MattyNJ1

I had I had the same exact pliminary effect when I took finasteride at a very low dose 1.25 mg every day (1/4 tab )... almost instantaneously the shedding stopped and if you look at my thread for my 3 Month update my density nearly doubled in the first month and 1/2 so I'm inclined to agree... it's very alarming to hear the side effects that he had, or what underlying circumstances were prevalent before during and after the use of this drug. I didn't get any sexual side effects from the drug In fact my libido increased quite a bit in the beginning as if my testosterone levels increased... oddly even certain problems I was having like joint pain and things like that seem to subside and go away. I did however develop a skin allergy of some sort when I increase the dosage slightly I broke out in hives. but nothing as severe as what he said although I'm not doubting what he said. That being said nothing is worth your health and well-being.

3 months, Before / After pics of low dosage Finasteride. 7/21/17 Started Generic / Fin : 1.25mg E.D. 8/27/17 Switched to Propecia: 1.25mg E.D Saw really good results in density already at 5 weeks...no side effects to speak of...felt an increase in libido as if my T levels increased. Scalp itch. 9/30/17 increased dosage to 2.50mg E.D Density continued to come in at a good pace. Still have itchiness in the scalp 10/13/17 Allergic reaction. Itchiness and hives started breaking out on the body. Legs, wrists mostly...Libido seemed to level out ...no worse ...no better. Stopped Fin for 3 days to rule out other other allergies. 10/16/17 Started back of Fin decreased dosage to 1.25mg E.O.D hoping the allergy was coincidence or something else, or just go away. 10/21/17 switched back to Generic Fin today thinking that the switch may have caused a allergic reaction since it fits the time line somewhat. Continuing 1.25mg E.O.D had only 1 breakout with hives, nothing yesterday. Still not sure what the allergy was, or if it was tied to Finasteride, i assume it was, as i have never been allergic to anything in my life. Im going to cautiously continue on Fin, at 1.25mg E.O.D. If i have another reaction, I will discontinue. The results have really been great, the density and even the texture of the hair has gotten better... B4/After pics taken in the same spot outdoors / same light

Looks amazing already! That shaved look is a good look on you...I will subscribe to this thread and follow your progress for sure...keep us posted!

...im inclined to agree!...I just wonder if it had something to do with the switching from the generic to Propecia. The results i got in the first 5 wks were amazing...density nearly doubled.

Thats how it started actually...and then just random itchiness, on my wrists, legs mostly that turn into hives and then disappear...I thought it was a food allergy but ive never been allergic to anything. Then i thought maybe a fabric allergy ...even a down comforter on my bed. Got rid of everything, by process of elimination, and then cut the does of Fin down to 1.25 every other day, and still get random break outs.....iam perplexed at this point and im considering getting off the drug as its the absolute only thing thats changed in my life that this can point to. This drug seemed to absolutely change my hormones to some degree, the 1st 5 weeks my libido increased seemed like my T levels went up...no sides....that was at 1.25 every day generic fin. (I switched to propecia around week 4 or so.) But then around week 6 i up'd the dose to 2.5 E.D. and noticed my libido leveled out no worse but no better...and thats when the allergic breakouts started.....i then went OFF Fin for 3 days straight to see if the allergy would diminish but it didn't...so i went back on Fin at a lower dose 1.25 e.o.d and thats where iam now...but still getting random hives.

I swear i noticed the same thing when i took it....it seem to trigger a shed, unless it was pure coincidence...

well spoken...its really crazy how loosing our hair can have such a negative effect on our lives..and i think you captured that effect in your intro...Glad to hear you found some solace... btw i dont see a pic of the work?

Looks great what are the details of what you did, # of grafts etc, age etc?

Well you happen to be right! ....only last night after 3 weeks of hives and crazy allergic reactions driving me insane i figured it out, and it wasn't the Fin thankfully...i was eliminating things out of my diet like milk and dairy! ...i stopped the Fin as i was convinced it was either diet or the Rx....only to finally realize last night, the culprit was literally right under my nose!.... a New goose down comforter my gf bought for the bed!! ....sweet relief! what a crazy ordeal. That dame blanket smh...

