Rogaine 5% & Propecia for only 2 months = RESULTS, but stopped Propecia, start again?

[AQ]

Rogaine 5% & Propecia for only 2 months = RESULTS, but stopped Propecia, now start back up?

 

I started taking Propecia and Rogaine Extra Strength 5% at the same time. Had a good amount of shedding within the first week or two. Within 2 months, I had tons of hair growing on the hairline, and sides and temples have lengthened quite a bit. I have used this ONLY on my frontal hairline.

 

I stopped Propecia for 3 or so weeks, with only slight side effects, and now I don't know whether I need to get back on it.

 

On the one hand, I think the Rogaine has created most, if not all the progress, and this is mainly because I only took the Propecia for 2 months, and don't see how it could have much, if any effect in that short a time. Also, the Rogaine has been growing hair on other parts of my body (which isn't so great...), so it seems my body is responding quickly and fully to Minoxidil.

 

Now I'm sitting here thinking that maybe I should take my chances with just Rogaine. Part of this impulse is from the stories that Finasteride stops working after a few years. I have also heard of people responding super well to Rogaine (as I am doing) and the results being permanent, even after stopping.

 

Here's the timetable:

 

Started Rogaine 5% and Propecia at the same time, used 60 pills of Propecia then stopped for a month (not a choice, had no control over it). Continued Rogaine over the next 3 or so weeks, just got Propecia again a week or so ago and have taken about 4 pills, and the shedding is already increasing, though not as bad (so far) as when I first started.

 

So there are 2 scenarios:

 

1) Let the Propecia go and continue with the Rogaine. If progress doesn't continue as it did in the first 2 months, start up on Propecia again, otherwise let it go permanently.

 

2) In conjunction with Rogaine, start back up on the Propecia now and play it out fully, so if it stops working in a few years it stops, and I continue Rogaine.

 

Thoughts? Ideas? I really don't want to become more dependent on Propecia then have it stop working in a few years. Also, I am becoming more optimistic that Rogaine will have permanent effects in light of the many stories I have heard about it being permanent after people have stopped.

 

I'm open to anything anyone has to say.

 

 

p.s. are there any studies comparing rogaine only to propecia only to both together?

 

Are there any topical DHT blockers known to work as well as Propecia? If there are, can you move from Propecia to topical and back without any problems?

[JetFlyBoy]

AQ,

 

You are on the exact regimen that I am about to begin. I am on 5% minox and am going to talk to a doctor this week about starting propecia.

 

I have the same hairline-only loss and on NOT going to use minox anywhere but the frontal area. However, I have not seen any studies that minoxidil and propecia has any effect on the hairline. At least the studies have not been funded, therefore the disclaimers, etc.

 

Can I ask what kind of results you have seen in the past 3 months? Also, what kind of shedding are you experiencing? I just discovered there are a few folks on propecia that have experienced that.

 

All the best,

Jeff

[AQ]

TRUST ME, at least one of these drugs worked on my hairline insanely well. And the vellous hairs are turning into full blown terminal hairs.

 

I started shedding at the 2 week mark starting both of these drugs at the same time. Tons of hairgrowth all along the hairline at the 2 month mark. I used these drugs only on the frontal hairline.

 

Instead of worrying about the shedding, be happy--it means your body is responding to the drugs!

[GuitarPlayer]

AQ,

 

If you were having good results with both, I would continue with both. I wouldn't question it. They work in completely different ways. The problem with rogaine is that it doesn't attack the root of the problem, which is DHT. On the other hand, propecia doesn't really act as a growth stimulant the way that rogaine does.

The best line of action is to use both.

 

GuitarPlayer