Unfortunately, think I have to quit Propecia/minoxidil - Input pls.

[HomerJ]

Hi all,

I think that I may have to quit Propecia/minoxidil 5%. Been on for 5+ months. In this period:

- I have seen no improvement or even maintenance of my hair
- My hair loss may have even accelerated in the last 2 months. (at least I perceive so)
- Did not notice a shed, but still could have had one.
- I can't see any regrowth, at least not with the naked eye

- Am getting some side effects, such as:
*Itchiness, flaking & mild burning sensation(mind you, this is rare) in the scalp where I apply minoxidil
*Some chest pain (related? perhaps yes or perhaps no),
*Some sexual issues (minor)
*In the last month, facial bloating (I have not gained a pound but my face looks like it has gained 10 lbs)
*Don't know if it is related but Acne is worse and maybe even more body hair (mind you, this is probably unrelated)

I know Propecia requires a full year but I read (bottle, pfizer website) that I should see regrowth using minoxidil within 4 months or it does not work. I am already past 4 months using minoxidil.

Given the side effects (granted, all tolerable) and the lack of results to this point, should I stop or should I still continue to use these medications? (and how long do I give it?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Thinning]

I think this is a good idea for you. You sound like a hypochondriac so its good you stop taking these meds. Clearly this has added more stress into your life than the benefit you recieved to your hair loss.

 

[HomerJ]

I think this is a good idea for you. You sound like a hypochondriac so its good you stop taking these meds. Clearly this has added more stress into your life than the benefit you recieved to your hair loss.

If anyone has some insightful feedback, I would appreciate it. Feedback like above, which adds no value, need not be posted.

Thanks.

 

[wastingpenguins]

No offense, but I'm going to have to agree.

Sounds like you're worrying a bit too much, a bit too often.

You can quit if you want-- it's your hair.

 

[viperfish]

The puffiness of the face and chest pain are most likely a result of the minoxidil. Get to a doctor and drop the minoxidil.

 

[HomerJ]

The puffiness of the face and chest pain are most likely a result of the minoxidil. Get to a doctor and drop the minoxidil.

Thanks Viperfish. You may be right, I may have to drop minoxidil.

wastingpenguins, thanks for the insight of "You can quit if you want". It really added value to the thread

 

[blue]

Well about the minoxidil results in 4 months..thats a generalization.........its gonna be longer for some and shorter for others..you might be the one that takes a little longer..........about the sides......most of them ssound minoxidil related......except for the acne which others on here have reported when using propecia.......

what i would do is ....either give it a couple more months to really see if your a slow responder to minoxidil and maybe get on differin gel(which you can get from a doctor to control your acne)...
or i would quit minoxidil and just stick with the propecia for right now...unless of coarse those sexual side effects are to much of a problem for you,but in most cases in the 3-5 month period most others on here have said that their sexual sides went away or atleast lessened.

 

[HomerJ]

Blue - thanks. You make sense. This was the type of info I was looking for.

Maybe I will stick on it for another month or two and then re-assess. If nothing changes, then I can stop.

 

[wastingpenguins]

wastingpenguins, thanks for the insight of "You can quit if you want". It really added value to the thread

Alright, I'm just trying to remind you-- If you decide to stop treatment because of percieved itching and pains...

Well. Your hairloss will pick right back up where it left off.

In truth, you could still see results after the five month mark. As long as you're still treating your loss, you have that chance. Once you quit, your chance is gone.

In all likeliness, these medicines should help your hair, at least a little. It's hard to tell if treatments could actually be hurting your cause-- I've honestly wondered this to myself before. Everyone is different, so I'm sure it's quite possible.

Since you said your 'side effects' were tolerable, (unless you really, strongly feel that finasteride/Min are hurting instead of helping), I would advise you to stick with treatments and see what happens.

It's really about all you can do.

Good luck!

 

[Petchsky]

Sounds like all the side effects you mentioned were caused by the minoxidil since i have heard of those sides in others who took minoxidil.

You may have already reached a decision on what your going to do but i would definitely keep on the proscar and consider dropping the minoxidil, bear in mind though that things could get worse before they get better

Good luck

 

[BadHairDecade]

before you write off minoxidil entirely. try switching to 2%....Doesn't it say if you see facial bloating or have chest pains to discontinue use and/or see a doctor.
Heart issues should not just be written off. However you should try to examine other possible causes like more stress in your life maybe due to relationship problems, work, or anxiety or anything. All the other sides sound tolerable but don't let the irritation get out of hand. You need a healthy scalp to see results.

