anonymous man

I did a topic search for topics dealing with depression, but I could not find one dedicated to the topic. Basically, I just want to know how people feel about hair loss, and just give someone the opportunity to let out their story - I have been really affected by this, and am hoping that writing it down and letting someone read it will help. I just feel silly telling someone in person that my hair loss is depressing me - whenever we get on the topic, i laugh it off, try and act like a big man - but this solves nothing. Its not how I feel. I hate pretending it has no effect on me, when its killing me inside. My problem is, I was always the 'cool' guy. Quite tall, built well, handsome, witty, etc. I dont mean to toot my own horn, but I am making a reasonable judgement of my social status, and well, boys always wanted to be my mates, and I had my fair share of opportunities with the ladies. I just feel that by losing my hair, I am losing so much more. I am losing this respected social status, and becoming 'that bald creepy guy'. How shallow, hey? At the end of the day, I am fairly certain that the need to maintain my head full of hair, and the look that makes me confident, is simply to still be desired by the women around me. There is no better confidence booster than this, and I feel I am losing it. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful, beautiful girl by my side who loves me (dont get me wrong, I am not bald nor do I have patches yet, its just overall thinning that only I can see now, as well as the hairdresser), but I have some big relationship problems with her (nothing appearance related - totally different unrelated issues). I honestly think that ending our relationship is the right thing to do - but then I sit and think, I will end it, take a year to get back on my feet, take a year to find someone just as great - and be bald by then. So essentially, I am doing a terrible thing by hanging on to her, leading her on when I am really not happy. Its one very viscious cycle. I have come to start hating myself, hating the people around me. Paranoia. Distaste in my appearance. Hate of mirrors. I feel well and truly depressed, and I see no way out. My problems with my girl are very deep. I find myself constantly thinking about suicide. I honestly feel that love is the meaning of life - to find that special someone. I have somehow twisted the thoughts in my head into some sort of doomed fate, which I dont want to be part of. What I am trying to say is, the hair loss is just one small factor in a big mess I have created for myself. I find myself 'coming down' from the highs of popularity of my early 20's, and I fear this rejection, lack of respect. Ultimately, if the girl I was with did not have these problems with me, I wouldnt give a damn in the world - go bald, yay, who cares - I love someone who loves me. I think I digressed bigtime off topic. I just wanted to talk about hair loss and how it affects someone. For me, it is intertwined into several other issues I have in life. I am slowly killing myself inside and I cant hack it, for the life of me I cant hack it. I am miserable, and making those around me miserable too. Is it just me, or do other people feel so depressed about their hair loss as well? I find it eerie to think that seeing other people sad will somehow help me. Heres to hoping this topic will be somewhat of a good release for the men on this forum (and ladies too). I just typically associate almost all users on here as men, many who, I assume have difficulty expressing their true feelings on the issue, to the people in their life that really matter. Hoping that the second best option, talking to strangers on the net, may help.

wow what a trip out! I was just looking at my temples, 2 months in on propecia, and the left hand side temple is shedding and looks weird Its quite disturbing I feel so much thinner now on top - wondering when this is all just going to end

RE: Shedding I thought that MPB basically is the shrinking of the little pores that grow hair on your head. I thought that having MPB will not see your hair fall out at a more rapid rate etc. - it falls out as it normally would, the only problem is, follicles dont regenerate new hair, thats all. Hence why I find it a bit confusing that people say 'oh I started using propecia / rogaine / whatever, and now I only count 10 hairs instead of 37 hairs'. I think this is entirely psychological. It falls out normally, balding or not. The problem with us here is, it wont come back, as per the cycle. So my advice to everyone - if you see hair on he pillow, on your hands in the shower, falling on your desk at work etc, no big deal. Its normal. Dont stress over that crap, and just keep your eye on your head a few months after using medication - then see if your having good regrowth. Hair will always fall out, regardless of genes, treatment, drugs, whatever.

NOOOOOOOOOO (shhhhh dont tell anyone) I like to think that my smoking is out of pure enjoyment and not habit That sort of justifies it hahaha

Ancient thread But anyway, I was a pack a day smoker - then one night it was extremely chilly, I was out hitting the town with some mates, and got sick. I got pneumonia. SO I didn't smoke for a month while it passed, and after a month, I picked up the pack again (i didn't really plan to quit) ... and I said, you know what, if I lasted 4 weeks, lets do another four weeks. 2 years later and not one smoke more, I leeched a few here and there. Nowadays, I am still a quitter, but I leech the occasional, and have even purchased a pack here and there when I felt like it, and never took up the habit though. Anyway, in saying that, I started the night shift at work, its killing me, I am all alone in a supervisory role, looking over a subcontractor, who really, needs no guidance (in construction). So I am gonna buy a pack tonight, smoke it over a few nights, and then prove to myself that I can smoke without become hooked again. Lol @ tempting fate. Idiot EDIT - spelling was atrocious - I barely understood what I wrote

