Would Love Some Feedback On My Experience With Finasteride/rogaine/ketoconazole

[Eavdr10]

39 yo male. Have dabbled with Propecia Rogaine combination in the past, and had success. I unfortunately stopped, twice, just got lazy, and ran out of funds to keep the propecia brand going.

I picked it up again, and am about 10 months in. The first 5 months I used a generic form of finasteride. I wasn’t seeing much result, like I have in the past, so I switched to the “official” brand Propecia 1 mg. I use Rogaine foam, once daily In conjunction.

At about the 8 month mark, I started using Ketoconazole shampoo. My doctor prescribed it 3x week, back when he originally prescribed me the finasteride, but I used it rarely. It was until the 8 month mark, that I got consistent with it.

I have noticed my hair is thinning much much more. I am very disappointed as in the past, the finasteride started to show improvement after 4 months. A lot of small hairs started to grow in and actually helped with overall volume greatly. Not this time around.

Could it be the Ketoconazole causing a pretty bad shed at this stage, or is it possible I have developed a bit of a tolerance to the finasteride/Rogaine combo? Being this is my third try with it.

My apologies for the rambling. Basically I’m 10 months in and have experienced thinning. Is this normal on my regimen, or can the Ketoconazole be contributing to that?

 

[Thomas Aquarius]

Did you only begin to notice the shedding after the introduction of Keto? How were things going the 8 months prior with finasteride and minoxidil?

 

[Eavdr10]

Did you only begin to notice the shedding after the introduction of Keto? How were things going the 8 months prior with finasteride and minoxidil?

Hey, thanks for the reply.

So I’d say things were going ok. I didn’t notice the new “baby” hairs growing in like I had the first time or two that I used finasteride. I’d say my hair was just kind of status quo. Didn’t notice any thinning or gain. It’s kind of hard to really remember How or when I started to notice the noticeable thinning, but once I did, the only thing I knew i was doing differently was using the KETO religiously. I was really holding out hope that this was either the finasteride shed and it just took more time than I expected, or the shock of KETO. I’m still hoping.

 

[Thomas Aquarius]

Sorry you are having issues. None of us are all knowing experts on here, so I'll give the best opinion I can. Firstly, at your age you are less likely to respond as you did before, so status quo or "holding on" is actually a goal. If you can just keep what you have, then it's Mission Accomplished. You still may see regrowth, we just never know how we will respond at different life stages.

Secondly, if you noticed the shed or worsening after starting Keto, then I think we could attribute it to keto. It's possible it might have triggered a shed, which would certainly worsen your condition temporarily. Also, keto really dries out the hair and can give an appearance of worsening sometimes. It might be possible that you aren't responding well to the keto and may have to drop it from your regimen. Each body responds differently to a treatment, even it's generally a solid treatment.

How is your scalp? Having itchiness or inflammation?

 

[Eavdr10]

Sorry you are having issues. None of us are all knowing experts on here, so I'll give the best opinion I can. Firstly, at your age you are less likely to respond as you did before, so status quo or "holding on" is actually a goal. If you can just keep what you have, then it's Mission Accomplished. You still may see regrowth, we just never know how we will respond at different life stages.

Secondly, if you noticed the shed or worsening after starting Keto, then I think we could attribute it to keto. It's possible it might have triggered a shed, which would certainly worsen your condition temporarily. Also, keto really dries out the hair and can give an appearance of worsening sometimes. It might be possible that you aren't responding well to the keto and may have to drop it from your regimen. Each body responds differently to a treatment, even it's generally a solid treatment.

How is your scalp? Having itchiness or inflammation?

Definitely no itchy or redness. Ironically, I tend to like the way my hair looks and feels on the days I use the Keto. I appreciate your feedback. Frustrating to say the least. I’m over analyzing everything now. I also changed my diet to a very low carb diet around the same time. Has me wondering if that has had any type of negative effect as well. I guess for now I’m going to ride this out and hope things turn around. I have read that Keto can have some shedding effects due to its shock to the follicle, and I’m holding out hope that this is what’s going on.

 

[Thomas Aquarius]

Definitely no itchy or redness. Ironically, I tend to like the way my hair looks and feels on the days I use the Keto. I appreciate your feedback. Frustrating to say the least. I’m over analyzing everything now. I also changed my diet to a very low carb diet around the same time. Has me wondering if that has had any type of negative effect as well. I guess for now I’m going to ride this out and hope things turn around. I have read that Keto can have some shedding effects due to its shock to the follicle, and I’m holding out hope that this is what’s going on.

Yeah, I think I would ride it out another couple of months and see what transpires. If you're still experiencing sheds or noticing a deterioration of your condition, I would seriously think about dropping the keto shampoo you are currently using. But if the scalp feels good, then I'd bet you'll be just fine.

I'm 42...us old-timers have to stick together

 

[Eavdr10]

Yeah, I think I would ride it out another couple of months and see what transpires. If you're still experiencing sheds or noticing a deterioration of your condition, I would seriously think about dropping the keto shampoo you are currently using. But if the scalp feels good, then I'd bet you'll be just fine.

I'm 42...us old-timers have to stick together

Haha. Thanks so much for taking the time, much appreciated!!