mistermike

Hey Robert - welcome back! You gave me a lot of great advice in the past... it's nice to have you posting again.

Miracleman (and Jupiter) - I started both Propecia and Rogaine just after Thanksgiving 2005 (I was 45 yrs old). By Christmas I thought I had made the worst mistake of my life... my hair had thinned quite a bit in that 3-4 week period. I was almost in tears. However, I stuck with it and by the six-month mark my hair was definitely getting thicker. By 12 months it was almost a miracle... the combination of Propecia and Rogaine really saved my hair (much new growth all over)! I just visited Dr. Tessler (in Michigan) a couple weeks ago for my yearly "checkup"/prescription renewal and he showed me the photo he took back in 2005. He actually said "I can't believe it", referencing how well it's worked for me. So far, no side effects either (knock on "wood"!).

I haven't had a HT but I've been using Propecia/Minox for two years. Within a month I noticed less shedding, and within 3-6 months I discovered considerable new growth. Two years later I'm still maintaining! (and still using Propecia/Minox... I really think there's a synergy using the two together). Mike

Here's my experience: I started using Minoxidil 5% and Propecia around Thanksgiving 2005. Four weeks later was my birthday, and I was almost in tears... I had shed so much hair, I felt I looked five years older than I did the month before. I thought for certain I had made a mistake, but a few people here encouraged me to continue. Man, am I glad I didn't quit! Within 2-4 months my hair loss had stopped, and actually began reversing. By six months, I noticed definite regrowth. Right now I have much more hair than I did when I started treatment... I couldn't be more satisfied with the results. I have no idea if your results will follow the same pattern, but I suggest giving it a few more months to see if your hair loss stabilizes/reverses. Good luck! Mike

I have been using Propecia/Rogaine for 12 months. There was an initial "shock loss" (which really depressed me). But in the next 2-3 months my hair began to fill in. Right now it is considerably thicker than when I started. Good luck!

I've been waiting for this to come out. Can't wait to try it (standard Minox is working great for me, but application/distribution can be a problem). Mike

I use a combination of Minoxidil and Propecia, and I've definitely seen considerable regrowth. It's worth a try... good luck!

Thanks Robert - that's encouraging! Like I said before, the results from the combined Rogaine/Propecia regimen have far exceeded my expectations. 2x a day is really a pain, but I'm determined not to slip again!

I'm glad this topic is being discussed. I've been using Rogaine and Propecia for the past seven months with great results. My hair loss has virtually stopped and it seems thicker than before. However... in the past month I've slacked off on Rogaine use (still using Propecia regularly). Instead of 2x a day, I have been using it about 1x per day (sometimes twice, sometimes zero). A few weeks went by and I didn't really notice anything... to be honest I didn't realize I was becoming so negligent. This week, I'm noticing many more hairs in the sink, and the areas that seemed to benefit from regrowth are getting thin once again. I'm back to 2x a day, everyday. My question: will I "regrow" the hair that I "regrew"? Will my hair go back to where it was a month or two ago? Also, will I have to go through the shedding stage again? Many thanks in advance! Hopefully it's good news. Mike

Update: my hair is definitely fuller on this regimen, and many of the smaller hairs I noticed earlier are growing into "real" hairs. I could not be more pleased with my results. I was *very* seriously considering a HT, but now I'll probably put it off for a few years (at least). Like everyone on these boards, I wish I had done this five (or ten) years ago!

Well, it's almost a month later. The "new" hairs are getting longer, and many of them seem to be getting darker/thicker. Not sure if they're gonna survive, but so far it's encouraging! Whether I regrow any hair or not, I've drastically reduced the rate that my remaining hair is falling out. That alone is enough to keep me on Propecia/Rogaine.

The Proscar is a prescription written for me by my hair doctor (it's much cheaper per dose than Propecia). I can fill it at any drug store. I bought a pill cutter from Walgreens for around $5.

It seems like my "new" hairs are getting longer and thicker. We'll see if they turn into real hairs! I notice a lot of new hairs around my (recessed) hairline, but nothing to indicate I'll recover lost hairline. Has anyone had any lost hairline return? Thanks!

I agree. I pay $15 for eight tabs... split into quarters, that's a month's supply. I would never purchase medicine (or anything to be ingested!) online.

