Opinions on my hairloss, and the thinning spreading.

[Derpicus]

I've been on finasteride for 5 and half months at the moment. I noticed thinning at the start of December 2013 but didn't think much of it then it became a concern and started on finasteride in near the end of June. I believe I'm around a Norwood 1 to 1.5 maybe a 2 if the thinning continues to spread. I suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder so I can't really trust myself for an opinion as my view of myself is pretty distorted... Nor do I have anyone close to ask for their opinion.

The photos in order are from before Finasteride, 2 months, and then 5 month mark I feel my hair has gotten worse from the 2 month mark and the 5 month mark. So I'm unsure if I'm responding well. I'll be at the 6 month mark at the end of december and I know the best results you see are at 12 months and 24 months but I'm just getting scared I really want to maintain what I have and if the thinning balds out I'll be a Norwood 2 for sure.


Would appreciate any comments/feedback I receive. Do you think the thinning is spreading or is it getting better? Thanks in advance. Should I possibly consider switching to dutasteride?

 

[zzzzz]

timeframe not long enough and nothing you can do but wait anyway to find out

 

[Derpicus]

Is it possible though that it's a sign that I'm maybe not responding to finasteride if I've noticed the thinning area spreading slowly? I'm just unsure if what I'm getting is the usual worse before it gets better. I want to tackle this as early as possible to keep what I currently have. I'm taking 2.5mg of generic finasteride daily like I was prescribed, and I've been using the Nioxin system. Is there any way sure way to know if I'm not responding? As I've heard dutasteride generally works for people who don't respond to finasteride.

I know this is a patience game, but I was really starting to believe finasteride was helping, I was noticing that my hair seemed fuller and thicker. But within the last 2 months the thinning just keeps moving up and it's making me stress. So I'm really trying to do everything I can to combat it.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

Unfortunately the only thing you can do is wait and see how you respond.

 

[massa]

Maybe research about using RU58841 in conjunction with finasteride

 

[hairlifted]

Hard to tell, that last pic does look a little better but I've heard it can take up to a year to see, so at least wait it out till then. Are you on Rogaine? Also, some people here have had success with dutasteride, but you definitely need to research it first to know what you could be getting into before you start that. Definitely should give it a little more time though, I'd say your a nw2 right now. I have a little more hair but similar corner receding as you.

 

[Derpicus]

I've just ordered some Minoxidil 5% Kirkland brand gonna try it out and see if it can help a bit. Gonna mainly use it on my temple as that's the only area that I've had thinning in my crown is still really full. It's hard to trust what I read online for dutasteride as what I read about finasteride almost kept me away from it. So I imagine it's the same thing for dutasteride. I'll probably just wait till I see my Doctor in January and get him to evaluate my progress on finasteride as he's been taking photos every 2 months so we have something to compare to. Just need to wait it out till I see him and start on the minoxidil.

On a side note, I've read that Nioxin is just as good as Nizoral as well as that it isn't as good. Should I be looking into getting Nizoral and switch off of Nioxin?