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I need help with conflicting opinions on Regaine!

  • 23-08-2016 7:55pm
    #1
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭


    (Sorry about the wall of text, I have some simple questions below if too long to read)

    A few people have told me that I am going a little thin at the back and top of my head. I have taken a few pictures myself but can just see a line of skin that just looks like my scalp.

    But in the last few weeks I've started to become more aware of it and have felt it start to tingle - I don't know it's spreading or if it's just because I'm more self conscious about it now (kind of like if someone jokingly tells you that you have a spider in your hair, and you can feel it even if it isn't there). I've read on the internet that if you can feel it tingle then you are going bald.

    I would very much be on the side of people who just shave it all off and get on with their lives, but I'm only 24, I don't think a bald head would suit me right now, and I would kick myself later on if I knew there was an easy way to prolong my hair life.

    So I took to the internet of course and saw that lots of people suggest Rogaine (Regaine in Europe) and they say that there is no harm in trying it for a few months and if you can't see any change you can just stop.

    So I thought I had nothing to lose (excuse the pun) and would try it out. I went to the chemist today and asked for Regaine and the pharmacist said that it works but warned that if I stopped using it my hair would fall out more/go bald faster than if I never started using it. This took me by surprise and I told her I would think about it some more.

    So here are my questions:

    1) If I stop using Regaine will my hair fall out more/go bald quicker than if I never started using it?
    2) Does it give a greasy look to my hair or cause dandruff or other unwanted effects?
    3) Does it have a smell? If so good or bad?
    4) Apart from the cost, has anyone ever had a negative experience with Regaine?

    Any help would be appreciated! I feel like I am in a race against time here and I can't stop thinking about it.
    Tagged:


«1

Comments

  • #2
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    Go to a proper doctor, a friend of mine had terrible thinning and went to the place in blackrock clinic. Was not expensive and now he has a full head of hair. I tell everyone his story. The sooner you do it the better


  • #3
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Zascar wrote: »
    Go to a proper doctor, a friend of mine had terrible thinning and went to the place in blackrock clinic. Was not expensive and now he has a full head of hair. I tell everyone his story. The sooner you do it the better

    I was wondering whether I should just go to a doctor but I felt would be out of place in a doctor's surgery.
    Can you give me more info on what they did with your friend? Is he on some sort of lifelong treatment, like that drug that has all those nasty potential side effects?


  • #4
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    He got some hair mouse and some pills and took them for a few months and the difference was huge. I don't think he is on any of the stuff any more but not sure.

    Basically the earlier you go the easier it is. Just go and see id say.


  • #5
    at9qu5vp0wcix7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 738 ✭✭✭at9qu5vp0wcix7


    First thing you should do is go to a real doctor, and get some blood work done - a micronutrient deficiency could be the issue. Something as simple as a b-vitamin could be all you need. Also look at your diet, malnutrition (e.g. lack of protein in diet) can cause baldness.


  • #6
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Zascar wrote: »
    He got some hair mouse and some pills and took them for a few months and the difference was huge. I don't think he is on any of the stuff any more but not sure.

    Basically the earlier you go the easier it is. Just go and see id say.

    Yes. Maybe a doctor would be a good place to start. I would be really angry with myself if I didn't at least try when I had the chance. When I am older and have a wife and children (if it ever happens), I will likely give zero fks about my hair and just let nature take it's course.

    Thanks for the advice.


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  • #7
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Jaylah Skinny Striker wrote: »
    First thing you should do is go to a real doctor, and get some blood work done - a micronutrient deficiency could be the issue. Something as simple as a b-vitamin could be all you need. Also look at your diet, malnutrition (e.g. lack of protein in diet) can cause baldness.

    As baldness is very much in the family I just assumed that its just regular genetics (which it more than likely is) but I didn't really think about other potential causes like malnutrition. I've also been having a really sh!tty time at work for the last, I'd say 2 years. Maybe stress is contributing.

    I would have thought though that malnutrition and stress would cause kind of patchy bald areas in random places rather than thinning in the typical male pattern baldness areas. That's why I'm thinking it's genetics.

    Edit: I have 2 older brothers, one is nearly 30 the other is in his early 40s. Neither of them are bald or going bald from what I can see.


  • #8
    speedboatchase
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭speedboatchase


    Zascar wrote: »
    Go to a proper doctor, a friend of mine had terrible thinning and went to the place in blackrock clinic. Was not expensive and now he has a full head of hair. I tell everyone his story. The sooner you do it the better

    Blackrock charge 10eur per graft. It was definitely expensive.


  • #9
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    speedboatchase wrote: »
    Blackrock charge 10eur per graft. It was definitely expensive.

    As I already said, my friend got some mouse and some pills, no surgery. Grafts are for people who are properly balding, OP said he was just thinning so he may be fine.


  • #10
    speedboatchase
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭speedboatchase


    Zascar wrote: »
    As I already said, my friend got some mouse and some pills, no surgery. Grafts are for people who are properly balding, OP said he was just thinning so he may be fine.

    Ah, apologies. That's an amazing result if just on meds. Fair play.


  • #11
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Zascar wrote: »
    As I already said, my friend got some mouse and some pills, no surgery. Grafts are for people who are properly balding, OP said he was just thinning so he may be fine.

    I went to the doctor today (unfortunately he was an old bald man). He told me that it was male pattern baldness and there was nothing that could be done.
    He said that there are tablets that reverse the hairloss but they have terrible side effects like, and I quote, "growing breasts" and "shrunken testicles". He kind of sounded like a troll on the internet :)

    I asked him about Regaine and he said that it does make you grow some hair but that it's mainly just fluff that doesn't grow into anything substantial (which I tend to believe). He also said that over time it can weaken the skin and if you stop using it you could, for example, lose as much hair in 2 months that, had you not started treatment, would be lost in 2 years. I really do not want to be a slave to a corporate living every day in fear.

    He basically told me, I'm fokd. Which is about as much as I would expect from a bald man.

