dutasteride users advice please

[Balding_1]

Hey, so here's my story briefly: I've been using propecia since I was about 23 (32 now) and it has worked very well for me; and up until about the last year or so I've noticed that my hair is thinning out in the norwood 7 pattern. It looks like diffuse thinning but I have also receded quite a bit. I've had a receded hairline since I was 23 and it hasn't gotten much worse. The thinning is only really noticeable when it is wet, you can see my scalp very easily. It shocked me how much scalp you can actually see.

I've now been taking dutasteride for 15 weeks and there hasn't been any improvement. In fact, I think it looks worse and I am really nervous about it. Really hoping this is normal and it is a sign that new hair will begin growing soon. I plan to stay the course. I'm still taking finasteride daily and just one pill of dutasteride every Sunday.

I'm not sure but it seems my thinning coincided with me joining a brazilian jiu jitsu gym. I'm in the best shape of my life, but my hair sure isn't! Elevated testosterone maybe?

Any advice or similar stories someone can share with me?

FYI- I'm using the big three, but super consistent with finasteride usage. But even with finasteride I have been known to miss a few weeks here and there. I have never experience any noticeable side effects.

 

[xRedStaRx]

Miss a few weeks?

One pill of dutasteride a week is not considering jumping on dutasteride.

Are you taking steroids? Did your diet change since joining the gym? How long have you been training MA?

 

[Balding_1]

Miss a few weeks?

One pill of dutasteride a week is not considering jumping on dutasteride.

Are you taking steroids? Did your diet change since joining the gym? How long have you been training MA?

A study I read before starting my one pill a week suggested it was an effective addition to simply taking finasteride alone.

Nope not taking steroids, I've always been a slim guy but had a bit of a spare tire around the midsection. I've been training BJJ since January 2013 and I'm now a muscular slim build. Hard to say about my diet; sometimes I eat fast food, but I am definitely health conscious. Training 3+ times a weeks make me feel like I can eat anything, but I try to eat a lot of vegetables and healthy proteins.

- - - Updated - - -

oh, and you mentioned me missing a few weeks of finasteride. Yeah, I have been travelling or just ran out of prescription with my pharmacist which delayed me getting back on routine for a week or more. Remember, I've been taking finasteride for about 10 years now. Missing dosages is bound to happen in that time frame and honestly I don't think it made much of a difference.

 

[zzzzz]

just switch to dutasteride completely daily and drop the finasteride what you are doing now will only be very little more effective than finasteride.

Or add a topical AR blocker to your regimen

 

[Balding_1]

just switch to dutasteride completely daily and drop the finasteride what you are doing now will only be very little more effective than finasteride.

Or add a topical AR blocker to your regimen

I wish I saved the study citation that I read, but I recall it showing that the once a week dosage of dutasteride on top of regular finasteride usage was effective in increasing (or maintaining) hair. The study was for long term finasteride users where finasteride has become less effective overtime. Anyone have a link or know the study I'm talking about? I didn't make it up.

I'm a little afraid of switching completely to dutasteride because of the MUCH longer half-life. Isn't that why one pill a week should be effective?

 

[zzzzz]

I wish I saved the study citation that I read, but I recall it showing that the once a week dosage of dutasteride on top of regular finasteride usage was effective in increasing (or maintaining) hair. The study was for long term finasteride users where finasteride has become less effective overtime. Anyone have a link or know the study I'm talking about? I didn't make it up.

I'm a little afraid of switching completely to dutasteride because of the MUCH longer half-life. Isn't that why one pill a week should be effective?

studies show as you increase your dosage of dutasteride your results/its effectiveness increases unlike finasteride

 

[xRedStaRx]

studies show as you increase your dosage of dutasteride your results/its effectiveness increases unlike finasteride

What they've also showed us that it improves results about 10-15% for every dose increment of 400%. Hardly worth it.

 

[sammo123]

Where do you get your dutasteride out of curiosity? What brand? Prescription?

 

[DoctorHouse]

I wish I saved the study citation that I read, but I recall it showing that the once a week dosage of dutasteride on top of regular finasteride usage was effective in increasing (or maintaining) hair. The study was for long term finasteride users where finasteride has become less effective overtime. Anyone have a link or know the study I'm talking about? I didn't make it up.

I'm a little afraid of switching completely to dutasteride because of the MUCH longer half-life. Isn't that why one pill a week should be effective?

I am following the study but remember age is a factor. The guy was 47 in the study. He definitely got significant regrowth in 3 months. It just means he responds better to dutasteride than finasteride. I am on my 4th week of the study and so far no difference but I have 2 more months to evaluate it just like in the study. I don't take finasteride on the day I take dutasteride. You can find the study on another forum just google it.

 

[Balding_1]

It was my understanding that the results supported the use of dutasteride to fight off the diminishing effects of long term finasteride use. I didn't remember age being a factor at all; just the length of time on finasteride. Anyway, it doesn't matter much. DoctorHouse are you taking dutasteride just once a week then? I'm not sure if I'm just going through a bad shed and this is a good sign of things to come, or what?! Trying not to panic but it's very noticeably thinner all over my head, even when dry. Thought I was through with this crap...

For the other guy above: I'm taking Avodart and since I live in Canada I just go to the doctors and ask for a prescription. Still costs a bit, though.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Yes, I am just taking it once per week just like the study. If in 3 months I don't notice any change, I may try twice a week but that is as far as I will go. I don't notice any increase in shedding.