Just Returned from appt at Dermatologist - Discouraged...

[cyberslider]

I brought in the summary page of the scientifically proven hair loss treatment where it talked about Propecia being the most effective in retaining hair.

He rushed me along saying that if I started taking it I would have to take it forever otherwise my hair would fall out fast. He basically said I would be hooked on the propecia forever if I started taking it. I was hoping that after about 2 years I could evaluate whether it was for me or not. Now with what he tells me I'm leaning to not doing anything.

I'm thinning in the crown a bit and on the forehead but I can live with it for now. I haven't tried the buzz look yet but might try it soon with a go tee of course. Dr. said Nizoral has nothing to do with keeping your hair. It was like comparing apples to oranges, not the same thing he said. This coming from a Dermatologist that is completely bald except for the hair surrounding his head above the ears (thin strip). He said, don't worry, you will never look like me. I had trouble coming up with a response other than "you look good like that, but I know my head shape wouldn't.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement/discouragment on whether to begin propecia or not. I'm 42 yrs. old. He is willing to write the prescription if I want it. I hear Walmart will eventually be adding it to their list of generics for $4.

 

[bubka]

you would be crazy not to try, and yes, nizoral has anti androgen properties too, one study showed it helped increase hair count, thickness

plus it makes the scalp feel great if you have the usual male pattern baldness itch

 

[docj077]

Good rule of thumb for dermatologists.

If a dermatologist is bald or balding in a male pattern baldness fashion, then do not see them for male pattern baldness as they will have no clue what they're talking about.

Either they do not use the medications (so they won't understand them) or they are too lazy to even treat their disease (which means they will be too lazy to treat you, as well).

 

[cyberslider]

Is it true though that if I stopped taking it after a couple of years, my hair loss would increase faster? I guess that's a loaded question with a lot to do with genetics, etc.

 

[bubka]

Is it true though that if I stopped taking it after a couple of years, my hair loss would increase faster? I guess that's a loaded question with a lot to do with genetics, etc.

i don't know about increase "faster" but you will progress to where you would be without the drug

 

[docj077]

No, not increase. It'll likely return to where it would have progressed had you not started treatment and then continue to worsen as the disease process continues.

 

[Guest]

Good rule of thumb for dermatologists.

If a dermatologist is bald or balding in a male pattern baldness fashion, then do not see them for male pattern baldness as they will have no clue what they're talking about.

Either they do not use the medications (so they won't understand them) or they are too lazy to even treat their disease (which means they will be too lazy to treat you, as well).

Bad rule of thumb. My dermatologist is NW4 and he has no problem prescribing Propecia and recommending Rogaine.

 

[cyberslider]

Isn't propecia supposed to keep the prostate in check also to prevent it from getting enlarged? I have heard some tell about other side effects but they go away after a time.

 

[bubka]

Isn't propecia supposed to keep the prostate in check also to prevent it from getting enlarged? I have heard some tell about other side effects but they go away after a time.

that is 5mg finasteride, band name Proscar, same drug that is in propecia at 1mg...

 

[docj077]

Good rule of thumb for dermatologists.

If a dermatologist is bald or balding in a male pattern baldness fashion, then do not see them for male pattern baldness as they will have no clue what they're talking about.

Either they do not use the medications (so they won't understand them) or they are too lazy to even treat their disease (which means they will be too lazy to treat you, as well).

Bad rule of thumb. My dermatologist is NW4 and he has no problem prescribing Propecia and recommending Rogaine.

There's a difference between a doctor that prescribes medication and understands why he prescribes the medication and a doctor that simply doesn't care and prescribes it anyway.

Either the doctor doesn't care about his hair loss, doesn't understand the drugs, or is unwilling to take the time to understand the process and do something about it.

So, either your derm. is unlike 99% of derms. and not a self-absorbed, vanity-loving, overpaid jerk who has no worries about his personal appearance or he has no idea what he's doing. From personal experience, it's quite likely it's the latter.

 

[Phillip]

Re: Just Returned from appt at Dermatologist - Discouraged..

I brought in the summary page of the scientifically proven hair loss treatment where it talked about Propecia being the most effective in retaining hair.

He rushed me along saying that if I started taking it I would have to take it forever otherwise my hair would fall out fast. He basically said I would be hooked on the propecia forever if I started taking it. I was hoping that after about 2 years I could evaluate whether it was for me or not. Now with what he tells me I'm leaning to not doing anything.

I'm thinning in the crown a bit and on the forehead but I can live with it for now. I haven't tried the buzz look yet but might try it soon with a go tee of course. Dr. said Nizoral has nothing to do with keeping your hair. It was like comparing apples to oranges, not the same thing he said. This coming from a Dermatologist that is completely bald except for the hair surrounding his head above the ears (thin strip). He said, don't worry, you will never look like me. I had trouble coming up with a response other than "you look good like that, but I know my head shape wouldn't.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement/discouragment on whether to begin propecia or not. I'm 42 yrs. old. He is willing to write the prescription if I want it. I hear Walmart will eventually be adding it to their list of generics for $4.

dude, you have to remember that dermatologists don't just specialize in hair loss. It is simply one area of thousands of things invovled with their job. I don't always think they are the most informed about many of the things going on with hair loss. It is a published study that ketacanazole found in nizoral has mild anti androgenic properties. Basically, its similar to using two percent rogaine.