    I'm in quite the pickle now. Do I keep pursuing ways to delay this or do I leave my poor head alone and hope that it happens very gradually? Man, I always new I would eventually lose my hair but not in my early 20s. It's truly depressing, but I guess I'll just have to forget about it and steam ahead.


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  • #12
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    On the first point the doctor was plain wrong, there are many different effective methods of reversing or at least stopping or slowing hair loss. The "big three" are ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral), topical minoxidil (Rogaine/Kirkland) and oral finasteride (Propecia - expensive or a myriad of much much cheaper generics such as Fintrid, Profal, Proscar etc).

    The "big three" :

    ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral). I do not know the mechanism of ketoconazole and I am not using it.

    Minoxidil basically is a stimulant to the follicle. Works for some in halting thinning hair. I bought a 6 months supply of generic Kirkland minoxidil but I have decided that I will not use it due to one side effect of long term use. That is it is known to inhibit collagen sythesis meaning it may well weaken your skin. A certain amount will go systemic so there have been people saying it affects your face - you can develop wrinkles younger.

    Finasteride blocks the production of DHT which is the real culprit in balding. It is taken in tablet form at 1mg/day. It can cause side effects, there's plenty on the net about it, but I've been using it 6 months and haven't experienced anything negative to date. At 6 months i get the feeling that it is working - running my hand through my hair it feels fuller, but I haven't any way of knowing for certain.


  • #13
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    On the first point the doctor was plain wrong, there are many different effective methods of reversing or at least stopping or slowing hair loss. The "big three" are ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral), topical minoxidil (Rogaine/Kirkland) and oral finasteride (Propecia - expensive or a myriad of much much cheaper generics such as Fintrid, Profal, Proscar etc).

    The "big three" :

    ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral). I do not know the mechanism of ketoconazole and I am not using it.

    Minoxidil basically is a stimulant to the follicle. Works for some in halting thinning hair. I bought a 6 months supply of generic Kirkland minoxidil but I have decided that I will not use it due to one side effect of long term use. That is it is known to inhibit collagen sythesis meaning it may well weaken your skin. A certain amount will go systemic so there have been people saying it affects your face - you can develop wrinkles younger.

    Finasteride blocks the production of DHT which is the real culprit in balding. It is taken in tablet form at 1mg/day. It can cause side effects, there's plenty on the net about it, but I've been using it 6 months and haven't experienced anything negative to date. At 6 months i get the feeling that it is working - running my hand through my hair it feels fuller, but I haven't any way of knowing for certain.

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I tend to believe the internet more than doctors these days for certain things. Sometimes just reading through many posts of peoples experience can give you a picture of more clarity than any doctor.

    Is Finasteride a prescription only drug? The doctor may only have been referring to the internet products giving people nasty side effects.

    He did recommend Nizoral which I got and tried out. It really improved the itchy/tingly feeling. It makes your hair look like you haven't washed it in a week however. I might only use it once a week for now.


  • #14
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    No problem, glad to share my experience with someone!

    Yes I believe there is a phenomenon known in hair loss circles as AGA itch. Whether in fact it is actually related to the hair folicle miniturization process or not, I am not certain. It may be, it may be just coincidence.

    My own anectode on it is that my hair has thinned somewhat on top over the past 3 years or so but it I only notice it myself, I'm a long way off "bald" territory yet but I want to nip this in the bud before it takes hold. Prevention in better than cure. Anyway, over the past 5 or 6 years I have had instances of having an itch scalp on top of my head. My bet would be on there being some basis for itch being some way related to male baldness.

    Yes, finasteride is a prescription only drug. I got a prescription from a certain website that comes up if you type web, doctor and dot eye e into google. :cool::p
    That cost €25 for a 6 month perscription.

    I got a 6 months supply of generic finasteride, Profal was the brand. I think it cost like €30 for the 46 5mg tabs. You split it into 4 and take 1.25mg per day. Compare this to the brand name Propecia, 1mg per day, which is specifically aimed at the hair loss market. Exact same active ingredient and it costs upwards of €100 per month!! Go generic!

    From my research there appears to be a significant body of evidence that even a 1mg/d dose is overkill and that much smaller doses, even say 0.25mg per day, can lower DHT levels by more or less the same amount as 1mg, therefore having the same result on hair growth. By that logic a 6 month supply as prescribed could last much longer. However, all i can suggest to you here is that you follow the dosage instructions as given by your pharmacist. My own regimen is 0.6mg fin per day, ie one eight of a tab. No side effects to date. Personally, I think the side effects thing is way over blown.

    I can't see nizoral having much impact if used alone.


  • #15
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    No problem, glad to share my experience with someone!

    Yes I believe there is a phenomenon known in hair loss circles as AGA itch. Whether in fact it is actually related to the hair folicle miniturization process or not, I am not certain. It may be, it may be just coincidence.

    My own anectode on it is that my hair has thinned somewhat on top over the past 3 years or so but it I only notice it myself, I'm a long way off "bald" territory yet but I want to nip this in the bud before it takes hold. Prevention in better than cure. Anyway, over the past 5 or 6 years I have had instances of having an itch scalp on top of my head. My bet would be on there being some basis for itch being some way related to male baldness.

    Yes, finasteride is a prescription only drug. I got a prescription from a certain website that comes up if you type web, doctor and dot eye e into google. :cool::p
    That cost €25 for a 6 month perscription.

    I got a 6 months supply of generic finasteride, Profal was the brand. I think it cost like €30 for the 46 5mg tabs. You split it into 4 and take 1.25mg per day. Compare this to the brand name Propecia, 1mg per day, which is specifically aimed at the hair loss market. Exact same active ingredient and it costs upwards of €100 per month!! Go generic!

    From my research there appears to be a significant body of evidence that even a 1mg/d dose is overkill and that much smaller doses, even say 0.25mg per day, can lower DHT levels by more or less the same amount as 1mg, therefore having the same result on hair growth. By that logic a 6 month supply as prescribed could last much longer. However, all i can suggest to you here is that you follow the dosage instructions as given by your pharmacist. My own regimen is 0.6mg fin per day, ie one eight of a tab. No side effects to date. Personally, I think the side effects thing is way over blown.

