sore loser
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Hey guys,
First, want to say thanks to those responsible for running this forum site, and to those that reply - the discussions have been a great resource and I have learned a lot from browsing around.
So, here is my story -
I am 27, with thin blond hair. My loss so far is mostly diffuse, however I have a hairline that is creeping backwards as well. Not just over the temples, but fully straight back in the front as well. My right side is worse, and I'd say I've lost a good half inch so far.
My hair has always been on the thin side, so I was not concerned last year when I had my hair cut and the woman cutting it commented that I had thin hair. I really noticed in Sept '06 when I saw some pics of me at a BBQ - no doubt, I am starting to lose my hair. Its amazing how diffuse thinning creeps up on you unnoticed. I have probably been losing significant amounts since 22 or 23.
I researched options - I started minoxidil 5%, but then stopped after 2 weeks because I wanted to add a systemic DHT reducer instead. I got on finasteride on Oct 3rd, and haven't missed a day yet. I don't want to use minoxidil until I decide if finasteride is working or not. If I use both, I can't tell which is working - one or both. Don't want to keep taking finastaride if its not working - though I am of the mind that even if you still lose hair on finasteride you are probably losing it slower than you would have without it. So far, no physical sides that I can tell. Some users in these forums claim that finasteride may cause mental sides as well - depression, moodswings, etc - I have experienced nothing of the sort.
I have since added 5% minoxidil to my hairline. Its been 2 months only, so nothing to report yet. I have to say, my hairline looks thinner though.
I also tried to supplement finasteride with revivogen as well. This was from mid-Oct to mid Dec. Although I believe the product "may" have real merit (stress may), I discontinued use after 2 months. I did not like how greasy it left my hair, and it left a thin coat of dried residue on my scalp - which I figure can't be good for growth of new hairs.
In Dec, I also added 2% Ketoconazole shampoo as well. I have been happy with this - my hair seems to be thicker on days when I use it. I have also noticed that I have less dandruff as well. Less dandruff probably also means less sebum production. My scalp is a little irritated by this stuff, but its not too discomforting.
I also have added 3 mg biotin daily. I doubt that this has a real significant effect, but I also figure it can't hurt. It purportedly helps keep skin and hair healthy. Maybe it has other effects. Maybe its useless. Its cheap enough though.
So far, at almost 4 months on finasteride, I believe I am losing ground so far. My hair is thinner than ever before. From what I have read, this phenomenon isn't rare for many finastaride users. Many others report 3-5 months into treatment that their hair is thinner than ever. I know how you feel - its not such a great feeling. I am going to continue taking it, and ride this out, hoping that it is just a shed, or something like that. I am also losing hair, significant amounts, from all over my head. My scalp is the thinnest, however, my sides and back are also much thinner than they were a year ago.
Though its undeniable to me that my hair is thinner than ever, I do not believe that finastaride is causing this. I believe my hair would be just as thin without it, perhaps worse. At best, this is the shed before the regrowth, where hairs are pushed from resting to growth. However, its my understanding that this isn't how finastaride is "supposed" to work. If my hair continues to thin at this rate, I will consider adding minoxidil to my whole scalp this August or so.
Well, this is my story so far. I'll let you all know how it goes. I hope it works, but at the same time, this is all a matter of perspective - there are worse things in life. Sorry for the small novel. Best of luck to all of you as well.
First, want to say thanks to those responsible for running this forum site, and to those that reply - the discussions have been a great resource and I have learned a lot from browsing around.
So, here is my story -
I am 27, with thin blond hair. My loss so far is mostly diffuse, however I have a hairline that is creeping backwards as well. Not just over the temples, but fully straight back in the front as well. My right side is worse, and I'd say I've lost a good half inch so far.
My hair has always been on the thin side, so I was not concerned last year when I had my hair cut and the woman cutting it commented that I had thin hair. I really noticed in Sept '06 when I saw some pics of me at a BBQ - no doubt, I am starting to lose my hair. Its amazing how diffuse thinning creeps up on you unnoticed. I have probably been losing significant amounts since 22 or 23.
I researched options - I started minoxidil 5%, but then stopped after 2 weeks because I wanted to add a systemic DHT reducer instead. I got on finasteride on Oct 3rd, and haven't missed a day yet. I don't want to use minoxidil until I decide if finasteride is working or not. If I use both, I can't tell which is working - one or both. Don't want to keep taking finastaride if its not working - though I am of the mind that even if you still lose hair on finasteride you are probably losing it slower than you would have without it. So far, no physical sides that I can tell. Some users in these forums claim that finasteride may cause mental sides as well - depression, moodswings, etc - I have experienced nothing of the sort.
I have since added 5% minoxidil to my hairline. Its been 2 months only, so nothing to report yet. I have to say, my hairline looks thinner though.
I also tried to supplement finasteride with revivogen as well. This was from mid-Oct to mid Dec. Although I believe the product "may" have real merit (stress may), I discontinued use after 2 months. I did not like how greasy it left my hair, and it left a thin coat of dried residue on my scalp - which I figure can't be good for growth of new hairs.
In Dec, I also added 2% Ketoconazole shampoo as well. I have been happy with this - my hair seems to be thicker on days when I use it. I have also noticed that I have less dandruff as well. Less dandruff probably also means less sebum production. My scalp is a little irritated by this stuff, but its not too discomforting.
I also have added 3 mg biotin daily. I doubt that this has a real significant effect, but I also figure it can't hurt. It purportedly helps keep skin and hair healthy. Maybe it has other effects. Maybe its useless. Its cheap enough though.
So far, at almost 4 months on finasteride, I believe I am losing ground so far. My hair is thinner than ever before. From what I have read, this phenomenon isn't rare for many finastaride users. Many others report 3-5 months into treatment that their hair is thinner than ever. I know how you feel - its not such a great feeling. I am going to continue taking it, and ride this out, hoping that it is just a shed, or something like that. I am also losing hair, significant amounts, from all over my head. My scalp is the thinnest, however, my sides and back are also much thinner than they were a year ago.
Though its undeniable to me that my hair is thinner than ever, I do not believe that finastaride is causing this. I believe my hair would be just as thin without it, perhaps worse. At best, this is the shed before the regrowth, where hairs are pushed from resting to growth. However, its my understanding that this isn't how finastaride is "supposed" to work. If my hair continues to thin at this rate, I will consider adding minoxidil to my whole scalp this August or so.
Well, this is my story so far. I'll let you all know how it goes. I hope it works, but at the same time, this is all a matter of perspective - there are worse things in life. Sorry for the small novel. Best of luck to all of you as well.
