smudge's Story (Pics Included)

[smudge]

I made a post in the general forum with photos a while ago, but I never made a post here. I first noticed I was loosing my hair in Feb '04, when I was 21 (I'm 22 now). I saw a photo of the back of my head, and I thought it looked a little thin. I repeatedly asked my family what they thought, and they convinced me that it was just a bad hair cut. After asking them everyday for a few months, they finally agreed that I was loosing my hair. At the end of July, I went to a derm, and he confirmed that I have male pattern baldness. He gave me a prescripion for propecia, and I started on the big 3. I substituted fincar for propecia due to cost. On the second day of finasteride, I started to shed. The only other side I had was my libido was out of control. It has subsided a little, but even today it's still much higher than it was before (it still takes me 3 rounds before I can get rid of an erection!). It's too bad I don't have a gf who could take advantage of the situation..LOL.

I think I'm at the lowest stage of my life right now. I'm still living with my parents, and that's not really a confidence booster. I really hate my job, and I thought that I would get my own place once I found a new job. My job search hasn't really been going well. That combined with my hair loss has left me in a state of depression. I feel like I wasted my life. If I knew that I would loose my hair at 21, I would have lived my life a lot differently. In my high school year book, I was ranked in the top 10 best looking guys. I have always been shy, so I never really used my looks to my advantage, and now I can't. My mother suggests that I seek therapy, but I really don't want to. I do not want to be brainwashed into thinking it's okay to have hairloss. I'm not interested in escaping reality. I know that the only way I'll ever be satisified is if my hair returns to its pre-male pattern baldness state. Internet research suggests that is an unreasonable expectation. I guess then that I have a very "long" life ahead of me.

Here is my first pic. My progess is very misleading since I never got a baselilne pic. This is right after my shed ended.


September 12, 2004:
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/smudge-p9120033.jpg

October 10, 2004:
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/smudge-pa030005.jpg

December 18, 2004:
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/smudge-IMGP0045.JPG

February, 20, 2005
http://server2.uploadit.org/files/smudge-IMGP0159.jpg

August 5, 2005
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/smudge-IMGP0314.jpg

I was very happy with the progess between the first and second photos, but I think it was hair that regrew from the shed. Between October and December, I see no progress, perhaps a little regression.

 

[amrod]

ur story sounds alot like mine if not quite as extreme, even tho im only 19 male pattern baldness really does suck... at this age when life is just openning up its the last thing we wanna have to deal with :/

 

[Guest]

hearing from your family that your hair isnt falling out sux, cuz u know that your hair is falling out and you know that they are just trying to help you, but in the end u know its falling out and so do they. Its like your mom saying, "your not ugly, your the most hnadsome son in the world."

 

[macdruid]

The October pic sticks out but your hair looks different in that photo. Was it longer then compared to the others or did you use a different styling product, etc?

 

[smudge]

The October pic sticks out but your hair looks different in that photo. Was it longer then compared to the others or did you use a different styling product, etc?

I'm not really sure about the length, but all pics were taken straight when I got out of the shower. Obviously in the second pic, I used a comb.

 

[WithTheLidOff]

I just read your story and its really depressing. Nothing is worse than mom telling you that "hair isnt important and that youre really good looking"..thanks mom, wait until I tell all the guys! Youre story and your outlook on life suck. I know that you dont wanna hear sh*t like "don't let hairloss ruin your life" but the fact of the matter is that you have a choice. You can live life thinking your worthless and dwell on it 24/7 OR you can make the best with what you have. NO ONE is going to feel sorry for you and if they did wouldn;t you feel pathetic? Don't be the chronically sad guy that brings everyone down and sits in a corner with thinning hair lacking complete self confidence. Be the fit, well dressed, confident, styling, good humored guy that everyone (including women) loves. Same person, 2 perceptions from others....you pick! ANyways..my situation is very similar, I'm 5 years older than you with MUCH less hair. Yours still looks pretty good and you dont look like your balding unless someone where to examine it. Idon;t wish that I cold have the last few years back so that I could enjoy the hair I lost...that would have happenned regardless (although unlike you I did nothign about it) I wish I could have that time back and not have been preoccupied with it. I've gotten a lot more action as a bald man than as a hairy one, life is beggining for you not ending. Make sure that do something to make yourself feel better, get new clothes..work out...but for f*** sakes..dont depress yourself!! Best of Luck!

