Regular Member Blackjack Posted May 9, 2011 Regular Member Share Posted May 9, 2011 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Albion71 Posted May 9, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted May 9, 2011 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'. My hair transplants | 1. Dr Melike Kulahci | 2. Dr William Lindsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Blackjack Posted May 10, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 10, 2011 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'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Dutch Posted May 10, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted May 10, 2011 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? http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=2329 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Blackjack Posted May 10, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 10, 2011 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member RCWest Posted May 10, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted May 10, 2011 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. Finasteride 1.25 mg. daily Avodart 0.5 mg. daily Spironolactone 50 mg twice daily 5 mg. oral Minoxidil twice daily Biotin 1000 mcg daily Multi Vitamin daily Damn, with all the stuff you put in your hair are you like a negative NW1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Blackjack Posted May 10, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 10, 2011 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Albion71 Posted May 12, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted May 12, 2011 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. My hair transplants | 1. Dr Melike Kulahci | 2. Dr William Lindsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member gillenator Posted May 13, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted May 13, 2011 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... Gillenator Independent Patient Advocate I am not a physician and not employed by any doctor/clinic. My opinions are not medical advice, but are my own views which you read at your own risk. Supporting Physicians: Dr. Robert Dorin: The Hairloss Doctors in New York, NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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