At what dosage were you taking Fin? ....I just had an incredible result in only 3 months at a very low dose (1/4 tab ED) my hair grew back 30%, it was incredible, with no sexual side effects at all......until i developed a skin related allergy just last week. Itchy skin, especially at night...no clue why or why after 2.5 months?...but iam sorting through it now. Iam very discouraged as id hoped to continue with these great results....not sure what to do now.

Ive cut my dosage of fin to EO D at 1.25mg....and im still getting an allergic skin reaction at month 3....iam very discouraged bc the growth results have been incredible. But the itchiness (especially at nite for some reason) have become unbearable. And i know if i stop there will be massive hair fall...not sure what to do now...hoping my body just gets over it, and gets used to it. Dont know what to do....

IF true that is discouraging to say the least....there are many that have successful HTs without using Fin. Not sure if that is sound advise, or a factual statement on his behalf.

I see the patient didn't require shaving his head for the number of graphs he received (1238)...is there a graph limit that determines when its mandatory to save the entire head? Could say 2500 graphs be done to the frontal hairline and temples without having to shave the head bald? are there pros and cons to shaving vs not? Thanks.

...its a good point. And i have to agree, by "De-forresting" an area..and relocating the product of that area, it stands to reason you will loose density....and i have no doubt that you do....which would refute his statement that its "exactly the same"...which could not be true in reality. That being said...i think when you choose a very artistic experience surgeon, that harvests over a broad area EVENLY without over harvesting of course...you will be hard pressed to notice much of a difference.... lets face it, no one is going to be looking at your post op hair under a micro scope. But i see your point.

any progress pics?

How often is "shedding" "normal"? ...and how much? ...ive noticed very little shedding (less than a few hairs) every shampoo...yet it seems every couple of months i will get 20 hairs falling out over the sink just from passing my fingers through the top of my hair....Iam just curious what is normal, and what should be a concern...thanks.

I agree with Djlazerblue....either shave your head and accept it...or schedule an HT. (btw i gave myself the same advise) im going with a HT.

Ive used/using, Rogaine liquid 5% on and off (mostly on) for 4yrs now..and i have to admit ive noticed some infrequent heart palpitations. (here and there) ...Im not even sure how effective minoxidil has even been for me...i started like most, when i noticed thinning...but the thinning continued anyway....i may drop it...like Djlazerblue stated " If your getting these symptoms and you weren't before minox, stop it not worth your life"

did you opt not to shave your head for the procedure? or only partially?

I think your results are amazing..but i see your point. Adding / supplementing to your already good investment cant hurt. If you have the time and money to supplement from time to time over the years why not? ...you only live once and its a quick ride! I personally plan on going to the grave with a full head of hair lol...PS maybe it would help if you post a complete "before" pic (as in before ANY HT with your previous hairline) next to your present day transformation pic? Just my 02$ Either way your results your journey has been one that put me on the path to a HT...(coming soon) so i thank you for sharing....

Fantastic results, just read about 80% of your journey, and can honestly say, from where and what your started with, you have come a long way...your front hairline is like 2" further forward, and the density looks consistent with the rest (maybe slightly thinner toward the very front) but a great result after all....i could only imagine if you went on propecia or rogaine, the density would probably double. Overall how much of a cost difference is there from getting a HT in Turkey compared to US or UK? (percentage wise)? Great success and good luck in the future!

is your comment addressed to me?

Great Results...iam considering traveling to see Dr. K for HT...Although I hear his clinic is booked over 1 yr...

Do you remember how long it took to go away after you stopped?

I see this is an old thread however I'll bring it back to life by saying that I've been on Propecia now for 3 months at a very low dose 1/4 tab per day it seems I upped the dose to a half tab per day 2 weeks ago and started noticing unbearable itching... at first I thought I had an allergic reaction to my bed sheets or some new things in my diet but after doing a Google search you will see that there are dozens of posts about people who have this reaction to finasteride... I'm a little discouraged because I've been having a really good result using a low dose with no side effects until now with a lot of good hair growth and absolutely no shedding or hair fall... I think I'm going to cut my dosage back to 1/4 tab every other day at this point hopefully it just stops the hair fall with no side effects.