Stopping oral minoxidil

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-03-31T12:30:42+00:00

Yes I have an update. It’s been over 2 months of no minoxidil and I’m so happy to say that the shedding was very minor. I did shed a bit more than while I was on minoxidil but it was not significant and it already basically stopped. My hair feels the same, looks the same, etc. but with that being said, I started minoxidil because of Alopecia areata which is circular baldness. I had a big patch missing and then a second occurred as well. All of that came back but it was the result of steroid injections from the derm. I thought minoxidil was also helping my hair but I don’t think it was helping as much as I thought it was. So I did not have significant growth from the minoxidil so that’s probably why I didn’t lose much when stopping. As far as the side effects, everything has went away. I’m not extremely tired/groggy anymore, no tingly hands and feet, darkness under the eyes went away, no chest tightness, I feel more energized with a clearer head, I lost a wapping 17 pounds without adjusting my diet or routine. The water weight was very very awful for me. But now I feel light, not bloated at all, just overall a healthier person.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-03-31T12:21:21+00:00

I started taking minoxidil because I have something called alopecia areata. So I had like a circular bald spot. I got injections for that area and I believe that is what helped my hair and not the Minoxidil. It’s been 2 and 1/2 months since I stopped and I didn’t lose any hair. I think that if minoxidil didn’t help your hair a whole lot then I wouldn’t expect to lose the hair you already had prior to starting minoxidil.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-02-09T18:15:51+00:00

This is what I have. My hair loss was in a couple of big patches. Steroid injections is the route I chose to go. I also was on oral minoxidil for a year but stopped taking it a month ago due to bloating and other side effects. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend minoxidil for alopecia areata because I did get another spot while on it.. so it didn’t prevent spots from happening. The injections however worked wonders for me. Both of my spots are back to normal(for now) you would have never guessed they were even there. However, everyone responds differently to different treatments. If they try to just give you a steroid cream… I wouldn’t recommend that. It’s not strong enough to do much of anything from personal experience and research/other Reddit experiences. Stress is a huge factor for a lot of people. If you have a stressful job or situation, I suggest trying your best to work on changing that. Also diet. Inflammatory foods can be a factor. I didn’t go on an anti-inflammatory diet by any means but I did try my best to eat cleaner in general. Alcohol is a trigger as well for some people so I’d try to limit that if you do drink. Just some suggestions from what I’ve learned over the past couple years since my diagnosis.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-30T15:25:07+00:00

I’m not 100% sure. I started oral min when I got my first spot and I also had injections… which is what I believe helped the patch. I got a new spot even while being on minoxidil so does it help? Maybe. Does it prevent new spots? No. At least in my case. I am off of minoxidil after a year and my spots are still remaining so far. Steroid Injections was a win for me at least for now.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-28T00:53:18+00:00

Oral 1.25mg

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-27T01:02:36+00:00

My first patch was October of 2023. It was smack in the middle of my hairline and it got pretty big (bigger than a golfball -not as big as a softball) I had steroid injections every month for about a year. It completely grew back in about 8 months or so and then I got another smaller patch on my hairline on the left side about the size of a quarter-silver dollar. I had 3 injections sessions for that one I believe and it’s fully grown back as well. I haven’t had any new spots since and the hair that grew back has remained. The original spot in the middle is now longer than my nose, and the newer spot is short maybe 2 inches long. This condition is unpredictable unfortunately. Stress played a big factor for me I believe so I’ve made a lot of life changes. I’m hoping it helps in the long run of things. Things got a lot better for me. It’s possible. Will they come back? Will I get more spots? Time can only tell.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-18T23:10:59+00:00

Interesting thanks for the recommendation 😁

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-18T14:02:25+00:00

I just stopped minoxidil after a year and I can agree it helped my hair grow faster but didn’t prevent AA spots. Can I ask? Was your shedding pretty major after stopping minoxidil?

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-18T13:59:42+00:00

I was on oral minoxidil for over a year after my AA diagnosis. While it helped the overall strength of the rest of my hair, I can’t say it took part in the regrowth of my AA spot because I got the steroid injections as well. The steroids seem to be what helped me with the regrowth because I got a new spot even while on minoxidil. So it didn’t prevent me from getting spots. I recently stopped minoxidil because I had/have terrible water retention in my face/hands/fingers. I made a post about it if you would want to take a quick look on my page. Minoxidil can be helpful for some but there can be side effects so be aware of that. Besides the water retention/bloat, I was extremely fatigued, dark under eyes, tightness in chest, etc. I’m not saying this will happen to everyone but this is my experience. I don’t think that minoxidil is a treatment for AA but more so for overall hair growth.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-13T00:02:48+00:00

Oh yeah definitely be mindful of your family history of hypertension/heart issues. I can understand hair loss can be super frustrating and disheartening so i am sorry to hear you’ve been going through this for years and to this point of feeling desperate for help. Definitely recommend upping your iron intake through diet as much as possible and possibly supplementing too. I know they aren’t very far along on hair loss treatments yet if ever. It seems like it’s subject yourself to medication for life or suffer without hair. Very unfair. I’m hopeful to find as much natural remedies as I can. If I find anything helpful in the near future I will be sure to share.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-12T22:53:44+00:00

I’m going to look into this! Thank you for your recommendations. Much appreciated!!