Nizoral alone isnt meant to battle hair loss. Its only meant to supplement a regimen.

in reality, those of us who frequent this site know that minoxidil isnt even up to the task. The only way to fight hairloss is through dht blockers/anti androgens. Currenlty dusteride is the badd *** of all dht blockers with propecia also a very good option.

 

[Guest]

Either the doctor doesn't care about his hair loss, doesn't understand the drugs, or is unwilling to take the time to understand the process and do something about it.

So, either your derm. is unlike 99% of derms. and not a self-absorbed, vanity-loving, overpaid jerk who has no worries about his personal appearance or he has no idea what he's doing. From personal experience, it's quite likely it's the latter.

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you saying that my derm is an idiot for not being on Propecia while an NW4? The second paragraph of your post was a bit convoluted.

I don't think that 99% of derms fit the adjectives that you wrote. My Doctor is definitely not part of your 99% though. He's not self-absorbed, he's a very friendly, open guy, who I can go see anytime I want, and he doesn't seem to be concerned about his personal appearance. Maybe it is because he moved here from Lebanon? And he definitely has an idea what he's doing. It is so ahrd to get a spot in a derm residency, and he was a top one.

 

[Guest]

Re: Just Returned from appt at Dermatologist - Discouraged..

dude, you have to remember that dermatologists don't just specialize in hair loss. It is simply one area of thousands of things invovled with their job. I don't always think they are the most informed about many of the things going on with hair loss. It is a published study that ketacanazole found in nizoral has mild anti androgenic properties. Basically, its similar to using two percent rogaine.

Nizoral alone isnt meant to battle hair loss. Its only meant to supplement a regimen.

in reality, those of us who frequent this site know that minoxidil isnt even up to the task. The only way to fight hairloss is through dht blockers/anti androgens. Currenlty dusteride is the badd *** of all dht blockers with propecia also a very good option.

Maybe just a grammar peeve, but Propecia and Avodart are not technically DHT blockers. They inhibit 5ar, thus inhibiting the conversion of T to DHT. I made the same mistake when I first started posting on here, and was corrected for it, so now it's my turn.

 

[TAINTED-MEAT]

Good rule of thumb for dermatologists.

If a dermatologist is bald or balding in a male pattern baldness fashion, then do not see them for male pattern baldness as they will have no clue what they're talking about.

Either they do not use the medications (so they won't understand them) or they are too lazy to even treat their disease (which means they will be too lazy to treat you, as well).

Bad rule of thumb. My dermatologist is NW4 and he has no problem prescribing Propecia and recommending Rogaine.

My derm is a nw7 and he gave me Propecia when I asked for it. After reading this forum, I went back to ask for Avodart and he gave it to me. My derm kicks ***.

 

[docj077]

Either the doctor doesn't care about his hair loss, doesn't understand the drugs, or is unwilling to take the time to understand the process and do something about it.

So, either your derm. is unlike 99% of derms. and not a self-absorbed, vanity-loving, overpaid jerk who has no worries about his personal appearance or he has no idea what he's doing. From personal experience, it's quite likely it's the latter.

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you saying that my derm is an idiot for not being on Propecia while an NW4? The second paragraph of your post was a bit convoluted.

I don't think that 99% of derms fit the adjectives that you wrote. My Doctor is definitely not part of your 99% though. He's not self-absorbed, he's a very friendly, open guy, who I can go see anytime I want, and he doesn't seem to be concerned about his personal appearance. Maybe it is because he moved here from Lebanon? And he definitely has an idea what he's doing. It is so ahrd to get a spot in a derm residency, and he was a top one.

Then, he's a good derm. I'd keep going to him as they are tough to find.

 

[techprof]

Doctor,
if the doctors went bald before propecia and dutasteride came into market,
what they could have done?

my doctor has no problems in prescribing finasteride or dutasteride. he only insists on a yearlly blood test to make sure everything is fine.

he warned me against cortizone everyday.

 

[Skaff]

Just because your derm hustles more drugs than the kid down the street doesn't make him a good doctor. I'd be skeptical of any Doctor who hands out non-FDA approved treatments without batting an eye lid.

 

[Johnny24601]

male pattern baldness is not a "disease". That's like saying gray hair or back hair is a disease.

 

[docj077]

male pattern baldness is not a "disease". That's like saying gray hair or back hair is a disease.

Actually, androgen alopecia is indeed a disease. It's a genetically oriented disease.

 

[Guest]

I thought diseases have to impair function to be considered diseases.