5mg Finpecia ordered, pill cutter bought -- it's time

[UK_]

Evidence for hyperandrogenism from fin is very flimsy, especially people having it so bad that it is worse for MPB than taking nothing

To answer UK's post....no one has ever gone NW3-4 in 6 months from fin, who would have stayed NW2 for 5 years w/o treatments

Yes they can, Ive seen many people take fin at NW2 start and then after long shed they end up maintaining a NW3.

Are you saying this doesnt happen? Do a search on HLH there are many cases.

[25 going on 65]

“When the effects of androgens in the body are lessened, e.g. through lowering DHT or by systemic hormone receptor blockade, the body seeks equilibrium through a process called upregulation. This can take the form of increased hormone production and/or increased tissue sensitivity to the remaining hormones. The reason side effects usually gradually disappear with finasteride is probably due to such upregulation. In a small percentage of individuals, it may be that this process overshoots the mark, resulting in significant hyperandrogenicity. This is marked by such signs as greatly increased facial oil, increased pimples, and greatly elevated libido. It’s possible that in certain cases such hyperandrogenicity overcomes the hair-protective effect of, say, finasteride, though this does not appear to be the case for the vast majority of people.”

Evidence for hyperandrogenism from fin is very flimsy, especially people having it so bad that it is worse for MPB than taking nothing

To answer UK's post....no one has ever gone NW3-4 in 6 months from fin, who would have stayed NW2 for 5 years w/o treatments

[Notcoolanymore]

Sorry for any miscommunication. I don't mean to mislead anyone to think that I got sides and that they shouldn't be on fin. I believe quite the contrary actually, at least about the latter.

Oh ok, sorry. I very often skim through all these posts and fail to fully comprehend what is being said.

Especially since you are finally getting results. Looks like the tide of the war is starting to fall in your favor.

[BigThinker]

Whoaaaaaa, guys. I'm not quitting indefinitely.

I'm taking one week off -- just because. Give my body a break. See if I feel different. I'm not saying I definitively have physiological side effects.

I've been nothing short of obsessive about treatment (never missed a dose on accident) and the state of my hair. I'm finally getting results (see pics on previous page), and I'm excited to see it get better and better.

I'm resetting my DHT and taking lower, intermittent doses. Again, just because.

BTW, my head itched pretty noticeably today, so I'm excited to get back on fin after a week of giving my body a break.

Sorry for any miscommunication. I don't mean to mislead anyone to think that I got sides and that they shouldn't be on fin. I believe quite the contrary actually, at least about the latter.

[UK_]

Thanks, man. I could never confide with my real life friends, so it is nice to get this off my chest somewhere.

I'm not necessarily blaming fin, but I need a little peace of mind. I'm horny less often and my orgasms aren't earth-shattering like they used to. I can't give that shit up. I've experimented with my body aggressively and it's time to experiment with the flip side of the coin.

I just hope I get another shot at this chick when I'm off fin for a week and not brown-out drunk. It'll be a different story then.

Regarding the side effects, are you under no illusion that these are actual physical changes/not psychological? If so, quit the drug completely and get a full blood work done - did you have a hormonal panal before taking fin?

Remember that finasteride has a near flat dose response so 0.5mg inhibits almost the same amount of DHT as 1mg and the reduction remains low for several days.

[redy]

Funniest thing about all this is the girl was telling me I had nice hair the next morning and proceeded to touch it. I was half drunk still and wasn't put off by it at all. I think I am coming to terms with the state of my hair.

because right now you're hair is completely fine man, if you get keep the density that's all that matters with your current hairline. obviously you need to do something to maintain that, but I wouldn't be so worried about gains.

for me, if I can get my density back I'd be so happy I'd start jumping up and down an' throwin' candy and stuff

If I were you I'd take the fin as long as my body allowed and not blow my hormones up with fin and dut... I understand, obviously, what it's like to lose hair but yours seriously is not bad at all and is better than a lot of people. The quality of your hair is great and it's dense. I would say you probably look your best with the messy bangs look due to your head shape, as do I. But I can't do that well anymore because my density is see through on the left side..

[Notcoolanymore]

I'll be honest, the reason I'm doing this is I underperformed with a chick a few weekends ago. Went to her place after bars, got in her hot tub, and I just felt like my d*ck wasn't hanging low -- it felt tight and sucked in (sorry to be blunt).

Afterwards, it took me forever to get hard. Granted, it was like 5AM, I had been drinking in a hot tub after a full night of drinking since like 4 PM. I just didn't feel quite right. I definitely underperformed, although I did perform thankfully.

For the love of god no. Damn!

How are you handling taking fin? I mean, do you let all the sides talk get to you? I am not saying you are not getting sides. I just know that although I am a big fin supporter on these forums, that sometimes I let the fear mongers get to me. When I over think about sides that is when I usually get them. When my mind is busy I never get sides, ever. Hopefully you can get back on fin soon and continue the fight.

[BigThinker]

Man, it is a bit worrying how sides can creep up months after taking it. I started low and vowed to stay on this dose for 6 months before deciding to up it. Also had baseline tests done before and just got another set monday (two months in). Interested to see how much 0.25mg/day cut my DHT. I have zero sides so its tempting to increase my dose.