    I can't see nizoral having much impact if used alone.

    Thanks for the info. So you don't actually get the drugs online, only the prescription? Then you get the drugs in a regular pharmacist? Do you ever have a problem getting it in the pharmacist?

    Do you know of any doctors who have prescribed the drug?


  • #16
    mel123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,231 ✭✭✭mel123


    Just saw this popping up on the home page so clicked in.

    A family member went bald more or less from a young age, and its something he still never got over :-) He has tried everything bar a graft i.e regaine etc.

    Two things tho that make a difference and i really mean a difference you can see are Head High tablets, and secondly i buy him Spectral R.S and Spectral DNC. Are both a solution to your problem as in will the hair grow back and you dont have to worry about it again? Probably not, i think its an ongoing battle you will have. But the Spectral stuff really works. I dont know whats in them etc etc, but there is before and after pictures we took and they defiantly helped the hair grow back. Unfortunately my hotmail decided to delete anything older than one year so i cant show you the difference, but it was from the Spectral. The thing about both products i have mentioned is they need to be constantly used as in if you stop using the spectral i think the hair thins again type thing.
    I use the head high myself, ive got curly hair and find it helps, but then when i stop taking them I can notice the difference.

    Perhaps you are looking for a better solution but just thought i would throw this out there so you can look them up.


  • #17
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    bfa1509 wrote: »
    (Sorry about the wall of text, I have some simple questions below if too long to read)

    A few people have told me that I am going a little thin at the back and top of my head. I have taken a few pictures myself but can just see a line of skin that just looks like my scalp.

    But in the last few weeks I've started to become more aware of it and have felt it start to tingle - I don't know it's spreading or if it's just because I'm more self conscious about it now (kind of like if someone jokingly tells you that you have a spider in your hair, and you can feel it even if it isn't there). I've read on the internet that if you can feel it tingle then you are going bald.

    I would very much be on the side of people who just shave it all off and get on with their lives, but I'm only 24, I don't think a bald head would suit me right now, and I would kick myself later on if I knew there was an easy way to prolong my hair life.

    So I took to the internet of course and saw that lots of people suggest Rogaine (Regaine in Europe) and they say that there is no harm in trying it for a few months and if you can't see any change you can just stop.

    So I thought I had nothing to lose (excuse the pun) and would try it out. I went to the chemist today and asked for Regaine and the pharmacist said that it works but warned that if I stopped using it my hair would fall out more/go bald faster than if I never started using it. This took me by surprise and I told her I would think about it some more.

    So here are my questions:

    1) If I stop using Regaine will my hair fall out more/go bald quicker than if I never started using it?
    2) Does it give a greasy look to my hair or cause dandruff or other unwanted effects?
    3) Does it have a smell? If so good or bad?
    4) Apart from the cost, has anyone ever had a negative experience with Regaine?

    Any help would be appreciated! I feel like I am in a race against time here and I can't stop thinking about it.

    That is completely false info , it does not cause hair to fall out faster after stopping use. It will simple cause your hair to go back to the state it was in before you began use of the drug, but you may have naturally lost more hair during that period had you not used it. So maybe people believe stopping its use cause more hair to fall out than would have naturally ,due to this reason


  • #18
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    That's minoxidil.

    Everything, bar a hair transplant, has to be used continuously to stave off baldness. That much should be fairly logical.

    Another important point is that, as with anything else, prevention is infinitely better than cure. Minoxidil and/or finasteride will succesfully prevent one from becoming bald in most cases. However, if you are already an egg head the follicles are more or less dead and there is nothing that can be done except for a hair transplant.
    Anyone who is totally bald on top who thinks there is a magic potion that will restore their flowing locks of their teens is deluded.


    To the OP, yes I got the prescription from a Dublin based doctor who does a lot of business through his website. I brought the prescription to the local pharmacy and got the finasteride no problem. The Profal I got is more commonly used to treat an enlarged prostate as that is also related to high DHT levels. Pharmacologically, it is identical to the rediculously expensive Propecia.


  • #19
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    That's minoxidil.

    Everything, bar a hair transplant, has to be used continuously to stave off baldness. That much should be fairly logical.

    Another important point is that, as with anything else, prevention is infinitely better than cure. Minoxidil and/or finasteride will succesfully prevent one from becoming bald in most cases. However, if you are already an egg head the follicles are more or less dead and there is nothing that can be done except for a hair transplant.
    Anyone who is totally bald on top who thinks there is a magic potion that will restore their flowing locks of their teens is deluded.


    To the OP, yes I got the prescription from a Dublin based doctor who does a lot of business through his website. I brought the prescription to the local pharmacy and got the finasteride no problem. The Profal I got is more commonly used to treat an enlarged prostate as that is also related to high DHT levels. Pharmacologically, it is identical to the rediculously expensive Propecia.

    Ah ok! Thats reassuring.

    I was sold until I did some digging into the side effects. It's strange because some papers say that there is a very low chance of side effects, then there are sites/forums/physicians who say that the medication is 'poisonous' (whatever that means) and that it can cause irreversible damage.

    Then there are others (who worry me the most) who say they have no side effects at all, apart from pain in their right testicle, difficulty achieving erections, weight gain, trouble sleeping and depression. Getting any of these side effects, no matter how small a chance, terrifies me. But then again, having no hair at such a young age, with no girlfriend etc. really depresses me.

    There was another female doctor I went to see a couple of months ago for an unrelated ailment and she wasn't afraid to give it to me straight. Maybe I should make an appointment with her and ask her about it. I have a feeling she's going to tell me the same thing however. I wish Ireland wasn't so far behind on these things...


