Ok I have to admit even I'm considering Finasteride...

[Hoppi]

I don't know I mean... it's just that Saw Palmetto's results seem to be mixed and it creates some bad effects in some people.

Pygeum Bark is largely untested/unknown.

Beta-Sitosterol is probably the most powerful of the three on it's own, but it does also affect the circulatory system, albeit mostly positively. I'm obviously always scared of side effects, so I'm worried about taking something which touches my heart and circulation O.O

I'm sure beta-sitosterol is safe and probably does work... it's not that I'm ruling it out but... I can see why people choose Finasteride. I mean, I have had another think and like...

it's not even that pricey once you start cutting it up is it? I was thinking that if i DID start taking it, I would maybe cut the tablet into 3rds (that IS possible right? )? It seems like people have uncomfortable sides sometimes on 0.5, and it isn't potent enough at 0.25, so I thought why not do thirds? lol

Plus, I will still be using Nizoral, Omega 3 and a powerful concoction of nutrients and amino acids to stimulate my hair follicles and enrich them! And I will STILL be trying to balance out my stress to increase my SHBG, get more exercise to balance myself more and eat better foods to not increase my insulin (which in turn lowers your SHBG even further, this is all BAD news for the amount of free testosterone you have).

But yeah anyway, I care about my hair SO much, and I just think with Finasteride in this combo... there is no hope of male pattern baldness getting the better of it lol

So what do people think? Based on actual experience and knowledge... how much better is Finasteride than an appropriate dose of beta-sitosterol? And is 0.33 a good finasteride dose? Am I right in saying I might be striking a balance between sides and function?

Sorry to keep going on - I know I'm a funny, fickle person! lol

I am just determined not to let this win, and I want to make the BEST combo I can for my hair

Peace!

Hoppi

 

[curiouscharles]

Just do it - finasteride really isn't very scary (for most people).

But keep up your healthy lifestyle, I do think it plays a huge part in the battle against all aging-related ailments.

 

[Draco88]

I'd recommend to give the 1mg a go. I think that's your best bet since you know you're getting the exact dose. If you notice any side effects then go down to 0.5mg. But either way i think having finasteride in your regimen is a must, since if you read any of the success stories here, you'll see that all guys have included finasteride.

 

[let-it-grow]

Draco88, so how does the Propecia works for you? any side effects yet?

 

[G k]

Hey hoppi.

I have been talking with him a bit and he has had great results on 1/4 pill, and is now on 1/6th pill.

I myself started on 1/2 pill. I had amazing results, but then the sides kicked in. My dick went numb and I had bad brain fog. I switched down to 1/4 pill and am now thinking of going with 1/6 pill. With 1/4 pill I received about the same results as 1/2, but much fewer sides(I want less sides still thats why I am cutting down to 1/6).

I think if you are using minoxidil, as well as a good shampoo, you can really achieve great results with minimal dosing....

HOWEVER...everyone is different so we cannot say that any results are typical. But trust me you will get sick of a numb dick and brain fog lol...

 

[treeshrew]

it will shrink your balls, kill your sex drive, and grow man boobs. think twice! :whistle:

 

[Hoppi]

Hey hoppi.

I have been talking with him a bit and he has had great results on 1/4 pill, and is now on 1/6th pill.

I myself started on 1/2 pill. I had amazing results, but then the sides kicked in. My dick went numb and I had bad brain fog. I switched down to 1/4 pill and am now thinking of going with 1/6 pill. With 1/4 pill I received about the same results as 1/2, but much fewer sides(I want less sides still thats why I am cutting down to 1/6).

I think if you are using minoxidil, as well as a good shampoo, you can really achieve great results with minimal dosing....

HOWEVER...everyone is different so we cannot say that any results are typical. But trust me you will get sick of a numb dick and brain fog lol...

Nah man that sounds great =D rofl

Yeah I mean I think I will at least START on a lower dose - it will be easier on my wallet and my hormones! I mean if I'm cutting them into quarters then a one months supply lasts 4! Woot!

And yeah I think once I combine them with topical solutions, lower sebum and stronger follicles, I should be fine on 0.25-0.5. Hell I could even top it up with some beta-sitosterol if I got bored lol

Oh erm, I have a couple of little Qs. First of all, roughly, do we know how many people seem to experience sides with 0.5mg+? It seems to be a significant number, but then of course the people with them are more likely to speak out etc etc

I was also PETRIFIED of this: http://www.propeciasideeffects.com/

(just like I was scared of the tiny chance of beta-sitosterol meddling with my veins and arteries... man I'm a wuss lol)

Second question is - can anyone here compare finasteride's effectiveness with b-S? I mean that guy on baldtruth said he tried "natural remedies" yes, but there are just so, so many, and so many possible dosages. If he tried 375mg of beta-sitosterol a day and saw NO improvements then I would be a little surprised.

Thing is of course I know that worst case scenario if I can't get finasteride at some point in the future, I probably can fall back on a suitably large dose of b-S until I get some more (in case of emergencies!) because they both lower DHT. I just wanna give my hair the very best fighting chance for the future, and to be fair that does seem to be Finasteride...

 

[Draco88]

Draco88, so how does the Propecia works for you? any side effects yet?

