Living with Finasteride

[moseymoose]

I would like to hear from experiences of anyone who has been taking Finasteride for the long term, and what effects they have experienced, what advice they might give, and any problems they have encountered.

The responses I get will decide wether I decide to try and get on this drug, or wether I find the negatives too great and would rather take the inconvenient routine of minoxidil solutions daily for the majority of my life. I know which I would prefer, the convenience of a single tablet daily of course. But I want stories, the good and the bad.

I know that some people have had success, others not, and that reducing dht levels in the body is not something that the body is intended to be naturally put though, and the long term effects of this bother me.

 

[Wuffer]

You shouldn't base your decision on what an extremely small sample of individuals on a forum will tell you. The opinions on this forum are for the most part extremely biased (in both directions - positive and negative) and it's really difficult to gain an objective view on the subject based on the dozen or so responses you might get.

There is a TON of information out there about it. It's really up to you what you choose to believe. I've been on for 4 months with no problems and great results. I chose to trust in the results of a number of medical trials that conclude Finasteride is safe. However, there is some controversial evidence out that there indicates Finasteride may cause more problems than people think. I don't personally believe this evidence is conclusive enough to base my own decisions on, which is why I decided to start and to continue using it. Many others don't want to take that risk. I know it's a difficult decision, but I recommend taking as objective an approach as possible, and try to leave your emotions and fears out of the equation.

However, if my personal opinion might help, I believe it is extremely rare to suffer any kind of adverse reaction to Finasteride that didn't go away after discontinuation of treatment. I would put this in the 1 in 1000 rage; quite rare, but still statistically significant. I couldn't hazard a guess at what happens to people in those rare cases. Finasteride may be the direct cause, or a contributing factor to a physiological condition. It may also be psychological, or a combination of both. Nobody really knows what’s going on.

What I do know for sure is if you are suffering from male pattern baldness, you have a 100% chance of losing your hair. There are other treatment options on the horizon, but at this moment, Finasteride is the best choice. Keep in mind that it’s a thousand times easier to maintain existing hair than it is to regrow what you’ve lost, so it’s essential to start on a treatment as soon as possible.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[Rawtashk]

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=65750

You should not base your decision entirely off of what people on a forum will say. You have about a 98% chance of nothing serious going wrong, and about a 95% chance of stopping hairloss or regrowing some hair. Pretty good odds, if you ask me.

 

[TheGrayMan2001]

http://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/interact/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=65750

You should not base your decision entirely off of what people on a forum will say. You have about a 98% chance of nothing serious going wrong, and about a 95% chance of stopping hairloss or regrowing some hair. Pretty good odds, if you ask me.

Seriously. In Hold'Em Poker, if you have an opportunity to go all-in pre-flop with pocket aces (AA), you have about an 82% chance of winning. Any professional gambler who makes money will take that chance to win. It's amazing odds, and finasteride's odds of missing on side effects is higher than that.

 

[sc64]

I've been on finasteride since 98 and I would hate to think where I would be had I not got on it, i'm sure it would be pretty bad buy now.and as far as sides I've been lucky to this point to not have any and don't regret getting on it one bit.now I'm not saying run out and get on finasteride just saying I didn't have a bad experience with it.

 

[smitysmity]

Pros
- 95% chance finasteride will help you.

Cons
- Get ready for side effects

Each person is different but the trend seems to be low sex drive, pains either in the heart or joints, low energy etc. If I knew something else was working over finasteride, I would not be on finasteride. I hate it but I need to take it until I have another solution. Avodart from the sounds of it will cause you more side effects long term for a little bit better results. It's a shame I won't be able to switch though because switching now will likely cause more shedding which I don't need right now.

 

[moseymoose]

Thanks for the opinions/facts so far guys. I do really want to save my hair before it gets worse, but I am only 20, and side effects like the ones you've described would be rather detrimental considering I'm enjoying life as a young man at the moment :whistle:

Either way, if I start this I will have to give it a 4 month (at least) trial to see how it goes. And after that, I will have to weigh up side effects if I have any, and if I have bad ones it's then making the choice of; quality of life? or my hair?

It is such a difficult decision to make. Since I intend on finding a treatment that I can maintain, at least until something else comes about, till my middle ages.

Does finasteride work significantly better than Minoxidil in maintaining the hair. And is it effective in maintaining the hairline as well as the rest of the scalp. As if I have to go on minoxidil. for my hairline, then I'm not sure if I would see much point in using finasteride too, I don't really want two treatments.

Consider it a Finasteride vs Minoxidil battle if you will.

And in regard to your comments on biased opinions on forums, biased of not, I always appreciate opinions even in the extreme. I find it allows me to weigh up all the pros and cons, no matter how fantastic the pros and how drastic the cons. I feel it gives a better overview.
It's all well and good looking at the facts, but personal experience is invaluable information.

