My first time posting, but have been a long time reader. Long story short, I am 32 now and had a 3500 FUT transplant in April of 2012 and the results were pretty good. I was a Norwood 4 and now I have decent coverage. Still a little thinner than I would like, but I at least have a hairline again. Definitely contemplating a second of about 3500-4000 later this year.
I have been on Propecia (generic) since the HT and 5% minoxidil as well pretty faithfully. I also started Nizoral about 6 months ago as well (on and off because I thought it could be causing more shedding).
I have two main questions/concerns that are driving me kind of crazy. lol
1. The transplanted hair seems to be staying pretty well, but I swear it was stronger the first year along the hairline (especially the first 8-10 months). It just feels thinner now than when it was growing in. Has anybody else experienced this? I have gone back to the doc for checkups and he says it looks great and that the transplanted hair isn't falling out, but for some reason it just doesn't seem as dense as it was as the hair was growing in for some reason. Maybe I am just getting used to it, but I don't think so.
2. The native hair that wasn't touched seems to be thinning more the past 6 months. Yesterday I actually ran a comb through the back part and got a bunch of hairs. It really disheartened me. Went to a dermatologist a couple weeks ago for some dandruff that I have had the past few months and they gave me some topical to use for a while to curb it and it seems to be working pretty well.
My fear is that I don't know why I seem to be losing more native hair than I was. My scalp feels itchy and anytime I run my hand through the back part I find a few hairs in my hands. Also, when I shower in the morning I almost always find several hairs on my hands when I am shampooing. I try not to look, but it's so hard not to!
I am sure the stress this is causing me isn't helping, but it's a vicious cycle ya know. Overall, I am glad I have a decent head of hair now that I can style, but the fear of losing much more scares me. The doc (who is awesome btw!) said a couple months ago when he saw me, that a second HT of 1500 in the front and 2000 in the back would really do wonders. He also said I have enough donor for another HT or maybe two.
I am just afraid that I might be chasing something that is inevitable and not sure why the native hair is falling out more the past few months when I have been almost religious when it comes to the Finasteride and Minoxidil. Very frustrating and just would like some support here and possible guidance.
Thanks so much!