jellybean

funny you should mention that. I am 19 months post 1st procedure and 10 months post 2nd. My scar has always itched to some degree (I assumed it was due to being dry/tight etc) However, recently it has started having eruptions all along both scars-characterized by intense itching, hot inflammed nodules that feel like there is something under the skin (ie undissolved stitches) trying to come through. I am starting to get a little concerned myself.

is anyone familiar with Dr Dan Didocha out of Detroit? If so can I get an opinion?

is anyone familiar with Dr Dan Didocha out of Detroit? If so can I get an opinion?

luke I am a pharmacist and a HT survivor. I am also a finasteride user. your consultant was correct. If you are really serious about changing the course of your hair loss getting started on finasteride is a must. I consulted about 5 years before I really got serious about my hair loss. At the time, I rejected the idea of using finasteride because I didn't want to have to take a medication for the rest of my life. Now I wish I had because my hair loss progressed to a point where when I did get HT I needed a lot more than I would have otherwise. And yes cutting the 5mg tablets in 1/4 is the most cost effective way of doing it. Side effects are generally mild but can include a decreased libido (usually more pronounced in men older than you.) You may also notice a decreased volume of ejaculate and possibly some erectile dysfunction. Very rarely but still possible, finasteride can cause breast swelling and tenderness and testicular tenderness. Please note that side effects are really more prominent at higher doses. If you experience any of the side effects above and they become intolerable, your dose can be adjusted to help. Keep in mind that it takes about 3 months of therapy for hair loss to stop then another 3-12 months at least for you to see continual improvement in your existing hair quality. Hope that helps--the sooner you get started the better off you'll be down the road when you do decide to get HT

Let me make some clarifications prompted by my lack of typing skills I meant to say natural does NOT equal safe I meant to say "otherwise I think (not thing) you can take MSM without worrying too much about side effects"

Let me make this cautionary statement as a pharmacist: MSM IS a natural product but natural does equal safe. After all snake venom is also a natural product. This applies to all "natural" products. Just make sure you do your research Make sure you are using a mainstream manufacturer so that you can assume safe and clean manufacturing processes. WARNING! If you have a sulfa allergy there may be a slight chance you could react to MSM. Though MSM is not chemically or structurally related to other sulfa or sulfonamides, sometimes people who are allergic to these drugs react to other substances in greater numbers than do people who are non sulfa reactive. Otherwise I thing you can take MSM without worrying too much about side effects. Sometimes very high doses can cause diarrhea but it usually requires VERY high doses

I have "survived" 2 procedures so far and am considering going back for another in due time. However, I have some concerns: after my first procedure I experienced quite a bit of shock loss in the area behind the grafts. The second procedure was done, in part, to fix that. The 2nd procedure also caused some shock loss (though not as much). I am considering having a 3rd procedure to correct that thinning effect. My concern/question is this: Is shock loss a predictable event? If I do have a 3rd procedure will I be essentially, in effect, trading hair for hair? Am I perpetuating a vicious (and very expensive) cycle?

I have "survived" 2 procedures so far and am considering going back for another in due time. However, I have some concerns: after my first procedure I experienced quite a bit of shock loss in the area behind the grafts. The second procedure was done, in part, to fix that. The 2nd procedure also caused some shock loss (though not as much). I am considering having a 3rd procedure to correct that thinning effect. My concern/question is this: Is shock loss a predictable event? If I do have a 3rd procedure will I be essentially, in effect, trading hair for hair? Am I perpetuating a vicious (and very expensive) cycle?

I have had 2 procedures (the latest being 8 months ago) where the surgeon cut a flap of scalp from the donor sites. It was the same surgeon for both procedures so he used opposite sides of the head each time. I now have a continuous donor scar that stretches from one side to the other. The existing scar is not bad but my question is this: If I choose to have additional procedures will I have zebra stripes on the back of my scalp? Is follicular unit extraction superior to flap extraction for this reason?

I have had 2 procedures (the latest being 8 months ago) where the surgeon cut a flap of scalp from the donor sites. It was the same surgeon for both procedures so he used opposite sides of the head each time. I now have a continuous donor scar that stretches from one side to the other. The existing scar is not bad but my question is this: If I choose to have additional procedures will I have zebra stripes on the back of my scalp? Is follicular unit extraction superior to flap extraction for this reason?

I am 8 months post op 2nd procedure (1200 march 07 and 1300 Jan 08). My grafts were all placed in the frontal area. The first procedure created a hairline and the 2nd procedure filled in behind the hairline. I have always had very fine, silky light hair but have noticed that the transplanted hairs are very course and wiry (also much darker). They also tend to grow straight up or out and refuse to lay down. this is even still the case with the grafts from the 1st procedure (now 18 months out). The new hair does not blend well with the original hairs and doesn't look natural (in my opinion). Has anyone else experienced the same or similar? How long if ever does it take to return to normal?

I am 8 months post op 2nd procedure (1200 march 07 and 1300 Jan 08). My grafts were all placed in the frontal area. The first procedure created a hairline and the 2nd procedure filled in behind the hairline. I have always had very fine, silky light hair but have noticed that the transplanted hairs are very course and wiry (also much darker). They also tend to grow straight up or out and refuse to lay down. this is even still the case with the grafts from the 1st procedure (now 18 months out). The new hair does not blend well with the original hairs and doesn't look natural (in my opinion). Has anyone else experienced the same or similar? How long if ever does it take to return to normal?

Yes, I agree Toppik does cause a dulling of the hair. I found that using the provided "salt shaker" applicator was causing excessive deposits on the scalp. I started using the atomizer (sprayer) and found I was able to exercise much more control over where and how much was applied. It also reduced the dullness effect.