u/peruvianbooty

Hi all,

**Edit I posted this last night but I didn’t have user flair so wanted to post again just in case.

I think it’s been a little over 6 months I have been shedding, but it was only until a 3-4 months the ago I noticed bug chunks falling out, and the sides thinning. It wasn’t until about 3 weeks ago that I noticed my hair line to be getting wider and hair thinning. I’ve been taking iron because it was low and it is going up, but still only at 43. We did other tests vitamin b12, 9, folate, thyroid and all normal. I do have ulcerative colitis and epilepsy so I am on meds for both, but have been on them for at least 2 years, so those have been ruled out.

I went to a dermatologist at Kaiser and they did a quick scan on of my scalp and said that it is female pattern hair loss. They recommended rogaine 5%. That’s apparently all dermatologists can do at kaiser according to them (they can’t order analysis, etc). I have an appointment with my OB/GYN to get my hormones tested just in case. I cried in the office when they told me and I explained that i am/have been on pill overload for so long so to add more to my load is just so scary to me right now. When I asked about alternatives naturally they couldn’t really make any recommendations (or wouldn’t), and instead just kept pushing minoxidil and said that that’s all there is and said that it’s most likely not the hormones.

Is this consistent with peoples experiences with dermatologists?
Is there more they can do and they just don’t because Kaiser sucks?
Are there other options I can do?
Should I see a second opinion?

Finally if I do try any topicals is buzzing the head better ? I’m scared it might reveal too much of the really thinning spots..

Thank you all so much and this sucks so much ❤️

Hi all,

I think it’s been a little over 6 months I have been shedding, but it was only until a 3-4 months the ago I noticed bug chunks falling out, and the sides thinning. It wasn’t until about 3 weeks ago that I noticed my hair line to be getting wider and hair thinning. I’ve been taking iron because it was low and it is going up, but still only at 43. We did other tests vitamin b12, 9, folate, thyroid and all normal. I do have ulcerative colitis and epilepsy so I am on meds for both, but have been on them for at least 2 years, so those have been ruled out.

I went to a dermatologist at Kaiser and they did a quick scan on of my scalp and said that it is female pattern hair loss. They recommended rogaine 5%. That’s apparently all dermatologists can do at kaiser according to them (they can’t order analysis, etc). I have an appointment with my OB/GYN to get my hormones tested just in case. I cried in the office when they told me and I explained that i am/have been on pill overload for so long so to add more to my load is just so scary to me right now. When I asked about alternatives naturally they couldn’t really make any recommendations (or wouldn’t), and instead just kept pushing minoxidil and said that that’s all there is and said that it’s most likely not the hormones.

Is this consistent with peoples experiences with dermatologists?
Is there more they can do and they just don’t because Kaiser sucks?
Are there other options I can do?
Should I see a second opinion?

Finally if I do try any topicals is buzzing the head better ? I’m scared it might reveal too much of the really thinning spots..

Thank you all so much and this sucks so much ❤️

Hi everyone!

I’ve had UC for about 2-3 years now and I have been on tablet mesalamine and suppositories for this whole period of time. (2 tablets in the morning and suppository at night). I started experiencing some hair thinning a while back and over time it has progressed to hair loss. I do have low iron, and have been taking supplements for almost 6 months and no change. If anything it’s progressed.

My doctor insists that it isn’t the mesalamine, but I wanted to come here and see if anyone has experienced this? I’ve done brief research and what I have seen says it’s rare. What experiences do any of you have ?

Thank you !!