skysurf

Hi guys, I've been using Finasteride (5mg split quarterly) for almost a year now, and just started using minoxidil 5% last week. I had a question regarding minoxidil and it's proper usage, and was wondering if someone could advice.... First, it is my understanding that minox should be used with dry scalp (or atleast completely towel-dried after a shower), is that correct?? Second, I read somewhere earlier that some people use the minox and let it stay on for about 30mins - 1 hour, after which taking a shower and rinsing their head, mostly because they don't want to sleep with the minox still on their heads, getting on their pillows, and then their face, etc. Is that really necessary, because I've been using minox twice a day, and in the morning after I put it on I simply go to work and let it stay all day. Same at night, I apply it after showering and drying my hair and then go to bed without rinsing my head again. Does it really matter whether you wash it off 1-2 hours later or let it stay on the whole day/night?? Lastly, I noticed if I apply it and let it stay on, then there is this white residue on the scalp which is noticeable. Is there a way to avoid this, or am I simply applying too much?? Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!!

Hi guys, just a quick question on whether Finasteride helps to halt hairloss in the temples?? I know it can halt and even regrow hair on the crown. I have slight recession on my temples (especially the left one,) and have been on Finasteride (Proscar) for four months now. I am just wondering whether Finasteride actually will work to halt any further hairloss on the temples as well (I don't expect it to regrow any hair in the temples, just atleast halt it??) What do you think and any experiences?? Thanks!! Best regards,

Hiya notgoing, no, I take the 5mg Finastaride pill (PROSCAR). I use a pill-cutter and split it into a quarter and take each quarter every night. So I take 1.25 mg finasteride every night, and skip the fifth night, as advised by my doctor who prescribed it. Actually, what I usually do is even out the time between the day I take the last quarter of the old pill and the first quarter of the new pill. So that means I take 1.25 mg each night for three nights. Then I skip the fourth night, but on the fifth morning I will take the last 1.25 mg. Then on the night of the sixth I take the first 1.25 mg of the next pill. If that makes sense.... I dunno if it's actually gonna work, but I just figured it to be better than just waiting two entire days with the DHT-blocker. So far I haven't noticed any of the sexual side-effects. I had thought I was noticing them at the beginning, but now thing that was also just psychological as Mr. Happy seems to be quite happy and content most of the time. I hope it stays like!!!! Best regards,

Hi guys, just thought to update on this post since I started it. I've been on Finasteride (Propecia) for a little over four months now. I am sleeping better and don't think my loss of sleep was due to finasteride at all.... Looking at it now I am sure it was just anxiety (especially anxiety about losing my hair!!!! ......) and poor sleeping habits. I am thankful to say there are no side-effects I've had either, and my sex drive and libido seem to the same, if not a little higher.... I was REALLLLLY worried about this before I started Propecia, but think this could very well be simply psychological as well.... I normally take the 5mg finasteride split into quarters. The pill split into quarters is so small I don't know how it manages to do anything at all???? But I hope it does and prevents my hairloss.... So I will continue my use of Propecia and hopefully have good results. Best regards,

