Question. Been on Propecia 20 months

[Billmartini]

Okay. my story is not good. I started propecia almost 2 years ago because I noticed alot of hair falling out. I've been trying to have the same shaggy, beatlesesque haircut ever since i was a young kid. I'm 23, almost 24 now.

When I started the drug, I was already overly observant of each hair that would fall o ut. But i'm pretty sure I had a major shed, and continued over subsequent months to shed regularly. My hair has been thinning diffusely ever since, at a pretty strong rate. When I went on finasteride, i had thick hair, now you can see a pretty large bald spot developing on top of my head, basically the size of my hand.

I know you don't take such claims seriously, but I have had major depression and stress problems ever since highschool, when i think I may have started thinning. My diet was for about 4 years terrible, one meal a day, drinking like crazy till 4 in the morning. all that.

Furthermore, i've never been very good about taking my pills. missing alot of days. at least 2 a month. so i'm sure that impacted things. My question, finally is, is it definately time to give it up? I made some poor decisions that may have affected things, but there's not much i can do about that now. is there a chance that, like the thread says, I could be repeatedly shedding from the drug?

what should I do? i dont want to go on minoxidil. i tried that once for about a month and it was a terrible mess. I'm not gonna shave my head right now either to make application easier.

-ben

 

[hair_tomorrow]

Okay. my story is not good.
-ben

Hi Ben - I don't think a few missed pills are hurting you - but it's definitly time to look at cleaning up your lifestyle.

See your GP - tell him if you really think you're depressed - maybe all you need is a mild anti-depressant (what the hell do I know?)

But start eating right. If time's an issue - get a 6 pack of those cans of Slim Fast and knock 1 down for lunch - they're chock full of vitamins.

And take vitamins.

And get your 8 hours.

And don't drink to excess.

And take your meds - especially your finasteride.

If after you straighten out your lifestyle and finasteride still isn't doing it for you - graduate to dutasteride. - or check out minoxidil - you may not want to - but going bald is not for the feint of heart.

 

[Billmartini]

I definately have already. I haven't lived like that for quite some time. I get a solid 8 hours every night. taking vitamins. dont drink much anymore. kind of just grew out of all of that. i still worry that I'm facing the consequences for all that.

the stress hasn't really ended though. I've been in a terrible relationship for the past two years, starting round the time i started propecia. constant arguing. my girlfriend is diagnosed bi polar, and not to be selfish, but it's been a battle. I've been stuck in this relationship for so long without a clear way out. basically it's been eating a way at me.

i know the obvious solution is to get out. she's moving out of town in a month, so i think that's when it will end.

but is there anyway i will ever see improvements on the quality of my hair? it's gotten so much worse in the last year alone. and my haircut jus looks rediculous.

 

[Billmartini]

where do i get dutasteride.? also, as far as minoxidil goes, what is the best way to apply it if you do not have a shaved head. i'm getting a haircut; kind of like a clean cut look i guess. right now it's over my ears and my bangs are long. you can imagine it looks pretty bad. the hair that i have on top is long as well.

when I do cut it fairly short i guess, will it still be a major pain to apply. i feel like i can't go out in public with that crap in my hair, and plus it makes the scalp 20 times more visible.

 

[Guest]

where do i get dutasteride.? also, as far as minoxidil goes, what is the best way to apply it if you do not have a shaved head. i'm getting a haircut; kind of like a clean cut look i guess. right now it's over my ears and my bangs are long. you can imagine it looks pretty bad. the hair that i have on top is long as well.

when I do cut it fairly short i guess, will it still be a major pain to apply. i feel like i can't go out in public with that crap in my hair, and plus it makes the scalp 20 times more visible.

Buy Dr Lee's minoxidil - it dries in 5 minutes - non-greasy.

Buy it at http://www.xandrox.com

 

[Billmartini]

can someone give my a definitive answer as to whether I should remain on propecia. that article about shedding has really worried me. it clearly states that some people can have an adverse reaction to the drug and constantly shed over the period of taking it. It's been almost two years now, and my hair is thin as hell. i can't stop this diffuse thinning.

i am so worried about getting a topical medicine. the shed will kill me. i will try dr. lee's minoxidil. but can someone tell me about eucapil.

i need help here. i am terrified of making a bad decision, whether it be remaining on or discontinuing use of propecia.

i definately need some regrowth, but am sceptical of all the topicals. and the rate and nuisance of applying them twice a day.

 

[jimmystanley]

i'm sorta the same...although i think propecia has at least helped. but i am about to start fluridil in hopes that it will work well (maintain) and i can ween off propecia or cut down to super low dosages. give it a try but don't give up cold turkey

 

[not me!]

...going bald is not for the feint of heart.

Oh. My. God. That is the single best statement I have ever read on any forum. You, "hair_tomorrow," are the man. By the way, I'm stealing it and putting in my signature.

 

[hair_tomorrow]

can someone give my a definitive answer as to whether I should remain on propecia. that article about shedding has really worried me. it clearly states that some people can have an adverse reaction to the drug and constantly shed over the period of taking it. It's been almost two years now, and my hair is thin as hell. i can't stop this diffuse thinning.

Hi Bill - sorry I'm just now getting back to you - but I lost track of this thread.

I'm not your Doctor - but I think you've given propecia more than a fair shot. If you're not seeing any positive returns, if in fact you're getting worse and never got any better during the entire time (2 years) you've been on Propecia - then it's time to move on.

"Some"people in your boat have experienced success w/ dutasteride when finasteride didn't work for them. You might want to look into that, in addition to the other alternative treatments you're researching. Unfortunately, I don't have any first hand experience w/ anything that's not included in my sig.

BUT - I DO have experience w/ bi-polar chicks. Did yours move outta town yet? The good news here, is that I've "heard" that stress related hair loss comes back and regrows just fine after the stress trigger is gone. Hopefully - this'll be the case for you.

Again, I don't use dutasteride - but here are some on-line sources:

http://www.life-pharmacy.com/generics/g ... odart.html

https://www.cybermedicinestore.com/index_ssl.php

http://www.mastersmarketing.com/home.htm

http://www.generics-online-pharmacy.com/

 

[hair_tomorrow]

[quote="hair_tomorrow":49452]...going bald is not for the feint of heart.

Oh. My. God. That is the single best statement I have ever read on any forum. You, "hair_tomorrow," are the man. By the way, I'm stealing it and putting in my signature. [/quote:49452]

Dear social-drinker;

I am truly honored. Please feel free to use the quote w/ my blessings.

~ your humble balding servant, h_t

 

[Bryan]

[quote="social_drinker":c856d][quote="hair_tomorrow":c856d]...going bald is not for the feint of heart.

Oh. My. God. That is the single best statement I have ever read on any forum. You, "hair_tomorrow," are the man. By the way, I'm stealing it and putting in my signature. [/quote:c856d]

Dear social-drinker;

I am truly honored. Please feel free to use the quote w/ my blessings.[/quote:c856d]

Oh-oh. Is that supposed to be a play-on-words? If it is, I don't get it! :x Can somebody explain the joke to me??

"Feint" of heart... faint of heart....hmmm.... Am I simply obtuse today?

Bryan