Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 New here, hi everyone, I'm almost shaking while typing this out and pretty scared of what may be happening but I feel I need somewhere to turn for some real brutally honest answers. I am 19 and in the past 6 months or so have noticed a very severe thinning of the hair at the top of my scalp. I have been incredibly stressed out this past year but from what I have read my loss seems more like classic MBP than stress related hairloss. It isn't too obvious when dry because some of my hair is thick and coarse but when my hair is wet it almost makes me sick. Another thing is I don't really know my family history of hair loss so I am basically going into all this blind. I have lived with my adoptive parents since I left foster care when I was 8 years old. I haven't seen my parents since I was about 6 and have never met my biological grandparents. Also I feel I need to be completely honest, I also have a history of suffering from O.C.D and B.D.D (body dysmorphic disorder) since I was about 13 but I strongly believe this is not just in my head, even though my talk therapist swears that it is all in my head. I even went to my dermatologist a few weeks back and while he did say I may be thinning on top a little he refused to prescribe me any meds or treatment yet because of my mental history, which is the same reason he wouldn't prescribe me accutane a few years back. He told me to wait it out a little to see how it progresses but I don't want to lose valuable time. I am debating just taking matters into my own hands and ordering some fin or dut online. Below are links to an album of various shots of my head with dry hair, wet hair, combed forward, combed back and a youtube video also. I realize this is a lot to look at but I greatly, greatly appreciate any help I may get more than you will ever know. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqaZ3pB26GU Pictures by BrandonInToronto - Photobucket thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NEWHAIRPLEASE Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Brandon Seriously? Is this a joke? Get on with your life! You wanna see hair loss look at my photos! Newhairplease!! Dr Rahal in January 19, 2012:) 4808 FUT grafts- 941 singles, 2809 doubles, 1031 triples, 27 quads My Hairloss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 I would never joke about this, whether you believe it or not I am very, very concerned. Did you look at the pictures? I feel they show what I am talking about more than the video does. I did not mean to offend anybody but it is really bothering me. I honestly hope it isn't too serious but maybe I need to make an emergency visit to my talk therapist because I am losing touch with reality and my BDD is getting the best of me. This time of year is always very hard for me. So I am sorry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Brandon, Welcome! You currently have a very enviable head of hair. In the video your hair looks great. I agree, however, that your photos seem to show early, diffuse thinning. If for no other reason than to put your mind at ease, I highly suggest contacting one of the hair restoration physicians in Ontario that we recommend. Any one one of them will be happy to examine you and, if appropriate, can prescribe finasteride. Best of luck! David - Former Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member RodG Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Hi Brandon, Your hair looks totally fine to me. I think you need to go back to your counsellor for a discussion about this matter. Young man do yourself a favor and stop worrying. Regards rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks for the input everyone, I will call my talk therapist tomorrow and try to go in and see him. Unfortunately this time of year always is very dark for me and it isn't unusual for me to have anxiety attacks. I appreciate you all talking me seriously though which I'm afraid at this point my therapist and regular dermatologist don't and are fed up with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member RCWest Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) OCD and BDD are very real issues. You are showing some early signs of MPB, but being so young and so early in the process I believe Finasteride would help you out greatly. Get started on it no matter what your Derm says! I'd also find another Dermatologist or consult with one of the doctors on here. Quite possibly two of the best hair transplant surgeons in the world live in your back yard, Dr. Rahal and Dr. Simmons. Go see them! Edited December 6, 2011 by RCWest Finasteride 1.25 mg. daily Avodart 0.5 mg. daily Spironolactone 50 mg twice daily 5 mg. oral Minoxidil twice daily Biotin 1000 mcg daily Multi Vitamin daily Damn, with all the stuff you put in your hair are you like a negative NW1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mahhong Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 I would agree with TakingThePlunge that your photo album may hint at some diffuse thinning, though it's impossible to say whether this is MPB, stress or what the cause might be. Other people on here have given great advice. You're in the vicinity of some very good hair specialists and going to see them should help you out. It is better to start finasteride as soon as a diagnosis of MPB is made (if that's what you have), but I also understand your dermatologists concern that, with your other conditions, it is something that has to be weighed up. A diagnosis of MPB is the most important factor and a good hair specialist is the best person to do this. Everybody on these boards will take you seriously, so have no fear about being as frank as you need to and you've already taken a great step forward by joining up and sharing your pictures/videos. We're all here because we're worried about our hair and would much prefer to not lose it or be able to get it back, so you will find many friends here! The other good news is your dry hair (and even your wet hair) still looks great! There's no sign of any thinning in the video and your hair looks fantastic. You are dealing with this very early and you have absolutely the best chance of making sure you keep your hair as a result. The Christmas season is often an emotional one so I do understand the stress you must be under and how these concerns must be making it worse. But you do have a great head of hair and these forums are giving you the advice you need, which you are pro-actively taking. With all that in mind you have the best possible opportunity for a successful outcome and to conquer your concerns, so speak to your therapist and try and look forward to the new year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NEWHAIRPLEASE Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Brandon My sincere apologies...I did not see your pictures, In the video your hair looks great, In the pictures there is some thing though.. When were the pictures taken in relation to the video: Because in the video your hair looks great wet and dry! Newhairplease!! Dr Rahal in January 19, 2012:) 4808 FUT grafts- 941 singles, 2809 doubles, 1031 triples, 27 quads My Hairloss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) BrandonMy sincere apologies...I did not see your pictures, In the video your hair looks great, In the pictures there is some thing though.. When were the pictures taken in relation to the video: Because in the video your hair looks great wet and dry! The pictures were taken at the most maybe 2 weeks ago. The only