Thanks for this post broski. It seems like your being honest with yourself, accepting of any possible outcomes, and just letting the chips fall where they may and focusing on what can be controlled. I like that approach, and am trying to do the same.

Thanks, man. I could never confide with my real life friends, so it is nice to get this off my chest somewhere.

I'm not necessarily blaming fin, but I need a little peace of mind. I'm horny less often and my orgasms aren't earth-shattering like they used to. I can't give that shit up. I've experimented with my body aggressively and it's time to experiment with the flip side of the coin.

I just hope I get another shot at this chick when I'm off fin for a week and not brown-out drunk. It'll be a different story then.

[Dan26]

Man, it is a bit worrying how sides can creep up months after taking it. I started low and vowed to stay on this dose for 6 months before deciding to up it. Also had baseline tests done before and just got another set monday (two months in). Interested to see how much 0.25mg/day cut my DHT. I have zero sides so its tempting to increase my dose.

Thanks for this post broski. It seems like your being honest with yourself, accepting of any possible outcomes, and just letting the chips fall where they may and focusing on what can be controlled. I like that approach, and am trying to do the same.

[BigThinker]

I actually skipped fin today. My d*ck and nuts were hanging low all day -- felt good, felt right. I'm definitely going to get back on it, but I think body needs a break. I also am going to go back to low, intermittent doses when I go back. That was my plan in the beginning, but I let the anxiety of hair loss scare me into going 1.25 mg/day instead of respecting my body's hormonal balance.

I'll be honest, the reason I'm doing this is I underperformed with a chick a few weekends ago. Went to her place after bars, got in her hot tub, and I just felt like my d*ck wasn't hanging low -- it felt tight and sucked in (sorry to be blunt).

Afterwards, it took me forever to get hard. Granted, it was like 5AM, I had been drinking in a hot tub after a full night of drinking since like 4 PM. I just didn't feel quite right. I definitely underperformed, although I did perform thankfully.

Funniest thing about all this is the girl was telling me I had nice hair the next morning and proceeded to touch it. I was half drunk still and wasn't put off by it at all. I think I am coming to terms with the state of my hair.

The best thing of all: when I took my shirt off for the hot tub, she asked me if I worked out and was 'mirin my arms -- feeling them up like crazy all night. Never in my life have I been the guy to get attention for his body. Felt so good. The gym is becoming a good addiction that overrides my anxiety from hair loss.

Clothes. Money. Gym.... and, hopefully, hair. For now, I'm taking a break from finasteride and I don't know if I'll ever get back to 1.25 mg/daily. Been off one day and I caught myself eye-balling 45 year old women while my unit was feeling stronger than ever. Placebo effect? I don't know. But, I'm willing to error on the side of caution for once. I'm doing a double dose of minox liquid at night as well until my foam arrives. At that point, I'll go foam in the morning and liquid at night.

Sorry for the long-winded post. I was hesitant to even tell this story, but I feel like it's appropriate.

[yeahyeahyeah]

But if that hair was going to stick around for another 2 - 3 years then it could make all the difference, I mean if you're 28 and you're a NW2 for the next 5 years its not as bad as taking fin and then suddenly climbing to a NW3/4 in 6 months only for your dick to stop working develop breast enalrgement lose complete interest in sex to maintain this NW3/4 state until you're 40 - 50.

Believe me, if finasteride was an 'effective' drug, you can bet your ass i'd be on it.

Agreed.

In your 20s too, time is so precious. I am representing my company at industry ceremonies, and in the spotlight - photographs are taken. If I started fin, went through a horrible shed it could screw my career up. Just dont have time to waste.

[UK_]

So I am in the 2% that get sides and the 10% that doesnt respond.

FML.

[yeahyeahyeah]

It also makes me wonder whether the efficacy statements made by Merck (e.g. 9 out of 10 men respond well) are true or lies, given the history of bullshit coming from this company however I would place my bets on the latter.

It could be that 90% respond well, but there are 10% that dont.

That means if a million men take the drug. 100,000 will not respond well to it - this is still a significant number.

The real trouble with fin is, is the nature of it. You are ****ing around with your hormone levels. At least with histogen, you are targeting specific areas using stem cells, as opposed to completely altering your hormonal system. And as they are a start up, they will probably pay much more attention to aspects such as safety due to this being their flagship product.

[UK_]

It's why I haven't touched that shit. If my hairloss is slow/stable right now, why play russian roulette.

I know man, I tried fin, I got sides and it sped up my hair loss.

I got federally DP'd.

[yeahyeahyeah]

I think this is a great point, something which I've been saying for years but only now are more people starting to clock on.

It also makes me wonder whether the efficacy statements made by Merck (e.g. 9 out of 10 men respond well) are true or lies, given the history of bullshit coming from this company however I would place my bets on the latter.

But hey, maybe it's not lies, they probably just cherry-picked from their best studies, sugared up the stats a bit and voila! An extra few hundred million added to the balance sheet.

It's why I haven't touched that shit. If my hairloss is slow/stable right now, why play russian roulette.