The majority of people who have being successful on finasteride alone, aren't on forums talking about it, it's usually the ones that don't respond that flood forums like these.
Look at the countless studies done, not only does it retain what you have, it can thicken up thinning areas.
You make it seem like that the success rate of finasteride is only 13-14% as opposed to the actual number which is around 85%.
Get on it, see where you are in a year, chances are, you'll be better off then than now.