 

[smitysmity]

You'll lose it if you don't start now. Even if you do still lose it while still on finasteride, hair cloning is expected to be ready for everyone by 2015 to 2017. Hair cloning = Hopefully no scarring = I would quit everything I am using now to go with that.

 

[Mens Rea]

Thanks for the opinions/facts so far guys. I do really want to save my hair before it gets worse, but I am only 20, and side effects like the ones you've described would be rather detrimental considering I'm enjoying life as a young man at the moment :whistle:

Either way, if I start this I will have to give it a 4 month (at least) trial to see how it goes. And after that, I will have to weigh up side effects if I have any, and if I have bad ones it's then making the choice of; quality of life? or my hair?

It is such a difficult decision to make. Since I intend on finding a treatment that I can maintain, at least until something else comes about, till my middle ages.

Does finasteride work significantly better than Minoxidil in maintaining the hair. And is it effective in maintaining the hairline as well as the rest of the scalp. As if I have to go on minoxidil. for my hairline, then I'm not sure if I would see much point in using finasteride too, I don't really want two treatments.

Consider it a Finasteride vs Minoxidil battle if you will.

And in regard to your comments on biased opinions on forums, biased of not, I always appreciate opinions even in the extreme. I find it allows me to weigh up all the pros and cons, no matter how fantastic the pros and how drastic the cons. I feel it gives a better overview.
It's all well and good looking at the facts, but personal experience is invaluable information.

Finasteride fucked me and maybe 5 or 6 others on this forum up, man. I despise the drug and think its a outrageously clumbsy way to stop hairloss. In 100 years (likely much, much less) people will look back and think how crazy it was that we took a drug like this (which inhibits a vital hormone ALL across the body, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and inhibits vital neurosteroids in the body etc), all to stop hairloss.

It has destroyed some unfortunate guys' lives.

Sorry i had to give you that disclaimer. It's important that i do because doctors don't really know enough about it to tell you all that. Propeciahelp.com will likely scare you, but it is very real.


DESPITE ALL THAT SAID

Persisting side effects remain the exception. I reckon around 1% or less will have problems after discontinuation. I took a risk based on that and i was unlucky, but obviously most stories aren't as glim.

finasteride is a potent drug for reducing/stopping hairloss. Look in the success section, almost every success probably had finasteride as it's main ingredient.

minoxidil doesn't really stop hairloss, it creates an "offset of growth" if you will. It doesn't hit male pattern baldness at it's core, not even close.

finasteride didn't actually work for me. It seems to give about 50-60% people good results. By good results i mean decent maintainance. Another 20% will probably see some minor reduction in the speed of their hairloss but not enough to justify continuation in most cases (or enough to notice). And 20% probably have no results. That's my impression. I did pick those numbers out of my *** by the way


My best advice: If you do take it, get baseline bloods including testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH etc. You probably won't but you really, really, really should.

 

[Mens Rea]

You'll lose it if you don't start now. Even if you do still lose it while still on finasteride, hair cloning is expected to be ready for everyone by 2015 to 2017. Hair cloning = Hopefully no scarring = I would quit everything I am using now to go with that.

source?

 

[smitysmity]

source?

In December 2010, scientists at the Berlin Technical University in Germany revealed they have grown the world's first artificial hair follicles from stem cells. Research leader Dr Roland Lauster said within five years millions of hair-loss sufferers could grow new hair from their own stem cells and have it implanted into their bald spots. He also announced that preparations for clinical trials were "already in motion".

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... cells.html

 

[smitysmity]

finasteride didn't actually work for me. It seems to give about 50-60% people good results. By good results i mean decent maintainance. Another 20% will probably see some minor reduction in the speed of their hairloss but not enough to justify continuation in most cases (or enough to notice). And 20% probably have no results. That's my impression. I did pick those numbers out of my *** by the way


My best advice: If you do take it, get baseline bloods including testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH etc. You probably won't but you really, really, really should.

Why didn't you switch to Avodart? Some have reported good results with Avodart but none with finasteride.

 

[stoja]

- finasteride and minoxidil dont treat hairloss in the same way so why are you choosing between the two?

- yes the chances of side effects are low, and i happened to be in that small percentage that were effected by finasteride.. trust me it sucks big time!

- in my opinion, give finasteride a go but before you do get some blood work done and keep track of your success/sides etc.

 

[moseymoose]

Finasteride f***ed me and maybe 5 or 6 others on this forum up, man. I despise the drug and think its a outrageously clumbsy way to stop hairloss. In 100 years (likely much, much less) people will look back and think how crazy it was that we took a drug like this (which inhibits a vital hormone ALL across the body, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and inhibits vital neurosteroids in the body etc), all to stop hairloss.

