Regaine/Minoxidil users support thread

[MargotMoon]

I've just started my second month's supply of Regaine 2% and I'm trying to hold my nerve because the shedding over the last couple of weeks has been a bit alarming, although I was expecting it.

I'm using the liquid and applying once a day at bedtime but using double dose, as can't apply morning and evening as it makes my hair so greasy. Have ordered the foam to try next month to see what that's like, but that's a once a day formula anyway.

Please tell me it will get better!

[Shihtzu]

So the reason I’ve been put on HRT has to be because low Estrogen is the problem. If they put me on anti androgens, there still would not be enough Estrogen to protect hair. Testosterone turns into dht with stress and I’ve had loads of stress. DHT destroys hair follicles so without Estrogen to protect, it’s no good using regaine or anything else. I expect this is why you have to use it forever.
Sorry if everyone on here knows all this about the hormone link to hairloss but just got into the detail of it!

[MargotMoon]

Good luck with finding a dermatologist Bluetongue

Shitzu I've had lots of stress recently as well, it can't be helping, even if I do have higher oestrogen levels. I've spoken to my GP and they are going to test my levels for perimenopause at the same time when I get my kidney function and iron levels checked. That'll be in about a month before I can have a higher dose of spironolactone

[Shihtzu]

Make sure any HRT is hair friendly. The body identical oestrogel and Utrogestan are the best. Your GP may be clueless and if so there are HRT specialist appointments available online for advice and who will do a letter to GP.

[bluetongue]

I emailed the dermatologist and she was happy to agree to me upping the Spironolactone to 50mg so that’s a win. I’ve got slightly high blood pressure so I’m not worried too much about side effects associated with low blood pressure.

[Shihtzu]

Any updates from anyone?

[MargotMoon]

Nah. Spironolactone not making any difference so far, hair still falling out at the same rate. I've got blood tests at the end of the month before I can increase the dosage.

How about you @Shihtzu?

[Shihtzu]

Maybe it’s early days. I’m seeing specialist today so will report back. How much hair are you losing each day do you think?

[Shihtzu]

The specialist has confirmed this is telogen effluvium and post menopausal thinning. He says the HRT I’m on is the way to go but it will take several months. I can only hope it kicks in soon...

[bluetongue]

I’m not happy with my temples still losing hair so I’ve made another dermatologist appointment. Hoping I can up my dose of spironolactone.

Sigh. I should be happy I’m not actually ‘sick’ but rubbish, thinning hair really knocks your self esteem

[Sometimesonly]

Just seen this thread. Thanks for posting @MargotMoon - sorry it didn't work for you. I didn't take pictures but I came to the same conclusion - that months of Minoxidil hasn't made a blind bit of difference! I'm taking iron tablets as my ferritin was very low but have yet to see an improvement there either.

[MargotMoon]

Sorry to hear that @Sometimesonly it's very disheartening isn't it?

I'm beginning to think my problem is low oestrogen as I read that lack of oestrogen makes it hard to manage stress and I've always had a problem with that.

Have you spoken to anyone about it or just been using Dr Google? I wish I'd persevered more with official channels rather than middle through myself for years - not that they've helped much yet mind!

[Sometimesonly]

I've seen a trichologist and a dermatologist but to no avail!

[Shihtzu]

Sometimesonly have you had any diagnosis?
It seems there are so called treatments that are not specific to a condition but have been found to create hair growth in some but not everyone.
The reasons for hair loss are diverse. It’s a minefield

[Sometimesonly]

My diagnosis was androgenic alopecia too.

[Shihtzu]

Sometimesonly are you likely to be peri/menopausal or post menopausal? If so body identical (not to be confused with bio identical as that’s not regulated in the UK) HRT may well help.

[Sometimesonly]

I'll look into it, thanks.

[bluetongue]

I have a positive update!

One of the reasons I made another appointment with the dermatologist is that my left temple which was the better of the two was looking worse in comparison to my right temple, Before my dermatologist appointment I dyed my hair as my temples are about 50% grey. Once my hair was dyed I realised there was actually a whole lot of fluffy hair on my right temple which was hard to see previously as it was grey. Cue me madly staring at this new, fluffy hair in the mirror every chance I got and trying to decide if it was really hair growing back or my imagination.

At my appointment the dermatologist agreed that I had a decent amount of new hair coming through and that I should be happy. My left temple really did look worse because of all the new hair on my right temple.

I’ve been taking oral minoxidil after topical minoxidil didn’t work. On top of this I also take 50mg spironolactone and an iron supplement (ferritin level was 14).

[bluetongue]

Forgot to add I can now put my hair up in a ponytail again as there is enough fluffy new hair to cover the sparse bits.

My hair does grow very quickly so I suspect this has helped (but also means the grey will reappear quickly as well).

[MargotMoon]

@bluetongue That's fantastic news!! 👏
How lovely to feel like something is working Keep us posted!

[MargotMoon]

@bluetongue Also, can I ask how long you have been taking the spironolactone and iron? And has your shedding stopped?

[MargotMoon]

Given that I'm not using minoxidil any more maybe I should have called this thread androgenic alopecia support!

[Shihtzu]

@bluetongue this is good news. Can I ask, did you get any side effects from the medication at all? I’m into week 8 of HRT, still hoping for improvement, specialist says will need 6 months 😮

[bluetongue]

[quote MargotMoon]@bluetongue Also, can I ask how long you have been taking the spironolactone and iron? And has your shedding stopped?[/quote]
I’ve been taking the iron since early May and the spironolactone since mid May. I seriously have enough shorter hairs growing for a thin fringe if I have my hair up.

My shedding was never heavy but looking back I was always brushing hair off my clothes. I also wash my hair every day. It was really just the thinning temples that prompted me to get medical advice,

[bluetongue]

[quote Shihtzu]@bluetongue this is good news. Can I ask, did you get any side effects from the medication at all? I’m into week 8 of HRT, still hoping for improvement, specialist says will need 6 months 😮[/quote]
I do need to pee more often but usually had to get up once a night before taking the medication anyway so it’s no big deal. Some people get dizziness with the spironolactone due to lower blood pressure but my blood pressure has always been a bit high so that’s actually a positive side effect for me

Some women get extra unwanted hair from oral minoxidil but I haven’t noticed anything.

[MargotMoon]

I have noticed that I get vertigo quite a lot now, but not to a great degree.

I've been taking spironolactone about that long and iron for a couple of months. Going to get my bloods checked tomorrow. The shedding is quite heavy and hasn't slowed down (yet..?)