Misc questions

[Norcal88]

I tried finding a general-type thread for something like this, but the search didn't turn up anything. Sorry if it already exists.

-People have said you're much better off at your general physician than going to see a dermatologist. Why is this? As long as you get your prescription, what are the differences?

-Does finasteride have any affect on athletic performance? I know there are sides intellectually (fog) and the varying sexual sides, but is there any kind of fatigue or decrease in strength? I'm familiar with gynecomastia, so is there an uphill fight to stay in shape?

-Does genetics play a role in treatment effectiveness? Are people with recession going to react better if they are the sole receder in their family?

-How bad is the ball ache? It scares me.

-The FAQs say that if you go through the big shed when starting meds, it means they're working. Is it something to get excited about? What is a ballpark time that this happens when the hair cycle is re-aligned?

I should be on finasteride & nizoral by the end of the month, so whatever I learn early on I will gladly share.

Sorry if these are re-hashed questions. Any insight to any of these is greatly appreciated!

 

[The Gardener]

I'll give my two cents on a few of these:

-Does genetics play a role in treatment effectiveness? Are people with recession going to react better if they are the sole receder in their family?

Genetics plays a HUGE role in the effectiveness of treatments. Some people might be great responders to minoxidil, but finasteride is just kind of blah for them. Others, vice versa. For some, neither treatment works. And yet for others, both work great. nizoral and finasteride are a great starting point. See how you react to them, give it six months to a year. I don't think that whether or not you are the only receeder in the family has any bearing on this.

-The FAQs say that if you go through the big shed when starting meds, it means they're working. Is it something to get excited about? What is a ballpark time that this happens when the hair cycle is re-aligned?

It's a good sign, but I wouldn't say its something to get excited about. I've never been on finasteride, but for minoxidil, you can expect the shed 4-6 weeks after you start treatment. It wasn't disastrous... I think seeing the hair in the shower floor was more shocking than was any visible "damage" to my hairline. You get through it. You'll start seeing signs of regrowth 4-6 months later, but it takes an entire year or so before your scalp completely cycles through, and the shed hairs are once again visible.

These are based on my experiences. Others might have a different take.