25 and balding. (1.5 months on fin/niz)

[fueledbyrice]

I'm currently 25 and always had thick hair. until about over a year ago i started gradually losing hair on the sides of my front I noticed recently that im losing hair rapidly on my crown area.








I went to go see [L=dr. bernstein]http://www.bernsteinmedical.com[/L]Dr. Bernstein in nyc and he suggested i use rogaine (minodixil) and finasteride. I'm scared of taking it because of the shedding and that it will accelerate my hairloss (and the sexual disfunction). he looked at me for 10 seconds, told me i had MPB and charged me $175.

I just dont know if it has to do with stress at work rather than MBP. I started working 60-70 hrs a week at a new job since last summer.

I am currently using
[L=isotonix calcium plus]http://www.amazon.com/Isotonix-Calcium-Plus-13020/dp/B004Z9TD4G/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333077936&sr=1-2[/L]
isotonix calcium plus
[L=isotonix b-complex]http://www.amazon.com/Isotonix-Advanced-B-Complex-Servings-3-Month/dp/B002T9ASD4/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333077915&sr=1-1-spell[/L]isotonix b-complex
[L=now foods biotin (5000mcg daily)]http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Biotin-5000mcg-Vcaps/dp/B000BY2N7S[/L]now foods biotin(5000mcg daily)
[L=avalon b-complex thickening shampoo]http://www.amazon.com/Avalon-Organics-Complex-Thickening-Shampoo/dp/B000IZ8KYU/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333077846&sr=1-1[/L]avalon b-complex conditioner

i also used 1 bottle of perfect image shampoo in dec 2011.
Ive been scared to wash my hair, that I wash it every 3-4 days now..


i have a few questions.

how severe was the shedding? And if I was to use finasteride/rogaine, would I have to keep using it for the rest of my life to keep the hair?

What kind of foods should I concentrate on eating?
And is sleeping/exercise/working out a huge factor?
does drinking beer/alcohol 1-2 times a week affect hairloss?

I want to try to fight this if possible through supplements or eating habits. I been eating vegetables and fish more. I was also wondering if Alcepin shampoo was a good bet?

Sorry for the messy post. I've been unable to concentrate doing anything recently and thought I needed help from people on this forum..if you guys could provide any tips at all, that would be appreciated.




6/13 UPDATE

I started to take fin 1.25mg a day and niz1%/biotin conditioner every 3 days since 5/1.
I had nutache maybe 1-2 days overall and just began to REALLY shed yesterday..
I knew the shed was eventually going to happen but what Im curious about is I never had so much thin fine hair all around before my hairloss. Did fin cause me to grow weak hair?

[Tracy C]

Originally Posted by fueledbyrice

I just dont know if it has to do with stress at work rather than MBP.

You have an obvious MPB pattern. The doctor was correct.

The products you have chosen to use are not going to do you any good.

The doctor was also correct to advise Propecia and Rogaine.

You may be able to reduce the impact of shedding by slowly tapering up
to the full daily dose over time.

It is also a good idea to stop using normal shampoo and switch to sulfate
free shampoo and conditioner - and use Nizoral shampoo once per week.

[fueledbyrice]

Originally Posted by Tracy C

You have an obvious MPB pattern. The doctor was correct.

The products you have chosen to use are not going to do you any good.

The doctor was also correct to advise Propecia and Rogaine.

You may be able to reduce the impact of shedding by slowly tapering up
to the full daily dose over time.

It is also a good idea to stop using normal shampoo and switch to sulfate
free shampoo and conditioner - and use Nizoral shampoo once per week.

sorry i need to update my regimen:
-fin 1.25mg a day. (purchased generic from duane reade)

-niz 1% every tues/sat.
-avalon biotin conditioner
-biotin 5000mcg tablet 1xday
-starting toco8 again after a month. (i shed some hairs after a week on it so i stopped, but gonna try again.)
i also have body shop ginger scalp po shampoo i havnt used yet.

[Tracy C]

Originally Posted by fueledbyrice

sorry i need to update my regimen:

For a man with MPB; Propecia, Rogaine, Nizoral and maybe the laser comb are
the only things you need. Everything else you have there is a waste of money.

[mpb47]

Originally Posted by fueledbyrice

sorry i need to update my regimen:
-fin 1.25mg a day. (purchased generic from duane reade)

-niz 1% every tues/sat.
-avalon biotin conditioner
-biotin 5000mcg tablet 1xday
-starting toco8 again after a month. (i shed some hairs after a week on it so i stopped, but gonna try again.)
i also have body shop ginger scalp po shampoo i havnt used yet.

She is right. The crownspot/vertex = mpb. Welcome to the club. You are smart to act now while your mpb is mild, but most of what you are using is unproven. Fin+Rogaine will give you the best results.

[gutted]

Originally Posted by fueledbyrice

6/13 UPDATE

I started to take fin 1.25mg a day and niz1%/biotin conditioner every 3 days since 5/1.
I had nutache maybe 1-2 days overall and just began to REALLY shed yesterday..
I knew the shed was eventually going to happen but what Im curious about is I never had so much thin fine hair all around before my hairloss. Did fin cause me to grow weak hair?

whilst being on fin have you noticed increased itching or sebum production/oily scalp?

[WashedOut]

Originally Posted by gutted

whilst being on fin have you noticed increased itching or sebum production/oily scalp?

Shouldn't it be the exact opposite?