BHD

 

[muii]

The side effects you mentioned aside from the sexual ones are the same ones i got from minoxidil, I was using xandrox 5% at one time.

Now i am using a minoxidil solution from a company called scalp med. the minoxidil in scalp med will not get into your system.
standard minoxidil will get into the blood line with sensirive people, (dr. Lee told me this)

so i have not got any of these sides using it so far, ( i have been on it 2 months = now)

nor have i seen anything i can report as well...

good luck

 

[Matgallis]

When I was on finasteride I thought I was having chest pains but it was just heart burn and indigistion.


Record what you have been eating and at what times. Also record when you feel the chest pains. Carry tums with you to see if it helps. If it does just watch what you eat closely

 

[HomerJ]

Thanks guys - great insight/advice. I now think I need to see this through for at least another month. Hopefully I am one of those it "gets worse before it gets better" guys. If in another month or two I see no progress, than I will probably drop minoxidil. (at least first)

The side effect that concerns me the most is the chest pain.

Cheers

 

[HairlossTalk]

Re: Unfortunately, think I have to quit Propecia/minoxidil - Input p

I have seen no improvement or even maintenance of my hair

Too soon.

My hair loss may have even accelerated in the last 2 months. (at least I perceive so)

Accelerated Hair Loss is Shedding.

Did not notice a shed, but still could have had one.

Most likely.

I can't see any regrowth, at least not with the naked eye

Too soon.

*Itchiness, flaking & mild burning sensation(mind you, this is rare) in the scalp where I apply minoxidil

Very common. Folligen Spray will soothe that, guaranteed.

Some chest pain (related? perhaps yes or perhaps no)

Definite minoxidil Side effect.

Some sexual issues (minor)

Possibly Finasteride related but usually goes away after continued use. Meaning - maybe at the most a month or two. If such side effects are bothersome and recur, you may consider dropping finasteride. I did make the mistake of ignoring them for 3 years and that has caused me some problems. The real question is their severity. Don't ignore something that feels like its doing damage. But be objective.

In the last month, facial bloating (I have not gained a pound but my face looks like it has gained 10 lbs)

Definite minoxidil side effects. Talk to a doctor as to whether this is cause for concern.

Don't know if it is related but Acne is worse and maybe even more body hair (mind you, this is probably unrelated)

Finasteride will affect body hair to a certain degree, and acne is a direct response to changing hormone levels. Usually people dry up on Propecia though, and reduce body hair, not the other way around.

I know Propecia requires a full year but I read (bottle, pfizer website) that I should see regrowth using minoxidil within 4 months or it does not work. I am already past 4 months using minoxidil.

Very possibly a result of the irritation. Scalp skin must be in perfect condition for products to work effectively. Handle the irritation and you'll free your hair up to grow.

Given the side effects (granted, all tolerable) and the lack of results to this point, should I stop or should I still continue to use these medications? (and how long do I give it?)

I'd take every issue above and act on it as suggested (not because im all knowing or anything lol ... just because it needs to be looked at on an issue by issue basis). Talk to your Doctor about the bloating from minoxidil. In general though, yes, if you can hang in there until the 1 year mark, I am almost convinced you will be very happy with your results. It has happened time and time again.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[Shave my poodle]

Re: Unfortunately, think I have to quit Propecia/minoxidil - Input p

*Itchiness, flaking & mild burning sensation(mind you, this is rare) in the scalp where I apply minoxidil

Very common. Folligen Spray will soothe that, guaranteed.

Thats a bit strong saying guaranteed. Folligen *might* help but it also *might* cause you even more itching and irritation.

 

[HairlossTalk]

Wasn't meant to be taken literal.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[HomerJ]

HairlossTalk,

Thanks a million. Great post.

Question re: Folligen Spray. I live in Canada. Do you know if I can purchase this at a pharmacy in Canada? Also, is it Over the Counter or do I require a script?

Cheers!

 

[HomerJ]

HairlossTalk,

Thanks a million. Great post.

Question re: Folligen Spray. I live in Canada. Do you know if I can purchase this at a pharmacy in Canada? Also, is it Over the Counter or do I require a script?

Cheers!

 

[Thinning]

If anyone has some insightful feedback, I would appreciate it. Feedback like above, which adds no value, need not be posted.

Thanks.

Sorry if my post offended you but its clear by reading your post that you have been investing a lot of mental effort into your percieved sides.

Looking over the posts I see now this was more of a "please somebody talk me into continuing my regiman" thread.