Want to try finasteride, but too scared from all the horror stories!

[dsbhaver]

I know I shouldn't but I get sucked in to all the fear tactics on the Internet about finasteride sides, erectile dysfunction, watery semen, brain fog, depression etc and worry that it may end up being permanent. Also you have to go through a massive shed most of the time.

Even if I got on finasteride, I would only take a quarter of 1mg (0.25) a day or EOD as my hair loss ain't that bad at all and is improving. I want to take it while I am experiencing slow hair loss (very tiny bit receding)

So have ANY of you reverted that you jumped on finasteride?
Or ANY of you reverted that you didn't jump on finasteride early enough, to save your hair from progressing any further?

There are alot of what if's. And due to the law suit against propecia/finasteride lately it's really preventing me from giving it a shot and see how I respond to it. Am I being too precautious?

 

[Lloyd Braun]

I know I shouldn't but I get sucked in to all the fear tactics on the Internet about finasteride sides, erectile dysfunction, watery semen, brain fog, depression etc and worry that it may end up being permanent. Also you have to go through a massive shed most of the time.

Even if I got on finasteride, I would only take a quarter of 1mg (0.25) a day or EOD as my hair loss ain't that bad at all and is improving. I want to take it while I am experiencing slow hair loss (very tiny bit receding)

So have ANY of you reverted that you jumped on finasteride?
Or ANY of you reverted that you didn't jump on finasteride early enough, to save your hair from progressing any further?

There are alot of what if's. And due to the law suit against propecia/finasteride lately it's really preventing me from giving it a shot and see how I respond to it. Am I being too precautious?

I take oral spironolactone and I haven't noticed any of these horrible effects so I can't imagine finasteride will cause them (I was on finasteride 1.25 mg daily for six months too and no side effects were noticed). Can you show us pics of your hairline? Mine is pretty bad but finasteride was never going to help me and even spironolactone is a long shot. If you have slight recession with very little to no thinning (which is what I have) then finasteride is unlikely to cause regrowth. If you're like me and not really receding more at the moment then it may not be worth it.

 

[dsbhaver]

Sorry I don't know how to post pics on my iPhone.

It's slight recession and the only reason why I notice it now because a year ago I tOok letro for gyno that threw my hormones out of whack.

I've always had heaps of hair and always had the small recession

 

[anxious1]

they r not fear factors they are true. but you have to realise the statistics are skewed. there are stories from about 200 ppl on those websites

while millions of people use it without problems, and dont come to the internet to say how good it is for them. only the worst case scenarios are talked about.

thats why clinical trials are done, and drug info leaflets are made, so u can decide whether u want to risk side effects for the possible benefits.

if ur really worried, then u HAV made ur decision, the risk is too great for u.

dont be upset, many decided the same thing.

the reality is if ur a good responder it can be a miricle and grow ur hair back, but for most, it will simply slow progression of male pattern baldness, and grow a bit on ur crown, and leave the temples the same.

i tried for 2 years, then decided it wasnt doing anything and i quit. u have to decide wats best for u, but dont be fooled by exaggerated tales on the internet, get the correct info from ur doctor.

 

[dsbhaver]

My doctor just gave me the script, then showed me studies on his comp about side effects. (I asked him)

I was going to start off with 0.25 (quarter of a pill) EOD for a bit then guage the sides if any. it's just taking the dive, and how do I know if I don't try?

Plus, I bought the $70 (AUS dollar) packet then left it in my draw :S

The permanent stuff scares me also. The thing is though, I reckon most of it is fear mongering

 

[Rawtashk]

.25 sounds like a good idea.

Personally, I was in your shoes 5 years ago. I'd noticed that I was starting to lose hair, and I was doing research on finasteride. I was about to pull the trigger...and then I came across propeciahelp forums. Scared me shitless for 2 years before I FINALLY took the plunge. Haven't regretted it since, and neither has my hair.

My story, if you're interested.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65594

 

[ding30]

Let us know how you go fellow Aussie.

I took finasteride 7 years ago for 2 years. Experienced no side effects (except for possibly a massive panic attack + a bit of anxiety) and combined with minoxidil my hair was friggin unreal, grew like a plant.

I maintained using minoxidil for 5 years after that without finasteride. But now its just started to noticeably thin over the past 6 months.

I just got a script for finasteride from my family doctor who said "TAKE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE NET WITH A GRAIN OF SALT" but sorry, we are not just talking a headache and diarrhoea here!! also its pretty alarming that the procepia site is down. Like you am very very hesitant to take it. I would love to take it for a month or two then break for a while, but it doesn't work like that. I reckon you could probably do for 2 years then take 6 months off and start taking it again. Wish they would make a topical version.

Looking at other herbal remedies + minoxidil before I resort to finasteride. Scared of the potential long term cognitive, libido and hormone consequences.

All the best.

