Hair today...'s story

Hair today...

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Hi all

I'm 23 and noticed the beginnings of my hair loss a number of years ago. At around 20 my hair began falling out in a fairly major way. At the time I was under an incredible amount of stress - this may have contributed to the problem. Anyway, at first I was rather shocked and yet also in a state of denial. My father is bald but hadn't lost his hair until around 30 so I assumed any loss on my part was at least a decade away.

Anyway I left it for awhile but all the while slowly coming to accept that this was the onset of male pattern baldness. My hair continued to thin and recede, and yet I seemed to have adjusted well to the idea that hair loss was a thing I could do nothing about. I knew nothing of treatments such as propecia or rogaine. Indeed, if anything I was more concerned with becoming concerned with hairloss, if you know what I mean. I know a good number of guys who are bald/getting there and show no signs of confidence loss or depression. I was fearful of becoming someone obsessed with an inevitable physical change - 'does it really matter' I wondered.

A good number of months ago I came across info on pro. and rogaine and suddenly began to wonder if hair loss really has to be inevitable after all. Since then I've sort of yo-yoed between not caring and now and again becoming anxious over what I'm losing, even more so given that I could actually be doing something to prevent it.

So a few weeks ago I went to my GP - I live in the UK - and he gave me some info on both propecia and rogaine. Not being a specialist he was somewhat vague I might add. He gave me web details on where I could order rogaine but was wary of prescribing propecia (said he would if I really wanted it) due to possible side-effects such as loss of libido. I pressed him on whether taking the two medications at once would have any greater effect but he doubted it.

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm still unsure as to what to do. Although my hair has thinned considerable any further loss seemed to have stopped for about a year now - or at least it's been ocurring incredibly slowly. What should I do? Try rogaine which my doctor admitted didn't work for everyone or get him to prescribe propecia? What is the likelyhood of side effects from the latter? What is this nizoral.(?) stuff people keep mentioning here?

Anyway, I have to say this board looks really informative and I must read through it - you all seem to hold a level of knowledge about this problem in another league from my GP. Thanks in advance.


...gone tomorrow!
 

imissmyhair

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try propecia, if u get no side effects stay on it for a year to see if u will get any results. nizoral is a dandruf shampoo
 

Hair today...

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Hi imissmyhair

Thanks for the repply. I've read through a bit more of the site and forum and propecia with nizoral does seem to be the way to go. My concern about the former treatment are the sides. The sort of questions I have running around in my head are 'what proportion of users actually have experienced these - is there much of a risk?', 'what exactly are they - just libido loss?', 'how long on treatment before they generally kick in?'.

From what little I've read I've come across scare stories about irreversible side-effects that have ruined people's lives. Do you know if there's any truth in these stories or are they little more than fantastical nonsense?

Finally, I think I'm at or have approached a Norwood 2 stage of loss with diffuse thinning and so wonder whether I should consider the minoxidil(?) stuff that apparently stimulates regrowth. From what I've read propecia only performs a holding task as a dht blocker and doesn't cause regrowth. Any thoughts?

So many questions!! :?
 

Weepy

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Hair today... said:
From what little I've read I've come across scare stories about irreversible side-effects that have ruined people's lives. Do you know if there's any truth in these stories or are they little more than fantastical nonsense?

As with any medication, there are risks. Taking propecia is a calculated risk; you need to balance its potential cosmetic value with its potential for inducing gyno, etc. It has been studied for a long time. I am certain the sides are reversible.

There may be instances where the sides are irreversible. But in most every case, these are anecdotal. I have not seen any clinical literature. This does not mean I would discount people's stories. But it is also possible that the patient is confusing his symptoms with Propecia use.

The only advice I can give is to try it, and monitor yourself closely. Not obsessively, but closely. I am going to try to follow this advice myself. I have been irrational/hysterical lately, and not able to think clearly. I am trying to calm down. Posting helps.
 
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