3 Weeks on Propecia and Serious Concerns

[elbopad]

Before using Propecia, I had gradual hair loss. My hair was receding mostly at the temples, but very little at the top. It had been happening over the course of 3 or 4 years. Finally, a few weeks ago, I started to become concerned that the recession wouldn't stop, so I talked to my doctor about Propecia. He gave me a prescription and this is my experience thus far.

I have been on Propecia for 3 weeks. In that time, my hair loss has increased dramatically. My hair has visibly thinned in the last 3 weeks. The hair on the top of my scalp is brittle and thinner than it used to be. Hair is falling out all the time. I'm feeling a burning sensation on the top of my scalp along with frequent itchiness. Before Propecia, the hair on the sides and the top of my scalp felt the same, now that I'm on Propecia, the hair on the sides feels normal while the hair on top is dry and thin.

I'm going to the doctor today to have it checked out and to speak with him about these developments. I'm incredibly worried that Propecia has caused irreversible damage and I may never get that hair back. I imagine I will ultimately choose to stop taking the drug. But, like I said, I'm hoping the doctor has some encouragement for me.

If you guys have any thoughts, I'd really appreciate it. This forum has been a great source of information and support. Let me know what you think!

 

[ShedMaster]

Are you using anything to care for that inflammation on your scalp? Thats the first thing you need to do.

 

[elbopad]

What would you suggest?

 

[ShedMaster]

depends how severe it is. it wont matter what medications you use to combat hairloss if your scalp isnt in good condition.


Many use nizoral 1% shampoo and thats good enough. I use nizoral 2%. You also have copper peptides available which help such as tricomin, folligen, and others available in the drug store.

Do you have dandruff as well?

 

[elbopad]

The burning sensation is increasing day by day, so it's getting worse. Today it's reached the point of being distracting and almost painful.

In answer to your question, no, I don't have dandruff.

Also, can you give me brand names I can get at a drug store, say a Walgreens, something like that?

 

[ShedMaster]

The burning sensation is increasing day by day, so it's getting worse. Today it's reached the point of being distracting and almost painful.

In answer to your question, no, I don't have dandruff.

Also, can you give me brand names I can get at a drug store, say a Walgreens, something like that?

if its that bad, it could be something worse thats not a symptom that is caused by male pattern baldness. I would see your doctor about it, asap. you can buy nizoral at walgreens.

 

[johnhair]

ive been on for a month now, and im loosing crazy hair everywhere. my front has thined alot too. i dont know if i will continue with it cuz at this rate there will be more scalp then hair in a few months

 

[elbopad]

I am in the exact same position you are. Three months into taking Propecia, I'm likely to have no hair on the top of my head at all. I saw my doctor last night about the hair loss and burning sensation and he told me to keep at it. Of course, he also had Propecia pamphlets all over his office and was incredibly busy. So, honestly, I have no idea what to do. I want to believe all the hair I've lost on Propecia will grow back, but Propecia's own website mentions nothing about hair loss. It's very disconcerting.

 

[RaginDemon]

stay on Propecia for a yr, if you can.

 

[elbopad]

I'm sticking with it, but the shedding is freaking me out. Why doesn't Merck list those symptoms on the Propecia website? That seems like a pretty important point to omit.

 

[FlashDance]

I'm actually in a VERY similar situation. I never had any irritation with my scalp before starting Propecia. However, about a month after starting it, my hair shed like crazy and still does. It's been a year, I've been off and on Propecia two times, and the ENTIRE time my scalp has hurt. I've recently been off it for 3 months, and my scalp irritates me so much that I constantly feel it. I use Nizoral off and on, and it does not make a difference. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

 

[elbopad]

I'm wondering if that's common because I've had a dull ache on the top of my scalp since starting to take Propecia. I guess I'm hoping it will go away. That concerns me that you still have it after a year.

 

[JayWalker69]

Don't stop for at least 6 months. I had a noticeable increase in sheddnig the first four months. My hair is doing much much better after 8 months.

 

[elbopad]

Well, I've had some changes in the past few days. I started using the Nizoral (spelling?) shampoo which seems to have dealt with the burning and itching. I've also used a leave in moisturizer to deal with the thinning, which seems to have helped. I'm starting to feel a little less "freaked out" and intend to keep at it. Thanks again for all the posts.

I have noticed a loss of libido, but I'm giving that time as well, hoping my body will adjust . . . plus I always want to make sure it's not just a psychological thing on my part . . . simply projecting the drugs side effects.

Also, I spent more time reading over the information on the main page of the website which did a lot of good in clearing things up and helping me to relax.

 

[jl9283]

Question:
Using Rogain on a nightly basis, can I still use Tricomin right after using the Rogain? If I use Rogain everynight, when am i suppose to use tricomin then?