Curious_George

you think that the 5 months of benefits i got from rogaine(or what i believe i got) is all but gone now since i missed 2 days?

No.

Ok, update.

I haven't had another Proscar pill since I stopped.

And after I stopped, I had my libido back.

Now, I am going to do another M-W-F next week and see how that goes.

Will update on results of the 2nd pill.

At 18, I'd stick to just Rogaine alone.

There are a couple of people here who have posted about how Propecia lost its initial effectiveness after a 6-7 year period. That for you would mean age of 25. Then, after that time, you have no other option other than surgery.

Try Rogaine for a few years and see if that helps before you go on medication.

Originally posted by hatrick:

you cannot say taking 1.25 mg every 6 days is equal to .02 mg a day. As i'm sure you know, the body filters itself, and after 24 hours at the most, the drug is completely removed from the bloodstream. therefore, any progress the drug made that day, will no doubt regress in the next 5 days without the drug.

That's fair enough a criticism. It would all depend on how long the drug stays effective in the body, right?

Originally posted by kal-el1975:

I've been taking Propecia (1 mg daily) for about 7 or 8 years. I started losing my hair behind the hairline and further back around the age of 23-24. It was thinning drastically. Got on Propecia and after about 1 year I had significant regrowth and thickening back up of my hair. Recently i am thinning again (I'm now 32) and at times feel I am getting back to as bad or worse than I was before. I am considering adding Rogaine to the regimen and already added Saw Palmetto (figured couldn't hurt). I am going to go back to my derm and discuss options. Guess I should be happy for the 7-8 years I got on Propecia, but no one ever said "Oh by the way, it will stop working or lose its effectiveness after some period of years and you will be back to where you were years ago but have dumped this drug in your system the whole time." Who knows would I have even started? Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated.

A respected HT surgeon posted this here and it makes sense: for your first 7-8 years, you got hair growth from Propecia (in addition to hair loss prevention). So you were on the 'up curve'.

Now, re-growth has stopped and you are seeing thinning again. So you are on the 'down curve'. If you stop Propecia, that down curve would become a downward slide.

So what do you do - keep taking it. And maybe at 35, you can consider a HT.

Originally posted by MrJobi:

Personally, I think it is quite early to experience side effects especially from such a low dosage...

 

Speak with your doctor if you are concerned.

Well, I'm 31 and I am currently NW IV, heading to V/VI.

I'm fully functional but the sensation has deadened. It definitely has. 5 days is long for me and while before the urge was very strong, it wasn't there the same way lately. And like I said, the final moment wasn't all that "explosive" either.

I also feel amazed that 1 pill would show this kind of effect but now I think I'll stay off for a couple of weeks and see what happens. And then go back on for another week. If it's all in my head, that's the best way to find out, yeah?

Originally posted by kg007:

It was me who has claimed that. I have had terrible results from the foam. I believe I am not the only one. Surf on hairlosshelp forums and you'll find many people experiencing same problems I have mentioned. I say incostistent because it has worked for some people and it hasn't work for lot of people even after using it for 6-7 months.

 

KG

Yes, I was quoting you.

Bill: I'd think the same way too - that this is liquid vs foam, the only difference being the delivery method.

I don't think this is entirely in his mind...it could be but just as well might be the side effects manifesting themselves.

I posted in the Drugs forum as well - just 1 pill of Proscar over the past 8 days has lowered my libido.

Usually, after a day or so after an encounter, I'm raring to go again. I have morning wood, even the slightest wind (so to say) will get me up....but over the past week, I just don't feel those physical sensations.

I'm sure I'm not impotent but the intensity is gone.

The scary thing is, this is after just ONE pill. I don't think I want to go on this for the rest of my life!

I'd like to think that this isn't just my head and unfounded fears but the physical reaction is definitely there:

I started Proscar + Rogaine foam on June 6th (8 days ago). Till date, I have had 1 entire pill of Proscar.

What I notice is:

1. No morning erection.

2. Compared to before, I am not excited as much. Whereas, prior to this first pill, I'd be 'up and about' within a 2-3 day period of an encounter.

3. The physical urge to have sex was always accompanied by this feeling of heaviness in the testicles - not there anymore.

Now, I am seriously thinking of just staying with Rogaine foam.

I'd like to think that this isn't just my head and unfounded fears but the physical reaction is definitely there:

I started Proscar + Rogaine foam on June 6th (8 days ago). Till date, I have had 1 entire pill of Proscar.

What I notice is:

1. No morning erection.

2. Compared to before, I am not excited as much. Whereas, prior to this first pill, I'd be 'up and about' within a 2-3 day period of an encounter.

3. The physical urge to have sex was always accompanied by this feeling of heaviness in the testicles - not there anymore.

Now, I am seriously thinking of just staying with Rogaine foam.

What's this I am reading about Rogaine foam being 'unproven', 'inconsistent' and causing hair shed which never comes back?

Since June 10, I'm on Proscar (quarter tab MWF) and Rogaine Foam twice a day.

Hey,

The smell is definitely there - but I'm also not sure if anyone else can smell it.

I was at a crowed bar during the week with a co-worker; he didn't make any comments. I was also wearing a nice cologne....maybe that's why?

Guys,

same here - I just started on Rogaine foam and it's not very greasy.

