I am a 30 year old female. I am 7 months post-op from a first ht operation(1800gr) and I am loosing the new hair. Has this happened to anyone else? Can I regrow them some how? WHY did this happen????

My family:
Mom Thinning hair (minor)
Dad Completely baly
Bro Receeded hairline

My history:
72 May Born genetic male
95 Jun Diagnosed: Gender Identity Disorder
95 Jul Gender change iniated: Female hormones
96 Jan Diagnosed: Male Pattern Baldness
96 Jan Rogain & Proscar (no results)
97 Jan Depression and Drug addiction
00 Apr Sobreity and recovery started
01 Jan Female Hormones returned
02 Jul Castration (little results)
02 Oct HT 1800gr
03 Jan Graphs breaking at 1mm
03 Mar Graphs have fallen out in center
03 Apr More break offs and larger bald area
03 May Depression but no Drug Addiction

Please over look any personal differences and help one another. Please: principals before personalities. Help I am extreemly depressed and have lost most hope for growing my hair back. NOTHING has worked for me and I had NO LIMITATIONS on what I would try. I WANT MY HAIR BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
I had alot of shock fall out, probably lost about 500gr so far, and if they all go, an 1800gr less doner area. I will then look even worse soon - God forbid!!

Premarin 0.625mgx2/1x day for 2.5 yrs
Medroxyprogesterone 2.5mg/1x day 2.5 yrs
Proscar 5mg 1/4th pill/1x day 5.5yrs replaced with Dutastride(Avodart) 0.5mg/1x day 1 wk
Spironolactone 100mg/2x day 2mo

Gosh Purpella, I really do feel for you in your situation, as I'm sure your new friends do on this forum. So you do have a lot of support and people to talk to that have their own unique situations.

I wish I could help you more physically, so all I can do is act as a friend and do what I can. I would first take a step back, take a deep breathe so to speak, and prepare for the challenge you have to face, and try and do so positively. All of us face or have faced similar physical challenges, to differing degrees. Like Jenn said yesterday, try to find the good things in life going for you, I'm sure you're a great person so that's most important, and look forward to whatever you can - work, friends, upcoming trip, pets, whatever.

On the physical aspect of it, I would consult a dermatologist. Possibly it's a temporary situation, maybe due to the medication, who knows. I know you have already consulted your HT surgeon. He did say this has happened to 2 or 3 others. Did he say what the resolution was for the others? If the resolution was positive then that will give you a ray of hope on that path. Maybe consult with another recommended HT surgeon and tap their knowledge. Maybe they have some insight.

I wish I could help more, but I had to pop in and do what little I can. I hope someone on this forum has knowledge on this situation, but either way, I'd work on the mental aspect first (maybe professionally) then tackle your challenge. Believe me, you'll be a stronger person once you have successfully tackled your situation in whatever manner you do it in.

Very good idea about the step back and prepare... advice. I noticed the problem got even worse this morning - I am so scared. I went to my family doctor today for a referral to a dermatologist. I also got something for depression and anxiety. I cant believe that i am back on there meds again I need to get my mind off all this some how.
My ht surgen said one patient didn't regrow hair the second time either. One did regrow the second time.
Btw, hair fallout happened before any med change.
This stuff is soooo hard to talk about, but it gets easier. I got to get this stuff out. I feel so much better now. Thanks for the positive input too.
Purpella

There are so many factors involved here. This situation isn't very straightforward. There are probably very few cases of a born male becoming a female and then the MPB continues.
There is such a hormonal cocktail going on that it is hard to isolate what the cause is. I'm no doc, though.
What I can say is that problems that seem insurmountable are made defeatable through knowledge, peer support, and self empowerment. That is easy for me to write and possibly tough to implement. But it can be done if you believe they can be achieved.
You are taking the right steps. You are getting educated and seeing some professionals on this matter. It is not an easy road, but you are on the right path. Stick with it and don't give up on yourself. There is too much great with life to not keep the head up and the eyes confidently looking forward.
That is the advice and help I can provide. I wish you the best of luck.

vocor1
Knowledge is Power
If the worst question is the one never asked, then the worst answer is the one never shared.

[This message was edited by vocor1 on May 06, 2003 at 11:35 PM.]

Purpella
I think you need to partner with an expert doc on this matter.

Also, if your grafts are truly "lost" you should consider asking for a refund. I don't think that is entirely unreasonable.

Hang in there and keep searching.

Hi Purpella,

"96 Jan Diagnosed: Male Pattern Baldness"
This is a good thing in that Male Pattern Baldness from what I'v read here is easyer to treat.

See your doctor and make sure nothing else is wrong. And when they tell you your fine and you have a clean bill of health, This hair thing will be fixed. Many people on this site have had great hair transplant's and there are great hair transplant Doctor's that can help.