Moogle's Hairloss Story - (pics)

[Mr_Moogle]

Hello everybody. This is my first post on hairlosstalk but I have been viewing the forum for a few months now. Here goes...

I'm a 20 year old male and I first started noticing my hair changing when I turned 19. At first I wasn't really sure what was going on but I gradually started to notice sides of my hair getting thinner. I had never really payed much attention to my hairline but I also started to see the temples thin out and recede. I've also noticed some thinning on top.

My hair hasn't changed so drastically that its really noticable. Some of my friends and family members think its all in my head but I am 100% sure I have male pattern baldness and have been keeping a close eye on my hair for about a year and a half.

In particular I've noticed that my hair is much finer than it used to be and has gone a lighter, mousy brown colour. It used to be a much richer brown.

Unfortunately our family doesnt keep many photos so I dont have much reference material from when I was younger but I have always had a very high crown, ever since I was a young child.

There is some history of male pattern baldness in my family. My father is bald and my mothers father went bald too. However I'm a little confused because my fathers hair didnt start to thin out until his mid 30s and it was the same for my grandfather. As far as I know there arent any other examples of male pattern baldness in my family. (my other grandfather still has a full head of hair)

I am still a university student so I dont have a lot of money and probably couldnt afford some of the more elaborate regimens I've seen on these forums. If possible I would like to keep costs down.

I have been strongly considering going on Finasteride but I thought I should post here first to get some feedback from hairloss veterans.

These photos were taken today (21st June 2006).

 

[ANDREW_J_I]

im no hairloss verteran (started finasteride and minoxidil 9 days ago) but id say u do need to try some sort of treatment coz things can only get worse if its male pattern baldness. catching it early is always best. im 20 too, but i gota feeling my male pattern baldness has been happening since i was 16/17.

 

[Primex]

In the sense of cost, Propecia is expensive and I totally understand not being able to afford it. Back when I was 20 I could hardly afford to eat, much less dish out $60 a month on a prescription. However, there are alternatives and generics that you can get at a fraction of the cost. I definitely suggest getting on Finasteride and generic minoxidil. That shouldn't cost you too much and if all goes well, it should at the very least halt your recession.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

I've heard that cutting Proscar into fifths seriosuly cuts the cost down on Finasteride. Is there any reason a doctor wouldnt prescribe it to me?

Minoxidil is Rogaine isnt it? Do I need a prescription for that?

 

[Goingat20]

I've heard that cutting Proscar into fifths seriosuly cuts the cost down on Finasteride. Is there any reason a doctor wouldnt prescribe it to me?

Yeh just cut it into fourths. You can get it from http://www.elitepharmacy.com (if your looking for genuine proscar not generic). Doctor might not prescibe it because it is a prostate treatment drug. But im sure if you know the doctor they will...

Minoxidil is Rogaine isnt it? Do I need a prescription for that?

Yeh minoxidil is the active ingredient in rogaine comes in strengths starting at 2 - 5% (15% is also available) You dont need a prescription you can get it from a variety of places just depending on brand names and how long it takes too dry. You can also get it from tour local pharmacy (too expensive though)

 

[Mr_Moogle]

If I buy the stuff online do I need some sort of prescription? I've never bought anything other than DVDs and videogames off the internet.

Another thing, is it okay to start using Finasteride and minoxidil at the same time or should I give finasteride a year and see if I need to add minoxidil after that?

 

[ANDREW_J_I]

^i started both at same time as i didnt wanna waste anymore time. its whether u wanna risk it or not. studies show that both of them work better together than on their own so its up to u.