Hi guys, hows it going. Let me give some background - I am 32, a few weeks shy of 33, and have been losing hair in one way or another since age 21. I first started with a receding hairline, which was not good because I have a high hairline from birth. Mercifully the process was slow and I was able to wear my hair back till about age 26 or and as long as I used gel and combed it cleverly I was not showing much noticible hair loss except for the high forehead. Around age 27 I started cutting my hair shorter and using propecia (1MG), which I guess helped because I didn't see too much significant loss. Last year I started using Nizoral, which helped a little, but I can't be sure how much.
Since about age 26 I have worked out with weights - nothing to level of being competitive, but definitely a bit more seriously than your average guy that goes to the gym a few times a week. (I want to be clear that I have never used steriods, the illegal versions, or "legal" anabolic kinds that are available.) I have used glutamine, creatine and natural whey protein along the way on and off.
This summer, however, I decied to step it up a bit and work out even harder. I got some supplements by BSN called NO-Xplode (pre-workout) and CellMass (post workout) which are creatine based. I used the NO-Xplode regularly and the CellMass sparingly. Ingredients here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bsn/xplode.html. Oh, and although I didn't gain a whole lot of weight (10-15 lbs) I definiately got very built up in the upper body, more so than every. I peaked at about 190 lbs.
Anyway, I kept up my regimen for about 4 months through August when I started noticing that I had a lot of hair falling out in the shower. I was not necessarily getting my hair wet in the shower every day, but on the days I did I noticed sometimes 50-100 hairs coming out in the front, which in usually more than I've noticed in the past. I have been off the NO-Xplode and working out sparingly for the last 2 months, and I really haven't seen a major slowdown in loss. The scary thing is I am starting to look different with the same haircut and style (I wear my hair forward at about 2-3 inches lenghts, buzzed on the sides and back, with a paste called Aquage Transforming Paste) over a very short period of time. I am baffled at the sudden rapid increase in shedding and I wonder if its just natural due to time/age or due to the weightlifting/supplement. As a side note, I should mention that my brother (same mom, different dad) is basically a NW5 at age 25. I would estimate I am NW3, but I look more like NW1.5 or 2 with my hair short and worn forward. I really don't care how stylish I look, but I want to avoid the obvious thin in front look (as we all do) and I don't want to completely buzz my head if it's not necessary.
My questions are:
Could this be a result of simply the increased weightlifting, or due to the NO-Xplode, or a combination of both with increased testosterone levels?
Shouldn't my propecia counteract the effects of increased testosterone (hence, increased DHT) or is the increased hormone just screwing me up?
I still have no noticable hair loss in back, but thinness seems to be occuring at the temples and in front, mostly at the widow's peak (where I can least afford it!) I imagine this is a result of male pattern baldness.
Should I stop working out for a while? It would really suck to have to choose between being in shape and having hair. But I am a realist.
Should I consider Avodart over Propecia? Is it any better?
Does anyone know where I can order RU 58841, and if it's any good? Anyone have personal experience with it?
I have some Rogaine but I have never used it. It seems like too much of a pain in the neck, and if thr RU works better, I'd rather order that. Also, I hear Rogaine does not grow hair in front, only in back.
Any other suggestions? I have some Folligen, but I don't really use it.
Thanks,
Ace
marsinaries at gmail dot com
PS - I will take and post pictures if anyone wants to see them.
Since about age 26 I have worked out with weights - nothing to level of being competitive, but definitely a bit more seriously than your average guy that goes to the gym a few times a week. (I want to be clear that I have never used steriods, the illegal versions, or "legal" anabolic kinds that are available.) I have used glutamine, creatine and natural whey protein along the way on and off.
This summer, however, I decied to step it up a bit and work out even harder. I got some supplements by BSN called NO-Xplode (pre-workout) and CellMass (post workout) which are creatine based. I used the NO-Xplode regularly and the CellMass sparingly. Ingredients here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bsn/xplode.html. Oh, and although I didn't gain a whole lot of weight (10-15 lbs) I definiately got very built up in the upper body, more so than every. I peaked at about 190 lbs.
Anyway, I kept up my regimen for about 4 months through August when I started noticing that I had a lot of hair falling out in the shower. I was not necessarily getting my hair wet in the shower every day, but on the days I did I noticed sometimes 50-100 hairs coming out in the front, which in usually more than I've noticed in the past. I have been off the NO-Xplode and working out sparingly for the last 2 months, and I really haven't seen a major slowdown in loss. The scary thing is I am starting to look different with the same haircut and style (I wear my hair forward at about 2-3 inches lenghts, buzzed on the sides and back, with a paste called Aquage Transforming Paste) over a very short period of time. I am baffled at the sudden rapid increase in shedding and I wonder if its just natural due to time/age or due to the weightlifting/supplement. As a side note, I should mention that my brother (same mom, different dad) is basically a NW5 at age 25. I would estimate I am NW3, but I look more like NW1.5 or 2 with my hair short and worn forward. I really don't care how stylish I look, but I want to avoid the obvious thin in front look (as we all do) and I don't want to completely buzz my head if it's not necessary.
My questions are:
Could this be a result of simply the increased weightlifting, or due to the NO-Xplode, or a combination of both with increased testosterone levels?
Shouldn't my propecia counteract the effects of increased testosterone (hence, increased DHT) or is the increased hormone just screwing me up?
I still have no noticable hair loss in back, but thinness seems to be occuring at the temples and in front, mostly at the widow's peak (where I can least afford it!) I imagine this is a result of male pattern baldness.
Should I stop working out for a while? It would really suck to have to choose between being in shape and having hair. But I am a realist.
Should I consider Avodart over Propecia? Is it any better?
Does anyone know where I can order RU 58841, and if it's any good? Anyone have personal experience with it?
I have some Rogaine but I have never used it. It seems like too much of a pain in the neck, and if thr RU works better, I'd rather order that. Also, I hear Rogaine does not grow hair in front, only in back.
Any other suggestions? I have some Folligen, but I don't really use it.
Thanks,
Ace
marsinaries at gmail dot com
PS - I will take and post pictures if anyone wants to see them.