It has destroyed some unfortunate guys' lives.

Sorry i had to give you that disclaimer. It's important that i do because doctors don't really know enough about it to tell you all that. propeciahelp will likely scare you, but it is very real.


DESPITE ALL THAT SAID

Persisting side effects remain the exception. I reckon around 1% or less will have problems after discontinuation. I took a risk based on that and i was unlucky, but obviously most stories aren't as glim.

finasteride is a potent drug for reducing/stopping hairloss. Look in the success section, almost every success probably had finasteride as it's main ingredient.

minoxidil doesn't really stop hairloss, it creates an "offset of growth" if you will. It doesn't hit male pattern baldness at it's core, not even close.

finasteride didn't actually work for me. It seems to give about 50-60% people good results. By good results i mean decent maintainance. Another 20% will probably see some minor reduction in the speed of their hairloss but not enough to justify continuation in most cases (or enough to notice). And 20% probably have no results. That's my impression. I did pick those numbers out of my *** by the way


My best advice: If you do take it, get baseline bloods including testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH etc. You probably won't but you really, really, really should.

- finasteride and minoxidil dont treat hairloss in the same way so why are you choosing between the two?

- yes the chances of side effects are low, and i happened to be in that small percentage that were effected by finasteride.. trust me it sucks big time!

- in my opinion, give finasteride a go but before you do get some blood work done and keep track of your success/sides etc.

I have in fact, come across propecia help. It in fact made me feel sick, and actually nearly gave me a panic attack. This morning I was feeling fairly positive about finasteride and thought I'd maybe give it a go. But the slight chance I might get a perminant side effect such as total loss of sex drive. No thanks. Although, everytime I look in the mirror, pull back my hairline and see my recession it makes me panic, and I want something to do about it now and quickly. But what? I'm petrified to go on something like finasteride, and I'm worried that I might get fed up of sitting every evening rubbing minoxidil solution into my scalp so that I wont end up having to keep my hair short so that it doesn't look silly. Or have to keep styling my hair different because its getting thinner.

I hate my thinning hair, and even before it was thinning I wouldn't go outside unless my hair was perfect. Now I'm getting less and less willing to go outside, I stay indoors all the time because my thin hair is easily blown by the wind, which then exposes my hairline, and then everyone can see that I have a receding hairline. It totally ruining my life, but so will permanent side effects from finasteride. I just don't know what to do. I just sit here, watching GourmetStyleWellness for replys. I can't work, I can't eat, and I'm most certainly not getting sleep.

I just don't know what to do, I'd start minoxidil, but it's been pointed out that minoxidil isnt the answer? but then what is, if I'm too frightened to try finasteride?

 

[Rawtashk]

My best advice: If you do take it, get baseline bloods including testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH etc. You probably won't but you really, really, really should.

This is very very true. Odds are that you won't ever need it, but it's MUCH better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. You should ALWAYS have a fallback plan with every big thing in life, and trying to combat hairloss is no exception.

 

[Mens Rea]

finasteride didn't actually work for me. It seems to give about 50-60% people good results. By good results i mean decent maintainance. Another 20% will probably see some minor reduction in the speed of their hairloss but not enough to justify continuation in most cases (or enough to notice). And 20% probably have no results. That's my impression. I did pick those numbers out of my *** by the way


My best advice: If you do take it, get baseline bloods including testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH etc. You probably won't but you really, really, really should.

Why didn't you switch to Avodart? Some have reported good results with Avodart but none with finasteride.

LOL because i value my health, that's why.

dutasteride might just have killed me. A year after stopping finasteride and im still sexually half the man i was. dutasteride would have anniliated me, without a doubt.

Outright DHT inhibition is dangerous, man.

 

[Mens Rea]

[

I have in fact, come across propecia help. It in fact made me feel sick, and actually nearly gave me a panic attack. This morning I was feeling fairly positive about finasteride and thought I'd maybe give it a go. But the slight chance I might get a perminant side effect such as total loss of sex drive. No thanks. Although, everytime I look in the mirror, pull back my hairline and see my recession it makes me panic, and I want something to do about it now and quickly. But what? I'm petrified to go on something like finasteride, and I'm worried that I might get fed up of sitting every evening rubbing minoxidil solution into my scalp so that I wont end up having to keep my hair short so that it doesn't look silly. Or have to keep styling my hair different because its getting thinner.

