Finasteride losing effectiveness? Help!

[Blackjack]

I've been using finasteride plus minoxidil combination

for about 2.5 years now.

 

I underwent first HT 1.5 years ago for about 1700 grafts

and was happy with the result.

 

But over the last couple of months, I've again noticed

a decrease in density in the same transplanted area.

 

Since the transplanted hair are permanent, I assume

these are some of the natural hairs falling out.

 

So should I assume finasteride and minox are losing their

effectiveness?

 

This has come as a shock to me as I always believed

I'd be safe as long as I stuck to finasteride.

 

And I was also planning to NOT have another HT for at least

another 5-6 years. But I didn't think I'd be back in

despair just after 1.5 years.

 

What do I suggest I do? Plz advise!

[Albion71]

I've been on finasteride for 12 years, and it does lose its effect in some people. Certainly myself. But I think it slows the rate of loss, even when it is less effective.

 

Unless you're very lucky, there aren't any hairloss treatments that are 'for life'.

[Blackjack]

Albion,

 

12 years is indeed a pretty long time.

 

Apart from the reduction in effectiveness, have you also noticed

any of the other notorious side-effects that people say come with

extended use of finasteride?

 

 

I've been on finasteride for 12 years, and it does lose its effect in some people. Certainly myself. But I think it slows the rate of loss, even when it is less effective.

 

Unless you're very lucky, there aren't any hairloss treatments that are 'for life'.

[Dutch]

Do you have pics of pre op, a year after op pic and a pic from the present time?

Have you been using finestride everyday? 1mg? Is it generic or is it the propecia brand?

[Blackjack]

Do you have pics of pre op, a year after op pic and a pic from the present time?

Have you been using finestride everyday? 1mg? Is it generic or is it the propecia brand?

 

I haven't got any of 1 yr post op. Will try to take a current pic

and post it here along with a pre-op one.

 

I've actually never used 'Propecia'. Been on generic finasteride

ever since I started and it worked wonderfully.

 

Do you think changing to another brand might help?

 

Be sure its not just a classic seasonal shed

Wow, I didn't know transplanted hairs shed.

 

I guess I have no option now but to wait for 3-4 months

and find out.

 

Anyway, just to give you an idea, as this won't be clearly visible

from the pics...

 

The density looks fairly ok and the hair looks normal when

I comb it and set it properly.

 

But when the hair setting goes haywire, the scalp starts to show

and it makes me wonder if I'm going back to my pre-op days.

 

The hair sheds immensely when I shampoo it.

 

But on the whole, the hair fall appears to be uniform over the entire area

and there are no single spots where more hair has fallen.

 

Is this shedding?

Edited May 10, 2011 by Blackjack

[RCWest]

Like Spex said, that very well sounds like shedding to me. Like animals, humans shed some hair when the weather turns warmer. If you really believe your losing dht affected hair, some doctors recommend upping your dose to 2.5 mg/day. In some people the body adapts to them and eventually needs higher doses for the same effect.

[Blackjack]

It's been extremely hot and humid at my place over the last 1 month,

and it's got me sweating profusely.

 

Maybe that's the reason for it after all.

 

Not too keen on increasing the dosage though.

I'm apprehensive about 1mg/day itself.

 

 

What percentage of total hair can one shed on an average?

Or does this differ from person to person?

Edited May 10, 2011 by Blackjack

[Albion71]

Albion,

 

12 years is indeed a pretty long time.

 

Apart from the reduction in effectiveness, have you also noticed

any of the other notorious side-effects that people say come with

extended use of finasteride?

 

No side effects at all. But I wouldn't recommend dutasteride if you value your libido!

 

I now get my finasteride through a GP, as I think some drugs I may have bought in the past may not have been legit. He was good for advice too - didn't think it a problem going 1.25mg a day, and said that coming off for any period to stop your body getting used to it was pointless. He said that even if its effects reduce with time, it will still do a job for you at delaying further hairloss.

[gillenator]

Blackjack,

 

It sounds like a seasonal/cyclical shed that you are experiencing to me too.

 

DON"T increase the strength of your finasteride. That can shock your follicles even more and you would potentially lose even more hair by sending more follicles into the resting phase.

 

Remember, cyclical shedding can last longer than natural hair cycling. My sheds take up to nine months to recoup. I can't get a consistent answer or explanation for it either.

 

IMHO, most docs will tell you to wait it out. And also don't start applying scalp invigorators like nioxin, etc either. Those also can cause further shock and trauma to your hair follicles. Don't over shampoo your hair.

 

Believe it or not, the best thing you can do IMHO is NOTHING but wait and get your mind off it for awhile.

 

Wish the best to you...