  • #20
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    wakka12 wrote: »
    That is completely false info , it does not cause hair to fall out faster after stopping use. It will simple cause your hair to go back to the state it was in before you began use of the drug, but you may have naturally lost more hair during that period had you not used it. So maybe people believe stopping its use cause more hair to fall out than would have naturally ,due to this reason

    Do you mind if I ask if you have used finasteride and if so if you have any views on it or issues with it?


  • #21
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    bfa1509 wrote: »
    Do you mind if I ask if you have used finasteride and if so if you have any views on it or issues with it?

    I recently began using it. About a month into it now. Some testicular pain at first but not other side effects apart from that. My libido was quite low to begin with though so didnt notice any drop

    And my view on it is that men completely over exaggerate potential side effects because their manhoods at stake. (such as getting boobs, having less erections, etc all 'feminising ' features) and I think thats why a lot of men fear it when in reality its no more 'dangerous' than many other prescription drugs people regularly take without taking a year to decide on whether they should take it or not


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  • #22
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    I've been on it 6 months or so. No perceptible negative side effects here anyway.


  • #23
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Used Regain 16 years ago. Found I started using it too late, as it keeps your hair, but doesn't really grow the hair you've lost (for me anyway).

    Found it greasy and messy, and at the time, expensive. After using it for a couple of months, I stopped using it. People probably get massive hairloss after stopping using it, as although it prevents hairloss, it only prevents hairloss whilst being used.
    wakka12 wrote: »
    And my view on it is that men completely over exaggerate potential side effects because their manhoods at stake. (such as getting boobs, having less erections, etc all 'feminising ' features)t
    Regain had most/all of these side-effects as posisble things that may happen, as the Regain lowers your testosterone, but they list them as possible effects. Never got any of them personally.

    Finasteride has a host of issues, as per this study. Kinda scary. In saying that, it's still on the market, so I'd assume like all medicines if one causes side-effects, stop using it, and go back to the doctor to get them to suggest another one.

    =-=

    After the failure of Reaine, I did a Mac3 (at 23; started going typical noticeable male bald pattern at maybe 17 or 18), and have been shaving my head on a regular (once or twice a week) since. Advise you to have some face hair (even a goatee) if you decide to shave your head, or just go for a number one or two all over IMO.


  • #24
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Finasteride lowers dihydrotestosterone by inhibiting the 5 alpha reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. In fact, by blocking this conversion, actually causes a minor increase in testosterone. But DHT is far more important that T at regulating your sex system than T, hence the possibility of sides.

    Although DHT is converted from T throughout the body by 5AR, it is primarily the DHT which is produced in the follicle itself which effects miniaturisation of the follicle rather than DHT circulating in your blood. The problem with 5AR inhibitors like finasteride is that they are a sledgehammer to crack a nut approach that drastically reduces DHT thoughout the body, potentially causing unwanted sides, when really you only want to get rid of DHT in the scalp.
    For this reason many researchers have studies the use of topical finasteride, often combined with minoxidil. These studies have often found topical finasteride is just as effective as oral finasteride and has a lower incidence of side effects. Yay! Part of its effectiveness relates to its property of being readily absorbed through the skin. There is still some possibility of side effects though for sensitive individuals as a portion of the finasteride will "go systemic", ie pass into the blood stream.

    BUT!

    Finasteride is a very dangerous molecule for a pregnant woman to come into contact with. DHT is very important in the development of the sex organs fo a male fetus and since finasteride blocks DHT production, it can and will cause birth defects in male fetus if the mother is exposed to it while pregnant. In fact, the risk is so well established it is that case that women are not even supposed to handle finasteride pills that have been cracked or crushed in any way even while not pregnant, just in case they might become pregnant after handling the molecule. In practice this means that topical finasteride, despite being effective in treating AGA, and owing to its good transdermal absorbtion is a complete non runner as if a woman touches the scalp or hair of a man using it she will be exposed to the drug and harm may be caused to the baby.

    Phew. Anyway, just FYI.


  • #25
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Finasteride lowers dihydrotestosterone by inhibiting the 5 alpha reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. In fact, by blocking this conversion, actually causes a minor increase in testosterone. But DHT is far more important that T at regulating your sex system than T, hence the possibility of sides.

    Although DHT is converted from T throughout the body by 5AR, it is primarily the DHT which is produced in the follicle itself which effects miniaturisation of the follicle rather than DHT circulating in your blood. The problem with 5AR inhibitors like finasteride is that they are a sledgehammer to crack a nut approach that drastically reduces DHT thoughout the body, potentially causing unwanted sides, when really you only want to get rid of DHT in the scalp.
    For this reason many researchers have studies the use of topical finasteride, often combined with minoxidil. These studies have often found topical finasteride is just as effective as oral finasteride and has a lower incidence of side effects. Yay! Part of its effectiveness relates to its property of being readily absorbed through the skin. There is still some possibility of side effects though for sensitive individuals as a portion of the finasteride will "go systemic", ie pass into the blood stream.

    BUT!

    Finasteride is a very dangerous molecule for a pregnant woman to come into contact with. DHT is very important in the development of the sex organs fo a male fetus and since finasteride blocks DHT production, it can and will cause birth defects in male fetus if the mother is exposed to it while pregnant. In fact, the risk is so well established it is that case that women are not even supposed to handle finasteride pills that have been cracked or crushed in any way even while not pregnant, just in case they might become pregnant after handling the molecule. In practice this means that topical finasteride, despite being effective in treating AGA, and owing to its good transdermal absorbtion is a complete non runner as if a woman touches the scalp or hair of a man using it she will be exposed to the drug and harm may be caused to the baby.

    Phew. Anyway, just FYI.
    Thats so interesring, thanks so much for sharing. Why isn't topical fin more widely used then? I cant even think of a commercial topical finasteride product thats available or talked about


  • #26
    Steve012
    Registered Users Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Steve012


    To the op, I started losing my hair at 27, 39 now, It really started to come out fast, I use (every second night regaine liquid)!, Nizoral every third day (It works "really works" and dutasteride! every second day. Its called "Avodart" in the chemist, I'm lucky my doc prescribed it. Use those 3 and you,ll gain what you've already lost, and to be honest, I havent lost any hair in ten years.
    A specialist in UK told me about avodart it works much better than finasteride!!

