Just got back from the dermatologist...

[JHCL1990]

Kinda f*cking pissed. She did NOT give me propecia, and instead told me to use minoxidil for 4 months then come back, and if I still want propecia then she might do the bloodwork and prescribe it.


To be honest I think I'm going to see another doctor. She didn't seem to know what she was talking about. She pretty much told me that I have androgenic alopecia and it's impossible to stop the hair loss and all you can do is slow it down. She said minoxidil is just like propecia but topical, and when I told her I heard it only works for 2-3 years she said that's incorrect. She also said it's impossible to regrow hair once it's lost and all you can do it slow down the loss of what you have. On top of this, she said that no dermatologist will EVER prescribe proscar (5mg finasteride), and the generic propecia (finasteride) is 80% bio-something where as brand name propecia is 100% bio-something, so the brand name propecia is better to use.


Oh, and she said the flush/rash niacin gives you means your liver is overworked and I shouldn't take it anymore.


Thoughts on this mess? All I got from her is that I might as well shave my head right now and my baldness cannot be stopped. I feel like I went in there just to be kicked while I'm down.

 

[SayifDoit]

Yes she has no idea.

 

[Vlatch]

And this is why some men order propecia online =/
You should have walked out when she said minoxidil was like a topical propecia, she hasn't done any research on the mechanism of these products !

 

[JHCL1990]

What is a good site to order it online for relatively cheap?

 

[AddictedtoSoftDrinks]

That lady sounds like an idiot in this field. I mean come on. Shes just repeating a script that she was taught. I dont think she spends as much time as some of us on here doing hair research.

 

[Vlatch]

Because of fakes I'd be cautious about ordering cheap (often generic) finasteride online. I've ordered two boxes of original propecia on pharmacy2u, they make you fill a document first where you state your symptoms and you get an online prescription after a few hours. It may be bull**** but the fact that they didn't sell it like cheap candy made them less suspicious. I received my package in three days.
But I plan on getting a real prescription with my generalist after I've finished these boxes !

 

[theonelink]

Kinda f*cking pissed. She did NOT give me propecia, and instead told me to use minoxidil for 4 months then come back, and if I still want propecia then she might do the bloodwork and prescribe it.


To be honest I think I'm going to see another doctor. She didn't seem to know what she was talking about. She pretty much told me that I have androgenic alopecia and it's impossible to stop the hair loss and all you can do is slow it down. She said minoxidil is just like propecia but topical, and when I told her I heard it only works for 2-3 years she said that's incorrect. She also said it's impossible to regrow hair once it's lost and all you can do it slow down the loss of what you have. On top of this, she said that no dermatologist will EVER prescribe proscar (5mg finasteride), and the generic propecia (finasteride) is 80% bio-something where as brand name propecia is 100% bio-something, so the brand name propecia is better to use.


Oh, and she said the flush/rash niacin gives you means your liver is overworked and I shouldn't take it anymore.


Thoughts on this mess? All I got from her is that I might as well shave my head right now and my baldness cannot be stopped. I feel like I went in there just to be kicked while I'm down.

My Doctor refused me too. Here in the UK we have lloyd's pharmacy, pretty much the most legit pharmacy around. I submitted photos of my hair to doctor's on the website and they approved the script... legit propecia whenever I need. Costs the full £60 a month though. Don't you get this service?

 

[JHCL1990]

My Doctor refused me too. Here in the UK we have lloyd's pharmacy, pretty much the most legit pharmacy around. I submitted photos of my hair to doctor's on the website and they approved the script... legit propecia whenever I need. Costs the full £60 a month though. Don't you get this service?

I don't think so. And that's pretty expensive!

 

[Notcoolanymore]

The thing that sucks the most is he went to somebody that should know about hair loss. It is ridiculous how little doctors actually know about hair loss. With as common as hair loss is, most if not all doctors should at least know the basics. I went to two doctors that told me there was nothing I could do for my hair loss. I wasted years because of their ignorance.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

The thing that sucks the most is he went to somebody that should know about hair loss. It is ridiculous how little doctors actually know about hair loss. With as common as hair loss is, most if not all doctors should at least know the basics. I went to two doctors that told me there was nothing I could do for my hair loss. I wasted years because of their ignorance.

