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Misdiagnosis
I am not sure whether to be thrilled or angry.
When I was diagnosed with AGA in February, the dermatologist said there was no need for a biopsy or blood tests because it was such a clear case of AGA. Seeing as through he is "the best" in the state, I took him at his word. When I had made the appointment with him, I had also made an appointment with a hair transplant specialist and realised last month that it was due.
When I went to see her last month, she asked for biopsy and blood test results. I told her the story and she was aghast. She insisted on running a biopsy and doing a full battery of blood tests and called me the following week to say...wait for it...
"YOU DO NOT HAVE ALOPECIA."
I nearly fell over.
She explained that there IS excessive hair loss and it does resemble AGA but it is most definitely not Alopecia. She thinks there is some systemic issue and that for some reason, the blood flow to my scalp is restricted somewhat, not allowing the proper nutrients to get to the follicles. She put me on a regime of L-syne, Gingko Brahmin and Minoxidil tablets (the lotion was causing massive wrinkling of my skin - another story altogether!) and 3 litres of water a day. After almost a month, I am seeing results! hair is beginning to fill in!
I am so delighted and beyond thrilled that there is a chance I'll regain my lost hair (and if I don't, well, I accepted that long ago...) and I feel safe to now have a practitioner that is actively trying to solve this riddle.
I am SO angry though, at the dermatologist who, irresponsibly, diagnosed me without medical back-up. If I hadn't made the appointment with the 2nd doctor, I'd definitely eventually lose all my hair. That in itself isn't the issue - being bald is fine with me...what is not okay is that the derm decided to make that decision for me.
So, do I count my blessings and move forward or write a scathing letter to the medical board??
xoxo and love to you all!
When I was diagnosed with AGA in February, the dermatologist said there was no need for a biopsy or blood tests because it was such a clear case of AGA. Seeing as through he is "the best" in the state, I took him at his word. When I had made the appointment with him, I had also made an appointment with a hair transplant specialist and realised last month that it was due.
When I went to see her last month, she asked for biopsy and blood test results. I told her the story and she was aghast. She insisted on running a biopsy and doing a full battery of blood tests and called me the following week to say...wait for it...
"YOU DO NOT HAVE ALOPECIA."
I nearly fell over.
She explained that there IS excessive hair loss and it does resemble AGA but it is most definitely not Alopecia. She thinks there is some systemic issue and that for some reason, the blood flow to my scalp is restricted somewhat, not allowing the proper nutrients to get to the follicles. She put me on a regime of L-syne, Gingko Brahmin and Minoxidil tablets (the lotion was causing massive wrinkling of my skin - another story altogether!) and 3 litres of water a day. After almost a month, I am seeing results! hair is beginning to fill in!
I am so delighted and beyond thrilled that there is a chance I'll regain my lost hair (and if I don't, well, I accepted that long ago...) and I feel safe to now have a practitioner that is actively trying to solve this riddle.
I am SO angry though, at the dermatologist who, irresponsibly, diagnosed me without medical back-up. If I hadn't made the appointment with the 2nd doctor, I'd definitely eventually lose all my hair. That in itself isn't the issue - being bald is fine with me...what is not okay is that the derm decided to make that decision for me.
So, do I count my blessings and move forward or write a scathing letter to the medical board??
xoxo and love to you all!
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Comment by Christy Ingram on October 6, 2010 at 6:33pm
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Michelle, Thats good news! I hope all goes well for you! I would most certainly let the Derm know what has been going on!!!
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Comment by Tiffany P on October 6, 2010 at 7:24pm
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Thats awesome :o)
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Comment by Heather on October 6, 2010 at 9:27pm
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Just curious, did your blood tests reveal anything? Are you still taking the tablets?
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Comment by Michelle L on October 18, 2010 at 4:18am
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So, here's the not-so-wonderful update: The frigging Minoxodil pills are turning me into a MAN. Last night had to pluck out CHEEK hair and this morning waxed off a moustache and BEARD. I am mortified, horrified and everything-fied. Locked myself in the bathroom and cried like a baby. I would MUCH rather be bald. You can be feminine and bald. There never was a bearded lady who also had her feminine charms *lol*
Trying to laugh, but wow - I didn't quite expect to grow a goatee at 35 years of age!
Oh, did I mention I also have HAND hair?
Freakin' MInoxidil. The pharmaceutical companies can shove it where the sun don;t shine. I for one just flushed the entire bottle down the toilet. Good riddance!
Okay, dummy-spit over for now. I should have taken a photo for you all to laugh at......
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Oh, I'm sorry Michelle! I did try the topical, no hair growth on my head. Dr said I could try the Minoxodil pill, which I declined! though I tried Spironolactone (sp) for a few months...grew hair "everywhere I didn't want it and none on my head and my eyebrows are still sparse. In the summer I get pretty tan swimming with my grands and this summer, and I just couldn't handle have all that arm, hand, and finger hair...it so long and it was too bizarre! My Dr was surprised that I had that side effect, I said No Thank you, I am done with drugs and I am done being a guinea pig!!! and she finally said "I think you are doing the right thing for yourself"
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Comment by Flip Flop on April 25, 2011 at 7:08am
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Hi Michelle. Did the regained hair remain after you flushed the pills down the toilet?
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Flip Flop - to answer your question - I lost all the unwanted hair once I flushed the Minoxidil BUT also lost a lot of regained head hair. Am now on Spironolactone and am seeing tiny regrowth. Nothing to cheer about though. I sorta wish it would all fall out and then I could rock bald like nobody's business...!
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Christy - I think you did the right thing. I'm sure I'm going to do the same.
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Comment by Anna Jones on August 22, 2020 at 4:43am
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It was extremely troubling for me when I was diagnosed with the Alopecia. However, it was revealed it I was misdiagnosed. One must read assignmentgeek review before help in research paper. It was cleared later that this misdiagnosing was because of some systematic issue.
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