thing different in the video was my hair when wet was combed down instead of back so maybe all the hair falling forward covered up the thinning. A few of them were taken in a brighter room with wide open windows and light shining through however. All of this seems very, very aggressive, especially within the past 2 months or so. If it progresses as it has, at this rate I will have no hair on the top of my head within 6 months. Really at a loss. Edited December 6, 2011 by BrandonInToronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) Everybody on these boards will take you seriously, so have no fear about being as frank as you need to and you've already taken a great step forward by joining up and sharing your pictures/videos. We're all here because we're worried about our hair and would much prefer to not lose it or be able to get it back, so you will find many friends here! The other good news is your dry hair (and even your wet hair) still looks great! There's no sign of any thinning in the video and your hair looks fantastic. You are dealing with this very early and you have absolutely the best chance of making sure you keep your hair as a result. The Christmas season is often an emotional one so I do understand the stress you must be under and how these concerns must be making it worse. But you do have a great head of hair and these forums are giving you the advice you need, which you are pro-actively taking. With all that in mind you have the best possible opportunity for a successful outcome and to conquer your concerns, so speak to your therapist and try and look forward to the new year! Thank you sincerely for this, I just hope my parents start to take my concerns seriously as well and see this is a real problem and not just write it off as "in my head". When I was younger they were more willing to comfort my worries but now it just feels like they get very frustrated with my "obsession with vanity". Bet they regret not adopting a normal boy 10 years ago... Edited December 6, 2011 by BrandonInToronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mars Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 this is a joke!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mars Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 And for those of you who see diffuse thinning..if any one wet their hair and spiked it up and take a pic top view down you will see scalp,i believe he has no diffuse thinning in video or pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NEWHAIRPLEASE Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Have you noticed hair in the sink or bathtub ? Does a lot of hair fall out when your brushing it? Newhairplease!! Dr Rahal in January 19, 2012:) 4808 FUT grafts- 941 singles, 2809 doubles, 1031 triples, 27 quads My Hairloss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) Not too much, it's not long anymore so I cant really see it accumulated in the shower drain. I don't notice too much on my pillows or in my sink or anything but I assume the hair doesn't have to shed like crazy to gradually lose your hair or the follicle can even miniturize and nothing grows in its place. But I have noticed in my comb and when I do a pull test I get these very fine, thin, almost white curly peach fuzz like hairs coming out that I can only see in the light. They are almost like pillow fuzz but are my hair. They are too fine and light to even photograph. I don't really know whats going on because I have not noticed my hairline receding too much or the temples going. I swear on my life though that I would no joke about this. My father always tells me i'm hanging on by a thread...maybe I am losing my last grip on reality... I really need to talk to my therapist or someone who will just listen, I can't sleep. Edited December 6, 2011 by BrandonInToronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 6, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Ugghhh, my therapist won't agree to see me until my scheduled weekly visit. He talked to me on the phone for a few minutes and basically just said try to relax, keep your mind occupied and "do your breathing techniques" (as if they ever does anything...) or that I could call my old psychiatrist and get some meds to calm me down. Doubt he will prescribe me with the one med I actually want though. How do you guys cope with the stress of all this?! this is a joke!!! I'm sorry, I wish it was a joke. Here is one last video I will post here then I promise I will stop bothering everybody. If you don't see the patches of hair missing and the pretty visible scalp than I don't know what else I have to show to convince you. Also please remember I am only 19, this may be normal age related thinning for someone who is older but I think it's classic MPB for me and I don't know how fast it will progress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHp6axCJGbY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NEWHAIRPLEASE Posted December 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 6, 2011 Brandon Again..on the video, I think your hair looks pretty solid man! Newhairplease!! Dr Rahal in January 19, 2012:) 4808 FUT grafts- 941 singles, 2809 doubles, 1031 triples, 27 quads My Hairloss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mars Posted December 7, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 7, 2011 I never had a thick head of hair like yours not even when i was 12,get on with life keep an eye on things though and act with medication if need be in the future.. On a positive note if you do lose hair in yrs to come and you need a transplant if looks like you have good donor and characteristics so your golden when it comes to ht in future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member gasto Posted December 8, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 8, 2011 Paranoia. You need to visit a hair transplant expert, send tem your pictures at least from these forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member BrandonInToronto Posted December 8, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Paranoia. You need to visit a hair transplant expert, send tem your pictures at least from these forums. I don't know if its paranoia or not... My crown of my scalp is tender and burning and has a pin cushion like feel to it. I even read online that this sensation can be a common sign in hair loss. I don't notice too much shedding but I then I read that my hair does not need to be shedding at a rapid rate to be aggressive MPB. I am trying to schedule an appointment with a hair specialist but my parents told me they will of course tell me I'm losing my hair because it's their profession and livelihood. I am just going out of my mind, I'm having nightmares about this, can't concentrate and can't stop going back to the mirror. I can't take all this...with all my multitude of problems and neuroses nobody will ever love me... Edited December 8, 2011 by BrandonInToronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member gasto Posted December 9, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted December 9, 2011 I'm sure your parents love you. Baldness doesn't scare women, unless they are shallow and unworthy. Baldness, does however, affect confidence, and that is treated psychologically, not medically. The more you stress about it, the worse it gets, so the best you can do for now is relax, and go out for a jogging session, search for beginner's body workout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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