there were some studies doen a while ago in Germany.
their test subjects showed an increase in shedding loss of hair density in the first 3 months of minoxidil use compared to control test subjects who did not receive treatment.
By the 6 month stage the test subjects had regrown the lost hair and had increased hair density compared to start of treatment
By 12 months their hair density was much improved and the diameter of the hair fibers was thicker than at the start of treatment and as compared to control test subjects who did not receive treatment
obviously individual response will be varied but I think the advice here is to keep at it, even if at first you seem to be losing even more hair