New to Finasteride

[shawk42233]

I've never thought about taking meds for hair loss until a year ago when I (and my family) started noticing my thinning hair. My crown started to thin out and recently I can tell my temple area is rapidly losing hair. I read a lot about Finasteride/Propecia online, and finally decided to see a dermatologist this week. The dermatologist was pretty quiet about Finasteride and didn't really check my hair at all, and she prescribed me Finasteride after 5 minutes. Although I felt like she could do more diagnosis or ask more questions, I let it go because my goal was to get a prescription for Finasteride. I have no idea if my insurance will cover the cost because the pharmacist said my doctor has to send out a request to the insurance company, and it could take up to 2 weeks. I just paid the $60 for 30 pills and left.

I've been pretty paranoid since taking my first Finasteride 2 days ago. I'm bracing for the scary side effects but none has hit me yet. Even though I really didn't want to start this medication, I know I have no choice because I really like my hair... although I'm really torn that I'm risking my health to hold on to my precious hair. I just want to know what was running through you guy's minds before deciding to take Finasteride, although we all know we have done our research and know that Finasteride is no joke (many have labeled it as "poison").

I'm also using Rogaine to hopefully "increase" the chance of growing back some hair, and I'm also taking Fish Oil and multivitamin daily and working out at the gym at least 3 times a week. Do you guys know what I can do more to maybe "stay healthy" and avoid the side effects?

Thanks, and I wish everyone luck in preserving and growing their hair!

 

[zzzzz]

you are not risking your health finasteride is extremely safe and you wont get sides regardless of what you do over 95% of the time

 

[Fermat]

Trials show that even the control groups have a high incidence of side effects, likely because of all the fear mongering that goes on with finasteride. Even though the test group did get more side effects, when compared to the placebo it was not much of a difference.

I'm on day 7 of finasteride at the moment, so pretty new to it as well. It's hard to tell what is caused by the finasteride and what's not. I naturally have always had roller coaster-like mood and energy patterns and don't want to blame finasteride for them but sometimes I can't help it. Anyway the only real side effect I think I've had so far is less pleasurable orgasm, yet still as easy to reach. It will likely resolve soon though I hope, but if not, it's not going to make me stop. Like you, my hair is precious to me and I've always hated my appearance on bad hair days... If I went bald, I'd lose all my confidence as far as looking for a partner is concerned.

 

[tacoblacho2]

I just took my first Propecia today. Also a bit worried of those side effects, but hoping for the best.

 

[shawk42233]

Thanks for the replies! I'm on Day 6 and still haven't experienced any severe side effects. But I did get sick the first day I took it, which I believe is pure coincidence (I have a sore/dry scratchy throat... still have one now). And I do feel like my mind is not as sharp this week... not as severe as calling it a "brain fog", but kind of like scattered-brain. I guess you can't really tell if it's real side effect or just your mind playing tricks on you! :/

 

[tacoblacho2]

took my 3rd propecia today, so far so good!

 

[Fermat]

Thanks for the replies! I'm on Day 6 and still haven't experienced any severe side effects. But I did get sick the first day I took it, which I believe is pure coincidence (I have a sore/dry scratchy throat... still have one now). And I do feel like my mind is not as sharp this week... not as severe as calling it a "brain fog", but kind of like scattered-brain. I guess you can't really tell if it's real side effect or just your mind playing tricks on you! :/

You still getting the 'scattered-brain' feeling? I felt weird and anxious during the first ~8-9 days of taking it, but it could have been purely the anxiety of taking finasteride that caused it all. But I'm definitely back to normal now. Either i've stopped being anxious or my body has got used to the shock of killing off most of my DHT.