Knowledge Base - Positive Signs finasteride is working...

[killbill123]

I'm a newcomer to finasteride...about 7 weeks on. I was wondering if everyone would take a moment to comment about what you believe are indications that one is responding to finasteride. Obviously, having more and thicker a year after being on it is a gimme...but did you guys notice stuff at the 1,3, 5, etc. month mark that were signs of good things to come? When did you notice it?

For me, I've noticed my shedding has gone down to about 1/2 of what it was per day. I have less itch. Unfortunately, my side effects include unpredictable libido (sometimes normal-to-high, sometimes really low - but at any rate much different than before finasteride), decreased volume of ejaculate, penis numbness and tingling about 1/3-1/2 the time.

 

[vipergts]

This is my 6th month and I have lost close to 40 perfect of my hair density in the crown. The hairline is destroyed and at one point I was losing around 300 hairs a day. Please keep in mind this is just MY experience. Other site members like NICK have also noticed the same. I really don't care about the sides but got the usual nut aches and breast tenderness. Of course my libido went down the drain as well. I wouldn't care about those things as much if my hair had grown thicker which it hasn't.

Having said that I suggest you give it a shot to see how your body reacts. You can expect shedding to go down in as little as 3-4 weeks but this can sometimes take longer. You hairs should start to feel stronger if it's working and your scalp itches and soreness will go down. Again, these conditions actually worsen for some while on finasteride. Bottomline you have to give it at least 6 months and keep taking pictures weekly or at least bi-weekly.

Viper

 

[killbill123]

I've already given it a shot (been on it 7 weeks). All I seem to be noticing so far is more miniaturized hair at the back ends of my temples. The hair was probably already there, just more pronounced. finasteride may be making that hair un-miniaturize, if that is possible. With my sides, I'm considering changing the time I take my dosage to bedtime and also cuttin it down to .5mg.

 

[vipergts]

0.5 is a GREAT idea. I say you go for it, plus it's cheaper. My first 2 montsh I was on 0.5 and had 0 sides and less shedding. I take my finasteride before bed. You can take it with food or an empty stomach, doesn't matter.

 

[killbill123]

0.5 is a GREAT idea. I say you go for it, plus it's cheaper. My first 2 montsh I was on 0.5 and had 0 sides and less shedding. I take my finasteride before bed. You can take it with food or an empty stomach, doesn't matter.

I was actually thinking of switching to taking it at night, as well. I was doing the 1mg in the morning on an empty stomach. I've found that finasteride has made it easier for me to get to bed earlier (I am a devout night owl - had insomnia all of my life), and I am falling asleep on my back and dreaming - which shows to me that I'm sleeping deeper.

This isn't bad, but I am taking a big licensing test in about 6 weeks and I need the energy to get me through the day. 1/2mg a finasteride before bed sounds like it would work out the best.

Any thoughts on if I should do it right away or taper off (1mg every other day, for example)?

 

[killbill123]

I can't believe more folks haven't responded to this thread (and not just cuz I started it). I figured it would be good for future newbies to have one post they could search for that would include all the scattered member comments on how you can tell finasteride is working in the first few months.

 

[lain]

Been on it on almost 7 months (along with minoxidil). I cant say with any certainty that my treatment is working or which treatment is responsible for my hairline continuing to lose density, however I feel that the few weedy hairs that started growing in the previously slick areas are attributed to minoxidil.

I suggest you go into the success thread and ask the people who have succeeded.

 

[Nick4441]

As vipergts says I am similar to him in terms of non/negative response to finasteride.

I have lost around 50% density of the front vertex and lost may hairline since 7 months on finasteride..I actually changed to genuine Propecia during that time also just to make sure the generic was not the problem but it made no difference. My only side was tiredness which was so bad in the end I have to reduce to 0.25-0.5mg per day, I take it early evening. I did get libido up and down for first few weeks then it stabilised and is much higher than before .

As its been all downhill and connot see it turning round I have dropped propecia and moved to dutas this week..so far so good on full 0.5mg dose per day..no sides yet.

You do need to give finasteride/Propecia at least 6 months and may go through a shed before you can see if its working..hope that it does work for you. There are a good number of non and poor responders on this board but also a lot of good responders so its very much down to the individual what works and what doesn't

 

[klink]

Back in 2002 when I started finasteride, I saw some regrowth in month 4 and onwards. The regrowth was modest, mostly it seemed like the hairline regained some density.

Fast forward to 2007, min foam and nizoral really have made a difference...