Thankfully, my derm is the nicest woman/doctor I have ever met. She was incredibly smart about all things hair loss, particular male pattern baldness. It really surprised me seeing as how I had this picture in my head that women wouldn't know as much because they never really have to worry about losing their hair until they're really old. Anyway, she told me all about finasteride, and how her husband used it for many years, and never really suffered any bedroom related side effects at all. She was very honest about potential risks and had tremendous bedside manner. Long story short, it was a good experience for me. I'm surprised to hear there are so many bad experiences out there. I guess it's because nobody gives a crap about balding men, and/or don't understand how it feels to look into a mirror and see something that has been a part of you since birth slowly drift away.

 

[Donny J]

curious -- what's with the niacin? as in, why do you take it?

 

[JHCL1990]

curious -- what's with the niacin? as in, why do you take it?

Supposed to be good for blood flow (it can pump more blood to your body and scalp and help your hair and muscles) and cholesterol. I'm going to keep taking it. Why? Because a lot of doctors prescribe 2-3 grams per day to help patients with cholesterol problems and I'm only taking 1 gram. The niacin flush is normal and you get a blotchy red rash all over for about 1-2 hours. Big f*cking deal.

P.S. If I die from liver failure don't take it =P

The thing that sucks the most is he went to somebody that should know about hair loss. It is ridiculous how little doctors actually know about hair loss. With as common as hair loss is, most if not all doctors should at least know the basics. I went to two doctors that told me there was nothing I could do for my hair loss. I wasted years because of their ignorance.

Yep. I went ahead and ordered some finpecia and keto 2% from all day chemist. The drugs were cheap as dirt, but the shipping was $25 lol. Going to try and schedule with another Doctor.

 

[Donny J]

Supposed to be good for blood flow (it can pump more blood to your body and scalp and help your hair and muscles) and cholesterol. I'm going to keep taking it. Why? Because a lot of doctors prescribe 2-3 grams per day to help patients with cholesterol problems and I'm only taking 1 gram. The niacin flush is normal and you get a blotchy red rash all over for about 1-2 hours. Big f*cking deal.

P.S. If I die from liver failure don't take it =P

i also take niacin, but i only started as a way to help with some pfs mental sides i've been experiencing... you know they have the time-released/no-flush versions, right? I wonder if using that version would actually be better, as it will increase blood flow to the scalp throughout the day, as opposed for just an hour or two??

 

[JHCL1990]

i also take niacin, but i only started as a way to help with some pfs mental sides i've been experiencing... you know they have the time-released/no-flush versions, right? I wonder if using that version would actually be better, as it will increase blood flow to the scalp throughout the day, as opposed for just an hour or two??

I've actually read those versions are BS, provide no benefits and are WORSE for your liver.

 

[Donny J]

I've actually read those versions are BS, provide no benefits and are WORSE for your liver.

source?

 

[Agahi]

You need to learn to lie man. When the Doctor asked about minoxidil you should have said you already where on it for years. You may also consider saying you already had a finasteride script and it expired, saying you simply need a new one(this is what I did). Im beginning to realize you have to do everything you can(lie, mislead ect) to get people to do their job these days.

 

[JHCL1990]

You need to learn to lie man. When the Doctor asked about minoxidil you should have said you already where on it for years. You may also consider saying you already had a finasteride script and it expired, saying you simply need a new one(this is what I did). Im beginning to realize you have to do everything you can(lie, mislead ect) to get people to do their job these days.

Good idea. Fiiiiinally got an appointment with a GP for a month from now. I'm going to tell him I've been using keto 2% shampoo and minoxidil for about a year and they haven't helped much.

 

[GoldenMane]

Most dermatologists and GPs are grossly uninformed about hair loss.

I spoke to a GP and he pretty much admitted that he knew nothing about male pattern baldness or propecia and refused to prescribe it because he knew nothing about it. I actually told hikm about the mechanism and that it is FDA approved and he said he'd look into it. When I went back he still hadn't looked into it. I decided to go to HRBR (Hair Restoration Blackrock) in Dublin instead, My initial consultation was pretty expensive, a couple of hundred Euros for some (very good) photos and a script. The finasteride itself was dirt cheap though, about €50 for a years supply. All my subsequent consultations and prescriptions will be €80 though, so it will cost me no more than €130 a year. It's just a pain taking the day off to go there.