If you had to choose one of the following two scenarios, which would it be and why? a) Being ordinary, perhaps slightly chubby in size, i.e. your body is nothing to look at, lots of soft areas ... and you have a full head of hair b) Body of your choice, i.e. ripped like a tank, huge bulging muscles all over ... but bald and no donor hair or medication help Which would you choose, assuming that you can only be fat and hairy, or ripped/huge and bald? I think I would take option b). Its my inspiration - I work out hard, and am growing rather large and bulky. I like it. I figure that retaining your hair is sort of out of our control (mostly). But becoming ripped like Arnie, well, thats POSSIBLE regardless of genes (OK someone will probably come out and point out that some people cant become massive due to genes etc lol) The way i look at it, if my muscular appearance became supreme like I wish it could be, I wouldnt really stress over the hair - I would just shave it to skin, and be content with having to walk sideways through doorways due to my sheer size. lol @ all of the above, what has gotten into me. What would you choose?

I am going away for a weekend with the girlfriend 3 days of just the two of us - lots planned I started propecia 2 weeks ago - I will update you with my personal experience (with no finer details of course - haha) but judging the way things are shaping up (no pun intended), I am not too worried lol

I read this forum for say a week, and I am happy to say I have taken the advice, and started using the so called 'big 3' for treatment. I bought Propecia, Nizoral .... and today, the 3+1 Bonus pack of Rogaine (called Regaine in Australia) Rogaine wasnt half as bad as I thought. Its simple, 1ml is nothing, it doesnt seem greasy or smell funny or anything. The main thing is, I hope IT WORKS. I used this thread as my main inspiration. Hopefully, we can hold of the balding untill I get married - that way, I have the woman firmly in my grasp, let go of the drugs, and then will get laser removal done on my head to get rid of EVERYTHING FOREVER - and I will never have the issue of sitting there worrying 'hmm will I be able to keep this hair??' hahaha Society is a b*tch sometimes - look at how it has me obsessing over a few strands of dead cells on my head Janna I will still hold you responsible for whatever the outcome haha

fantastic results im buying minox today after seeing that phenomenal - as someone said, i would rate you as having NO MPB now absolutely fantastic

Wow I did not realise this I guess it would be rather close these days, seeing as the A$ is closer to the US$ now. I paid $71 for a month at my local Chemist, but I saw some online stores here in Oz will give it to you at about 65 - which is no big saving, so I wont bother going through the hassle of sending in my prescription, waiting for a while etc. to receive propecia in the post. Rogaine is about $120 for 3 months supply, on Australian websites, stating a RRP of 150 (but you can get the 3+1 packs easily). So I think I might just shop around. What I need to do, is fork out the 1500 or so in ONE HIT, buy a years worth, and then I have no choice but to religously fight MPB. I woke up in the morning, and my hair was shaped in such a way it made me cringe in front of the mirror If this doesnt work, its your fault Janna!

Fantastic Thanks Janna I have the propecia, and the nizoral .... now I think you sold me on the minox Its just so pricy in Australia - I am wondering, is it as pricy in all the other countries out there, or is it just because we live out on a little floating raft in the middle of nowhere? Propecia will cost me about $850 for a years supply, Nizoral is $20 for a teeny weeny little bottle. Rogaine apparently fluctuates in price big time so its worth a shop around. Id say about $1500 a year to keep the hair on my head .... hmmm thats not TOO bad I guess. I guess I know what to tell people to buy me for gifts during birthdays etc 'Big tub of Rogaine please'

mrj has it right - at home, my father associates the shaved (not balding, MPB) head with bad bad things. The words in this thread, like thug etc. fit it perfectly. He looks at the shaved head and sees gaol/jail inmates, nazi skinheads, pub brawlers, general tough guy image. someone who is off the rails, isnt right in the head, is trying to make a point of some sort by shaving their head. What makes things a tad harder is I work in an office environment with lots of clients to the firm work with - I dont know if management would be too happy if I rocked up to work in the morning with only skin up there - again, for the same thuggish stereotype. If I do get permanent hair removal, I think I will need to do a career change, a-la Hitman movie style. That main actor sure did look tough with no hair. I am sure the rage inside me for not having any hair will be more than enough inspiration to be killing criminals..... ok a bit far, I joke Anyway, I have hope - all this talk 'should' be in vain - Propecia will save the day for me, I am SURe of it - I am in week 2 - woo hoo!