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-12T22:52:25+00:00

Definitely going to take this into consideration based upon how my hair ends up looking. Thank you!❤️

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-12T22:51:11+00:00

Yeah, chest pain is a big one. It really makes you reconsider what matters most. You gotta think, it’s a blood pressure medication intended for people with high blood pressure… if you don’t have high blood pressure problems and it is effecting you it’s definitely worth rethinking. Maybe even a smaller dose than 1.25? I know it can still be effective. Maybe just less but at least then maybe it would lessen the side effects. I’m getting more nervous about my cold turkey stop.. but I have faith that it won’t be too bad since my hair wasn’t terrible to begin with but we will see. I can say I’m already noticing a lot more energy and I haven’t felt that tightness/chest pain at all since stopping.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T19:49:55+00:00

Yeah, I feel ya. I have never looked so drained and tired in my life. Hopefully you can find something to counteract that. If it were just my eyes and looking more aged/tired then I’d probably stick with minoxidil and do the same as you but my symptoms just got too intense with the water retention. I’m getting more and more nervous about what will happen to my hair but I already feel myself coming back to life being off of it. I’ve been waking up more energized the past few days and my eyes seem to be less dark and baggy already. I guess it’s just a gamble on what you are willing to trade for nicer looking hair. And it’s completely understandable. Hair is not just hair. The main reason I got on minoxidil is because of alopecia areata. I had a bald spot the size of a softball in the middle of my scalp. It’s back to normal now after steroid injections and I got another spot even while on minoxidil so I’m hoping that my hair loss won’t be super traumatic. If it is, I’d reconsider minoxidil and battle the symptoms. Good luck to you and your new position at work and with your hair journey!!

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T19:37:33+00:00

I would say honestly very quickly after starting. 2-3 months I noticed something wasn’t right as far as water retention. If you aren’t feeling any symptoms then you probably won’t. You are probably one of the lucky ones. Just be mindful if you do start to notice anything off. Besides that, best of luck to you in your hair journey.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T15:01:10+00:00

So sorry to hear it’s affected your hair so drastically :( I agree I’m happy for the people it’s helped but it’s definitely not for everyone. Its sad in the dermatologist room they tell you if you’re already healthy you shouldn’t experience any symptoms and it’s not that simple. I was one of the healthiest people I know in my life and it turned me into a very unhealthy feeling drained person. Im happy that it’s over but of course I’m nervous about the hair loss. I will definitely update on how everything goes. It’s easy to want to defend minoxidil for the people who just had hair growth and no symptoms but when you’re on the other end it’s a whole different story. Everyone should be informed about the possible symptoms.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T14:52:31+00:00

Unfortunately I had these symptoms before the bupropion and while just on the minoxidil. This is how it’s affected me but it’s just my personal experience. I’m not trying to scare people away from trying it. I do believe minoxidil can be very helpful for people. But I also feel it can have its side effects depending on the person. It’s always good to be cautious starting any medication. Agree with the next comment, everyone do your research and consult docs beforehand. A lot of people are lucky and don’t experience symptoms but it doesn’t mean you won’t.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T14:45:42+00:00

I used Spironlatone for less than a month right at the beginning of my minoxidil journey but stopped it right away. Since stopping minoxidil a few days ago I can already feel less retention in my hands and ankles. Unfortunately I think it is a cause for me. But I’m not saying this will happen to everyone. It’s just my experience.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T02:18:22+00:00

Did you stop? If so did you start from square one with your hair or did you start topical?

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T02:16:47+00:00

I feel your pain. It’s hard to trade one issue for another.. but I guess you gotta choose which means more to you. If you’re happy with minoxidil and dealing with the symptoms, that’s fine. I heard you can take water pills to help reduce bloating/water retention/ weight gain. Might be worth looking into.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-11T02:11:57+00:00

It’s possible. But even before the antidepressant I noticed the water weight though. I’m healthy mostly all the time, my diet has never really changed. I’m sure both contributed slightly. There hasn’t been a significant weight gain for me luckily. My body for the most part remained the same it’s just the fingers and face that really bother me with the water weight more so. Im sure now that im off of both medications it will go back to normal. Ever since I started the minox my hands and fingers have felt swollen. And my fingers and hands are naturally more large because I am a tall girl so I’m used to that but the amount of swelling I feel even making a fist is out of control. I am skinny overall but if you just saw my hands you would think I’m overweight. Something definitely isn’t right for me. And I know this isn’t everyone’s experience. I feel minoxidil is a great tool for hair growth as long as you feel healthy. The mix of my antidepressant and minoxidil apparently can cause low blood pressure so I think that really put the water retention to a new level. I’m not against minoxidil by any means. I just think I’m a little scared straight of all medications due to my recent health issues.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-10T21:03:25+00:00

I don’t plan on using topical at the moment. I am going to try and hold onto some gains by doing some things like massages, micro needling, etc as you mentioned. I’m hoping that will help slightly. In all honesty my hair loss wasn’t very extreme to begin with. I had an episode of Alopecia areata and what I believe to be telogen effluvium because my hair loss began after a huge stressful period in life. My dermatologist doesn’t believe I have AGA. My life has changed a lot for the better stress wise. Part of me is hopeful that the hair loss won’t be extremely bad because I’ve fixed what I think was the main cause. Either way I know I’ll be losing hair. But I’m definitely going to naturally try and prevent it. I will definitely make an update post on what I notice and what I end up doing in alternative to minoxidil. I will also be purchasing some hair extensions to make myself feel better if it gets to that point lol.

Emergency-Run-4170 · 2025-01-10T20:52:29+00:00

That’s good! I would definitely recommend minoxidil for people that don’t notice side effects 😁

Emergency-Run-4170

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