27. Possibly Medication Induced Hair Loss Query.

[John Bruce]

Hi all, greetings.

I’m a 27 year old male, living in Europe, grew up having enormously thick hair, until I noticed about 1 year ago that my volume had actually been declining diffusely over my entire head. Now I’m at roughly 50% the volume I was 2+ years ago. I wash my heart usually every 2-4 days and hundreds of hairs typically fall out, all with white bulbs on the ends.

After much research I’ve come to the personal conclusion that the hair loss must be side effect from a high prescription of Concerta (Ritaline) 80mg per day for ADHD. Telogen Effluvium (possibly Chronic?). I was originally prescribed Ritaline at 40mg per day about 2.5 years ago.

About 5 months ago I noticed my hair loss accelerated significantly after upping my dose from 50-80. It started to fall out in clumps, but at the time I didn’t associate it with the medication.

I’ve been on the medication historically, but with a several month period in which I stopped, about 11 months ago (moved countries), for 6 months, but at great same time was experimenting with Rogaine, which I stopped after 3-months of use.

Basically, I now live in a country where medical for hair loss is almost nonexistent, I’ve spoken to my GP and have received little feedback. I’ve scheduled another appointment to test blood, etc and I’m pushing for more answers.

I’m wondering what you all think just based on the photos attached (some with wet hair and some with dry) what the situation might be?

Note: My hairline has not changed at all, it’s been exactly the same as in the photos since forever.

I’ve become enormously self conscious and I’m hoping someone might be able to give me insight considering it is so difficult to get medical advice in my country for hair loss. I’m at the point where I’m willing to pay for a flight to the UsA or another country where hair doctors and Derms are well oriented with hair conditions.

To be honest, I no longer need the medication and I’ve consulted with my doctor and since ceased my prescription 10 days ago. As expected, I washed my hair today and haven’t noticed any decrease in shedding... the attached photos are shedding first from when I was washing and the second clump from when I was drying. This is a typical amount I lose every 4-days (with additional hair being lost in between wash days).

If this is Chronic Telogen Effluvium due to medication, when should I expect to notice an improvement in my hair loss? Will shedding continue, but decline, for months, or should that cease immediately or sooner?

Otherwise, if this is clear a case of classic male pattern baldness, then I’ll have to come to terms with that.

Thank you.

Best,
John

 

[Alphalete]

Looks like classic male pattern baldness to me.

 

[John Bruce]

Looks like classic male pattern baldness to me.

Could you explain? Because through my reading and research it seemed to be indicative of Telogen Effluvium.

It’s diffuse over the entire head, started when I began the medication, for which I’ve read could impact hair loss in this manner, and the pattern doesn’t seem to match any scale? Or does it?

 

[John Bruce]

Looks like classic male pattern baldness to me.

Also just to reiterate, my hairline has not changed at all, it has looksed like in the photo my entire life.

 

[Alphalete]

Can you show me a picture in your teens where you had the same hairline?

Also, search up Diffused unpattered alopecia

 

[ElTioLaBota]

Lol you have exactly the same hair time as i do (same curl, same color same texture) and the same type of loss. (Little temple recession but huge lack of density on the crown back and sides...) Good luck boyo

 

[John Bruce]

See attached photo from when I was 19.

As for DUPA I guess then how would you be able to tell the difference between that type of hair loss and Telogen Effluvium?

 

[John Bruce]

Lol you have exactly the same hair time as i do (same curl, same color same texture) and the same type of loss. (Little temple recession but huge lack of density on the crown back and sides...) Good luck boyo

Hey man, thanks for the reply... So you have DUPA or categorized as another type of hair loss?

 

[ElTioLaBota]

Hey man, thanks for the reply... So you have DUPA or categorized as another type of hair loss?

I think i have retrograde alopecia, i dont think i have dupa, tho im starting to think you are my clone xd, im 19 and i'm exactly like you in your 19's pic, xd

 

[Stigabe]

I have exactly the same hairloss.Do you have seborrheic dermatitis??

 

[doyle11]

Have you tried nizoral for your scalp? Your head is extremely dry/flaky.