You see, this brings up a totally different thread I wanted to start Again, its sort of a psychological one - what age is the age we choose to let go? Like you said, a guy in his 20s or 30s might suit a shaved head, but someone aging might not - but then, some people might not care past 40 about their hair. I hope this is the case with me. It just strikes me as 'wow', seeing a heap of older gents, in their 60's etc, going through all sorts of time consuming and maybe painful HT treatments But anyway, thats another thread. As for goign totally bald, I ran the question past my father - he went ballistic, and said that I will look like a a) junky b) criminal c) loser d) lowlife e) criminal f) criminal So I need to experiment with the shave once I move out of home haha .... damn strict father

Has anyone considered going the OTHER way? I thought, hey, I am thinning - I may as well shave my head to the skin. But that requires heaps of maintenance. I hate the stubble look on the sides, and it makes it so much more obvious when you have regrowth on the side and a shiny top. I was thinking possibly, when things get to an advanced stage, just getting ALL my hair zapped electronically or with a laser (or howeevr they do it) Then I will be left with a smooth, smooth head, no hair, it will look like I shave it to the skin intentionally. Then a bit of a tan on the head, and add a bit more muscle mass (I am fortunate enough to be built like a tank, and I train pretty hard - and no, no steroid or drug use, and I will have that commanding, strong dominant look in me For me, going bald, my main concern is social status. I fear that people will look at me, as the bald man, as some 'meh, sweep this dude under the rug' type of guy My inspiration for the total smooth look came from a few sources. Although I always thought about it, I was inspired by a folk music singer from my home country (in Eastern Europe) who, since I remember as a little boy, was totally, totally bald and shiny (not a hair on his head). It became his trademark, and it became his distinguishing feature. Then, I watched the movie Hitman the other day, and that lead actor looks fantastic with a totally smooth, bald head. ITs definitely an intimidating, powerful sort of look. Thoughts? I am rambling a bit .... Cheers

Doing the roids was your choice - no one has the right to bag you about it, chill. As thanatopsis said, just continue the treatment, and you will see if there is hope or not. Thats my outlook on it - I saw thinning, stressed, stressed, stressed ... and well, now I am on propecia, and it wil either work or it wont. At least I know I gave it a shot. I would be devestated to know that I could of stopped it, but I didnt ..... but if I go bald regardless of treatment I use, well ... it was meant to be, and I gave it my best. And dont give up on the football and training. If you do go bald and cant help it, just pump the roids again for a month or two, and become MASSIVE and then no one will look at your head btw I am not encouraging drug use, just stirring a bit - good luck dude

LOL FANTASTIC! I have been GROSSLY misinformed regarding HT's You, my friend, look amazing (before and after), natural, and if someone asked me did this guy have HT or not, I would laugh and say no chance, not possible Excellent results

Pasta dude Your story sounds almost IDENTICAL to mine IDENTICAL - its almost eerie And your views on treatment and selected course of action is IDENTICAL too. The only thing that we differ in, is that my grand parents, etc all down the line had full heads of hair, while my old man is bald. I abuse my dad regularly, saying 'why the heck did you have to go bald, damn you!' but always in a joking fashion (although I think I might get a bit aggressive sometimes hehe) Anyway, good luck with the adventure. I am popping the pill, finishing up the first week of my treatment today. However, I am scared to look in the mirror, I find myself rarely, if ever, doing close inspections. Still in denial. But again, good luck. Keep us posted on resulst. Likewise, I will too. Im off to buy some Nizoral haha - cheerio!

your still slamming 2 girls, and your worried? if pulling chicks is what you are after, I suggest building up a little black book with heaps and heaps of names and numbers NOW, and try to get into as many pants as you can. That way, heaven forbid - if you hair does fall out, you have an index to fall back on - of course, only if your not on propecia, and you can still get it up I too, am extremely stressed over my hair loss at 25 - Bill said it best a few posts ago, which really got to me - life is too short to worry about how much hair is on your head Its nice to have it there, and by all means, we have to do everything 'reasonable' to get it back. if you can justify flying to far locations, paying heps of dollars to do it - then so be it. ultimately its your happiness. I started propecia the other day, and i feel better already. anyway, good luck and keep grabbing as much tail as you can - thats all i want my hair for anyway haha

Im a new user. Sorry if this may have been posted before, but there is such a wealth of info and opinions on here, its impossible to find. I searched my keyword 'hairdx' and didnt find anything. Anyone heard about this place? Its US $149, you send a swab, and they will generate a report, telling you about your genes, and whether you are going to go bald or not (in simple terms). Anyone have any info? I am asking since I started propecia the other day, with a fairly good head of hair on me still. I have noticed thinning, and thought I will start it. Its a rather expensive drug in Australia, so I thought 'hmmm maybe it might be worthwhile seeing just what is happening on my head before I start with all these kooky treatments'. Like I said - if its been posted before, sorry. But if you want to have a read, the web address is the same name as the topic, with a dot com. Sorry, I dont know what the policy with respect to commercial links are. Feedback will be good. Anyway, in saying this, Im glad to be part of this forum (first post). It seems like any possible solution to our problem would be posted on here within minutes. I am planning to ask a question or two in other threads, so please help out. Cheerio Anonymous man!