Starting Dutasteride Today - Journal

[robotsex]

So, after 11 years on Finasteride with no side effects (no brain fog, no sexual side effects, etc. even at 2.5mg) I'm taking the plunge with Avodart. I have considered it for about a decade, but there was always so much unknown and controversy surrounding this drug that I never felt it was worth it. I figured I'd give Finasteride a long term shot and see what happens. My hope is that because I have never had any real side effects on Finasteride, Dutasteride will be mild on my system.

At this point, my hairloss is around a 3V and while Finasteride may have slowed my hairloss I am definitely losing ground. I can still hide my recession a bit, but I'm gettingt to that point where I will no longer be able to hide it in the next year or two. Before it gets any worse I want to give it a last go with the only thing I know that has a chance to work: Avodart -- .5 mg dutasteride.

I'm trying to stay really positive about it and not dwell on fears may or may not actual present real problems to me. My goal right now is to maintain my current hair. A gain of 10% would also be a nice bonus . I've consulted some top transplant docs about getting a procedure done in about a year. Currently, I'm leaning towards H&W or Shapiro. If dutasteride can at least help me maintain what I have then this would be great for my future hair transplant.

The only downside is the cost right now. At $126 for a month it is costly. However, if I could keep my hair I would gladly pay that much. Got my script through Medical Wellness Center but they said they won't let me use a Canadian Pharmacy. My insurance won't cover it either as it requires pre-approval through my physician.

Tonight I plan to start and I will cease taking my Finasteride and begin taking the Avodart pills. If anyone has any last minute tips on ways to minimize shed or shock loss as a result of the switch, please let me know.

Any last words of advice before I take the plunge tonight?

Current Regimen:
5% spironolactone nightly
Nizoral 2-3x a week
5% minoxidil 1ml 2x a day (I've stopped this for 2 weeks to test bloating in face-- if I am actually bloating I will quit -- this stuff drives me mad since I always think it makes me look like sh*t but am not actually sure. Gives me water retentiion in cheeks and under my eyes I think).

Wish me luck.

 

[Spanishlad]

Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[nickypoos]

I'm 19 and coming into my fifth month on dutasteride. I haven’t had any side effects, shedding or any of this business. I believe the less you pay attention to your body’s response to the drug, and the less you check your hair, the better you will handle the drug. This is obviously my own opinion.

My hairline certainly hasn't moved and defiantly noticed some thickening of my wispy temple follicles.

Some suggest a loading phase, In theory, if you take 2.5mg of dutasteride for the first ten days, you will be inhibiting the same amount of DHT it would take in 90days if you took 0.5mg a day (If i remember correctly). This is of course up to you, and I’m only suggesting it because it may stop the shock loss of coming off finasteride, but I have no idea if this would be of any benefit. I personally didn't do a loading phase, because it’s too bloody expensive.