    Yep yep yep ..:D


  • #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Musketeer4 You mentioned you cut up the 5mg pill into 1/8ths(~0.62mg), I've found this difficult to do as the 5mg pill is very small, using a razor blade i still have trouble making them even at such small pieces, they are usually always uneven.

    As for my own experience I've been taking fintrid(finasteride) for 6 months, at the start i was taking it in 1/4ths (1.25mg) it's hard to gauge if it was my overthinking it but i felt like my sex drive was low and erections we're not as strong. I cut down to 1/8ths and i feel like its improved but once again it's hard to know if it's all in your head.

    I'm way off being bald but noticed my temples were getting thin, i do seem to have regrowth there but the hairs are still thinner than elsewhere. My plan is to keep on it for the meantime and monitor it over the next year.


  • #28
    Passenger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,148 ✭✭✭Passenger


    Steve012 wrote: »
    To the op, I started losing my hair at 27, 39 now, It really started to come out fast, I use (every second night regaine liquid)!, Nizoral every third day (It works "really works" and dutasteride! every second day. Its called "Avodart" in the chemist, I'm lucky my doc prescribed it. Use those 3 and you,ll gain what you've already lost, and to be honest, I havent lost any hair in ten years.
    A specialist in UK told me about avodart it works much better than finasteride!!

    Yep yep yep ..:D

    Any before and after pics of said results?


  • #29
    Steve012
    Registered Users Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Steve012


    Passenger wrote: »
    Any before and after pics of said results?

    You can't really see mate, but if I can route out some old pics of when I was 27 I will, and take a new shot of hair now, no worries.. I've studied the topic for years and been on all the forums across the world, Thats the regime a lot of guys follow, with Dutasteride being quite strong, your adviced to stop for a least a year before trying for children with your partner.


  • #30
    Uriel.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Steve012 wrote: »
    with Dutasteride being quite strong, your adviced to stop for a least a year before trying for children with your partner.

    Jaysus surely that **** couldn't be good for your body long-term...


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  • #31
    Passenger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,148 ✭✭✭Passenger


    Steve012 wrote: »
    You can't really see mate, but if I can route out some old pics of when I was 27 I will, and take a new shot of hair now, no worries.. I've studied the topic for years and been on all the forums across the world, Thats the regime a lot of guys follow, with Dutasteride being quite strong, your adviced to stop for a least a year before trying for children with your partner.

    Ah grand. Dutasteride performs similarly to Finasteride with similar side-effects though too apparently.


  • #32
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    Thread does not solve thread title.


  • #33
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    Sorry to be blunt but you're completely wasting your time ,money and energy if its hairloss that you are trying to slow down. The only thing you're achieving is making your hair greasy.
    The only things that will help are the proven medications.


  • #34
    Steve012
    Registered Users Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Steve012


    Uriel. wrote: »
    Jaysus surely that **** couldn't be good for your body long-term...

    Probably not, but my gp is old school and his Son takes it, my gp said, the worst thingP that affected him in his life was losing his hair when he was younger..
    Its like a rock and a hard place I guess


  • #35
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Steve012 wrote: »
    Probably not, but my gp is old school and his Son takes it, my gp said, the worst thingP that affected him in his life was losing his hair when he was younger..
    Its like a rock and a hard place I guess
    I agree with your GP; it can really knock your confidence if you have the bald pattern of a 40 year old at 20!


  • #36
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,278 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    LThat won't do anything. Except make you smell extremely strange.


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  • #37
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Finasteride lowers dihydrotestosterone by inhibiting the 5 alpha reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. In fact, by blocking this conversion, actually causes a minor increase in testosterone. But DHT is far more important that T at regulating your sex system than T, hence the possibility of sides.

    Although DHT is converted from T throughout the body by 5AR, it is primarily the DHT which is produced in the follicle itself which effects miniaturisation of the follicle rather than DHT circulating in your blood. The problem with 5AR inhibitors like finasteride is that they are a sledgehammer to crack a nut approach that drastically reduces DHT thoughout the body, potentially causing unwanted sides, when really you only want to get rid of DHT in the scalp.
    For this reason many researchers have studies the use of topical finasteride, often combined with minoxidil. These studies have often found topical finasteride is just as effective as oral finasteride and has a lower incidence of side effects. Yay! Part of its effectiveness relates to its property of being readily absorbed through the skin. There is still some possibility of side effects though for sensitive individuals as a portion of the finasteride will "go systemic", ie pass into the blood stream.

    BUT!

    Finasteride is a very dangerous molecule for a pregnant woman to come into contact with. DHT is very important in the development of the sex organs fo a male fetus and since finasteride blocks DHT production, it can and will cause birth defects in male fetus if the mother is exposed to it while pregnant. In fact, the risk is so well established it is that case that women are not even supposed to handle finasteride pills that have been cracked or crushed in any way even while not pregnant, just in case they might become pregnant after handling the molecule. In practice this means that topical finasteride, despite being effective in treating AGA, and owing to its good transdermal absorbtion is a complete non runner as if a woman touches the scalp or hair of a man using it she will be exposed to the drug and harm may be caused to the baby.

    Phew. Anyway, just FYI.

    Very interesting information, thanks for taking the time to share.
    Steve012 wrote: »
    To the op, I started losing my hair at 27, 39 now, It really started to come out fast, I use (every second night regaine liquid)!, Nizoral every third day (It works "really works" and dutasteride! every second day. Its called "Avodart" in the chemist, I'm lucky my doc prescribed it. Use those 3 and you,ll gain what you've already lost, and to be honest, I havent lost any hair in ten years.
    A specialist in UK told me about avodart it works much better than finasteride!!

    Yep yep yep ..:D

    I started using Nizoral over the last week and it seems to get rid of the tingly itchy feeling (whether this has anything to do with MPB or not, I'm not sure) but the lack of itching must be a good sign. I did see some reports that it is very good for delaying the MPB process (but there is no way anyone could say this for sure). But I am going to keep using it every now and again, who knows maybe it actually works.

