2 Month Finasteride Shed - Advice Needed

[kungfukenny]

Hey guys, new here, 23 years old, wanted to share my story and hopefully get some advice as I'm going through a hard time atm. (Sorry it's gonna be quite a long post)

So in about march 2017, when I was going through a lot of personal problems (not sure if this contributed to it?) I noticed my hairline was receding. Over the course of the last year I noticed it was slowly but gradually receding further, so in April of this year I decided to get on propecia 1mg, hope that it would halt my hair loss, and eventually in the future get a hair transplant.

For the first 6 or so weeks on propecia, everything was going fine, no shed, no sides, and I was feeling fairly optimistic. But on the 7th week and the 3 weeks following I've noticed I'm losing hair. My hairline is very quickly getting worse and I feel like I'm losing hair on the top of my head too (which I didn't think would ever be an issue as my brother is probably nw3 and has no crown hair loss, just hairline).
Every time I run my fingers through my hair I get 2/3 long hairs come out, I'm probably shedding 50-100 hairs a day, not entirely sure as it's hard to count. I don't get any hairs on my pillow when I wake up though or in the bathtub, just when I run my fingers through my hair. It seems to be getting worse and more severe by the day, and its really affecting me.

Is this a normal shed? Or am I one of those people who respond badly to finasteride? If I continue shedding at this rate how much longer should I keep taking finasteride before deciding whether it's working or destroying my hair? I didn't think it would be this bad.

I've read countless threads similar to mine (with contrasting results) and know ultimately, there's no way of knowing exactly as every individual reacts differently to medication, but I was just hoping to get some advice/feedback/comments as I'm really scared right now and I don't know what to do.
Thankyou in advance for any replies.

 

[kungfukenny]

Forgot to add - my hair quality feels so much worse. Dry, less density. I've had no other sides from propecia, maybe a slight increase in libido, nothing noticeable, and today my head has been quite itchy, but other than that no sides.

 

[Sliceofbread]

Yup you are screwed

 

[kungfukenny]

really? I've been thinking that but I'm not gonna lie seeing your reply has really made me feel down. What should I do? Stay on propecia for another couple of months? Or stop taking it? I'm really scared.

 

[kungfukenny]

Can I upload pictures through my phone?

 

[Retinoid]

As you said, it is impossible to know. According to clinical trials, Propecia helps 88% of Caucasian male to keep and or grow their hair. I think it is important to not focus on the hair when you are going through treatments. Minoxidil, which actually does decrease hair initially, caused a terrible shed for me but my thinning area looks better even with the shedding. You just need to stick with it and give it enough time before making a decision. Just stop worrying.

 

[Alphalete]

can you post before and after pix?

 

[kungfukenny]

As you said, it is impossible to know. According to clinical trials, Propecia helps 88% of Caucasian male to keep and or grow their hair. I think it is important to not focus on the hair when you are going through treatments. Minoxidil, which actually does decrease hair initially, caused a terrible shed for me but my thinning area looks better even with the shedding. You just need to stick with it and give it enough time before making a decision. Just stop worrying.

Thanks man, appreciate the reply.
The reason I'm so scared is I'm starting to see scalp at the top of my head, which I didn't think would ever be an issue! So since I've been on propecia, my hairline has gotten worse, I can see scalp and my hair quality feels worse! Is that part of a shed? Is it likely it will grow back? How much longer should I give it?

I know I probably sound pathetic, but it's literally all I think about lately and it scares me so much. I'm going to try and stay positive though.

 

[kungfukenny]

Hey guys just a quick update - I checked my hairline today and although my hairline seems to be receding further very slightly, I've noticed some peach fuzz hairs along my hairline. What does this mean? Is it a good thing?

 

[Alphalete]

why are u ignoring my question? we want to see some proof if you really have gone below baseline or if you are overreacting

 

[hopeforhappiness]

Hey guys just a quick update - I checked my hairline today and although my hairline seems to be receding further very slightly, I've noticed some peach fuzz hairs along my hairline. What does this mean? Is it a good thing?

It could be regrowth. Sometimes it takes a long time for these hairs to grow in length and diameter and become pigmented. Sometimes they never grow any longer than an inch.

It is a bit rare to notice this so soon into treatment, but it is technically possible.

Often if hairline recession is agressive the hairs will fall and fall until they grow back as patches of tiny clear hairs known as ‘vellus’ hair. These will remain until the area becomes ‘slick bald.’

This has nothing to do with treatment and is just another stage further in the miniturization process. If your treatment works well these areas may be saved.

 

[kungfukenny]

why are u ignoring my question? we want to see some proof if you really have gone below baseline or if you are overreacting

Sorry man didn't mean to ignore you, I'm not entirely sure how to upload pictures because I'm on my phone but I'm gonna try to upload some.

 

[Alphalete]

Sorry man didn't mean to ignore you, I'm not entirely sure how to upload pictures because I'm on my phone but I'm gonna try to upload some.

upload to imgur and then copy the link

 

[kungfukenny]

It could be regrowth. Sometimes it takes a long time for these hairs to grow in length and diameter and become pigmented. Sometimes they never grow any longer than an inch.

It is a bit rare to notice this so soon into treatment, but it is technically possible.

Often if hairline recession is agressive the hairs will fall and fall until they grow back as patches of tiny clear hairs known as ‘vellus’ hair. These will remain until the area becomes ‘slick bald.’

This has nothing to do with treatment and is just another stage further in the miniturization process. If your treatment works well these areas may be saved.

Thanks for the reply I really do appreciate it, I feel so lonely and scared right now, just talking with other people helps.
Last couple of days I seem to be shedding less, but I can see scalp at the top of my head and it's freaking me out so much I didn't think I'd ever lose hair on the crown! Should I just quit finasteride? Or stay on it for longer? It seems to be making my hair worse at the moment.

 

[kungfukenny]

upload to imgur and then copy the link

Thanks man

 

[kungfukenny]

Are the photos working? The first 3 are from last September/October and the last 3 are from 7 days ago. I feel like it's gone slightly worse again since last week though so I'll take some more pics as soon as I get home and upload them.

 

[Alphalete]

Looks the same bro

 

[Alphalete]

Your right temple might've even filled in a bit.

 

[kungfukenny]

As for my scalp, I don't have any before pictures as I never noticed or thought I would lose hair at the crown so never checked, so maybe it's been like that for a while? I don't know, but it definitely feels like it's getting worse and my hair quality in general just seems worse.

If the photos are working, the first 2 are of my scalp with dry hair, and bottom 2 are with wet hair.

 

[Alphalete]

I think your hair has maintained, and even maybe SLIGHTLY improved. Hair colour might've change a bit. But overall, I don't see why you're worried. Other members can tell me if I'm wrong but according to me you're at least maintaining.