GoPokes

Well I started noticing little white flakes I assumed were just dandruff back in Jul/Aug of 2013. Didn't think much of it at the time, but since then I have really noticed more hair falling out and am starting to see noticeable thinning and volume loss all over my head (but especially in the crown with less thinning in the area where I had my transplant. Long story short...talked to my HT surgeon about it soon after and he said to get on Nizoral. Tried that for a while but things only seemed to get worse. Scheduled an appt with a Dermatologist and they said I had dandruff and to use Clobatezol and Nizoral should help too. So I did and no real change so I went back for a follow up. It was then that the Derm (a different one this time in the same office) did a hair pull test and diagnosed me with Telogen Effluvium (when too much of hair is in the resting phase). She said to continue on the Clobatezol and to alternate dandruff shampoos. Also was sent for a thyroid test which came back normal (that was about 3 weeks ago). I am honestly at a loss, because I continue to see a lot of hair come out each time I shower and I see white flakes in my wet hair after I wash thoroughly each day. I don't know what to do and I don't know how long this is going to last. I don't want to stop taking Finasteride or Minoxidil, but I don't know how to get this to stop. I read that Telogen Effluvium usually corrects itself, but that is after the stressor or the thing that started it is eradicated. I am not sure what I have started doing differently that could have caused this and I don't seem to really see a slow down. I am hoping that there is somebody out there that has had a similar experience and can give me some advice. It seems that the docs just don't know what to do, and I hear that stress makes it worse. Well, it's hard not to stress when you see your hair coming out each morning and every time I come my hair. Thanks for any help in advance.

I am on Propecia, Minoxidil 5%, taking B12 and biotin and eat pretty well. Seems like when I run my hands through my hair I always see a few hairs...especially in the crown where if I slight pull on the hair I probably get 2-3 hairs each time it seems. I don't have any true "bald" spots back there and this has been happening for a while..but it is getting thin. Looking to do a second HT of about 2000 in the crown (first time back there) and 1500-2000 in the front (to strengthen first), but am nervous as to whether I am chasing something that will be tough to fix. I have good donor hair...doc said probably one to two more procedures in me. Appreciate everyones input and advice. I know I shouldn't pull my hair...but it's hard not to just to check to see if hair still comes out.

Thanks Rootz, cos and Future. I guess I was wondering if both together is a more potent mix that could help more. Just don't want to shed more than it seems like I have been the past few months for some reason.

I am sure somebody has asked this before, but I thought I would ask as well. Is it bad to start Saw Palmetto at this point (2 years after HT) along with Propecia and Minox? Really don't want to go through another "shed" from the Saw Palmetto if it starts to work. Anybody try this regimen? Did it work or is it a waste of time and hair?

Yeah, I just hope it's reversible. Feels like I've thinned more than I should have in the past couple months. Read a lot of things that said Nizoral wouldn't do that, but I can't think of anything else that could have. Except that I did switch to Kirkland brand Minox about 6 months ago, now I am switching back to equate brand. Figure it couldn't hurt.

Is this reversible? I do feel like my hair has taken a turn the past few months for the worst and it scares me a bit. Very dry and very brittle. Want to get the softness back and get it back on track.

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I think I'm going to slow down on the Nizoral. I purchased some head and shoulders 2 in 1 with aloe. Hopefully its gentler. Do you think Nizoral every once in a while would work? What are your thoughts on the Nioxin regimine?

Disclaimer: 1 HT 2 years ago, On Finasteride and Minoxidil daily (Nizoral couple times a week). About 8 months ago I was first told about flakes from barber. Didn't think much of it, but of course once I knew I saw it more and more. Started to notice more hairs falling from native hair area in crown and dry hair got worse. Talked to HT doctor and he recommended Nizoral so that's when I started that regime. Hair continues to have flakes (so I toyed with different shampoos for a few that were more organic, but no real change) My hair is still so dry each day it seems and I see lots of hairs coming out when I comb or shower. Scares the crap out of me. Still have decent coverage, but can't tell how long that will last. Went to dermatologist and they said Nizoral should work as well and gave me a topical too to use a couple weeks ago. Hasn't seemed to help and just looking for answers, as I am a bit freaked. (Especially after havinga HT already and contemplating a second). Anybody else out there struggle with something similar? Want to get this dry scalp/hair thing down before I go in for a second HT.

I'm not sure, but I am having a lot of dandruff issues lately too. Seems the past 6 months it has really progressed. Went to HT doctor and he said to get on Nizoral - did that an really no help but only worsened it seems or stayed the same. Went to a dermatologist and they recommended the same but in prescription form and a topical called "Clobetasol Propionate" to use for a short while along with head and shoulders. The dandruff really hasn't seemed to go away and my scalp is soooo dry. Would love to hear what others say on here. I feel that I am shedding more than normal due to the dryness.

Thanks guys. Not sure about the Nizoral either. I have read a lot of things about it and some seem say it helps and others not so much. Both my HT dotor and my dermatologist said it was good to use but my scalp is still soooo dry and I don't know why. Everyday lately it feel like I take a shower and lose more hairs than I should and it scares me. I've been letting my hair grow a bit, because to be honest I am a little scared to cut it too short at this time. This is very frustrating because I keep doing the Propecia and I am going to switch back from Kirkland brand Minoxidil to Equate, because I have read some things that Kirkland causes dryness.

Thanks guys. Not sure about the Nizoral either. I have read a lot of things about it and some seem say it helps and others not so much. Both my HT dotor and my dermatologist said it was good to use but my scalp is still soooo dry and I don't know why. Everyday lately it feel like I take a shower and lose more hairs than I should and it scares me. I've been letting my hair grow a bit, because to be honest I am a little scared to cut it too short at this time. This is very frustrating because I keep doing the Propecia and I am going to switch back from Kirkland brand Minoxidil to Equate, because I have read some things that Kirkland causes dryness.

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!