Re: only been 4 months, but....
getting_impatient!!! said:
I am getting worried, though reading this site has made me relax a little now knowing more about hair loss issues.
Education on a topic always helps disspell fears about it. Im glad the site has helped.
getting_impatient said:
Brother told me that the crown was thinning and I should look at Rogaine.
Everyone says Rogaine at the drop of a hat, typically because its all most people know about. This is because Rogaine has been much more heavily marketed, even though Propecia is far more effective at obtaining the goal that people who've just begun to thin are seeking.
getting_impatient said:
Went to see a doctor, and she put me on Propecia.
Wow, an educated doctor. Im speechless
getting_impatient said:
I am about to finish up with month 4 and I see nothing.
Looks like your educated Doctor forgot to mention the most important thing: Propecia takes time. Minimum 6 months, sometimes a full year, before you stop seeing hair loss. 4 months is insufficient time.
getting_impatient said:
I even complimented it with Rogaine again and started to get the itching and flaking, but this time the itching is much worse.
The flaking is likely worse because your Doctor likely also forgot (or had no idea) to mention that you should be using Nizoral shampoo along with your Propecia regimen. An anti inflammation / dandruff shampoo was required of all Propecia trial participants. Sometimes I wonder why Propecia isn't sold with a bottle of this shampoo. Without it you will likely NOT see the same results. More confusing things in the world of medicine I guess.
getting_impatient said:
Is it normal to still have hair loss at 4 months with propecia? Is this the "shedding" that I keep reading about?
To the first question, yes. I shed for a full four months before I saw it even begin to slow. Some shed for 12 months before they see it slow and stop. To the second question: its impossible to answer. There is no "Is this shedding or something else" meter we could attach to your head, and the appearance of the bulbs is irrelevant unfortunately. The most I can say is "yes its very likely". What you're seeing is very common.
getting_impatient said:
What is the best combination?
For hair maintenance, if you're using Nizoral along with it, Propecia should be 100% sufficient. I would save the rogaine for when you really need to regrow new hair. There's absolutely no reason to use Rogaine *and* Propecia for someone who has a full head of hair that is beginning to thin, unless you find after 6-12 months that the Propecia isn't working. Then add Rogaine. Make sure you use Nizoral shampoo (grocery store shampoo aisle by the rogaine) once every 3 days, and let it soak while you shower.
getting_impatient said:
Should I keep taking Propecia and buy the Nizoral for the scalp irritation? Will the Nizoral keep the Rogaine from flaking?
To the first question, yes. To the second question, I'd say hold off on the Rogaine entirely for now. You're only 25. You need to maintain your hair for at least another 40 years. Pace yourself. If Propecia works alone, save Rogaine for 7 years down the road when its effectiveness begins to decline. Use the Rogaine and Propecia now and you potentially use up your two biggest options all in the first 5 years. Then what will you do? Hope something new comes out in that time
getting_impatient said:
Will Nizoral help regrow hair? Is it prescription only?
Non prescription strength is all most need and its in the grocery store, blue box, next to rogaine in shampoo aisle. 2% prescrip version is available in various places online for those who have tried the regular for 3-6 months and not seen cessation of inflammation.
getting_impatient said:
I know propecia stops hair from falling out and sometimes regrows hair. Do I have to keep using Rogaine if I want regrowth? SO Confused!!!!!!
Yes, anything you stimulate into growth on Rogaine lives solely because of Rogaine. Anything you maintain because of Propecia, is maintained only via Propecia. Rogaine only bypasses the cause of hair loss. Propecia stops it. Much more intelligent solution.
Your biggest challenge is going to be not looking in the mirror for the next 8 months. If you still have a FULL head of hair that is just thinning a little bit, and have not lost enough density that you can count hairs over a bald spot, I suggest dropping the Rogaine, sticking with the Propecia, adding the Nizoral, and .... be patient. Wait until April before you get concerned. Your hair isn't going to go anywhere in 4 months even if it seems that it is shedding. Shedding is just growth and resting phases, and those hairs that you shed aren't "Dead" just because they fell out. Those same hairs will grow back in in 4-8 months. Propecia decides whether they grow back in healthier or not.
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