Thanks Dhoose!! BTW, you said you have 'been of' Propecia, is that typo meaning you have been 'on' it or did you decide to quite because of the side-effects?? I don't take any caffeine at all. Normally I eat VERY healthy and avoid intaking any unncessary foods/liquids (soda, etc.) and Finasteride is so far the only thing I have taken (reluctantly I must admit....) I think you are right, most likely I don't think my insomnia is due to propecia.... I have kept a realllly bad sleeping habit/cycle the last few years, sleeping/waking at odd hours. All this might just be anxiety.... I was looking online and saw reviews on some good hypno-sleep aid audio cd's and new age music cd's for sleep and relaxation. I have ordered a few of these and will try them out, but I am really hoping they help to solve the problem. I really wouldn't like to have to get off Finasteride as I don't want to lose my freakin hair!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Hi guys, I am probably a Norwood 2 - 2.5 and just realized the state of my MPB about a month ago.... I just started on Finasteride 3.5 weeks ago. I have not had any ED side-effects or problems with libido so far. However the one problem I do have: For about two weeks now I am having significant problems with insomnia. I am having a VERY difficult time falling asleep at night, and what little sleep I can manage to get is not good quality either. I found this link which states that insomnia can be a side-effect of Propecia/Finasteride: http://www.yoursleepdisorders.com/finasteride-and-insom...s-of-finasteride-22/ My question I guess is: have any of you guys had similar problems with insomnia?? I am not sure whether the lack of sleep could be an exact side-effect of Finasteride.... I have read somewhere the levels of DHT are highest when you are sleeping, so if Finasteride blocks DHT, could this affect your sleep cycle?? Would you suggest switching to a lower-dose (every other day??) of finasteride, or any sleep meds?? I hate the idea of having to take sleep medications because don't want to get dependent on them. Any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate any help!! Thanks!!

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback!! I think I will first start with HairBank's regimen of taking the dosage (1.25mg) every other day, just to give my time to start adjusting to the change in the hormone mess..... Then maybe a few weeks later switch to the 4-day/week regimen. What do you think?? Like I said I'm real nervous about messing with the hormones.... Guess will just have to wait a 6 months - 1 year to notice any difference in my hair. Seeing what happened to my brother, I give myself two more years without Propecia before much of the hair on the front would be gone, so should have a good idea if this dosage is working in six months or I need to increase it.... BTW, I buzzed my hair with a Blade size 1 (realllll short.....) and am not too disappointed/worried about the looks (think I'll actually keep this look permanently for a while), so I guess if this stuff doesn't work then it won't be the worst thing that can happen I guess.... Just venting.... thanks for the time and help!!

Thanks for the feedback Hairbank!! I am thinking about a regimen in between what the nurse at the doctors office suggested and what you suggested, how about this: f instead of taking 1.25mg Proscar for four days straight, then skip a day, then four days straight again, and so on where in a week I only get a break from the pill for one day.... I could just set a schedule, example: take 1.25mg each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. So four times a week. What do you think?? This would mean I would get one extra day of dosage every two weeks than your current schedule. Or do you think it's better still to stay consistent every other day?? Also, is there a best time to take the dosage (morning, night, after and before dinner) and does it matter with how much water (full glass, half glass.... etc.????) Thanks!!

First off: I am thankful this site and everyone is here because there is some great advice on these forums. Second off: Son of a B@$#$@#$@$.... I can't believe I am here.... talking about hair loss.... I am 26 and always had great thick black hair, never once thought about hair loss. My dad still has a full head of hair in his mid 50s, although my older brother is quite bald on the front and top and started losing his hair the same age as me.... For the last year or so a few people kept mentioning when I got a short haircut that I was losing hair on my front and top, normally just brushed off by me as a visual effect of hairgel. Now I got a real short hair last week and there's no mistaking it, the hair's jus' flyin out slowly, gradually.... So I saw the doctors and got a prescription for Finasteride (5mg) and doc advised me to split it in 4 and take once every day (1.25 mg), then skip the fifth day. Is this the best way to take the 5mg finasteride?? I have read some other posts on the forum mentioning people taking Proscar/Finasteride cut into quarters (1.25mg) every day (without skipping the fifth day.) If I skip every fifth day as directed by the doctor, would it be less effective? If I take more than 1mg every day are there more chances of side-effects (erectile disfunction, etc.??) I am reallllly worried about side-effects and hate the idea of externally manipulating my hormone system, but guess outta many options at this point.... what are the chances of side-effects occuring, and how can they be reduced/eliminated?? Any advice on the cutting of the pill would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! Think I will also shave my head off to atleast see how the bald look goes on me, just for the hell of it, should be interesting.... Still, I just CAN'T LOSE MY FREAKIN HAIRRRR !!!!