 

[Stigabe]

My hair looked the same (dry) because i have seborrheic dermatitis and i thought every time i had flakes my hair was dirty and i literally overwashed my hair with shampoo and looked exactly the same

 

[John Bruce]

I have exactly the same hairloss.Do you have seborrheic dermatitis??

I guess how would I know if it’s seborrheic dermatitis? I’ll look into this though.

Have you tried nizoral for your scalp? Your head is extremely dry/flaky.

I haven’t tried this, but perhaps I’ll give it a try. Will it help with reducing excessive shedding?

 

[Stigabe]

I guess how would I know if it’s seborrheic dermatitis? I’ll look into this though.


I haven’t tried this, but perhaps I’ll give it a try. Will it help with reducing excessive shedding?

Seborrheic dermatitis is itchy flaky scalp you can notice redness too

 

[John Bruce]

Seborrheic dermatitis is itchy flaky scalp you can notice redness too

Ah, I see, so it’s only on the scalp?

I notice some pain on my scalp near the crown typically after washing. Is this a sign as well?

 

[Stigabe]

Ah, I see, so it’s only on the scalp?

I notice some pain on my scalp near the crown typically after washing. Is this a sign as well?

It can be on your face too,i experience that pain too it seems that almost everyone with seborrheic dermatitis experience that pain too but all dermatologists say it has nothing to do with the seborrheic dermatitis ...

 

[John Bruce]

It can be on your face too,i experience that pain too it seems that almost everyone with seborrheic dermatitis experience that pain too but all dermatologists say it has nothing to do with the seborrheic dermatitis ...

In general the past 2/3 months my scalp has been hurting, even now a few days later after a shower it aches and pains. Feels like sharpness at the hair roots or something.

By treating Seb Derm is this a way that can reduce hair loss? Will hair grow back? Or is a compound condition that may be part of a larger issue typically?

Thanks for the help and insight here! Really was feeling a lone for so long.

 

[Stigabe]

In general the past 2/3 months my scalp has been hurting, even now a few days later after a shower it aches and pains. Feels like sharpness at the hair roots or something.

By treating Seb Derm is this a way that can reduce hair loss? Will hair grow back? Or is a compound condition that may be part of a larger issue typically?

Thanks for the help and insight here! Really was feeling a lone for so long.

Yes you can reduce hairloss if u treat seborrheic dermatitis.Hair should grow back.Seborrheic dermatitis is not that big of a issue it is just annoying and expensive.in winter seborrheic dermatitis gets worse because there is no sun and u lack vitamin D.I recommend u to take vitamin D in for of pills or liquid and start taking cold showers.Use only cold water on your face and scalp.You will see the results immediately.And stop eating spicy and warm foods.Only cold foods!

 

[bluecyclone]

Dude. I was in the exact same boat but I believe much older. I wanted to believe in the ‘Thyroid’ or ‘Telogen Effluvium’ narrative and lost a ton of ground. 1.7 months since hairfall started and a diffuse pattern has emerged, even with significant nape and side thinning. I have been fighting the Finasteride Rx, even messing with RU first but in retrospect I wish I would have started there before the damage got much worse.

I started minoxidil, huge shed no recovery, added RU no progress to date. Check a few of my photos you might get a sense of the two year decline.

 

[John Bruce]

Dude. I was in the exact same boat but I believe much older. I wanted to believe in the ‘Thyroid’ or ‘Telogen Effluvium’ narrative and lost a ton of ground. 1.7 months since hairfall started and a diffuse pattern has emerged, even with significant nape and side thinning. I have been fighting the Finasteride Rx, even messing with RU first but in retrospect I wish I would have started there before the damage got much worse.

I started minoxidil, huge shed no recovery, added RU no progress to date. Check a few of my photos you might get a sense of the two year decline.

Ah I see, you have nearly exact same looking loss as me, came on very suddenly as well. So have you come to any conclusions regarding the cause?

Why did you rule out Telogen Effluvium and what are the hair doctors saying about your losses? I too have clumps come out in shower.

Do you also have pain on your scalp?