Propecia Results & Questions

[t.smith0987]

I know there's a million posts like these and I've read more than I can take but I guess I'm looking for experiences/results with Propecia alone.

I've been on 1/4 Proscar for two months (too early to tell anything I know) but its painful to wait, and now that I'm watching my hairline so closely I'm going crazy thinking it's getting worse. I've had the same pronounced v-shape hairline since I was 20 and it wasn't until recently I noticed any thinning. Got on finasteride after a dermatologist visit and honestly it seems like my slight thinning has gone crazy; and although admittedly I'm probably exaggerating a little, it has gotten worse, and fast. I'm not saying it's because of Propecia but I'm worried what's realistic to expect from the drug.

Reading these forums is pretty scary sometimes because it's littered with bad experiences and poor results. The studies float around 80-90% improved or no change but on these forums it doesn't seem to be the case. I don't know if that's because most people with good results move on or don't feel the need to post but its unnerving for a newcomer.

I guess I'm so jumpy because if Propecia just stopped my hairloss as is, thinning and all, I'd be happy. But things are receding now pretty fast and I'm worried that by the time finasteride does anything, my receding hairline would be too far receded. At the same I'd rather not get on Minoxidil unless I have to. I feel like I have to make the decision now because of how fast my hair is thinning.

So, to the point, aside from hearing your results, my question would be: What's realistic to expect given Propecia's results and my rapid thinning?

Like I said, even if I have no regrowth I'd be happy right now but things are advancing and at this rate by the time finasteride does stop/slows anything, if it stops/slows anything, I might not be happy with that hairline at all (the thinning area goes pretty deep into my head on one side). Can I safely assume finasteride will slow down male pattern baldness or should I get on Minoxidil now while I like my hairline?

Did anyone loose ground while on finasteride but make it back to where they started after the medication started working? In the thinning area, I have thin, but long hairs; is it unreasonable to assume they'll thicken?

It's a lot if questions I know...

 

[Digidako]

Reading your post makes me think I actually wrote it.. We are literally in the same exact same boat, minus the fact i'm 19. After first noticing my thinning I hopped on the big 3 + topical spironolactone right away. Literally everywhere I go I inspect my hairline and even ask my friends what they think about it. With regards to your question, the way I went about this more or less boiled down to the science behind it. Testosterone + 5AR = DHT, DHT + male pattern baldness gene = Hair loss. As i'm sure you know finasteride is a 5AR inhibitor, thereby stopping most of the conversion of testosterone to DHT. In my mind, seeing as DHT is the primary culprit in regards to hair loss, the lack thereof should make it very hard to further recess. I've been on a generic brand of finasteride called Firide, which I order from Thailand for just under 4 months and my hair has not improved, nor has it worsened. All science aside, at the end of the day the only other factor that I can add to this equation is time, and as hard as it may be to relax about it; it's something that has to be done. I take 1 picture of my hairline everyday and compare it to the last, just to record the progress and calm my psyche a bit. I see this as a battle that I am in with my genetics, and as in every battle there is usually only one winner. I wish you luck on this rocky road and just remember to never succumb to it. I've read so many bitter posts on forums of guy's who say hair loss has ruined their lives and I think that is an awful way to live. If it happens, it happens; just keep up with your treatment and add minoxidil when you see fit. If you want to view my progress post here is the link- http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/77786-Progress-thus-far.
Cheers.

 

[talmoode]

Reading your post makes me think I actually wrote it.. We are literally in the same exact same boat, minus the fact i'm 19. After first noticing my thinning I hopped on the big 3 + topical spironolactone right away. Literally everywhere I go I inspect my hairline and even ask my friends what they think about it. With regards to your question, the way I went about this more or less boiled down to the science behind it. Testosterone + 5AR = DHT, DHT + male pattern baldness gene = Hair loss. As i'm sure you know finasteride is a 5AR inhibitor, thereby stopping most of the conversion of testosterone to DHT. In my mind, seeing as DHT is the primary culprit in regards to hair loss, the lack thereof should make it very hard to further recess. I've been on a generic brand of finasteride called Firide, which I order from Thailand for just under 4 months and my hair has not improved, nor has it worsened. All science aside, at the end of the day the only other factor that I can add to this equation is time, and as hard as it may be to relax about it; it's something that has to be done. I take 1 picture of my hairline everyday and compare it to the last, just to record the progress and calm my psyche a bit. I see this as a battle that I am in with my genetics, and as in every battle there is usually only one winner. I wish you luck on this rocky road and just remember to never succumb to it. I've read so many bitter posts on forums of guy's who say hair loss has ruined their lives and I think that is an awful way to live. If it happens, it happens; just keep up with your treatment and add minoxidil when you see fit. If you want to view my progress post here is the link- http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/77786-Progress-thus-far.
Cheers.

this is one of the best posts I've ever read on this forum. Kudos to you!

 

[TheHandsomeLurker]

I know there's a million posts like these and I've read more than I can take but I guess I'm looking for experiences/results with Propecia alone.

I've been on 1/4 Proscar for two months (too early to tell anything I know) but its painful to wait, and now that I'm watching my hairline so closely I'm going crazy thinking it's getting worse. I've had the same pronounced v-shape hairline since I was 20 and it wasn't until recently I noticed any thinning. Got on finasteride after a dermatologist visit and honestly it seems like my slight thinning has gone crazy; and although admittedly I'm probably exaggerating a little, it has gotten worse, and fast. I'm not saying it's because of Propecia but I'm worried what's realistic to expect from the drug.

Reading these forums is pretty scary sometimes because it's littered with bad experiences and poor results. The studies float around 80-90% improved or no change but on these forums it doesn't seem to be the case. I don't know if that's because most people with good results move on or don't feel the need to post but its unnerving for a newcomer.

I guess I'm so jumpy because if Propecia just stopped my hairloss as is, thinning and all, I'd be happy. But things are receding now pretty fast and I'm worried that by the time finasteride does anything, my receding hairline would be too far receded. At the same I'd rather not get on Minoxidil unless I have to. I feel like I have to make the decision now because of how fast my hair is thinning.

So, to the point, aside from hearing your results, my question would be: What's realistic to expect given Propecia's results and my rapid thinning?

Like I said, even if I have no regrowth I'd be happy right now but things are advancing and at this rate by the time finasteride does stop/slows anything, if it stops/slows anything, I might not be happy with that hairline at all (the thinning area goes pretty deep into my head on one side). Can I safely assume finasteride will slow down male pattern baldness or should I get on Minoxidil now while I like my hairline?

Did anyone loose ground while on finasteride but make it back to where they started after the medication started working? In the thinning area, I have thin, but long hairs; is it unreasonable to assume they'll thicken?

It's a lot if questions I know...

Everyone is different. If you look at results reported in medical literature, some people see almost no effect, while others see complete regrowth and cessation of hair loss. Obviously both of those are extreme outliers. On average, finasteride will cease hair loss and induce some minor regrowth.

Accelerated thinning at the beginning of a course of finasteride isn't uncommon. In fact, some people would say that the acceleration means that it's working.

As a final word, I commend you for consulting your dermatologist.

 

[t.smith0987]

I appreciate the responses, thank you. I have good days and bad days. I think I'm going to ride out Finasteride for a few more months without Minixidil (Good Day). I still have good density in the thinning area and my hairs are still long but just so very thin but if minoxidil could work now I'm sure it could wirk in four more months so I might as well fight the urge and wait for Propecia to try and thicken on it's own. I have time before that area just disappears; as hard as it is believing that because I'm learning this battle is not for the impatient. I'll see what it does for me and be sure to post the results. Thanks again!