    I will look into your other recommendations. Thanks!
    Saipanne wrote: »
    Thread does not solve thread title.

    I'm ok with that. At the time of initial post, I wasn't aware of alternative, more effective methods of preventing MPB. The thread has taken a more interesting, informative turn for me, although the title is misleading for newcomers.
    Steve012 wrote: »
    Probably not, but my gp is old school and his Son takes it, my gp said, the worst thingP that affected him in his life was losing his hair when he was younger..
    Its like a rock and a hard place I guess

    Up until a few months back, I had no idea why people were so traumatised about going bald. I just thought they should just grow a pair and get on with it. But now that it is happening to me, I completely understand and am horrified. I always new I would lose my hair, but I thought I would at least have a wife and kids, so it wouldn't bother me greatly. But no - it hits me in my prime, while I am young and single. It has really knocked me, and it isn't even really that bad yet.

    But now is the time to act


  • #38
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    Ive been told by several doctors that the only way of slowing male pattern baldness is with the proven medication. I have been part of the largest hairloss forum on the internet for over a year and the vast majority agree with the medical professionals on this point. It is snake oil


  • #39
    Saipanne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭Saipanne


    What are the costs of these various treatments?


  • #40
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    wakka12 wrote: »
    Thats so interesring, thanks so much for sharing. Why isn't topical fin more widely used then? I cant even think of a commercial topical finasteride product thats available or talked about

    As per last paragraph in previous post. It works, but the problem is it is a very dangerous drug for a male fetus to be exposed to. If a woman who is pregnant with a male fetus touches the any part of the guy that uses the topical finasteride, ie his head or hands, then some of that will be absorbed into her system and there is a very real chance of birth defects. Its good transdermal absorbtion is what makes it very effective in MPB, but also makes it extremely dangerous for male fetuses. The risk is just too great for a product to be released. Now, some guys make their own topical by dissoving finasteride in an alcohol vehicle, often using commercially available minoxidil solutions, but they must be extremely careful with it. You are taking a chance with someone elses baby if you inadvertently expose someone.

    Make no mistake about it, 5AR inhibitors are very potent compounds. Certainly, if i was planning having a baby I'd be going off finasteride for a good few months beforehand.
    Passenger wrote: »
    Ah grand. Dutasteride performs similarly to Finasteride with similar side-effects though too apparently.

    Finasteride is a Type I 5AR inhibitor. It has a half life of 6-8 hours.

    Type I 5AR is prominent in the skin so you would think dutasteride would not be very effective but it has been found that actually Type II is most active in the actual hair follicle so finasteride is effective.

    Dutasteride, aka Avodart, is a Type I & II 5AR inhibitor with a half life of 5 weeks. It is far more potent and will pretty much eliminate all DHT from the body if taken orally so there is the chance of more severe side effects. Dut really is the nuclear option and should only be considered after finasteride has not been successful.

    cisk wrote: »
    Musketeer4 You mentioned you cut up the 5mg pill into 1/8ths(~0.62mg), I've found this difficult to do as the 5mg pill is very small, using a razor blade i still have trouble making them even at such small pieces, they are usually always uneven.

    As for my own experience I've been taking fintrid(finasteride) for 6 months, at the start i was taking it in 1/4ths (1.25mg) it's hard to gauge if it was my overthinking it but i felt like my sex drive was low and erections we're not as strong. I cut down to 1/8ths and i feel like its improved but once again it's hard to know if it's all in your head.

    I'm way off being bald but noticed my temples were getting thin, i do seem to have regrowth there but the hairs are still thinner than elsewhere. My plan is to keep on it for the meantime and monitor it over the next year.

    I have a good pill splitter that I got in the pharmacy the same time I got the medication. I split all my pills one evening to save time. Now, I won't say they are all equal splits into 1mg but with a little practice you get handy enough at it.

    Your hair loss has likely been going on for several years before it got to the point where you noticed it. You're only on the meds 6 months. Give it some time to work. Take photos to track progress.

    Its hard to know with side effects. Given the hype about sides, its hard to know whether it is real or placebo effect .Were you aware of the possibility of sides before taking the meds?
    All I can say is that in my case, I haven't noticed anything. I still **** twice a day no problem.


  • #41
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Saipanne wrote: »
    What are the costs of these various treatments?

    Generic 5mg Finasterides cost be €25 for perscription and around €30 for a six months supply. Will even last longer if you take a lower dose as research has found that doses as low as 0.2mg/d reduce DHT by almost as much as the 1mg standard dose which is though by some to be overkill.

    The exact same drug marketed for hair loss as Propecia will probably cost in the region of €100 per month.

    No brainer right there!!

    Kirkland minoxidil cost me €60 for a year supply but I have decided I will not use it. I am open to selling this on to anyone if they are interested. No point in it gathering dust in the top of the wardrobe!:pac:


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  • #42
    cormie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,842 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    I've been reading this thread to see if any natural remedies or diet improvements would be mentioned as I've had a slight recede in my hairline over the years, unfortunately as much as I'd like to, I don't believe the poster mentioning his home brew of natural remedies will do anything. I don't know how bad it's going to get, but there's no way I'd go on any of what's been mentioned above. Don't underestimate the effects **** like this can have on the system. Even if you don't get any of the side effects now, you don't have a clue what the long term effects can be on your own body. These drugs are all relatively new as well and who knows what could happen after taking them daily for 50 years.

    I'd feel much more at ease going blade 1 or 2 all over than submitting myself to a lifetime of medication.

    I'm still curious as to whether a natural course can be taken, perhaps in terms increasing nutrient consumption of certain foods or omitting animal products given that their the main cause of atherosclerosis (heart disease/alzheimers).


