Should I quit finasteride?

jom · Dec 11, 2013

Hi guys,

I'm 27 yrs old and I've been on Dr. Reddy's 1.25mg finasteride for about 14 weeks now. The reason I got on it was because I was seeing a lot of hair on my keyboard in the first place if I played with my hair at all so it's very possible my hair loss could have accelerated or continued at the same rate had I not done anything about it. About 2 months in I also added nizoral 1% 3/4 times per week.

My hair is far worse now than it was when I started my regimen and I continue to shed a lot from even the back and sides as well as on top and front where hair is thinnest. It literally feels like there is no end to the amount of hair that will come out (until it's all gone at least!) if I keep playing with my hair. Even lightly touching parts is guaranteed to dislodge a few hairs.

I've always been a candidate for receding but it is only in the last 6 months that I started to notice my hair falling out. I have been under quite a bit of stress lately which has been greatly compounded by hair loss! This may also be a factor. The alarming rate at which this has happened is what has made me freak out the most. Is it normal to happen this fast!?!? I've definitely been a bit depressed since starting finasteride and have had some concentration issues but the but I don't really think these things can be directly attributed to finasteride and may just be a product of going bald! I have noticed any physical side effects.

I'm basically wondering should I give up on finasteride since I'm definitely not seeing any benefits from it and have concerns it's that it is only causing me harm. Any advice/moral support would be much appreciated!

Also would it be worth seeing a dermatologist or an endochronologist? I've also been to see two "profesionals" here in Australia before starting any regimen. One was a specialist hair loss clinic who tried to sell me saw palmetto plus there own topcial solution along with laser treatments for a small fortune. The other was a trichologist who was a nice woman but clearly handn't a clue what she was talking about. I just got my brother who is a doctor but by no means a specialist in this field to give me a prescription for finasteride.

Thanks!

Valiant · Dec 12, 2013

jom, finasteride takes awhile to show results (6-12 mos.) so, I would not freak out if you have had limited results in a little over 3 mos. However, I would also suggest that if you are shedding like crazy even after 3+ mos., I would not be too comfortable continuing it IMO. My personal experience: When I started way back when, I did not have a "shed" but just saw less falling out. It was not quite 9 mos. for me to see new growth/thickening. But, I did not shed. When I quit the first time, my HPTA totally crashed and I was hypogonadal. Within about 2 mos., I noticed quite a bit of shedding. When I went back on it, it only took about a month to see the shedding stop and 2 mos. for some growth to return. I would quit over a month or so by cutting pills and skipping days.

DarkVctry · Dec 13, 2013

Jom please bro relax, alot of this is all in your head. Yes some people shed...its okay just relax. Don't think of the negative things, I suggest go out for a job or bike ride. Clear your thoughts man...just relax. You are worrying way too much and you need somebody to bring you back to ground level. So drive on with the treatment, and relax bro. Ive been there man..when I go through sheds I get all amped up too...but then I take myself to another place and go running.

jom · Dec 16, 2013

DarkVctry said:
Jom please bro relax, alot of this is all in your head. Yes some people shed...its okay just relax. Don't think of the negative things, I suggest go out for a job or bike ride. Clear your thoughts man...just relax. You are worrying way too much and you need somebody to bring you back to ground level. So drive on with the treatment, and relax bro. Ive been there man..when I go through sheds I get all amped up too...but then I take myself to another place and go running.

Hi Dark, I appreciate the comment very much.

Unfortunately I'm certain that this is not in my head however. The affect it's having on me is obviously head related but as for actual shedding - it's obvious and plentiful. My hair has thinned considerably all over including back and sides now as well. I have curly fair hair but now have a lot of weak, whispy hairs all over in areas where male pattern baldness would not have been noticeable previously. I'm certain my hair as dis-improved since starting on finasteride.

Not knowing whether I'm losing more or less hair than I would had had I not gone on finasteride is a real killer; same for everyone I suppose. I've seen some people complain about Dr Reddys before but if it's chemically identical to procpecia I can't see how that would make a difference. It is impossible to accurately quarter the pills however so I guess the slightly varied daily dosage isn't optimal.