The initial smell is definitely there...not sure if other people can smell it. But i do also wear a nice cologne when going out.

Originally posted by Ringo:

I know I'm late getting on board here, but about a year into taking first Propecia, then Finpecia to save money, I started having breast tenderness and pain, tho no swelling or overt change. I reduced to half the prescribed dose, .5mg. Still the problem. Went to .5mg every other day, same problem. I stopped for a couple weeks, problem goes away. I resume, and after a couple of days, symptoms are back. What fraction of a pill is .02? I am willing to try, because the stuff really STOPPED my hair loss. Also, could it be the generic? If anyone can answer, Thanks! I have considered the possibility of the power of suggestion...

 

Ringo

Well, if you cut up a Proscar pill into 4 bits, each piece is 1.25mg.

If you have one of these pieces every 6 days, your daily dosage becomes 0.2mg (1.25/6 = 0.208)

Did you try that?

Originally posted by HT55:

I didn't have a shed just incredible regrowth

You're a lucky SOB.

How long did you say you've been on this regimen?

Originally posted by HT55:

you can just start now.

 

I would use the foam wherever you have hair loss and not just the crown as I and several others have had growth on our entire head from the foam/Propecia combo.

 

I use it from hairline to crown and a bottle of Foam lasts me about 15 days so don't try to use the reccomended dosage because that is to cover the crown only.

Thanks.

About what time should I expect the dreaded shed and how long does it last?(on average)

Hi Waittosee:

Your pictures are truly hope-inspiring.

Couple of questions:

1. How bad was the preliminary shed and if you experienced shedding, how long till the re-growth started?

2. ANY side effects? Sexual or physical appearance?

Thanks!

And i feel nervous starting up on it. We know this is intervention with the body's hormonal controls but I figure it's less intrusive than a surgery and if it works without side-effects (in conjunction with Rogaine foam), would yield me benefit for the next 4-5 years.

Question - should I start off or wait for my Rogaine supply to come in (within the next 2 weeks )

Thanks.

PS: Anything else I need to know before starting?

And i feel nervous starting up on it. We know this is intervention with the body's hormonal controls but I figure it's less intrusive than a surgery and if it works without side-effects (in conjunction with Rogaine foam), would yield me benefit for the next 4-5 years.

Question - should I start off or wait for my Rogaine supply to come in (within the next 2 weeks )

Thanks.

PS: Anything else I need to know before starting?

Guys,

I just picked up 30 Proscar pills from Costco Canada for about $63 (let's assume 1usd = 1cad).

1 pill once cut into 4 parts and consumed MWF is going to last slightly over a week. So, 30 pills would last 30 weeks+, appx 8 months.

A year's supply of Rogaine Foam is $150.

$150+$63 = $213 for 1yr on maintaining/re-growing your hair isn't all that bad.

So why turn to shady sources?

As someone about to start off on this medication, this stuff freaks me out.

There's no possible reduced dosage than what you're taking? What about two times a week instead of the current 3 days?

Originally posted by Mike Beehner, M.D.:

Bill,

In reply to your question, I think it's probably unfair to at least finasteride to say "in rarer cases it stimulates some hair growth." My experience and that of most of my colleagues I talk with, is that a good half of the men we put on finasteride (Propecia or generic Proscar) experience some added hair growth, at least in the first 4-5 years. Minoxidil (Rogaine) works synergistically with finasteride and the results are better than with only finasteride for the single patient who chooses to use both.

Hi Dr. Beehner,

While on the topic of Propecia and while we have your attention; does Propecia induce body hair growth in anyway?

Thanks.

Originally posted by Bill:

doubt i will get any balder than this

Thinman,

Given your age and thinning hair on top, you will most likely lose the rest of your natural hair without medical intervention (Propecia and maybe even Rogaine).

In my opinon, consider using these two nonsurgical treatments first for at least a year and see how they work for you. Then reconsider surgery.

It appears that you have a lot more research to do.

Best wishes,

Bill

That's as honest and sincere a feedback anybody would provide.

Originally posted by Bill:

dakota,

 

Great question.

 

In my opinion, diffuse hair thinners are some of the BEST hair transplant candidates simply because they are most likely "one and done" procedures assuming hair loss has been controlled with medication.

 

Keep in mind that the risk of permanent shock loss only exists for native hair that is currently in a weakened state due to hair miniaturization (or if the native hair follicles are transected, but this is rare in the hands of a qualified surgeon). This means that this hair would have eventually fallen out and leave you bald anyway. Temporary shock may occur due to scalp trauma but will return.

 

In my opinion, there is a very low risk of a diffuse hair thinning only acquiring a 0% gain. But the good news is, even if it does happen, at least susceptible hair has been replaced by permanent hair and subsequent surgeries can add density. After all, most patients go for multiple surgeries before they are complete anyway.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

Bill: Thanks for your response.

Would you also be able to direct some surgeons to provide their professional medical opinion on this important question?

Thanks,

CG.

Originally posted by dakota3:

Those of us w/ diffuse thinning often wonder is it worth having the procedure done considering the risk's of permanant shock loss and the chance of a 0 sum gain? what are the %'s of this type of thing happening? Obviously I would welcome all opinions and not just the doc's!

Thanks for asking this. I asked this too and I'm hoping to see some professional opinions from the surgeons on this board.