  • #43
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    I do not know much about natural or herbal remedies for MPB. However, i have read a bit about green tea *possibly* having *some* effect due to its antioxidant action protecting the cells in the follicel from oxidative damage. I did see a study where green tea extract was given to mice with hair loss and the hair regrew well in the treated group as compared to the control group. However, we must remember that the hair loss in these mice was probably not androgenetic alopecia and could have been from stress or a myriad of other factors.

    Herbal remedies could possibly have potential, but the evidence for them is far less convincing than for conventional pharmaceuticals.

    If you are interested go research some literature and get back to us.


  • #44
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    I've been using finasteride for 3 years and I've never had any side effects whatsoever. The 'side effects' debate is as old as the cure itself, but it is over-stated and over-exaggerated. It's not to say that people don't get side effects, but this is true of virtually all prescription medicines.

    I haven't lost any hair in the 3 years since I started taking it. On the hairloss chart I'd be somewhere between a NWII and NWIII.

    Also regarding pregnancy and Finasteride, I think that's also radically over-stated. There are investigations/studies showing that the risk is nowhere near as severe as warnings have you believe and even the case studies involved way, way higher doses in animals to incur any defects of any kind.

    I think they still tell women not to ingest or handle it, but removed the warning relating to men taking it and getting their partner pregnant.

    Pretty sure even if you look there are actually almost no, if any even, documented cases of birth defects relating to finasteride and this is a drug that's been available for 20 years.

    It's a theoretical risk, same as pretty much all warnings associated with such products. People have just focused on it very heavily.


  • #45
    Steve012
    Registered Users Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Steve012


    bfa1509 wrote: »
    Very interesting information, thanks for taking the time to share.





    Up until a few months back, I had no idea why people were so traumatised about going bald. I just thought they should just grow a pair and get on with it. But now that it is happening to me, I completely understand and am horrified. I always new I would lose my hair, but I thought I would at least have a wife and kids, so it wouldn't bother me greatly. But no - it hits me in my prime, while I am young and single. It has really knocked me, and it isn't even really that bad yet.

    But now is the time to act

    Yep yep..all my mates laughed at me .. Said just shave it man! :rolleyes:
    Different story when a couple of years later "when they started losing their hair"


  • #46
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    I've been using finasteride for 3 years and I've never had any side effects whatsoever. The 'side effects' debate is as old as the cure itself, but it is over-stated and over-exaggerated. It's not to say that people don't get side effects, but this is true of virtually all prescription medicines.

    I haven't lost any hair in the 3 years since I started taking it. On the hairloss chart I'd be somewhere between a NWII and NWIII.

    Also regarding pregnancy and Finasteride, I think that's also radically over-stated. There are investigations/studies showing that the risk is nowhere near as severe as warnings have you believe and even the case studies involved way, way higher doses in animals to incur any defects of any kind.

    I think they still tell women not to ingest or handle it, but removed the warning relating to men taking it and getting their partner pregnant.

    Pretty sure even if you look there are actually almost no, if any even, documented cases of birth defects relating to finasteride and this is a drug that's been available for 20 years.

    It's a theoretical risk, same as pretty much all warnings associated with such products. People have just focused on it very heavily.

    Nice to hear the experience from a fellow Galway man. Do you mind if I ask if you use the same method as Musketeer - typing web and doctor and dot eye e into the google machine etc.? ;) Or did you consult with anyone first or use an alternative method?
    When I first heard of Finasteride and it's potential side effects, I was like "No way am I going near that!!". But after doing further research, and as mentioned above, I found that the more serious side effects seem to be very isolated cases from very questionable people (thats not to say that finasteride hasn't screwed people over, but it seems very unlikely).

    And as for the less serious side effects, it's natural enough that any pain or niggle that people get, their brains are naturally going to amplify it and link it to the drug they are taking, whether it is the cause or not. (Just thinking about testicle ache does give me a pain in my testicles)
    Although Finasteride seems to be a harsh drug, it appears to be getting a lot of undeserved grief (one guy on a hairloss forum jokingly blamed finasteride for the earthquake at Fukashima :))

    What is making me take the plunge and try it out is the amount of people who have had tremendous success from it. Like many people say - it's the negative voices that will be the loudest on the internet. Whereas the people who it has worked for are not thinking about their hair and are too busy living their lives.

    Having said that, I will truly eat my words if my penis falls off 3 months in!! :)
    Steve012 wrote: »
    Yep yep..all my mates laughed at me .. Said just shave it man! :rolleyes:
    Different story when a couple of years later "when they started losing their hair"

    I'm glad I never took the p out of anyone losing their hair. I just never really took any notice of people's hair before. But ever since I came to the realisation that my own hair is on the way out, I noticed a lot of people getting so much unnecessary grief from a-holes (even close friends) about their hair.
    What a lot of people don't understand is that shaving your head is fine if you are muscular and have a good tan and are ok with being bald for the rest of your life. For everyone else, it's like a life sentence of bad hair and low confidence.


  • #47
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Shaving the head suits some people well but you have to have the "right shape" of head" to pull it off successfully. Some people have oddly shaped heads and it might be odd looking.
    Then there are also some people with what I call "bouncer neck" when they shave their head, ie a thick neck with furrows and folds on the nape of the neck. Some might be OK with it but it's not a look i'd be after tbh.


  • #48
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    No, I get it prescribed through Blackrock Clinc in Dublin. The total cost per annum including consultation and prescription is around €180. Propecia is what, €100 per month? The doctor was fairly frank about it and did, to his credit, run through all the potential side effects without offering any real biased opinion.
    What a lot of people don't understand is that shaving your head is fine if you are muscular and have a good tan and are ok with being bald for the rest of your life. For everyone else, it's like a life sentence of bad hair and low confidence.

    Very much so but I've found it's mostly about adjustment. I'm almost 30 and I have one friend who started going bald and embraced it, and another who was desolate about it and tried every trick in the book to halt it. I initially thought how strange it would be for both to be bald so young, but now I can't possibly imagine them any other way and both are enjoying life with partners who don't give a damn that they're bald.

