To start meds or not?

[muddyball]

Ok, Ive noticed recession in the temple area, I can however style my hair in a way no one would say I was balding, Im currently 29 years old.

I am completely on the fence regarding meds, been looking on these forums for a while but just done see enough evidence that they do anything. Am I wrong? What success rate would you say there is?

Id like to try something more for peace of mind that I am actually combatting it but just not sure what direction to take!

Thanks

 

[ryder]

i'm in the exact same boat, and decided i wanted to at least attempt to haul any furthur recession.

i started out just using nizoral, but after researching and visiting a good derm, i decided to give finasteride a shot.

took my first pill today, so i'll see what happens.

some people say it 'worsened' their hairline, which i don't really see how sicne it simply blocks dht, but who knows. i'm gonna go with the fact that most people think it helps, and thos saying things got worse would have gotten those worse results even if they hadn't gone on finasteride.

as for the sides, i am very active, i workout regularly, eat very healthy, take vitamines, etc. so at least i am doing everything i can do lessen potential side effects, if i even get them.

but like you said, at least i can say i did whatever i could to be proactive.

 

[Ende]

Rogaine 5% is excellent at the hair line. It doesn't involve a risk of severe side effects, unlike Propecia.

 

[muddyball]

Ryder

Be interested to see how you go, can you keep me updated, was the dermatologist helpful? Been toying with going to see one myself, I to am very active and keep myslef fit. Did Nizoral help you at all?

 

[mashang]

you need to address the male pattern baldness at the root, minoxidil will not do this, you may see gains with minoxidil, but with out controlling the DHT (with finasteride ) you will continue to loose ground..
i was the same at the start i delayed my treatment by a couple of years reading through the sides effects of the drug and psyching myself out.
since then i have been on finasteride for over 8 months and no side effects to report,
apart from the odd Nut ache at the beginning that subsided with continued use of finasteride, i just wish i had started 2 years ago

 

[muddyball]

Mashang, what about reports of destroying the hairline? Have you noticed this?

 

[mashang]

if your Hair line is destined to go, its going to go,
there are no FDA reports that suggest finasteride will destroy your hair line (as far as i know),

I know they say that finasteride is not effective on the temples and hair line, but if you read some of the success stories here you will see people have had full growth on those area's.....

What i can tell you is that everyone is different and the drugs will react differently with every person, and you either say "hey i will shave off my hair and embrace my inheritance" or you will try to delay it happening, with finasteride and minoxidil,

its hard to tell your situation with out any pictures, so try to post up if you can...
and remember your hairloss will always look worse to you then others,
i have many people telling me that my hair is looking thicker, but yet when i stare in the mirror i can see the need for more improvement.....

 

[muddyball]

Ok cheers, did the derm you visited prescribe finasteride? Im considering going and speaking to one or maybe just my own doctor.

 

[mashang]

i am in the uk so popped down to boots and got a script over the counter

 

[muddyball]

Im in the uk to mate, Belfast, boots dont do it here! Ive rang and asked, went to the gp today to ask about starting the meds what a waste of time that was!

 

[Tom1985]

I'm from Northern Ireland too, Mrturkle.

What did your GP say?

 

[muddyball]

r u mate? Was completely useless, gave me a website to go onto about dealing with stress etc lol total waste of time, r u on meds tom?

 

[Tom1985]

Haha, a website on dealing with stress?? What bullshit like. I really can't see any doctors down my way havin any more of a clue though.

I've receded lots at the temples so I apply Kirkland minoxidil pretty much all over the top of my scalp twice a day and use Nizoral shampoo 3 times a week.

The Kirkland stuff is sooo cheap but greasy as hell.

It's definately helpin to maintain the hair I have at the moment (been using it for about 3 years) but if it stops workin then I dunno what I'll do.

To be honest finasteride scares the sh*t outta me and I'd want tests done before even thinkin about taking it.

You decided what you're gonna do yet?

 

[mashang]

guys, try going to see another doctor

-or order from one of the reputable pharmacies online, (their loads of post asking where to get finasteride from)

 

[muddyball]

Im not to sure if a general gp is any use at all, think theres a "get on with it" attitude from them, Im considering going and speaking to a dermatologist. Not too sure Tom, I havent started anything yet, I agree finasteride is a bit scary but when u look at how many people are actually on it, I think im gonna start on finasteride, Spex has a website you can order it from now, way I see it if u started seeing side effects u can stop.

Was thinking of starting Nizoral, do u think it helps tom? Where do u get the minoxidil from?

 

[Tom1985]

Yeah nizoral is pretty good. It's cheap, available from most chemists and helps keep your scalp clean and healthy. So why not use it, ya know?

I get my minoxidil from minoxidil direct (google it, website addresses aren't allowed on this forum for some reason).

The Kirkland stuff is really cheap but be warned, it's REALLY greasy.

If you can afford it get Rogaine Foam from the same website.

 

[muddyball]

Cheers tom, ill check those out, so you def not gonna get on finasteride?

 

[Tom1985]

I can't say I'll never jump on finasteride. If my hair loss suddenly gets really aggressive and I have no other option I reckon I'll at least try it.

There are just so many horror stories about it and unfortunately it's not always as easy as just quitting it to make the side-effects go away (for some people).

For the majority of people though I'm sure the drug is completely harmless.

If you do decide to start taking it be sure to keep us all updated on how it works out!

 

[mashang]

Tom,
i was thinking the same as you mate,
spent a couple of years crawling the forums, looking at horror stories, (that alone is the worst side effect on finasteride, looking at others experiences )
so if i had the choice i would have started earlier as i have been on finasteride for over 8 months now and touch wood (no pun intended lol ) everything has been fine...

now i am not saying that you should go jump on finasteride tomorrow, but remember the sooner you start the better in the battle against hair loss,
i am not saying that side effects are in our heads, i am sure some of the guys out there do suffer from sides, but you will not know until you try,

 

[Tyler_Durden]

but just done see enough evidence that they do anything.

You must not be looking very hard