I hate my thinning hair, and even before it was thinning I wouldn't go outside unless my hair was perfect. Now I'm getting less and less willing to go outside, I stay indoors all the time because my thin hair is easily blown by the wind, which then exposes my hairline, and then everyone can see that I have a receding hairline. It totally ruining my life, but so will permanent side effects from finasteride. I just don't know what to do. I just sit here, watching GourmetStyleWellness for replys. I can't work, I can't eat, and I'm most certainly not getting sleep.

I just don't know what to do, I'd start minoxidil, but it's been pointed out that minoxidil isnt the answer? but then what is, if I'm too frightened to try finasteride?

Well im worried that with that mindset you could be capable of giving yourself the placebo effect.

I.E. Literally think yourself into sexual dysfunction. 2% of men in the studies did just that!!


Get your head straight man. If you are literally terrified of it then im not sure you should do it. You need to go in with a clear mind.

I think having pre-bloods would atleast give you peace of mind, if anything did go wrong you've had something to fall back on.

I reckon you should look into the other types of topicals first. Look at minoxidil max .com and their different minoxidil topicals.

Hell even read about RU and CB.

 

[moseymoose]

[

I have in fact, come across propecia help. It in fact made me feel sick, and actually nearly gave me a panic attack. This morning I was feeling fairly positive about finasteride and thought I'd maybe give it a go. But the slight chance I might get a perminant side effect such as total loss of sex drive. No thanks. Although, everytime I look in the mirror, pull back my hairline and see my recession it makes me panic, and I want something to do about it now and quickly. But what? I'm petrified to go on something like finasteride, and I'm worried that I might get fed up of sitting every evening rubbing minoxidil solution into my scalp so that I wont end up having to keep my hair short so that it doesn't look silly. Or have to keep styling my hair different because its getting thinner.

I hate my thinning hair, and even before it was thinning I wouldn't go outside unless my hair was perfect. Now I'm getting less and less willing to go outside, I stay indoors all the time because my thin hair is easily blown by the wind, which then exposes my hairline, and then everyone can see that I have a receding hairline. It totally ruining my life, but so will permanent side effects from finasteride. I just don't know what to do. I just sit here, watching GourmetStyleWellness for replys. I can't work, I can't eat, and I'm most certainly not getting sleep.

I just don't know what to do, I'd start minoxidil, but it's been pointed out that minoxidil isnt the answer? but then what is, if I'm too frightened to try finasteride?

Well im worried that with that mindset you could be capable of giving yourself the placebo effect.

I.E. Literally think yourself into sexual dysfunction. 2% of men in the studies did just that!!


Get your head straight man. If you are literally terrified of it then im not sure you should do it. You need to go in with a clear mind.

I think having pre-bloods would atleast give you peace of mind, if anything did go wrong you've had something to fall back on.

I reckon you should look into the other types of topicals first. Look at minoxidil max .com and their different minoxidil topicals.

Hell even read about RU and CB.

I've already been comparing minoxidil. solutions and MinoxidilMax was one of them the 5% & 5% solution without PPG. I've seen it crop up a few times in threads. I don't know what RU and CB is though however? Would you be able to comment on my post here:
http://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/interact/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=65839
since discussion on this thread would be a little off topic.

 

[moseymoose]

This finasteride though, I don't want to look into it too much, because it scares me a little.

I wonder in the case of those who found sides to be permanent how long they took it for. And if I'd be able to stop it if I noticed sides before the became irreversible. But then how would you know if they were irreversible sides.

Really, it seems like a drug, just like minoxidil. once you start, you can't really stop it. It's catch 22. Continue with detriment, or discontinue with detriment (loss of hair).

And the answer to a question previously asked, why am I deciding between minoxidil, and finasteride. It's because that I know once I start it, I probably wont stop since I'm looking long term. I want to monitor the effects of one treatment, so that I can see it visibly working before I decide to do anything else.

 

[shineman921]

This finasteride though, I don't want to look into it too much, because it scares me a little.

I wonder in the case of those who found sides to be permanent how long they took it for. And if I'd be able to stop it if I noticed sides before the became irreversible. But then how would you know if they were irreversible sides.

Really, it seems like a drug, just like minoxidil. once you start, you can't really stop it. It's catch 22. Continue with detriment, or discontinue with detriment (loss of hair).

And the answer to a question previously asked, why am I deciding between minoxidil, and finasteride. It's because that I know once I start it, I probably wont stop since I'm looking long term. I want to monitor the effects of one treatment, so that I can see it visibly working before I decide to do anything else.

Don't expect miracles with minoxidil and you'll be ok. I'm on my 3rd day of finasteride and I do worry about the sides but the thought of being bald is so depressing. It will devastate me! So what do you do? You try and put the sides to the back of your mind and take the only thing that can make a difference. In 7 months I've learnt that minoxidil and nizoral alone make little difference. I keep my finger crossed with the finasteride and hope I don't experience the sides.