I started on Rogaine and Propecia about 10-11 weeks ago. I shed quite a bit the first few weeks (very depressing!), but that passed and I'm starting to see new hairs (plus my wife says I don't leave a ton of hair in the sink anymore). Worst case: I've reduced my rate of hair loss considerably. For you, I don't think I would consider surgery yet. Include Propecia in your regimen and see if that helps. Good luck!

tronxz28 - had you ever noticed them before you started on Propecia? I admit I never looked this close before, but I'm amazed at the number of short thin hairs that I have. I wonder if it's because of my new regimen, or if they were always there (but basically dormant). And I wonder, if I stay on Minoxidil/Proscar, will they grow to become long, full, normal hairs? If anyone has any experience with this, I would really like to hear your story! Mike

I've been on Proscar (1.25mg per day) and Minoxidil (5%, approx 3ml per day) for about two months. Yesterday I examined my scalp and noticed a lot of very short hairs (1/16" to 1/8"). Some of them are very fine (thin). I was wondering if these could be due to the treatment I'm on? Or are they part of the "cycle" I've read about, and would have been there anyway? Also, if I am fortunate enough to regrow some hair, will they look like my other hairs (meaning will they be as long and thick and the same color)? Or will they be short, thin baby hairs that never really grow? Thanks in advance!! Mike

I've been on Proscar (1.25mg per day) and Minoxidil (5%, approx 3ml per day) for about two months. Yesterday I examined my scalp and noticed a lot of very short hairs (1/16" to 1/8"). Some of them are very fine (thin). I was wondering if these could be due to the treatment I'm on? Or are they part of the "cycle" I've read about, and would have been there anyway? Also, if I am fortunate enough to regrow some hair, will they look like my other hairs (meaning will they be as long and thick and the same color)? Or will they be short, thin baby hairs that never really grow? Thanks in advance!! Mike

I started on Proscar two weeks ago, and I'm starting Rogaine today (I waited to see if I had a reaction to Proscar). My question - what's the best way to apply Rogaine? I think Robert posted that he applies both treatments at night (4+ hours apart)... does this seem to work OK? Also, what's the best way to get it on my scalp and not my hair? Thanks in advance! Mike

I've decided to delay my initial HT for a while, but have started using Proscar now. What shampoo will work best with it? I have read about Vive for Men, Progaine, and Nioxin. Is there really a "best" among these? I guess I'm looking for cosmetic appeal, but don't want to dry my hair out too much. Maybe I should use a conditioner too (I haven't used one regularly for several years... they seem to make my hair look even thinner). Thanks in advance for any advice!

Robert - thanks for explaining... I thought Proscar was a generic equivalent. My insurance paid about 50% of the total price. I bought a pill cutter and I'm cutting them into quarters, taking one quarter each day for four days (then nothing on the fifth day). This is what Dr Tessler recommended... does that sound OK to you, or should I take a quarter (1.25mg) everyday? Thanks again Robert!

I deferred my HT until next year, but started on Propecia (Proscar). Dr Tessler (Michigan) wrote the prescription, and it cost me $15 for eight 5mg pills (my insurance paid the rest). Is this what most people are paying? It doesn't sound outrageous to me... in fact, I heard Propecia was closer to $60/month. I know Proscar is the generic, but is there any real difference between Proscar and Propecia? Thanks!

Dr. Tessler (Michigan) told me to cut the Proscar tabs into quarters, take one per day, then take none on the 5th day. He said thats as effective as taking 1mg Propecia every day (and *much* cheaper).

Pat - thank you very much for the information! This forum is great... so much information on all aspects of hair loss. Isn't the Internet great? Billydett - although you're still waiting on the final results, it sounds like you're pleased with your experience with Dr. Tessler. Where do you post your pics at? Thanks! I've made up my mind I'm going to call tomorrow and set up a consultation with Dr. Tessler. I'm a little anxious but I don't want to put it off any longer.

Hi, I'm new to this board (registered tonight) but my hair loss isn't new... it's been thinning for the past 20 years (I'm 45 now). I've been thinking transplant for the past 2-3 years, and I'm finally ready to take the plunge. My question: I live in the suburbs of Detroit. Can anyone recommend a good HT physician in the area? I've visited quite a few websites but it's hard to tell who's good and who isn't (I haven't read any negative testimonials yet!). From checking out this board I understand the importance of going to the best doctor possible. Please let me know of any experience with the doctors in this area, and thanks in advance! Mike