It seems that maybe there are NOT many men who have been on the medication for 10+ years so let's say if you've at least been on it for MANY years (the more the better).
Questions for Long-Term Users (as it applies to many years on the drug):
1.) Has the medication worked or did it lose effectiveness after x number of years? Have you kept ALL your hair after MANY years of use or have you lost some?
It lost its effectiveness. I started taking it either 1999 or 2000, something like that. Propecia at first, then Proscar, and in 2010 or whenever that was, I switched to cheaper generic. I could never tell how effective it was because I also got transplants. I had two big treatments with Dr. Wong in 2001 and 2006. Part of the reason I went back in 2006 was because I was still losing. I had been taking 1/4 proscar every other day. Eventually that was increased to every day. And now I'm at a half tablet daily. There was a period when I was taking a half tablet of generic, and then out of fear I went back to a quarter daily (fear because it was suggested by a crook surgeon, Dr. Hitzig, and once I'd discovered I'd been had, I didn't know what to believe - he also performed surgery on me - well not HIM - his people). Then Dr. Wong suggested I could go back to a quarter every other day when I subsequently saw him for repairs. This is where I noticed shedding. Kinda bad, too. I sent him pictures and they wrote me back saying get back on name brand and take a half pill daily. They said don't expect to see improvements until 8 months. I'm not there yet. I know its not going to work, though.
2.) Have you had any side-effects? If so, have they been with you since the beginning or have they onset in later years of use (after long-term)
I never noticed side effects. But that doesn't mean I don't have any. Lower libido? Sure. But I'm 33 now, and I've been on the pill since I was like 19 or something. I am very suspicious now that finasteride is preventing me from getting lean around the waist regardless of how good I am with diet and exercise. My fear is that I'll never be able to get this weight off even after stopping the medication.
3.) In light of the new mounting evidence/information about men ending up with permanent sexual dysfunction - are you concerned about remaining on propecia indefinitely?
I am concerned about staying on finasteride - but not because of that. I'm considering discontinuing and taking the plunge into wearing hair since, in my case, transplants and drugs are so ineffective. And if I find out the drug has been making me fat... well that will be the last nail in the coffin, considering that wearing is an option.
4.) How long do you plan on staying on the drug?....another 10 years, 15 years..? This is very important since I have always thought it not prudent to be on a hormone-altering drug (even without side-effects) for the REST OF MY LIFE!! At what point might you stop the medicine?
Because of everything I've stated above, I'm expecting to discontinue or wean off within a year from now. I'm so miserable with this bald hairline and diffuse hair - I'm ready to buzz it off and glue a wig on.
6.) How aggressive was your hair-loss when you started propecia?
Scalp was very intent on being a norwood 5 - every man in my family is. The hairline corners were going bye-bye before I turned 20. And by that age the top was very diffuse. I remember seeing a picture of myself at that age a while back and was shocked at how bald I looked. So, yeah, the hair transplants and, I guess, the medication definitely improved my appearance.
7.) Have you stopped propecia at any point and if so, for how long? Did you lose hair during this period?
I've been without it for a week. I didn't notice anything happen.
Questions for Long-Term Users (as it applies to many years on the drug):
1.) Has the medication worked or did it lose effectiveness after x number of years? Have you kept ALL your hair after MANY years of use or have you lost some?
It lost its effectiveness. I started taking it either 1999 or 2000, something like that. Propecia at first, then Proscar, and in 2010 or whenever that was, I switched to cheaper generic. I could never tell how effective it was because I also got transplants. I had two big treatments with Dr. Wong in 2001 and 2006. Part of the reason I went back in 2006 was because I was still losing. I had been taking 1/4 proscar every other day. Eventually that was increased to every day. And now I'm at a half tablet daily. There was a period when I was taking a half tablet of generic, and then out of fear I went back to a quarter daily (fear because it was suggested by a crook surgeon, Dr. Hitzig, and once I'd discovered I'd been had, I didn't know what to believe - he also performed surgery on me - well not HIM - his people). Then Dr. Wong suggested I could go back to a quarter every other day when I subsequently saw him for repairs. This is where I noticed shedding. Kinda bad, too. I sent him pictures and they wrote me back saying get back on name brand and take a half pill daily. They said don't expect to see improvements until 8 months. I'm not there yet. I know its not going to work, though.
2.) Have you had any side-effects? If so, have they been with you since the beginning or have they onset in later years of use (after long-term)
I never noticed side effects. But that doesn't mean I don't have any. Lower libido? Sure. But I'm 33 now, and I've been on the pill since I was like 19 or something. I am very suspicious now that finasteride is preventing me from getting lean around the waist regardless of how good I am with diet and exercise. My fear is that I'll never be able to get this weight off even after stopping the medication.
3.) In light of the new mounting evidence/information about men ending up with permanent sexual dysfunction - are you concerned about remaining on propecia indefinitely?
I am concerned about staying on finasteride - but not because of that. I'm considering discontinuing and taking the plunge into wearing hair since, in my case, transplants and drugs are so ineffective. And if I find out the drug has been making me fat... well that will be the last nail in the coffin, considering that wearing is an option.
4.) How long do you plan on staying on the drug?....another 10 years, 15 years..? This is very important since I have always thought it not prudent to be on a hormone-altering drug (even without side-effects) for the REST OF MY LIFE!! At what point might you stop the medicine?
Because of everything I've stated above, I'm expecting to discontinue or wean off within a year from now. I'm so miserable with this bald hairline and diffuse hair - I'm ready to buzz it off and glue a wig on.
6.) How aggressive was your hair-loss when you started propecia?
Scalp was very intent on being a norwood 5 - every man in my family is. The hairline corners were going bye-bye before I turned 20. And by that age the top was very diffuse. I remember seeing a picture of myself at that age a while back and was shocked at how bald I looked. So, yeah, the hair transplants and, I guess, the medication definitely improved my appearance.
7.) Have you stopped propecia at any point and if so, for how long? Did you lose hair during this period?
I've been without it for a week. I didn't notice anything happen.
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