Here are my hair loss pix for one day after shampooing...
This hair was all clumped into one ball in the middle and was hanging onto the rest of the ends for dear life. I wanted to literally cut all of the hair off with one swift click.
Despite my efforts to improve my overall health and despite so called normal testosterone levels, this is what I have to look forward to??
I try to keep a positive outlook, but when I have to deal with issues like this, deep down inside I wish that I can just go somewhere and fade away into the abyss.
I just keep hoping that the next wash will be better...
Well, I finally got to my next wash and look at the difference! You can see the difference in the last photo...
Last week's hair was enough to fit in my entire hand and was incredibly dense; enough to make a weave track IMO.
This week was ssssoooooo much better...I was able to pinch this ball of hair between my index finger and thumb...I wasn't able to get the Nizoral, but I plan on tracking it down this weekend so that I can have more occasions like this...even though the hair looks really thin now, i feel like I have a better chance at saving what I have left.
WEEK 3:
I washed my hair with Wen this evening and the hair loss was minimal, detangling wasnt bad at all, and I am very optimistic so far about the product...I think that Saw palmetto may have slowed down the hair loss too, although it has minimized any hair growth...
This week's ball of hair was so small that I don't think I need to post the pic...stay tuned!
Last edited by KimberlyMillions; 09-17-2008 at 10:12 PM.
Reason: updated pix
I have PCOS related hair loss too. I know how you feel. My hair used to clog up the drains too, and I would lose about the same amount as you. It's so hard.
I have PCOS related hair loss too. I know how you feel. My hair used to clog up the drains too, and I would lose about the same amount as you. It's so hard.
Are you taking any vitamins?
Yes, I take several supplements such as B12 complex for example, but the hair seems to do well one week, then fall out profusely during the next week. I have always done pretty well with managing my hair with good products, but as of the last year or so, I have been getting this severe type of loss even with Rogaine!
My hair stopped shedding as much when I began washing it more frequently (ie every day, or least every other day). For many people, if DHT builds up on your scalp it can make hairloss worse. Because I was washing it so frequently, i'd use a really deep, leave-in conditioner, and adopted a new hairstyle: slicked back in a bun.
I used to lose about the same amount, perhaps a little more until I started doing two things:
1. Stopped taking Dianette (Diane-35)
2. Wash every other day with Nizoral.
I just wish I'd figured it out sooner though, as although it's stopped shedding I'm not getting regrowth. So I still have ridiculously thin hair.
Thank you for sharing. I have found too when I don't wash my hair for a day or two it falls out in clumps as well. Mine is also undiagnosed as well but my doctor is finally sending me to one after my results keep coming back normal and I have a lot of symptoms of PCOS- fat stomach, hard time losing weight, hair loss, facial hair and I get my blood work done every 6 months due to high LDL levels.I have found using Nizoral and Nioxin have helped just a little but not a lot of hair growth for me- you can still see how wide my parting is and my hair is quite thin
Have you asked your doctor to refer you to an endocrinologist? I would take those pictures in to show how severe it is.
Thank you for sharing. I have found too when I don't wash my hair for a day or two it falls out in clumps as well. Mine is also undiagnosed as well but my doctor is finally sending me to one after my results keep coming back normal and I have a lot of symptoms of PCOS- fat stomach, hard time losing weight, hair loss, facial hair and I get my blood work done every 6 months due to high LDL levels.I have found using Nizoral and Nioxin have helped just a little but not a lot of hair growth for me- you can still see how wide my parting is and my hair is quite thin
Have you asked your doctor to refer you to an endocrinologist? I would take those pictures in to show how severe it is.
My primary care physician is an endocrinologist!
During my first visit I told her that I had PCOS and then she sent me for a sonogram! she asked how I knew and I explained all of the symptoms and told her that I wanted glucophage because I saw it on television...so I might actually be the one with a medical degree...
I have also taken a ziploc bag full of hair to her office....she told me to go on a low carb diet...(I've been on one since 2002) I'm still the proud owner of a PCOS belly and a beard!
...so I might actually be the one with a medical degree...
This had me rollin'!! I feel I know the endocrine system better than my 2 endocrinologists! Maybe it's time for a mid-life career change...med school wouldn't be too much longer would it?!
This had me rollin'!! I feel I know the endocrine system better than my 2 endocrinologists! Maybe it's time for a mid-life career change...med school wouldn't be too much longer would it?!
