Newbie

[Pirate]

Yes, another one here Im afraid! Have spent the last hour or so browsing the forum and thank god Ive found a non bulls**t site at last... came across quite a few up till now!

Appologies if my question has been covered before, Ive had a brief look but couldnt find the answer...

Im from the UK, 27 by the way... in July have noticed quite a severe thinning on the whole top of my head, to the point where Im pretty damn sure Im screwed (no receeding mind). I know theres no miracle cure but judging by some of the posts here theres a way of fighting it and delaying the dreaded outcome, plus putting some hope/confidence back into some individuals in the same boat...
I have spoken to my mother about this and she thinks Im paranoid etc and not to go down the Propecia road, but to be honest if I dont go down without a wee fight, I think I'll live to regret it (and I am driving myself MAD about it right now, its doing nothing for my confidence and motivation in life).

What I need to know is do I have to get a pescription from the Doctor? Or can I order direct off the net?

Ive gotta say Ive been very impressed with the overall support and general help in the posts/topics Ive read tonight. Its such a shame the decent folk can get stung with this : (

thanks in advance for any help

 

[SE-freak]

Pirate,

Normally propecia is a prescription drug. You can buy it online w/o prescription though. Have in mind that propecia's active ingredient is 1mg of finasteride which is EXACTLY the same active ingredient as the one found in proscar tablets. The only difference is that a proscar tablet contains 5mg of finasteride. Many chose to buy proscar and split it in 5ths spending a fraction of propecia's high cost.

Before jumping on these though, if your loss does not resemble the Norwood pattern, I would recommend to make sure that your loss is not due to other factors such as low iron or thyroid misfunction.

Feel free to ask any further questions.

Welcome on board, Pirate.

 

[Weepy]

SE-freak is right. Make sure you rule out other possibilites. See a physician, review your health history. If necessary, get a legitimate prescription of either Proscar or Propecia. IMO, it's just best that way. You can go to a retail store and be sure of what you're getting. I get a little paranoid about these sort of things, and try to stick with name brand stuff where drugs are concerned. This is because I went generic with some contact solution, and that turned out to be a real mistake.

 

[Pirate]

Thanks SE & W, really appreciate you replying. I guess you can appreciate the helplessness Im feeling at the moment.

Yes I have read up on Proscar, Im sure I saw some guy get flamed on a sister website for using that and not the 'real mccoy' Propecia, but I guess its different strokes for different folks.

Well I think I have what is know as 'diffused' thinning. About 6 months ago I could easily spike my hair fine, I mean its always been fairly thin but I noticed on holiday that the top of my head (ie all around the 'horsehoe') is now alot thinner than the back and sides now, and my scalp is alot more noticable.
As I said no receeding but I have a friend who has gone pretty much the same way, but is 5 years older than me and has left it WAY too late to do anything about it now.

Im a bit worried of being fobbed off by a doctor - I know they're there to do there best and Im not one to moan, but the experiences Ive had in the past is that they are rushed and I have been told something is nothing so many times, only to do my research on the net and then go back & tell them what I think it is and to be proved right!
I will look into seeing a specialist/physician as you have suggested, just have to find out what ones are around this area.

Thanks again - it means alot

 

[Weepy]

Im a bit worried of being fobbed off by a doctor - I know they're there to do there best and Im not one to moan, but the experiences Ive had in the past is that they are rushed and I have been told something is nothing so many times, only to do my research on the net and then go back & tell them what I think it is and to be proved right!
I will look into seeing a specialist/physician as you have suggested, just have to find out what ones are around this area.

That attitude is not accceptable, regardless of whether they are busy or not. Your complaint is legitimate. You should NEVER feel like you are putting them out. They are there to help you. Too many patients blame themselves for their sickness; even worse, many doctors blame the patient, too. So they take it out on us by ignoring us. Too many a**h** doctors in the world. I get livid everytime I think about this one Doctor. I saw.

 

[Axon]

If you think it's male pattern baldness, it probably is.

Look into the treatments. We've got great FAQs on the forums and on the main page. Find out what's right for you.

Hearing what you're saying, I'd go all out on the big three: Minoxidil, Finasteride, Nizoral. These treatments were effective for me, but I'm a classic male pattern baldness style balder (complete with horrfying bald spot!) rather than a diffuse thinner.

 

[biff]

I am in the same situation as you with diffuse thinning all over the top. I asked my doctor about Propecia and he was pretty much useless. He didn't even offer me a prescription. I used Rogaine/Regaine for two years up until recently and my hair continued to get worse over that time. I have now been on Propecia for two months (purchased online from http://www.inhousepharmacy.co.uk/).

The side effects people have reported initially put me off, but like you, I thought I would regret it if I didn't at least give it a go. There are a small minority who will get sides with practically all prescription medications and those that get them are usually much more vocal than those that don't. I did get minor sides, low libido and achy balls, but these have gone since reducing my dosage. These sides can go after your body gets used to finasteride, but I wasn't prepared to ride it out. Instead, I reduced my dosage to a level that didn't give me any sides, just 0.25mg a day (1/4 Propecia). Apparently low doses can work well with some people so I am hoping 0.25mg will be enough for me. I got sides on just 0.5mg so hopefully my body won't need as much for it to be effective. There are people who take 1.25mg a day and don't get any sides.