Im kind of at your place now. A few years ago, I did do Propecia for about a year and had great results. In fact, I was happier with my hair during that time and for about a year after I stopped then I had been for sometime. Looking back, I think I almost got cocky thinking that when I had started Propecia in the first place, my hair really wasnt that bad. Boy was I wrong. I never really noticed a shed but believe over time, the regrowth stopped. Im at a point of getting hair transplants to fill in some spots.
I just started Propecia again this week and dead worried about the side as well. I didnt have any side effects when I was on it for that one year and, even though you read horror stories, statisically things are you in your favor if you try it.
I still am on the fence whether Propecia causes permanent side effects like some people claim. You never know what type of lifestyle these people live. Are these gym rats that are making these claims or people who drink, smoke, and over eat? In the placebo study on Propecia itself, some people claimed some of the sexual side effects....so it's hard to tell what's related to Propecia and what is not. Good luck!