Posts made by BearWithMe

I suspect this is a contributing factor to the recent surge of aviation accidents.

Salicylates cause hearing loss when applied topically. Again, this is not a proof that topical diclofenac cause hearing loss. But given the similarity of both substances, it is another reason to be very careful when using diclofenac on your head

Salicylic acid is a β-hydroxy acid. It may be used at concentrations of 20% to 30% for treatment of acne, rosacea, melasma, hyperpigmentation, mild photoaging, and rough skin. By acting as a lipophilic keratolytic agent, it produces exfoliation and dissolves follicular impactions, resulting in a reduction of acne lesions. Additional benefits of salicylic acid are antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties. When applied, the acid crystallizes and may be visible after the first minute. After 3 to 5 minutes, the face is gently cleansed with tap water. Salicylic acid peels can potentially result in systemic toxicity, with the presence of nausea, hearing loss, tinnitus, and central nervous system dysfunction.

Source:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2016.03.004
page 589

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glycolic-acid

Diclofenac is getting popular as experimental hair loss treatment, but there is theoretical possibility of it causing hearing loss.

I got terrible tinnitus after first application to the scalp. Then I found this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/tinnitus/comments/u1hl53/im_an_idiot_i_may_have_just_made_my_tinnitus/

Ototoxicity associated with topical administration of diclofenac
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28583486/

It might be a coincidence and not caused by the diclofenac, there is no reliable evidence of diclofenac being ototoxic when applied to the scalp. But there is very good evidence of general ototoxicity and n=2 reddit-post evidence of ototoxicity when applied to the scalp.

The hair loss studies used elderly subjects, likely with some level of pre-existing hearing loss, this is why this possible side effect might got unnoticed.

I prefer to be bald over being deaf so even if there is 0,01% chance of hearing damage I'm going to err to the side of caution. Use your own discretion to decide whether the risk is worth for you and pay attention to your hearing when using diclofenac.

I just received my tube of diclofenac, but got terrible tinnitus after first application to the scalp. Then I found this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/tinnitus/comments/u1hl53/im_an_idiot_i_may_have_just_made_my_tinnitus/

Ototoxicity associated with topical administration of diclofenac
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28583486/

It might be a coincidence and not caused by the diclofenac, there is no reliable evidence of diclofenac being ototoxic when applied to the scalp. But there is evidence of general ototoxicity and n=2 reddit-post evidence of ototoxicity when applied to the scalp.

I prefer to be bald over being deaf so even if there is 0,01% chance of hearing damage I'm going to err to the side of caution

@LetTheRedeemed Do you perceive any signs of higher testosterone?

@wrl We tried dried prunes. Would you say that prune juice is more effective?

Thank you very much, @LucH !

@LucH Vitamin C is contraindicated with blood thinners I think, but the carrot salat is actually a brilliant idea. Will buy some carrots and olive oil ASAP!

What would be the safest laxative for people who are taking plenty of prescription medications, icluding blood thinners, diuretics, blood pressure and thyroid meds? Cascara is apparently contraindicated, and so are high dose b-vitamins + magnesium? Any help would be greatly appreciated

@Mossy said in Diclofenac gel to regrow hair on bald head and beard:

@Hearthfire said in Diclofenac gel to regrow hair on bald head and beard:

@BearWithMe the gels on amazon are Diclofenac sodium 1%

Yes, this is what I'm finding as well. I'm only seeing the sodium variety, everywhere I look.

For example, Voltaren - the best selling and most popular Diclofenac gel - is diethylamine.

Have you tried xylitol?

There are two types of topical diclofenac, diclofenac diethylamine and diclofenac sodium. Diclofenac sodium was used in the available hair loss studies

not all topical diclofenac formulations are the same

Treatment of alopecia areata by topical diclofenac sodium gel in comparison to benzoyl peroxide gel. A novel single blind therapeutic clinical trial
...
Patients were instructed to apply topical 1% diclofenac sodium gel twice daily for 2 months to all affected patches with gentile massage.
...
Few and tolerable adverse effects were observed during the course of the treatment of both topical gels, like erythema and itching, but these was resolved spontaneously during the course of the therapy without interrupting the treatment course
...
The present study has proved its effectiveness in the treatment of AA as 21 (65.9%) patches showed complete hair regrowth at the end 4 months of follow up.
...
The topical multiple successful therapy lead us to speculate that all of them
work through the same mechanism by irritation of the keratinocyte of the hair follicles, and the epidermis to induce the release of immune mediators. These mediators will regulate the dysregulated immunity, hence, stimulating the arrested growth of hair bulb to regenerate again producing a normal coarse hair, this so called “irritant theory” could be applied to other skin diseases like vitiligo.

https://smj.org.sa/content/smj/27/7/1079.full.pdf

@Mossy Be careful not to cause the side effects just by expecting the side effects. Wish you the best of luck.

It is very interesting that Diclofenac is apparently effective for both hair loss and beard loss. The pathology of the two seems to be very different, almost the opposite?

Can we feed the fire by sources other than food?

What happens when a man with 3000 kcal fire eats 2000 kcal diet?

@voldtzeig said in Peaty Looksmaxxing?:

And whatever you have to do to keep your hair. Keep your hair.

How would you go about keeping one's hair?

@Mossy said in Diclofenac gel to regrow hair on bald head and beard:

After some additional research, I'm going to have to count out taking Diclofenac gel for now, based on potential severe stomach issues, such as ulcers and deterioration of the lining.

If I understand these posts correctly, some users of Diclofenac take an additional supplement or drug to counter the lining deterioration, ulcer issue. That seems like a tightrope that would be hard to walk, getting the balance just right. At least for someone highly susceptible to side effects.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChronicPain/comments/bn7a7z/comment/en3g3zc/

Please correct me if I'm worng. I think these side effects are somewhat common when oral Diclofenac is used, but super super rare when it is applied topically? European drug regulatory agencies doesn't seem to list any such effects, only local irritation / skin-related side effects, and possible allergic reactions (asthma, swelling, very rare, less than 1 report in 10 000), nothing else. Anecdotal evidence seems to support that.

But obviously, with drug / supplement sensitivity you described, one never knows

@winters Thank you

@winters I do suspect lead poisoning. What kind of test did you do? Testing for heavy metals is tricky, as the metals seems to be very selective in where they accumulate, and might not be detectable in blood. Is hair test reliable?