 

[desperate4hair]

Just know that you are taking a risk when you start on this drug. I thought the same thing before I decided to start it. I heard about the side effects and brushed it off thinking "oh, those won't happen to me" or "these forums have skewed statistics on common side effects" etc... and 4 months after therapy here I am hoping that I listened to my gut and never started on this drug. Its your choice if you want to risk all of that for some extra hairs on your head... Sometimes once you realize what the drugs done to you.. its too late. And at the end you still lose all you hair plus now you have a penis that doesnt work, A cup breasts, mental issues, not to mention depression. Some have committed suicide because of this drug. Yes, thats an extreme, but we can't ignore the fact that it's happened.

 

[Rawtashk]

Dude...you've been off finasteride for a week. Give it some time and you'll be fine.

Well, it's not a guarantee....there's only about a 98% chance that you'll return to normal.

 

[dsbhaver]

Alright. I may take my first dose tonight!

Eek!

 

[dsbhaver]

Just know that you are taking a risk when you start on this drug. I thought the same thing before I decided to start it. I heard about the side effects and brushed it off thinking "oh, those won't happen to me" or "these forums have skewed statistics on common side effects" etc... and 4 months after therapy here I am hoping that I listened to my gut and never started on this drug. Its your choice if you want to risk all of that for some extra hairs on your head... Sometimes once you realize what the drugs done to you.. its too late. And at the end you still lose all you hair plus now you have a penis that doesnt work, A cup breasts, mental issues, not to mention depression. Some have committed suicide because of this drug. Yes, thats an extreme, but we can't ignore the fact that it's happened.

It's a extreme?

Could you tell me any other options to treat hair loss?

 

[lorre]

I can't tell you anything about statistics. But from my personal experience, I would encourage you not to take finasteride. I truly wish I could go back in time and not do it. Instead, I took it and tried to ignore the side effects which steadily got worse. I noticed my erections were weaker and harder to sustain, and I had some testicular pain. After a month and a half, I finally decided the sides weren't worth it, and quit.

It is now 5 months later. My side effects still persist and I'm currently seeking medical treatment. I envy you for having the foresight to post your concern so early on. I wish I had done that, and I wish someone had told me exactly what I'm telling you now: it isn't worth the risk. Your sexuality is worth infinitely more than your hair; unfortunately, I had to learn this the hard way, by messing up my sexuality.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I'm not a scientist or a doctor. Many people will disagree with me. Many people take finasteride and it saves their hair and they have no side effects. I am seriously jealous of those people. But for many guys there are serious side effects that are sometimes persistent (and if you are unlucky, maybe permanent). If you haven't already, I would urge you to listen to what this doctor has to say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAZ3-t7vJeg

Sexual dysfunction is often at least partly psychological. If you do choose to take finasteride, I would urge you to stay positive, be open with your partner about what might happen, treat your body well (exercise plenty, sleep plenty, eat well, take a multi vitamin), and try not to get caught in a downward spiral of sexual anxiety.

All that being said, though, I honestly do think you just shouldn't do it.

Best of luck! I would be happy to try and answer any other questions you might have.

 

[ding30]

Mate, have you tried minoxidil topically?

You might get a good 5 years out of it. I know it doesn't block DHT but you could maintain. Hopefully by then there will be topical versions of finasteride readily available.

 

[dsbhaver]

Mate, have you tried minoxidil topically?

You might get a good 5 years out of it. I know it doesn't block DHT but you could maintain. Hopefully by then there will be topical versions of finasteride readily available.

What about topical spironolactone 5% from this website? I am Definitley interested in that.

And their is topical finasteride but I don't know wether it's effective and goes in systematically!

I have a box of finasteride sitting here now... Oh well

 

[ding30]

Can you point me towards this topical finasteride?

Don't worry, I in fact have 2 boxes of finasteride (1x proscar and 1x procepia) - in case things get drastic LOL

 

[Rawtashk]

Just pointing out that your mind is a VERY VERY powerful tool. If you go into it expecting sides, then you WILL find something that your mind will tell you is a side. You will then freak the sh*t out and quit cold turkey.

I would recommend holding off on taking it until you're in the right frame of mind. Check out this chart here
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/propecia-side-effects.html

1.3% of men who took a PLACEBO reported "Decreased Libido". So, they took a sugar pill and reported that the sugar pill made them less horny. I guarantee you that the placebo didn't have the effect on them.

Hell, .9% of the people in that study QUIT that Propecia study because of the sexual side effects.....and then discovered that they were taking a placebo!

The mind...it will f*** you up!!!

 

[dsbhaver]

I just don't want to leave it too late.

ThIs is the only treatment that would work effenciently.

Is anyone really ever ready to take it? The only reason I haven't jumped on sooner this year (after my Letrozole run last year) is because of the fear that is being Put on this drug

 

[Rawtashk]

I tried the 5% spironolactone from here a while back, but I couldn't tell that it did anything for me, so I stopped it. Not saying that it won't work for you, just saying that it didn't work for me.

 

[dsbhaver]

I tried the 5% spironolactone from here a while back, but I couldn't tell that it did anything for me, so I stopped it. Not saying that it won't work for you, just saying that it didn't work for me.

Yeah, there are like not one success story with topical spironolactone

 

[ding30]

Like i've said i have had really really good success with minoxidil the past 5 years (i did take finasteride for 2 years prior). Although now its starting to plateau.

You may want to try minoxidil first mate. Easy to order Regain online. Just apply it once a day.