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Re: HAS ANYONE SEEN ANY RESULTS FROM SAW PALMETTO?From: Barbra (anonymous@obgyn.net)Mon, 10 Dec 2001 16:49:05 -0600 (CST)
At Mon, 10 Dec 2001, tera wrote: > >Hi! > >Thank you for posting the info on your experience with saw palmetto. >I've heard that it helps some and doesn't help others. I started taking >it not too long ago. Haven't noticed any changes yet but I'll keep >trying. My hair is REALLY thinning. It was really thick in the first >place but I can definately tell that it is effecting my hairline (I can >see through it right in the front). It is good to hear someone having a >good experience with saw palmetto. Question: How much per day are you >taking? Second question: If you are insulin resistant, have you been >taking anything to help with the IR during this time? Thank you for some >good information. > >Also, just for clarification and to others who will read this post - to >my knowledge alopecia is a term that simply refers to any abnormal hair >loss. It does not mean that you will go bald if you have alopecia. >Total baldness in women is very rare. There are many types and causes >of alopecia (abnormal hair loss). The women who have PCOS and who are >experiencing hair loss or male pattern balding are probably suffering >from androgenic alopecia. This means alopecia (abnormal hair loss) >caused by excess androgens. > >Again Barbra, thank you! God bless! Tera > >At Mon, 10 Dec 2001, Barbra wrote: >> >>At Wed, 5 Dec 2001, anonymous wrote: >>> >>>I have been taking Saw Palmetto for about 3 months..and it seems like my >>>hair may not be thinning as much and that the hair under my chin and on >>>my legs doesnt grow as fast...maybe its all in my mind??!! Anyone else >>>seen anything significant? Thanks! >> >>Hi, >>Yes,I have been taking Saw Palmetto for a little over a year now. >>I attribute my thick hair of head,once again to this herb. >> >>I noticed the same as you did....I noticed that less and less hair was >>falling out daily....it is normal for women to loose approximately 100 >>hairs per day...but I was loosing clump fulls and was afraid to wash or >>brush my hair,as to get so depressed that I would become bald.....and I >>pretty much did at a point where I lost most of the hair on the crown >>and on the sides.The male pattern baldness....not alopecia.My hair was >>so thin that you could see thru it. >> >>They assumed this was related to a thyroid condtion....but as you >>know....the infamous PCOS.I did not know that I had this disorder,as I >>didn't have hair growth on my face,neck,etc.I didn't fit the classic >>syptoms of the syndrome. >> >>I must say that Saw Palmetto and Dong Quai have stabilized my hair >>growth....I assume the Saw Palmetto,rather than the Dong Quai.Dong Quai >>had regulated my menstrual cycle and I started to ovulate again.Took >>time,but it is definitely worth a shot.I do suggest though,that you >>research any herbs that you consider taking,as some can interfere with >>the other meds that you are taking for your PCOS.This is just a >>precautionary measure for you,as I have not seen any sideeffects for >>combining Saw Palmetto with other meds....but just not to give you the >>wrong advice. >> >>Dong Quai is known as the femal Ginseng...it is an adaptogen....which >>says alot. >>It strenghtens the system....especicaly good for those with hormonal >>problems. >>I attribute being more relaxed from this herb.No known side effects are >>known to occur with it's use,but before taking it,I would check with >>your endo. >> >>Also,if you battle some anxiety,I may add that a tea made from Kava Kava >>has proved to work wonders.It should not be taken over a prolonged >>period of time,as it can have effects on the liver.A cup every second >>day before retiring,should work wonders for your mood. >> >>I take this tea whenever I feel overwhelmed at what I am going thru...it >>does not sedate you,rather,it gives you a personal sense of well being. >> >>Again,I still suggest that before you try even simple herbs,that you >>check out what and if they have side effects .Most pose no risk...but >>some are as dangerous as meds. >> >>I also had no hair on my legs,and surprisingly,none on my big toes,as I >>always had to have the hair removed when I went for a pedicure.Now the >>hair is back on my legs and only in the places that it should >>be.And,lots on my big toes....lol! >> >>I may just have nipped this in the bud with Dong Quai,as I show some >>hormonal problems...but not the hirtuism and others that most of you >>have.The only unusual hair growth that I had,were about ten hairs >>growing from my neck.Now,they don't grow anylonger. >>There may be something related to this Dong Quai,as it is has estrogenic >>effects. >>I am still keeping my fingers crossed. >>Keep up the herb and you shall see that in all probability,is you have >>already noticed a significant differance,it should only improve with >>time. >> >>I hated having to resort to wearing my grandmothers wig whenever I left >>the house...lol!Now,I am proud to show my crowning glory once >>again..although the testure is now more course and alot darker in >>color,but I also,once again,started to color it,to add more body and get >>rid of the grey. >> >>I will keep my fingers crossed for you,as the hair loss was the first >>indication of my myriad of symptoms,and it certainly made me feel >>ashamed and my self esteem was shot. >> >>Another good thing for hair growth,,although,I know the problems we have >>are strictly hormonal,is to try cayeen pepper scalp massages to >>stimulate hair growth.Hey,I tried it all...something worked. >> >>Good luck to you!