What's going on with my hair?

[person_123]

I started finasteride a few days ago (nearly a week now).

Before finasteride, I used minoxidil. I've kept up my minoxidil routine (twice a day).

For some reason, recently, I've noticed MANY MANY more hairs falling out whilst I'm showering.

I can't find any reason (on these forums) to explain this. finasteride should not start affecting the hair for at least a month. And I haven't changed anything else. So why more hair loss?

I'm getting kind of scared now.

I also just went through the "Shedding" thread. It seems a few people believe propecia to be causing their hair harm rather than good. Is this even possible?

However, taking pictures of my hair under light and looking in the mirror. I haven't noticed anything going bad. So what could this mean?

Am I just being too worried? Is it too early for anything to be happening? Or is something bad going down?

 

[docj077]

It's tough telling someone this over a forum, but you just need to calm down and evaluate the situation. Increased hair loss, even in the early weeks, on finasteride. is not unexpected. If your face and scalp have also become oily, then know that the drug is working correctly. If your libido is shot, it's also a good bet that the drug is working.

If you're worried, don't use the drug. It takes time and a lot of patience. You will go through sheds and they suck. Push through it. It just might be that it gets worse before it gets better sort of like everything else in life. You might also be checking your hair loss and counting hairs a lot more often, because of your new drug. I know I did that when I started.

You'll be fine and it'll get better.

 

[person_123]

I know you're right. It just scares me reading about how some people have gotten horrible results (worse thinning) and they say it is because of propecia.

At the moment, I feel my hair is looking the same, not much change, just a change in the amount of shedding, and with regards to oily face, if anything, I've been feeling like I'm sweating less these days (possibly due to the cooler climate).

I'm looking at the situation, and you may be right. I used to count the hairs in my hand every time I took a shower after I started minoxidil. After a few months, I didn't even bother. But with finasteride, I now notice "more" hair than before... This is why I'm wondering if it's normal.

 

[docj077]

Give it a while longer. You need a few months at least. If you feel like things keep going from bad to worse, then it might be time to try Dutasteride, instead.

As a rule, if you're going to become obsessive compulsive about your hair, then only look at when you're actually styling it, combing it, whatever. Even then, don't look at your hair to look for regrowth or shedding.

Look for regrowth maybe twice a month and that's it for a while. Finally, in about three months or so, really look and see how you're doing. Then, you'll have a better idea.

If it really makes you uncomfortable, just switch to dutasteride. right away and get the best treatment possible. It may calm your mind a bit.

 

[person_123]

Well, things aren't actually looking bad at the moment. I'm just being overly paranoid, as I said, I've only been on finasteride for 5 to 6 days.

My hair only looks thin under direct light from a birds eye view right now. So that shouldn't worry me either.

I'm just worried about what people say in the Shedding forums, about them getting really bad results. I'm thinking, they would have gotten those results even if they didn't use finasteride right? As finasteride would block dht, it could only have a positive effect, not a negative.

 

[docj077]

Well, things aren't actually looking bad at the moment. I'm just being overly paranoid, as I said, I've only been on finasteride for 5 to 6 days.

My hair only looks thin under direct light from a birds eye view right now. So that shouldn't worry me either.

I'm just worried about what people say in the Shedding forums, about them getting really bad results. I'm thinking, they would have gotten those results even if they didn't use finasteride right? As finasteride would block dht, it could only have a positive effect, not a negative.

What you said is exactly true. They probably would have gotten those results no matter what they did. Every person is different.

Be patient.

 

[person_123]

I am being patient, I will keep using finasteride, (and minoxidil for now, but I will stop using minoxidil soon). Hopefully I'll see good results. At the moment, there is nothing to suggest things are going sour EXCEPT for the increased hair loss during the shower. (Which may or may not have already been happening).

Thanks for re-affirming (i think that's the word) my confidence in finasteride.

Should I take pictures now? So that I may compare them in a few months time? Or should I just look at my hair in a few months and see if there is any difference?

 

[docj077]

Take pictures now to get a baseline. Then, you'll have a better idea if your treatments are working down the road.

Like I said before, try finasteride. for a while and if you don't like it, move on. Losing your hair sucks, but letting it get the best of you is even worse.

It's sort of like the worst possible trial that any given deity could put a man through next to taking away his penis. You just smile, nod your head, and move on. You don't have to accept your hair problem, but you really do need to deal with it and move on.

I think that's the most important step in the whole process.

 

[person_123]

well, right now, I"m just hoping I'm a good responder to finasteride. It's all I have going for me. I just can't seem to deal with losing my hair at such a young age. But i've said all this before. Let's just hope finasteride works for me until HM is released and very cheap.

I'd take a few pictures now, but I'm already with Advanced Hair Studios, and I'll get another few pictures taken in a few months by them. So i'll just wait until then.

 

[docj077]

Sounds like you have the imaging department under control. Good luck with your treatment and if you have questions, just ask in one of the numerous little areas they have around here.

 

[person_123]

thanks for the input Doctor. i hope the treatment does go well. I'm counting on it anyway.