    Going bald is definitely a personal battle with ones self. Nobody else really cares, be it family, friends, romantic interests, wives or girlfriends.

    Having said that for me it's a battle I'd prefer to win. I've settled now with a full head of hair with some temporal recession, which is fine with me as it hasn't changed in the past 3 years at all. I used to think about getting a HT to fill in the temples but realistically now that I'm also 30 it seems trivial, even guys who aren't balding as such experience natural recession by this age. My biggest issue was the idea of going bald young and as a single guy rather then simply going bald.


  • #49
    bfa1509
    Registered Users Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭bfa1509


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    Shaving the head suits some people well but you have to have the "right shape" of head" to pull it off successfully. Some people have oddly shaped heads and it might be odd looking.
    Then there are also some people with what I call "bouncer neck" when they shave their head, ie a thick neck with furrows and folds on the nape of the neck. Some might be OK with it but it's not a look i'd be after tbh.

    Some people look fantastic with a shaved head. I wish I was one of them.
    My biggest problem is, as TerrorFirmer said, being single and bald in my mid 20s (even if I did look good bald). Girls in their early to mid 20s just don't seem to dig bald guys (maybe I'm wrong?).
    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    No, I get it prescribed through Blackrock Clinc in Dublin. The total cost per annum including consultation and prescription is around €180. Propecia is what, €100 per month? The doctor was fairly frank about it and did, to his credit, run through all the potential side effects without offering any real biased opinion.

    Very much so but I've found it's mostly about adjustment. I'm almost 30 and I have one friend who started going bald and embraced it, and another who was desolate about it and tried every trick in the book to halt it. I initially thought how strange it would be for both to be bald so young, but now I can't possibly imagine them any other way and both are enjoying life with partners who don't give a damn that they're bald.

    Going bald is definitely a personal battle with ones self. Nobody else really cares, be it family, friends, romantic interests, wives or girlfriends.

    Having said that for me it's a battle I'd prefer to win. I've settled now with a full head of hair with some temporal recession, which is fine with me as it hasn't changed in the past 3 years at all. I used to think about getting a HT to fill in the temples but realistically now that I'm also 30 it seems trivial, even guys who aren't balding as such experience natural recession by this age. My biggest issue was the idea of going bald young and as a single guy rather then simply going bald.

    I think I'm in the same boat as you. I was really hoping to not have to go to blackrock though.

    I wonder would it be considered negligent for me to just get a prescription online for one of the generics and just start taking it. I could consult with my own doctor but I'm really afraid she will put me off taking it. (Unless I start taking it before visiting her :) )

    I am in no doubt that I'm losing my hair, the doctor even confirmed it. I don't see why I would need to go to blackrock for them to tell me this. Is there a certain type of MPB that the medication is certain to not work for?

    Decisions Decisions....


  • #50
    wakka12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,786 ✭✭✭wakka12


    bfa1509 wrote: »
    Some people look fantastic with a shaved head. I wish I was one of them.
    My biggest problem is, as TerrorFirmer said, being single and bald in my mid 20s (even if I did look good bald). Girls in their early to mid 20s just don't seem to dig bald guys (maybe I'm wrong?).


    I think I'm in the same boat as you. I was really hoping to not have to go to blackrock though.

    I wonder would it be considered negligent for me to just get a prescription online for one of the generics and just start taking it. I could consult with my own doctor but I'm really afraid she will put me off taking it. (Unless I start taking it before visiting her :) )

    I am in no doubt that I'm losing my hair, the doctor even confirmed it. I don't see why I would need to go to blackrock for them to tell me this. Is there a certain type of MPB that the medication is certain to not work for?

    Decisions Decisions....

    I think they'd dig a guy if he looked good bald. Then again there arent a lot of guys in their early-mid twenties who are so bald that they'd shave their heads. Well I don't know many at all.
    And to look good bald you need to be in good shape, have a good head shape, ears that don't stick out, not be pale,and not be baby faced in my opinion. Which is a lot of things to take into account!


  • #51
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    wakka12 wrote: »
    Ive been told by several doctors that the only way of slowing male pattern baldness is with the proven medication. I have been part of the largest hairloss forum on the internet for over a year and the vast majority agree with the medical professionals on this point. It is snake oil
    Which is... what?
    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    I've been using finasteride for 3 years and I've never had any side effects whatsoever. The 'side effects' debate is as old as the cure itself, but it is over-stated and over-exaggerated. It's not to say that people don't get side effects, but this is true of virtually all prescription medicines.
    I view the side effects as a "don't sue us" clause. I also view them as what possibly happened to their human test subjects (I see signs on the subways here in Toronto every so often looking for people that are are affected by X illness) in previous trials.
    bfa1509 wrote: »
    I wonder would it be considered negligent for me to just get a prescription online for one of the generics and just start taking it.
    Wouldn't recommend randomly buying from random site, not sure what you mean by this.

    =-=
    bfa1509 wrote: »
    I could consult with my own doctor but I'm really afraid she will put me off taking it. (Unless I start taking it before visiting her :) )
    bfa1509 wrote: »
    I am in no doubt that I'm losing my hair, the doctor even confirmed it. I don't see why I would need to go to blackrock for them to tell me this.
    Some doctors don't know much about MBP. They will either acknowledge their lack of knowledge and recommend you to goto a specialist, or they'll say it won't work for you and/or advise you to use the only one that they know of. One of my previous doctors said that "none of them work", but another doc advised me to goto the place near the T junction of Dame/Georges Street. Said place were more helpful, but seemed to only push one brand (Regain), so was sceptical. Tried it for a while, but found it would only keep what I had, and as my MPB was fairly advanced at that stage, gave it up after three months. The price was also a huge determining factor, as I was a 20 year old student at the time.

    It very much depends on the people you hang with. My friends at the time supported my search to keep my hair, but they also supported me when I shaved it all off. I will say this; if you're into heavy metal, and have some sort of facial hair, most people will not care, as you'll notice a lot of artists with beards and shaved heads. Not quite sure how much this goes for other genres.


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