=) >> >>-- >>Sincerely, >>Barbra Camara >> >-- >Tera > Hi Tera, Thanks for responding so quickly. Also,thank you for correcting me with the way I termed "alopecia".....I do understand that it is rare for women to go bald.I guess I thought that my hairloss was making me look balled and my hair stylist refused to even color it anymore,thinking that it may just make matter worse.She did say that she thought it was some hormonal problems,,she was the first to tell me that I had alopecia.That is when I had asked the doctor. My doctor said that I did not have alopecia,as I did not have AREA'S OR PATCHES OF HAIRLOSS,just abnormal hairloss.I totally agree with you on saying that it still meets the criteria of apopecia.I agree that alopecia is any ABNORMAL HAIR LOSS!,especially with the excessive androgenic effects....gosh,these doctors! Sometimes I wonder if these doctors actually know what they are saying. I had heard of alopecia and seen women affected by it who lost patches of hair...but mine was like your problems....thinning especially at the front and crown and alot at the sides.You could see parts everwhere,yet not significant areas's where there was not any hair growth.I had read several articles on it,and still argued with my doctor that I had alopecia and he said that I did not.I figured that I might as well give up,as he was the one with the degree...lol!I still find this so frustrating and still worry that I will go thru this again when I start treatment for the PCOS.It is so nice to be able to wash my hair daily and see almost no hair after combing thru,before was absolutely awful,,it would just clog the drain up in the shower stall.I could just touch my hair and could pull out clumps and I mean clumps. Anyhow,here is what I take in Saw Palmetto:160mg softgels Each softgel contains 160 mg of 85-95% fatty acids and sterols. (equivalent to 1600 mg of powder). This dosage taken twice daily, is what clinical trials are base on. There are many different types,,,but my nutritionist gave me this one to take....I had taken the 500mg powder caps prior to this one. There are so many different brands out there. Hoping this helps you some. I get mine ,actually a generic brand,,as good as the Swiss Brand that I was currently taking and alot less expensive.Mind you,compared to other herbs,this one is certainly not that costly,,thank goodness. Also,there is one that I take as a combo,with Co Enzyme Q 10 and grape seed extract. For now,I remain quite baffled that they are not giving me anything for IR...accept chromium+ vanadium...this is supposidly something that is good for IR,as well as depression.This was given to my by my Pshchiatrist....he has had success in treatin patients with depression with this,although I don't think it helps me at all,,,in fact,I seem to notice that when I take it..I get really hyper and when I don't take it for a week...I feel much better.Also,he treats alot of is IR patients with this,as they come in to see him for their depression due to IR. This is currently the only thing,as well as a high protein,low carb diet,that I am taking for my IR. My doctor has also noted that I could have been Growth Hormone deficient...which he feels can attribute to alot of my current symptoms. I am unsure. I am seeing the new specialist here in Winnipeg,one that is familiar with this syndrome of PCOS and IR...I am certainly hoping he can explain things to me in layman terms.This medical jargan is boggling my mind.I am totally confused at times. Hoping you success with the Saw Palmetto....it took me about six months to notice new growth of hair,that appeared as little stubs standing on end....that is how I feel most of the time...lol...like hair that was standing on end from touching an electric circuit. Then the new hair and the head of hair that I have now,is certainly not the same texture as I had before.I had lots of hair,and was more or less normal in texture,,a little fine,but lots of it....now is course and thick,,u cannot even see any parts or thinning,,in fact,I have more hair at the front than I ever did and am now having to have my hair layered monthly to keep it from being so heavy and it does grow more or less about an inch and a half,as I have it colored once again,so I can measure the growth. Did you also notice a sessation(stoping of growth of hair)?I did,,,it just not only fell out,but stopped growing,as did the hair on my legs. Be well friend, God bless you for having strength to cope!
-- Sincerely, Barbra Camara
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