Regular Member OttawaJay Posted June 21, 2012 Regular Member Share Posted June 21, 2012 Good day all. So this is all new to me. In just a few short weeks I found this board, began reading, and visited my local HT doctor. Beyond a hair transplant, he suggested both Minoxidil and Propecia. I'm not yet sure what to do, but I've been reading up on my options. Propecia - I'm scared to death of the side effects. Depressions, suicidal thoughts, erectile difficulty... sometimes permanent even after you stop taking the drug. The doctor quoted up to a 4% side effect rate. That's scary as hell! I want the results but don't the potential side effects far outweigh the risks? I mean permanent ED for the rest of your life? That's not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member 1978matt Posted June 21, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted June 21, 2012 Good day all. So this is all new to me. In just a few short weeks I found this board, began reading, and visited my local HT doctor. Beyond a hair transplant, he suggested both Minoxidil and Propecia. I'm not yet sure what to do, but I've been reading up on my options. Propecia - I'm scared to death of the side effects. Depressions, suicidal thoughts, erectile difficulty... sometimes permanent even after you stop taking the drug. The doctor quoted up to a 4% side effect rate. That's scary as hell! I want the results but don't the potential side effects far outweigh the risks? I mean permanent ED for the rest of your life? That's not good. Taking Propecia for a short while, say 1 or 2 months is not going to give you permanent ED. That's my opinion. I've seen interviews with some people who claim to have suffered it because of Propecia, and to be quite honest they look quite ill! This makes me think they had some underlying health condition in the first place and are just looking for someone to blame. Your call, but it is worth a try if your hair bothers you that much. Any noticeable sides after a month then just stop. 4,312 FUT grafts (7,676 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - August 2013 1,145 FUE grafts (3,152 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - August 2018 763 FUE grafts (2,094 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - January 2020 Proscar 1.25mg every 3rd day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Sunnycoastman Posted June 22, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted June 22, 2012 When I first started taking propecia I noticed a change. No morning wood. change in semen consistency. I was worried but persevered. It took about 4 months before my body accustomed itself and i felt some normality. that was 3 years ago.Im still on 1.25mg per day and no ED problems. There is a way to get around ED I think. look up "JELQ" online. Its a powerful erection stimulent. Pain in the bum to do and you'll probably need some porn for it but it works. 20 minutes every 3rd day. It will supercharge your libido. Plus you'll end up with increased size. Who dosnt want that!!...Lol. good luck. My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Pathomvanich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aim4hair Posted June 22, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted June 22, 2012 The way i see it, is if you fear the sides that much, then don't take the med, the thing is our mind is complicated, and if you fear something too much chances are you might not feel normal taking it even if you dont really get the sides... some ppl experience some sexual issues even without taking any meds and in many cases there is nothing wrong with them and it's just in their heads. Alot of ppl take propecia without even searching or caring about the sides and they don't get them. But having said that some ppl do get sides even if they don't think about them.. So it's really upto you.. You can try rogaine, who knows it might works for you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member RCWest Posted June 22, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted June 22, 2012 I've been on Finasteride for 2-1/2 years, and Avodart for close to 2. No ED here! No reduced ejaculate, watery semen, etc. Once you are on the medication for a while your body should become used to it. 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 OttawaJay Posted June 22, 2012 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 22, 2012 Well I just got a prescription, so I'll be giving it a try, as well as Rogaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Mikeylad Posted June 23, 2012 Regular Member Share Posted June 23, 2012 I tried propecia but came off it as the side effects were horrendous and more upsetting than the hair loss itself. I believe that not everyone gets side effects but I'd rather be totally bald than experience those side effects again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member OttawaJay Posted August 16, 2012 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 16, 2012 I've been on Propecia and Rogaine for almost 2 month now. Lots of shedding but no results yet. How long before it kicks in? For side effects, I've had some head numbing, but minor. Not even a headache really. No ED but ejaculate is a little thinner. No emotional side effects. Sometimes some minor flushing in my face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Blake Bloxham Posted August 16, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted August 16, 2012 The dreaded "shedding phase" associated with finasteride usage can last up to 3-4 months. Hang in there! "Doc" Blake Bloxham - formerly "Future_HT_Doc" Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum All opinions are my own and my advice does