MyMoniker

I agree with everything said above, and that more nuanced analogy is much more precise too. I did the “just shave it” thing all the way back at the beginning of 2021. I wish I could say I’m comfortable with that choice, but clearly I’m not since I’m here on this site talking to all of you. I decided to shave it after getting the catastrophic sides from finasteride. When I first used it, I had no pre-conceived notions of harm from the drug, but after a “crash” I realized that the fear-mongering by some was actually based in fact. There’s really not much else that can be done at that point. You either try again with fin or dut, take your minoxidil and try to eke out as much growth as possible or do all the above and go for the transplant. Hair for transplants is finite and the costs high, and the cost of failure even higher. I’m just battling with myself now wondering if it’s even worth it at all. On the tressless subreddit you won’t ever get a discussion like this. I’m thankful there’s a place we can at least discuss the possibility of a good outcome with a HT without using fin.. even if the results after a few years are likely to be less than optimal.

Perhaps that wasn’t the best word choice. The Eugenix rep was concerned but respected my decision. He said that I would need to sign some kind of waiver if I wanted to get a HT without using finasteride. I just scrolled through and read the last 50 pages or so of threads on this particular forum and I’ve seen this question asked quite a few times. I think I already know the answer, but I’m just trying to make myself feel better about my HT decision. Going for the exclusive package at Eugenix, after airfare and taxes, the cost of this procedure is going to be over $10k. My hair loss was aggressive, started at 28 and I’ve lost so much now at age 32. The back of my crown above the donor is noticeably thinner as well, indicating future hair loss in that area. I’ve been obsessing about doing this for months, maybe I should just accept that I’ve lost the genetic lottery and put that money to better use. Sorry for being a buzzkill.

Bumping an old thread, I know, but your post about spironolactone intrigued me and is something I’ve been looking into for quite some time. Do you feel that adding spiro made a definitive improvement to your hair regrowth? I can’t tolerate fin but I’m willing to try spiro.

I see there are a lot of similar topics, my apologies for writing what is seemingly a duplicate thread. I want to know specifically about results from other users who didn’t use finasteride post transplant. I don’t need to know whether it’ll “work” for me or not, since the evidence is pretty clear that it works for the majority who use it. Just wanted to clarify.

Guys, the experiences of those on this forum have been invaluable and have helped me choose what I think is the right clinic for me. I scheduled a HT with Eugenix, but they were a little unnerved when I mentioned that I cannot tolerate finasteride. I wish I could use it, I get a little jealous of others who can use it without severe side effects. I suppose my physiological makeup is such that I get the most severe side effects you could get from the drug - brain fog, sexual dysfunction, joint weakness and so on. I weigh the pros and cons, and I just can’t put myself through that again, especially since it took 6 months for the ill effects to subside. That said, I’ll be another high Norwood case (NW6) hoping that Eugenix can work their magic on me. I think with my circumstance, I’ll continue to lose a portion of my crown and the mid-scalp part of my hairline. For those who can’t tolerate finasteride, or who refuse to take it, and still got a HT, what were your results like post procedure? Did it turn out to be a waste of time? I’m sure that committing to this path means more HTs will be needed in the future. Is it even worth it without being able to use fin? I’d like to hear from folks who’ve been there and done that. Thanks!