Sigildark

Looks like a crown, keep an eye on it, take pics every six months, if loss becomes apparent consider starting finasteride.

bad advice

the best choice for hair loss in that area would be rogaine

that's where it's proven to work best and the chance of sides are minimal

also, propecia does not guarantee results

for some it has no impact

as such, perhaps your hair loss is continuing unabaited despite your use

I don't believe the facts either, it's clearly affecting more people.

If I started propecia I would probably be smooth sailing at first, but years down the road it is just inevitable, I don't care what anyone says. I'm not bashing the drug, I'm sure it works for a lot of people but I just can't take the risk right now, I know my body.

I'm not going to harp on this too much but TBH it seems some people are still living in the past when it comes to propecia sides and strictly going with the FDA trial findings. Post FDA approval use has unveiled additional risks in the use of finasteride that some people just don't seem to clue into to. It's frustrating to see people spouting out incorrect information, continually.

Such as "Besides, if you do experience impotence it will go away when you discontinue taking the drug."

It may be the most likely outcome but as a statement it's false, Merks documentation even states as such. Persistent post use side effects are a fact for some people. And it's not just about sexual sides. If your are succeptible to depression, lower DHT levels can play havoc with your mental health. Merck also has updated their docs to state that depression can be triggered by finasteride.

Also the risk of side effects is greater then 1%.

Anyhow i digress. All i can say to anyone is do your homework using credible and up to date sources while you carry out your research as to wether this is for you. For most it will be fine. But speaking in absolute terms is flat out wrong with the information that is out there today.

The word "genius" has always had a much broader application and was never confined to strictly intellectual pursuits (Federer is a genius in the same sense that Beethoven or van Gogh were a geniuses, all can understand that). Athletic ability and skill at that level is certainly worthy of such accolades.

haha well i have to say

excellence in sports is more about physical genetics/drive and the understanding of a game

and sport games are not extremely complicated in the greater scheme of things

as such genius <> world class athlete

although one could be both if they won the genetic lottery x 2

As such being the best at your sport hardly makes you a genius because average intelligence is all you really need for sports. Not to mention that some pretty stupid people are excellent athletes.

Since Rahal's pursuits are intellectual in nature, i'm sure his IQ is sky high. That's what you need to get into and out of med school. And to be counted amongst the best in a given field where it's all about intellect.

Perhaps being at the top of your chosen field would of been a more accurate statement. Semantics, i know 8)

Finasteride has a very short half life of about 6 to 8 hours. A single dose should be out of your system in about one day. That's the reason for the daily dosage. When I started I was taking a quarter tablet daily (1.25mg). After doing so for a few months, I decided to try and reduce the minor side effects I was experiencing by first cutting the pill into smaller pieces (difficult) and then eventually settling on 1.25mg on MWF. After doing so I felt that I was able to maintain the benefits while experiencing a reduction in side effects. I felt that I'd found my happy medium.

It's a good medium and the most important thing is that it's right for you. And that it works for you.

With respect to the whole half life principle and it's impact on DHT suppression I'd like to refer you to the following thread on these forums. Post #5 by Dr Jerry Cooley, who amongst other things states:

- " The average serum “half-life” of finasteride 1mg is about 5 hours in young men and 8 hours in older men. This does not mean that half of the medicine is out of your body in that time period though."

- "So the finasteride is leaving the bloodstream, entering the tissue throughout the body, and binding to the typeII 5AR enzyme, resulting in long lasting DHT suppression"

- "Several studies show that a single dose of finasteride suppresses serum DHT for 7 days or more"

One would assume that any side impact one feels because of fin is not because of fin but because of reduced DHT? But that any amount of reduced DHT is better then no reduction at all when it comes to hair loss. And that less DHT reduction can mean less sides. And that is the whole basis from breaking away from the 1MG daily regime.

I've seen charts on these forums that show DHT levels using varying doses with varying frequencies but am having a hard time digging them up.

It's all about education and understanding the risks vs the benefits. It's been proven that for some, side effects do not cease in an acceptable time frame after discontinuing use. As such, there is a certain level of inherent risk that it may change you in some ways long after you cease using. For some it's not as simple as i'm getting sides, i will stop using and the sides will go away. There used to be alot of contention in respect to that in past. It's now fact. Knowledge is power, nothing evil about the pill

Persistent side effects relating to libido now appear on Merck documentation. It's a reality for unlucky people. What's hard to finger right now are metrics to have a good understanding of the level of incidence.

As you know, something like impotence can happen quite on it's own in some men after a certain age with or without Finasteride and the odds of it occuring naturally only increases as you age.

Here is a few threads that you might find interesting. There are a few others kicking around the forums as well.

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/160747-study-persistent-finasteride-side-effects-young-men-aged-21-46-a.html

Boba909,

 

Based on my own experience, I'd have to disagree with your pharmacist. I've been splitting 5mg pills since I began taking finasteride over two years ago. The slowing of hair lsos, added density, watery semen and infrequent morning wood tell me it's working.

perhaps 1MG every 5 days would have the same effect?

just playing the devil's advocate hehe

Just got my prescription to start up Finasteride. Going generic as well, 3 days a week.

