The way I understand it, the drying up and shriviling of everything is a natural part of the plant. I've read if the flower (bud) looks pale, it's healthy.

You mentioned your plants lost a lot of foilage.... If it's near to say the half way point of flowering... Depending on strain, light, temp, age, etc. it may be normal for it to loose many of it's leaves. If the flowers are forming into nice buds, keep growing them. Look for about 70% of the bud to change in color. Use a scope to veiw the progresson of change in color in the trichomes. If you can't get hold of a way to see the trichomes, you'll have to use do it by eye... At least get a good magnifying glass and look them over every day if possible.