Permalink Reply by Carolyn Ferrie on July 27, 2009 at 8:18pm
Hi Angela,
Are you talking about the Clobetasol making your scalp blister and was weeping, would like your answer asap , because I am not going to use that anymore if thats what it does.Thanks.
Permalink Reply by edie urso on July 27, 2009 at 4:24pm
Hi christine,

Your hair growth and AA sounds similar to me. I have never had lost all my hair but it is definitely like putting out a wild fire and it flaring up elsewhere. I also take cortisone injections every 6 weeks and use the clobetasol once a day and Minoxidil once a day. I use the 2% though for women. My hair regrowth is dark as well and I am a 51 year old blonde. I'm hoping this will correct itself. My Ferriton levels are up a bit so that is good. Was told to double my intake of iron pills.

Edie
Permalink Reply by JeffreySF on July 27, 2009 at 10:21pm
I've never heard of such a high percent of alopecia going into remission for any age group. 95%? That just seems way too high. I do like the number though thats for sure.

Jeffrey

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