Flutamide for Hair Loss

Jaime1979 · 11-05-2007, 10:13 AM

Hey Ladies... quick question for you ~
My doctor has put me on Flutamide 125mg 2x a day... I have been on it about a month now, but my hair is still falling out.

Are any of you ladies on this, and how long did it take before it started to work?

Thanks- Jaime

witchgrl · 11-06-2007, 07:28 PM

Hi !

Is it falling out in clumps or normal shedding ????? My crazy shedding has stopped but I still have some "normal" shedding - well within the 50 - 100 a day realm. I've been on it two months.

Jaime1979 · 11-07-2007, 05:24 PM

Hey thanks for getting back to me.... It is falling out in pretty big clumps. Much more than it should be. Well maybe I just need to give it some more time. Sounds like there is hope!!!
Thanks ~ Jaime

witchgrl · 11-09-2007, 12:36 AM

I'd hang in there another month. My crazy shedding has stopped - but I think I had other issues with shedding besides PCOS. I had a major anxiety episode last winter/early spring - what I would call a nervous breakdown - and I've lost over 100 lbs - so I think both have contributed to the hairloss. I hope the Flutamide works for you - it is scary losing hair and no one else understands it unless they have been through it.

shopgrl · 11-09-2007, 11:57 PM

I am not on flutamide, but I do have a question for either of you. My hair has been falling out (that I know of) since at least August. I have been on metformin and spironolactone since Oct 3. It isn't any better. Ihave tried all of the shampoos, the essential oil mixture, rogaine, you name it. So far nothing. It justkeeps falling out. I can run myfingers through it and Ihave all of my dark hair around my fingers. I don't know whatelse to do. I went a few weeks and tried not to obsess over it, but tonight I just got out of the tub and the amount left in the tub reduced me to a pile of tears naked on the bathroom floor. Nobody understands. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Lepus · 11-10-2007, 05:46 AM

You haven't been on Met and Spiro that long. I'd give it more time. It can take 6 months to a year to see the benefits. Be patient.

Also, with the Met you want to make sure you're taking a B vitamin supplement. Met can cause a depletion of the B vitamins leading to hair loss.

Additionally, Met alone can make hair loss worse. I know you don't want to hear that but that's why it's important to eat right, exercise and take a vitamin supplement while on it. If the hair loss gets worse (or just continues to be so bothersome) you probably need to mention it to your doctor. He can adjust your meds and hopefully get things straightened out.

Did anything in particular happen in August that could be causing the hair loss? A surgery or other major trauma? I just wonder if there could be another cause.

Anyway, I'd give the treatment more time. If it isn't working after 6 months or so maybe you can try Met and Flutamide. It seems to be a popular medication combination lately showing positive results.

Have you tried Nizoral?

You have options left. Don't give up hope. Sorry you're experiencing this. It is awful and I do understand. I've cried many times because I've felt so ugly.

LipstickGirl · 11-11-2007, 01:30 AM

Dear shopgrl,

I know how you feel. I have very minimal symptoms of PCOS, but I've had the hair loss for almost two years now without any chance in the rate of its falling out. I've tried the spironolactone, I switched to yaz, but nothing is working for me. The only time I get upset with tears...is after a shower.

This isn't helping the hair grow back in, but lately I've been brushing my hair with a soft bristle brush before I get in the shower. Most of the loose hair gets in the brush, so when I hop in the shower the loss doesn't feel so significant. I know deep down that the same amount is still falling out, but trust me, it makes me feel so much better when its in a brush and not all tangled among my fingers.

Spironolactone didn't work for me, but maybe it will for you! I know it's tough, but stick to what the doctor tells you to do. Hormones take a while to get into groove. In the meantime, you can research vitamins and new methods to bring up to your doctor the next time you meet and ask his/her opinion about new treatment options.

Best of luck.

shopgrl · 11-11-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks for your responses. It is so nice to have support from women who are experiencing the same things. (so right about the feelings being worse after a shower)! I tried Nizoral for the first time, It made my hair feel like it has a better texture. Ever since all of this crazy stuff started happening my hair has felt wirey and just plain weird. anyone else have that? I do see a new Doc out of town in a week. So hard to wait! I don't know why hairloss feels so darn traumatic. Inside I know I could have a lot worse to deal with, just strange how traumatic it feels to see your hair all over the shower, bathroom sink etc.

witchgrl · 11-12-2007, 05:16 PM

I had no luck with Met or Spiro (for the hair loss). I think I have other factors in play with the hair loss though - I have lost 114 pounds in the last year - that will do it - and I have severe anxiety and had a MAJOR breakdown of sorts this past winter - and another highly stressful episode in August which caused a MAJOR shed. I am now on Flutamide and the shedding seems to be at a normal amount now and I do see some shorter hairs growing in but it's early yet (started early September). I know it is terrifying to lose - I can't look in the drain even though I know it's ok now - and I count the ones I pull off clothes. People say to me "your hair looks fine" but I know it is super thin and it is scary as hell. I'm praying the Flutamide works as well as trying to get my anxiety as even as possible.

Jaime1979 · 11-13-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopgrl

I am not on flutamide, but I do have a question for either of you. My hair has been falling out (that I know of) since at least August. I have been on metformin and spironolactone since Oct 3. It isn't any better. Ihave tried all of the shampoos, the essential oil mixture, rogaine, you name it. So far nothing. It justkeeps falling out. I can run myfingers through it and Ihave all of my dark hair around my fingers. I don't know whatelse to do. I went a few weeks and tried not to obsess over it, but tonight I just got out of the tub and the amount left in the tub reduced me to a pile of tears naked on the bathroom floor. Nobody understands. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

hey girl... i know exactly what you are going through. losing your hair is such an awful thing. i have been on flutamide for about a month now 250mg a day... i think it is starting to help. my hair still falls out, but not at the rate is was. you should ask your doctor about it. good luck and hang in there
jaime

Deb34 · 01-08-2008, 06:39 PM

Are there any recent research articles on combination Flutamide/Metformin therapy? I've read in a couple of places that it seems to be beneficial for hirsutism and hair loss and i'd like to present some research to my doctor when i visit later this month.

Can someone post links to updated research on this combo or relate a positive personal experience with this?

thanks everyone.

witchgrl · 01-09-2008, 07:31 PM

Try this
Anyone successful with hair growing back??

it is a thread from last year where this is discussed and has some links to research. I found it really helpful and used it to write a letter to my doctor and he agreed to put me on Flutamide (already on Met).

hopelina · 07-17-2008, 07:23 AM

Hi girls!

How are you doing on Flutamide?
@witchgrl Are you on Flutamide AND Spiro?