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7577. concerned - 3/1/2012 2:28:40 AM About a year ago, I started getting hair thinning at the top of my head. I might have missed it until it turned into a total bald spot except that my younger brother visited and he had the same thing, only a little more advanced. Isn't it weird that one can make it to 55 with a full head of hair and only then start balding and rather quickly?
IAC, I'm treating it with minoxidil, starting with 5%, and have been using a shampoo with 1% ketoconazole added because it supposedly reduces the amount of male hormone that hits the follicles. I recently increased to 15% minoxidil, but the FDA had to get into the act and forced the manufacturers of the 15% stuff to pull it off the shelves. So I switched to something called 'Oz Brew' which mixes 5% with Aloe Vera, MSM, L-Arginine and DMSO and so far it appears to be working - I've got about 60% hair reqrowth over the thinning area.
I know this is not a real health problem per se, but old age catches up to everyone eventually, unfortunately. 7578. iiibbb - 3/1/2012 3:03:47 AM I'm almost bald at 42 and I don't give a fuck. 7579. OhioSTOPAS - 3/1/2012 3:03:59 AM Judith - Get those things checked out and try not to worry. That medical list of "things to keep an eye on" will only get longer, for all of us! 7580. OhioSTOPAS - 3/1/2012 3:06:49 AM And on the other health topic of the day: I'll be 59 in April and I still have all my hair. Mrs. Ohio is one lucky woman.
(I STILL can't grow a beard, though . . .) 7581. thoughtful - 3/1/2012 3:18:10 PM JudithAH...so sorry to hear about your health issues. My thoughts are with you. I know it's silly to say, but try not to get too stressed over the tests. It doesn't help anything, but only makes you feel worse.
The first time Dad had lung cancer we took this awful emotional roller coaster ride with every test result, hopeful sign, disaster threat, etc. None of it changed anything. The second time, we promised ourselves to stay on an even emotional keel and let the news, good or bad, just pass over us and did what we had to do. It was much easier to handle that way.
I'm sending you virtual hugs, strength, and courage. 7582. judithathome - 3/1/2012 11:55:36 PM Thanks, all...I'm making a conscious effort not to worry because it won't change anything and is extremely counter-productive. Get further tests on Tuesday and Thursday...I'm sure it's no big deal but I was freaked when I wrote that post upthread.
I'll be 69 in a couple of months and have been so lucky, health-wise, thus far that I ought to concentrate on THAT. 7583. judithathome - 3/1/2012 11:57:01 PM Concerned, watch out for that L-Arginine ...it's sort of an aphrodisiac. ;-) 7584. thoughtful - 3/3/2012 4:25:58 AM J@h, strongly suggest, if you don't already, to take up meditation. It has proven medical benefits, and only beneficial side effects. Meditation oasis is one of many free sources of guided meditations on the net. Most of them are only about 15-18 min long, but are minutes well spent, especially if done daily. Whatever you'll be facing will be better met with a more peaceful mind. 7585. thoughtful - 3/3/2012 4:31:10 AM Some of the proven benefits of meditation include presence of flu antibodies was greater in meditators after flu shot than nonmeditators. Meditation has been as effective as drugs in lowering blood pressure and has been found to be an effective pain reducer...especially meditation called mindfulness.
Jon kabat zinn of umass Has some MBSR meditations on the net...Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Really good stuff. 7586. wabbit - 3/3/2012 5:37:14 PM JaH, been thinking about you, hoping you are able to decompress as best you can. t'ful is right about meditation. I don't do it as often as I should, and I sure as hell can't get myself into that lovely lotus position.
Speaking of hair, JaH has the coolest hair. 7587. thoughtful - 3/9/2012 4:17:37 PM Any updates, J@H? Thinking about you. 7588. judithathome - 3/9/2012 8:52:20 PM The nerve compression test proved nothing...well, the doc said there were some "slight abnormalities" but not enough to qualify the test as anything but normal...when I asked what it might be, then, he said it might be "something starting up" but not advanced enough to show up yet...WTF? THAT was comforting!
Had my ultrasound on the mammogram yesterday and haven't had time to hear back yet. 7589. wabbit - 3/9/2012 8:56:54 PM Hopefully he would whip you in for more tests if he thought it was something to worry about. But what a lousy way to leave an appointment, hanging like that. I've said for a long time, if you want answers, ask a nurse.
T'ful, how is the hubby? 7590. thoughtful - 3/9/2012 10:04:48 PM Thanks wabbit, hubby is doing very well...all issues resolved and he's back to normal....thank goodness!
J@H, that's really annoying when they are so unhelpful...scare you to death and then a baba wawa nevermind.
I was so annoyed with my father's lung cancer when they found it, one doc wanted to wait...I said for what!! What's the point of early detection if they aren't going to do anything! 7591. judithathome - 3/9/2012 11:00:36 PM Well, I can see how they need to wait to make a definitive diagnosis but then, why even tell me anything at all?
I mean, when you get down to it, we're ALL just waiting for things to delvelop further...chances are no one who is 100% healthy is going to croak, given they keep an eye out for reckless drivers or defective equipment. 7592. thoughtful - 3/10/2012 3:42:55 AM Buddha's 5 Remembrances
1) I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.2) I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.3) I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape Death.4) All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.5) My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand. 7593. thoughtful - 3/12/2012 3:16:37 PM Recent tidbit...a daily hot bath for 8 weeks is more effective at relieving anxiety than Rx meds. 7594. OhioSTOPAS - 3/12/2012 8:50:22 PM It's true: Whitney Houston hasn't had any anxiety for weeks. 7595. OhioSTOPAS - 3/12/2012 8:50:35 PM (Too soon?) 7596. judithathome - 3/13/2012 7:53:04 PM Got a letter from the radiology lab just now...I need further tests to ascertain if the mass is benign or not.
So I called the doc and he won't be in until tomorrow and they will call me then.
I'm expecting it will be a needle biopsy and that it will be the same result as the last one.
Sorta curious how much all this would cost me if I were a poor woman w/o insurance....or a student at Georgetown U.
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