My email to Dr Lee (and response)

[giggsy]

No real point to this, but may be of interest to some.

Dr Lee

I am 26 and have been experiencing hair loss for about 1 1/2 years now but is has been coupled with an extremely sore and painful scalp (which ithes alot). It just appeared suddenly one day (literally 100% one day and then intense itching and hair loss the next).I have done the whole usual
doctor/dermatologist things and even had a scalp biopsy which did not come to any definite conclusion. I have also spent a fortune on products to stop my scalp feeling tender and painful. Brushing hair and putting my hands through my hair is always extremely painful as it pulls on my scalp. I have heard it may be a symptom of male pattern baldness as well as something that is common in Telogen Effluvium caused by anxiety (I have been suffering from extreme depression for over 10 years now).

My Family history is as follows (all males up to Grand Father)

Father: Full head of thick hair 53 years old
Grandfather (Mothers side): Most of his hair intact. 83 years old
Grandfather (Father side): Died with a full head of hair 60 years old
Uncle (Mothers Side): Full head of thick hair. 54 years old

I am thinning and probably have about 60% of the hair I had 1 1/2 years
ago. I dont seem to be receeding but rather a general thinning on top and
at the back.

My regimin is as follows:
Propecia 1mg (15/1/2003)
Rogain 5% (26/10/2003)
Nizoral 2% (5/2/2003)
Folligen Shampoo (1/10/2003)
Fish Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Zinc 50 mg
Coenzyme Q10 100 mg

I have just ordered your minoxidil 5% ppg free formula and am looking forward to using it as well as to purchasing more products from you.
My questions to you are:

1) does this sound like typical male pattern baldness to you i.e painful scalp etc?

Dr Lee: No. It certainly does not. The typical case of male pattern baldness is not accompanied by any physical sensation. There is an article by Hoss in the March 1998 issue of Archives of Dermatology , which describes "Scalp Dysesthesia". This may be your problem. Some individuals who develop a telogen effluvium report painful burning sensations in association with excessive shedding of the hair. Until recently this problem was not officially identified by dermatologists. The syndrome has been called “scalp dysesthesiaâ€￾ or “burning scalp syndromeâ€￾. The cause of burning scalp syndrome is unknown. You may need to refer your dermatologist to the article in the Archives of Dermatology, because very few doctors would be knowledgeable about "burning scalp syndrome".


2) What do you recommend for the scalp pain?

Dr Lee: If, indeed, you have scalp dysesthesia, it can sometimes be successfully treated with antidepressants such as doxepin or amytryptaline.

3) Will minoxidil stimulate regrowth if the cause of my hair loss is merely
telogen effluvium?

Dr Lee: Topical minoxidil may help, because minoxidil is a non-specific promoter of hair growth. However, it is unlikely that you are having a simple telogen effluvium, which does not cause a 'sore and painful scalp '.

4) Do you agree with my regimen?

Dr Lee: It's fine for treating male pattern baldness, but that may not be your primary problem.

Richard Lee, M.D.

 

[bombscience]

A very wise man. Can you explain the sensations in your scalp that you have? Is your hairloss in any pattern similar to male pattern baldness?

 

[garthbrooks]

Hey, i think the recommended daily dose of zinc is 15mg, too much zinc can raise testosterone, which usually results in higher DHT. i'm not aware of what "too much" is though. just thought i'd let ya know.

 

[giggsy]

Bomb- My scalp sensations can best be described as a pain. When I brush my hair, you can feel pain, like someone is pulling your hair out. The scalp is not red at all. It also feels like it is bruised and extremely sensitive.

I am not receeding, my hairline is still relatively intact, however the hair just behind the hairline has thinned out and the top and back have thinned out as well. When I rub my scalp, I can feel little bits of 'stubble' on my scalp though. Any insight?

garthbrooks- Thanks for the warning. I did check this with a top endocrinologist, who said that the dose was perfect.

 

[bombscience]

Bomb- My scalp sensations can best be described as a pain. When I brush my hair, you can feel pain, like someone is pulling your hair out. The scalp is not red at all. It also feels like it is bruised and extremely sensitive.

I am not receeding, my hairline is still relatively intact, however the hair just behind the hairline has thinned out and the top and back have thinned out as well. When I rub my scalp, I can feel little bits of 'stubble' on my scalp though. Any insight?

garthbrooks- Thanks for the warning. I did check this with a top endocrinologist, who said that the dose was perfect.

I am thinking we have a very similar type of hairloss. I too have pain, itching, and the same balding pattern. The hairs that you do loose, what do they look like? What is the quality?

 

[giggsy]

Bomb,

The hairs that I lose tend to be quite healthy, however I probably cant tell the diff between a healthy and unhealthy hair. I can tell you that the hairs all have the 'white bulb' at the base (not a huge bulb but it is there)

Can I ask if you are on antidepressants? I must say that aropax has significantly reduced the amount of scalp pain that I feel. As Dr Lee says, antidepressants are used to treat "burning scalp syndrome" and I feel that it has helped (but not yet eliminated my condition)

I have also downloaded the article that Dr Lee refers to in his response to me about "scalp dysthesia" which is really interesting. It cost me $US12 (can you believe it). If you provide a fax number for me on a private message I will gladly fax you a copy free of charge.

May I suggest that you try washing your scalp with a moisturising shampoo together woth pure tea tree oil as well as use folligen, emu oil and nizoral (alternate between these). This has helped control things.