Re: Miniaturized Hairs

Thanks so much for your note. Please don't feel like a "butt-inski!" I'm on here to gather as much info (and support) that I can get, so I truly appreciate all of your input. Clearly, you've done your homework and have a lot of great advice!

Thanks for sending me the link to Hairsite. I'm still not sure what to make of the miniaturized hair situation. When I spoke to the hair specialist/derm over the phone a few weeks ago, I told him I'd been shedding some very thin, white, cob-web like hairs and he told me he'd never heard of that description! A part of me wonders if everyone sheds some of these hairs from time to time, but now I'm just hyper-sensitive so am noticing every little thing...

Anyway, I'm so glad to hear that your shedding has decreased -- it definitely sounds like your TE is coming to an end (I'll keep my fingers crossed for you). If I were you, I would take comfort in that and try to give the re-growth a little more time. Many people say it can take at least 4 months after losing hair and stopping the trigger to notice any regrowth(3 months for the new cycle to begin, 1 month for 1/2-inch growth). But everyone's system is different and if you are low on iron, it can take longer. I've also heard that the hairline and temples typically are the last places to fill back in.

Re: rogaine, I'm really going back and forth on this. When I saw the hair specialist a little over a month ago, he didn't feel there was any harm in my waiting 3 months to start it (which is what another doc advised me to do given my current TE). My shed in the shower was slightly decreased today and yesterday, so I may try to give it another week. If I do start it, I'm thinking I will only try it in a few areas along my hairline and sides -- not all over (even though my thinning is diffuse). This approach, hopefully will minimize any dread shed and allow me to see if my scalp can tolerate the treatment, before getting in over my head (no pun intended).

Re: azelaic acid, did you ask your doc about this? I know it's used to treat acne, but I think I've only seen a post from one woman who claimed that it worked for her. Probably no harm in trying, if your doc feels it's safe for your follicles.

I also wanted to follow up with you on Avodart. I asked the PCOS doc I went to the other day about it and he discouraged me from considering it due to the lack of research. He suggested rogaine and later propecia, instead. I also forwarded some info about Avodart to my dad (also a doc) and he feels that I should be extremely cautious about taking it since most of the experience thus far is with males. Even though the formal research on Propecia in women is limited, it would be safer because it has somewhat of a known track record in women. My biggest concern about Avodart is that the side effects aren't well established. Here's a link to info. I found concerning this (in case you haven't already seen it). http://www.forhair.com/avodart_hair_loss_product.htm

Keep me posted on your progress and what you decide to do, re: rogaine -- and I'll do the same. Our "hairmares" seem to be quite similar, so I do appreciate having a buddy system to try to cope and make sense of all of it. Talk with you soon--

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