I'm assuming there is no difference between the brand name and a generic that's being produced by a reputable company. The active ingrediant and dosage should be identical. Perhaps the inert materials could be different. This is what logic tells when buying it from a reputable pharmacy.

I'm assuming the warnings are about mail order via the internet from a shady source where counterfeit pills / improperly QAed pills are risk?

I see so many guys getting the surgery and then flying in 3 different jet planes 3000-5000 miles the next day. To me this is just plain crazy! The grafts are still settling and have just been exposed to trauma, and now you are exposing them to the force of a jet airplane traveling at speeds the human body was never meant to endure.

it's not like he's hanging his head out the window or flying an old biplane head out in the open

No reason to be frightened IMO. You requested an online consultation and you got one. As far as i know, online consultations are not unsual for people wishing to consult with doctors that do not live in their area.

It's a starting point provided by a team that has a tremendous amount of experience and an excellent reputation. Since you are travelling from out of town, would you prefer to make two trips? One to get assessed and another to have the procedure? Because you can do that as well. Or get this as a starting point that is close to a finishing point and have it revised a bit if the pictures didn't provide for a 100% assessement along with the other variables they couldnt properly assess thru a photo when you come in for your procedure as they stated in their email. Obviously you have to be ready for a bit of variability but it won't be 2500 grafts to 5000. It's the tradeoff you have to make for not having to travel and get the initial assessement done in person. My opinion anyhow 8)

I've tried rogaine liquid and foam and they make my hair look and feel awfully greasy. : / As well I use a styling product that gives my hair a tiny bit of extra thickness and keeps it in place without being hard and the foam/liquid ruins this.

foam shouldn't cause a greasy look

that said, using Rogaine once a day is still better then not at all. I do remember Spex stating that using Rogaine once a day is part of a good maintenance regimen so while you will not maximise the potential of the drug you still stand to make some gains by using it once a day - aka when you get back home from your day and you are ready to relax, apply it then. That way you don't relaly need to care about how it makes you look. That's the only way i would ever use liquid. With foam it's not as much of an issue but if you don't like the way it makes you look then this is an option.

The only problem becomes areas where your hair is too thick to use Rogaine foam :-)

sounds like a good problem to have

I dont know if that id a good thing?? The increased heart rate that is!:eek:

It's not, if you get cardiovascular sides you are supposed to cease and consult your doctor.

I didn't know a lawsuit constitutes truth?

Actually, it's not that simple.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the United Kingdom and the Swedish Medical Products Agency have both updated their patient information leaflets to include a statement that “persistence of erectile dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment with Propecia has been reported in post-marketing use.”

Back in May, Merck updated their North American side effect document with the following:

allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; problems with

Teagan, 1st off i'd like to say that it think it's amazing that you are lending that kind of support to your future husband.

Not everyone can afford the top doctor and travel costs that might ensue or is willing to acrue substancial debt for it. So looking at surgeons with lesser reputation that are local is the reality for many.

But you need to take your time, making a slow and deliberate decision that you are comforable with. All the most knowledgeable people on these forums that give out the best advice will tell you that rushing into a HT can be a serious mistake.

Last thing i'll add is that from my experience reading forum posts here, top doctors usually turn away 21 year olds.

The donor area is finite unfortunately and you want to use what you have in the best way possible and at 21 that can be very difficult.

nice gains, congrats!

of course lighting can really introduce a twist to it all and while it's not the same, the gains are undeniable

problem is, like i stated in a reply to Spex, i started with once a day and never got the change to scale up to twice

however it's interesting that you were able to get around the sides, maybe i should try 1/4 capful of 5% to re-start things out, that would be like ~1/2 a cap of 2%

Adding Nizoral 1 or 2% twice a week as part of your shampoo regimen is never a bad idea.

I do think staggering them can be a good idea if you really want to know how effective each med is for you. If you start up both at once, gauging the effectiveness of each drug individually would not be possible. If one isn't effective you would then be taking it needlessly. Would also make it easier to isolate the cause of some side effects, if they were to occur. On the flip side, it's the most aggressive approach and both are part of a best practice regimen. As far is i know there is no medical reason to stagger them.

Just remember that shedding is typically categorized as losing over 100 hairs a day.

not the 1st time that i hear a HT clinic promote laser treatment

a friend of mine got a HT at PAI Medical and built into the price was 8 laser sessions at the clinic so it was by different means

i thought it was kind of odd since it's not proven but i guess some places do believe enough in it to try and sell it

amazing!

Sorry to hear this. How many times are you applying it. I would recommend trying just one application and be modest with it initially to try allow the body to get used to it.

 

I am not a doc however just trying to help .

Appreciate the help Spex, i was only using it once a day to ease myself in. Close to half a capful (tried to get to half but prefered to have a bit more then a bit less)

Have an 8 month supply on hand to boot since I had to order from the USA and didn't want to run out too early. (not available in Canada)

Should consult with your physician...

I will definitely mention it to him when we next meet. He's off work for a few months though due to an operation. Worth noting that in the past i had delt with chest pains but after some testing, my heart was ruled out and it was decided that GERD was causing it. (some studies suggest that over one third of patients who experience chest pain were actually experiencing symptoms caused by GERD). Stopping my nightly pigging out driven by weed munchies alleviated the condition LOL.

Spex do you recommend 1% or 2% Nizoral for twice a week applications?