not constitute as medical advice. All medical questions and concerns should be addressed by a personal physician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member StaggerLee123 Posted August 17, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted August 17, 2012 Good day all. So this is all new to me. In just a few short weeks I found this board, began reading, and visited my local HT doctor. Beyond a hair transplant, he suggested both Minoxidil and Propecia. I'm not yet sure what to do, but I've been reading up on my options. Propecia - I'm scared to death of the side effects. Depressions, suicidal thoughts, erectile difficulty... sometimes permanent even after you stop taking the drug. The doctor quoted up to a 4% side effect rate. That's scary as hell! I want the results but don't the potential side effects far outweigh the risks? I mean permanent ED for the rest of your life? That's not good. 4% side effect rate? That means 96% of all patients don't experience any side effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Bobilero Posted August 17, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted August 17, 2012 Be prepared for Side effects at any stage., They took 3 and a half years to really kick in for me before i had to dump the drug last year. Just had some blood work done. My Free Testosterone serum levels are still way out of whack after nearly a year off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairybaldy Posted August 17, 2012 Regular Member Share Posted August 17, 2012 4% side effect rate? That means 96% of all patients don't experience any side effects. 4% is large in medical side effects, an example... there are 18,326 registered members on this site that means that around 733 of our fine members will suffer side effects, thats quite a lot and a horrible thought that 733 of the great friendly people on this site will be effected. I just don't know what to do, my supply of finasteride ran out recently, I was searching where to buy more and I came across this post. Scared the hell into me. I would recommend everyone to read that post. I did say along time ago to my HT Dr. that I would nearly prefer to get another HT in 5-10 years than to take medicine every day. I never noticed anything, no side effect positive or negative. I did just start taking them week before my HT. So do I stop taking them and risk my new HT or take them and risk my health? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Kyo Posted August 17, 2012 Regular Member Share Posted August 17, 2012 Sorry to hijack the thread, I am in the same situation too, i was going to wait to see if minoxidil alone would help but i guess that going to take a few months, but also contemplating on finasteride. I was going along the lines of carefully monitoring and trying out but not so sure Btw i read that i should get blood work done? i have a GP appointment soon so not sure what i should be asking? Is it checking DHT level or something else? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member OttawaJay Posted August 17, 2012 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 17, 2012 4% is large in medical side effects, an example... there are 18,326 registered members on this site that means that around 733 of our fine members will suffer side effects, thats quite a lot and a horrible thought that 733 of the great friendly people on this site will be effected. I just don't know what to do, my supply of finasteride ran out recently, I was searching where to buy more and I came across this post. Scared the hell into me. I would recommend everyone to read that post. I did say along time ago to my HT Dr. that I would nearly prefer to get another HT in 5-10 years than to take medicine every day. I never noticed anything, no side effect positive or negative. I did just start taking them week before my HT. So do I stop taking them and risk my new HT or take them and risk my health? I think, to get half decent coverage, you need to both stay on fin AND get HT. By the time most of us get on hair loss drugs, we're already at a somewhat advanced stage of loss, and the drugs just maintain it. Or more so, just slow the loss. So drugs alone won't give you back what you once had. If you get a transplant and abandon the drugs, you'll just keep losing around it and have to get it done again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyguy Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I had severe side effects with Propecia, and wouldn't take it again even if it were free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member OttawaJay Posted August 18, 2012 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 18, 2012 So many people post problem with propecia, I wonder if the side effect rate is much higher than reported. Anyone stay on it long term and NOT suffer serious side effects? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member MAGNUMpi Posted August 18, 2012 Senior Member Share Posted August 18, 2012 Ive been in Propecia for 7 years with no side effects at all. It has definitely slowed my hair loss. I would probably be near a NW5 by now, and I'm holding strong around a 3+1/2. Sorry you guys had side effects. I have other friends on it for years with no bad effects. Its worth a try! If it effects you badly just stop it. If its works for you it can really help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arashi Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Found in Former Finasteride Users Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users I'm sure I'm not going to touch any medication at all. Rather have another HT in a couple of years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now