 

[smudge]

I'm not sure I want to get into an entire debate about this. I have my opinion on the subject, and you have yours. I was not looking for your sorrow or your sympathy. This is a "Tell your story" forum, and that's all I did.

 

[HairBeThere]

hey smudge..

When you post a story on a forum, what do you expect to get, but opinions.

I see what you are saying. You are lucky to notice it early. I would recommend getting on propecia, or proscar immediatley!!

Don't let it bring you down!! You notice more than the average eye does. But, the average eye does not see what you see.

Your hair looks fine, but get on something to help it continue and get better!!

Good Luck man.. You are at a very early stage that med's should fix!!

 

[Guest]

Good luck, you are still at a young age, but it depends on how agressive your male pattern baldness will be. Hopefully you can tackle it.....

 

[GourmetStyleWellness]

Welcome to the forums, Smudge.

First off, I need to say that you are in an exceptionally optimistic position regarding your hair loss right now. I anticipate that you will not be worrying about it for several years, pretty soon. Not only do you have diffuse thinning, which is optimal for treatment results, but you have it in an area where both Rogaine and Propecia worked the best. The bald spot area. Consider yourself very fortunate, and just give it time. You will be happy once you hit the 1 year mark, Im quite sure.

Secondly, I just turned 30. 21 seems like yesterday. At age 21 I was delivering Pizza's for a living, driving a beat up 1987 honda with no grill on the front, had no girlfriend while I was watching all my buddies get married right out of college, and was in the middle of bumf*ck Virginia with no future of any kind in sight. What happens in the next 7 to 8 years is going to be full of huge changes. The 20's are the first time in your life that you're able to actually have freedom, have money, and live your own life. All of this put together will result in many positive things. Self confidence increases exponentially during this time too, simply because of the maturing process. My self confidence was at an all time low in high school, and gradually increased through college. Im now at my all time high. Getting away from the parents sometimes helps this quite a bit too. I do believe the next few years for you will be much brighter. Not only because hair loss wont be an issue anymore, but because of the many good changes that occur. You probably don't see it now, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Things aren't as bleak as you may think.

Well rounded-ness is a huge factor too. You look like a slim guy. There are so many gainer supplements that could, combined with working out, make you into a monster machine of manliness... but that is another whole website. I don't know your build, but I strongly recommend Cytogainer. I've seen gains like never before on it. I went from 6ft tall 155lbs... after YEARS of working out and trying to gain size .... to 6ft tall 190lbs.... with no increase in body fat... in the last 6 to 12 months. The respect and difference in treatment I get from day to day encounters is noticeable. This includes the female population in a big way.

Hang in there, your hair will be fine soon.

gourmetstylewellness.com

 

[WithTheLidOff]

1) sorry smudge...I didnt want it to seem like I was ragging on you. The only intention i had was to try to convince you not to make the same mistake I did. I went through the EXACT same thing almost word for word but was too much in denial to start any treatment so I thought I could help. Best of luck!

2) thats a great story gourmetstylewellness.com. I had a similar experience. I changed the things that I had control over. I look WAY better than I did 2 years ago AND i didnthave to regrow my hair to do it. Similar situation with more people (women included) wanting to be around me. It's not because I look better but its because I have way more confidence.

Who would you (or a girl) rather be around? a fun loving bald guy or totally moping guy with hair

 

[smudge]

updated first post with a pic a took 2 weeks ago.

 

[WindyCityHair]

There is alot of improvement between the first and last pics.

good job.

 

[smudge]

Well, I'm back.

Lately, I've been getting a lot of comments about my hai from other people. It's also been getting nearly impossible to style. I was constantly worrying about it, so I decided to shave it to a 1 guard. But before I did, I decided to take one last photo. Anyway, here is the my 11 month update on the big 3. I guess I'm not a good respnder to finasteride. Should I consider switching to dutasteride?

9/04
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/smudge-p9120033.jpg

8/05
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/smudge-IMGP0314.jpg

I've edited the first page of this post, but I think I've lost some of the images.