Yes, you can become a PCOS/Endo/GYN-reproductive specialist!
It makes me wonder why they pay doctors so much, they really don't have the answers other than "go on a diet" and "eliminate stress"...uh hello, if I was able to do these things, I wouldnt have to come to you, Doc! I could tell you that myself for a much lower fee...
...she told me to go on a low carb diet...(I've been on one since 2002) I'm still the proud owner of a PCOS belly and a beard!
But is your diet 'calorie' controlled. Strict calorie control can be one of the keys to normalizing your hormones. It's certainly easier SAID than DONE, but it can have a very powerful effect on your hormones even if you don't show much weight loss.
Yes, you can become a PCOS/Endo/GYN-reproductive specialist!
It makes me wonder why they pay doctors so much, they really don't have the answers other than "go on a diet" and "eliminate stress"...uh hello, if I was able to do these things, I wouldnt have to come to you, Doc! I could tell you that myself for a much lower fee...
KimberlyMillions- I completely understand and agree. I normally do all my research before I go to the doctor because I feel the lack answers most of the time. Your pics are too familiar. I use to spend so much money on products and hairstyles only to have clumps of hair shed/fall out on a consistent basis. It would be so frustrating especially since I started off with a head full of thick hair and now it seems I cannot get the thickness back. I would complain to doctors who gave me the "stress" talk. It seemed no matter my efforts, hair was still falling out. I now know it is from PCOS (recently diagnoses). My beautician started me on regular routine of protein/deep conditioner treatments and encouraged me to take Prenatal vitamins. The hair loss seems to have improved somewhat but I still have long way to go before I get half the thickness back.
But is your diet 'calorie' controlled. Strict calorie control can be one of the keys to normalizing your hormones. It's certainly easier SAID than DONE, but it can have a very powerful effect on your hormones even if you don't show much weight loss.
I honestly wouldnt say that I have a strict calorie controlled diet, but I am very selective about my food choices. I avoid rice and bread like the plague and I try to go for more lean protein, fish and vegetables even if I go out to dinner, including minimizing salad dressings, which I love.
In order to feel balanced and avoid over-emotional eating, I do enjoy sweets in moderation 2-3X per week; I will by a one serving only snack on my way home as I don't want to keep a full stock in fear of eating it all! Also, I really could stand to do more walking, which hasnt been implemented with school and work consuming the rest of my energies...It's all just so frustrating...
I'm going to have a look at the low calorie diet links that you posted Kat. Perhaps I just need a change...
Until you figure out what that 'change' will be, you might want to consider writing down everything you eat. Literally every morsel, so you have a VERY clear picture of what you're doing now...(since it's not really low carb).
Walking is a tremendous exercise, and I would encourage you to start, since it's something you're interested in, however, I would also encourage you to find a strength training program to add to your walking. Like 'calorie control', strength training can have a VERY big impact on IR (and especially belly fat.)
I know you want metformin badly, but metformin can't overcome sedentary lifestyle, and less than stellar eating habits (not preaching...just offering a bit of truth.) Metformin PLUS active lifestyle and stellar eating habits? Now that's a different story
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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Until you figure out what that 'change' will be, you might want to consider writing down everything you eat. Literally every morsel, so you have a VERY clear picture of what you're doing now...(since it's not really low carb). This might be as bad as figuring out my budget! LOL! I am going to begin doing this again...it really helped because I wrote down how I felt before and after I ate as well.
Walking is a tremendous exercise, and I would encourage you to start, since it's something you're interested in, however, I would also encourage you to find a strength training program to add to your walking. Like 'calorie control', strength training can have a VERY big impact on IR (and especially belly fat.) I used to walk daily until I bought a car...(yikes) so I know this adds to the lack of exercise.
I know you want metformin badly, but metformin can't overcome sedentary lifestyle, and less than stellar eating habits (not preaching...just offering a bit of truth.) Metformin PLUS active lifestyle and stellar eating habits? Now that's a different story... I'm sorry, I didnt mention that the doc did RX met and I have used it since 2005. I managed to come down from about 240 down to 199 at my lowest weight since these implementations. I am currently back up to 220 with the absence of exercise (and a bit of stress)
Did I mention that I'm terrible at this multi-quote thing? LOL!
UPDATE-Just thought I'd share my hair loss pix 
