Hey guys, hope you're all good.
Firstly, this forum rocks.. can only wish I'd gave stumbled across this a few years ago!
Anyway, brief back story - 24 years old, suffered pretty bad thinning when I had hives (autoimmune condition) at 18/19 years old.. and since then my hair has just progressed in a diffuse loss pattern with definite receeding (though I'm still probably a NW2). Before anyone asks I'm sure it's male pattern baldness as sides + back aren't affected.
Anyway I've had a roller coaster ride with Propecia. Finally bit the bullet in January this year and gave it a go - but had to stop after a week as I had unbelievable testicular pain and definite ED, to the point where the pecker felt almost totally "numb". I then stopped.
Anyway about a month later I talk to a friend who I'd noticed recently had MUCH thicker hair than when I was at uni with him 4 years ago - turned out he'd been on propecia since 2nd year, and he said it took about 12 months before he started getting gains and the few years after that it was coming back thicker every cycle. I also visited a specialist who recommended the same thing - so I convinced myself to start but only 0.5mg a day.
First 3 months were fine - actually felt like increased libido. Until about a month ago when I was definitely picking up sides again - the numbness (which 100% can't be psychological even though I wish it was), difficulty keeping even half mast, huge drop in libido.
So I left it for a week, and decided that a hair replacement (wig) is the only viable option I'll have once it gets worse - which after seeing how good they look doesn't bother me. This actually felt like a huge relief.
But being the curious person i am, 2 weeks ago i decided to give Propecia another 2 months at 0.5mg a day. And since then, extremely (almost non existent) sides.
Now the observations in this journey so far - my previously oily acne prone skin eventually turned into incredibly dry skin which caused a horrendous breakout. But since then my skin has been the CLEAREST it's ever been in my life. I used to get spots daily, now it's maybe 1/2 a week at most, and they're gone within a day or two.
My hair loss - I'm shedding like a b*tch at the moment, but with my skin looking so clear it doesn't bother me so much? Is shedding on propecia normal?
My questions are, how do your stories relate with this? Am I being absolutely ridiculous by sticking to a medication that has previously caused me very noticeable sides? Or is it common that once your body adjusts you'll be fine? Did you guys have sides that came and disappeared once you adjusted dosage? How much of an effect does DHT have on clear skin? Did anyone shed alot but found the gains came back?
Personally after seeing how good my mates hair looks compared to before (was extremely noticeable thinning).. and the positive effects on my skin I'm tempted to give it 12 months and assess where I'm at. Just wanted to see your opinions!
Appreciate this is a lot to digest so hopefully of you stuck to the end
Cheers,
M
Firstly, this forum rocks.. can only wish I'd gave stumbled across this a few years ago!
Anyway, brief back story - 24 years old, suffered pretty bad thinning when I had hives (autoimmune condition) at 18/19 years old.. and since then my hair has just progressed in a diffuse loss pattern with definite receeding (though I'm still probably a NW2). Before anyone asks I'm sure it's male pattern baldness as sides + back aren't affected.
Anyway I've had a roller coaster ride with Propecia. Finally bit the bullet in January this year and gave it a go - but had to stop after a week as I had unbelievable testicular pain and definite ED, to the point where the pecker felt almost totally "numb". I then stopped.
Anyway about a month later I talk to a friend who I'd noticed recently had MUCH thicker hair than when I was at uni with him 4 years ago - turned out he'd been on propecia since 2nd year, and he said it took about 12 months before he started getting gains and the few years after that it was coming back thicker every cycle. I also visited a specialist who recommended the same thing - so I convinced myself to start but only 0.5mg a day.
First 3 months were fine - actually felt like increased libido. Until about a month ago when I was definitely picking up sides again - the numbness (which 100% can't be psychological even though I wish it was), difficulty keeping even half mast, huge drop in libido.
So I left it for a week, and decided that a hair replacement (wig) is the only viable option I'll have once it gets worse - which after seeing how good they look doesn't bother me. This actually felt like a huge relief.
But being the curious person i am, 2 weeks ago i decided to give Propecia another 2 months at 0.5mg a day. And since then, extremely (almost non existent) sides.
Now the observations in this journey so far - my previously oily acne prone skin eventually turned into incredibly dry skin which caused a horrendous breakout. But since then my skin has been the CLEAREST it's ever been in my life. I used to get spots daily, now it's maybe 1/2 a week at most, and they're gone within a day or two.
My hair loss - I'm shedding like a b*tch at the moment, but with my skin looking so clear it doesn't bother me so much? Is shedding on propecia normal?
My questions are, how do your stories relate with this? Am I being absolutely ridiculous by sticking to a medication that has previously caused me very noticeable sides? Or is it common that once your body adjusts you'll be fine? Did you guys have sides that came and disappeared once you adjusted dosage? How much of an effect does DHT have on clear skin? Did anyone shed alot but found the gains came back?
Personally after seeing how good my mates hair looks compared to before (was extremely noticeable thinning).. and the positive effects on my skin I'm tempted to give it 12 months and assess where I'm at. Just wanted to see your opinions!
Appreciate this is a lot to digest so hopefully of you stuck to the end
Cheers,
M