I've been on it for 5 days, and so far i haven't experienced any side effects

 

[dpdr]

Try 1mg, if you have side effects, switch to 0.5mg

 

[Eureka]

Isn't the consistent reiteration that propecia is basically a flat line drug, take 1mg, take 0.5 take 0.25 it may mildly change the side effects, but for a very few.

Positive aspect of that of course is that you can cut it up, and save a pile of money.

As for sides, you will not know until you try. Some experience them, most don't. If you do experience them, pull the plug. If you don't, you will be doing the best thing you can for your hair, although certainly not the best for your body.

 

[Hoppi]

Help ._.

Where should I buy my Finasteride?

I was thinking of getting Finpecia as it seems quite cheap n cheerful, but yeah I'm in the UK so I've just been looking around - I don't wanna get fake stuff or ripped off or anything!

What do you think of these kinds of places?


Cheers muchly

Hoppi! ^_^


EDIT -- Oh, and I might combine it (0.25s) with a fairly humble amount of beta-sitosterol too for a bit of extra clout! What do you think?

 

[waynakyo]

Hoppi I never tried this and I am like you very weary of the side effects.

If I were you I would do the following (which I plan to do too):

1- Get a full blood test and of your hormones

2- start with very low doses and go up

I wouldn't listen to people who tell you start with 1mg and go down. For the body it's very difficult to undo things...

Even the "supersize me" guy, was told that it would take him a long time to undo MCDonald's effects, after he had eaten one month of it.

3- Keep us posted... if you plan to start low, please let me know.. I'd like to follow your progress.

 

[follicle84]

Draco88, so how does the Propecia works for you? any side effects yet?

I've been on it for 5 days, and so far i haven't experienced any side effects

It took ten days for side effects to kick in with me at 1mg.

 

[follicle84]

Hoppi now your seing what i saw with herbal treatments verses drugs. Not many people are aware of beta sisterol as they are of saw palmetto. For this reason not many people have tried it. If your going to take beta sisterol take a low dose. I didnt get any major side effects with a low dose of saw palmetto. I imagine it would be the same with beta sisterol since its found in sawpalmetto. I like that your taking omega 3 and nizoral. I use these now. There are reports of them being benefical to hair.

I can't tollerate finestride but need a dht inhibitor as my hairloss is getting worse. I too am going to give beta sisterol a try. We should open our own thread and post our results

 

[Hoppi]

Thank you for the thoughts and opinions guys, I think I'm fairly confident now in my idea of combining 0.25 finasteride with... hmm this says 160-232mg beta-sitosterol. Whatever, if I notice sides I can always cut down right, or take the b-S every other day instead

Fingers crossed I should be coming at the problem from different angles, and so I will see some improvement! Then I can work backwards and attempt to work out what actually did it! lol

I am so determined to make my hair look thick and healthy again! I would do pretty much ANYTHING to ensure this! ^_^


Oh and follicle84 yeah I know what you mean about beta-sitosterol. It's a proper clever treatment - it even decreases your estrogen levels meaning you are less likely to get sides! God thought this one through! lol

(I am joking, I am not really religious, but I do love how natural things are often so curiously well balanced! lol)

It seems to do fairly well, my only concern is that it can make your hair greasier apparently, which is a worrying thing if I am trying my best to REDUCE sebum (with CoA)... hmm... well I'll see what happens!

Also as long as you don't overdo it (and don't fall into one of the rare categories with a poor or inability to get rid of plant sterols) it should keep your cholesterol levels nicely in check too

This should be interesting!

 

[follicle84]

Yes i think high cholestral can increase further hairloss by preventing nutrients from reaching the hair follicles to prolong the hair follicles life cycle. Beta sisterol at a low does may keep this under control and keep those hairs lasting longer. Just my opinion.

 

[Hoppi]

Yes i think high cholestral can increase further hairloss by preventing nutrients from reaching the hair follicles to prolong the hair follicles life cycle. Beta sisterol at a low does may keep this under control and keep those hairs lasting longer. Just my opinion.

Beta-Sitosterol is pretty awesome really, but yes I'd just like to learn a little more about the effects it has on oil production in the scalp / throughout the body

 

[waynakyo]

since you are talking about beta-S any links to success stories, improvement at least ???

 

[G k]

Yeah man I would start with a low dose.

I started on .5mg a day and my hormones ended up crashing. It is much easier for my body to get used to the effects of .25, and I am even consider going down to .16 because of rotsens amazing success with it.(witht he synergistic effects with rogaine, you really hsouldnt need a high dose).

The dosing recommendation on this drug are way too high, as it is veeerry potent.

But also results and needs vary from people to people. Start low and read my thread!!!

 

[follicle84]

since you are talking about beta-S any links to success stories, improvement at least ???

Here's one user.

http://hairregrowth.blogspot.com/

Yes i think high cholestral can increase further hairloss by preventing nutrients from reaching the hair follicles to prolong the hair follicles life cycle. Beta sisterol at a low does may keep this under control and keep those hairs lasting longer. Just my opinion.

Beta-Sitosterol is pretty awesome really, but yes I'd just like to learn a little more about the effects it has on oil production in the scalp / throughout the body

The excess oil production is likelly due to beta sisterols ability to flush cholestral out of the system. The only way it can do this through excreating it through the skin and bodilly waste. If its a problem you can just use nizoral to prevent it making your hair greasy.