New here, and pls. rate my NW

[lalala]

JDuff...at least tell us you are okay! I'm telling you, a lot of people look thin when they cut their hair to this length. I think I remember seeing some pictures of Spex when he buzzed his hair and he looked kind of like this but when he grew it out there didn't look to be any thinning.

[z06guy]

I don't think you have anything to worry about, you have a lot of hair left to save and potentially strengthen.

You're taking steps in the right direction.

[JDuff]

Lol. Why would you freak out just because some guy here said you're a NW 6-7? You can see for yourself in the mirror what you are. Your hair is not that bad.

Thank you for the support, but I *can't* assess myself using a mirror. I don't think most ppl. can. My SO and friends got me through this attack, and I didn't have to go to the hospital (it was close). I've never had panic attacks, ever, until I identified my hair loss conditions (and this is coming from a person with two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan). I don't have PTSD, either. My psychological problems are 100% related to my hair loss.

I've asked several ppl. IRL about my hair and they provide bullshit assessments in order to not offend (or whatever). -- "Dude -- you're not going bald!!". Well, I am. Maybe (very?) slowly, and not in a fashion that resembles traditional MPB. I'm obviously a diffuse thinner, and this condition has crept up in past ~two years.

That's why I freaked out about the NW6 assessment. I figured I could get a "pseudo-anonymous" and honest assessment on the internet. I guess I was wrong.

I don't know who's being honest anymore.

[JDuff]

I think this is still a NW 2.5-3 w/diffuse shedding that can possibly be mitigated with Minox and Fin. Only time will tell, but I'm monitoring, have the photos, and will provide evidence of any results.

[JDuff]

WRT the questions about how long and what I've been taking -- I've been applying Minox foam (Rogaine 5%) twice a day (religiously) to the thinning areas, and 1% Ketoconazole(sp?) Shampoo weekly, and have been taking 1mg. Finasteride (Propecia) daily.

I started the Minox a week before the Finasteride to sort out any irritation before I start another med.

[JDuff]

I was within minutes of killing myself from that post. -- For real. My "circle" of support saved me, -- this time.

[ThinningB420]

I was within minutes of killing myself from that post. -- For real. My "circle" of support saved me, -- this time.

You need psychological help. balding shouldn't be bringing you to suicide. Get medical attention and learn to put things in perspective.

[sp8rky]

NW 2.5-3 w/diffuse shedding looks right to me, but get some perspective, it's only hair, it's annoying I know, but totally not worth killing yourself over.

[dex89]

WRT the questions about how long and what I've been taking -- I've been applying Minox foam (Rogaine 5%) twice a day (religiously) to the thinning areas, and 1% Ketoconazole(sp?) Shampoo weekly, and have been taking 1mg. Finasteride (Propecia) daily.

I started the Minox a week before the Finasteride to sort out any irritation before I start another med.

Like I said before, stick threw this regime and you will see results. Just keep in mind that you might shed during this regime but this is NORMAL, don't panic and stay positive.

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medical-treatment/patient-photos/

[drybone]

I was within minutes of killing myself from that post. -- For real. My "circle" of support saved me, -- this time.

Going bald aint that big a deal. Most men eventually go bald. However, today we can do something about it.

You have at least 10 years of full hair left which means you caught it early. The good news is with medication and eventual hair transplant, you will be able to grow old with full coverage.

Go to your doctor and tell him/her your concerns.

[sausage]

1st thing I will say is....you are 36. Be glad you did not start losing your hair at 16!!!! imagine how that feels! I know too well, it is horendous!

You say you used to shave your head short with a razor regularly.....if you were/are happy with having a shaved head/skinhead why are you worrying?

[JDuff]

....you are 36. Be glad you did not start losing your hair at 16!!!! imagine how that feels! I know too well, it is horendous!

Believe me, I am. I thought I "somehow" dodged this bullet. All the males on my father's side were NW7 by 20.

But this was a real shock. My hair has been long enough not to notice any balding until I cut it -- then, *BAM*.

[JDuff]

You say you used to shave your head short with a razor regularly.....if you were/are happy with having a shaved head/skinhead why are you worrying?

I never did this for any aesthetic purpose -- I was in the military and had to keep it short, but I've grown it out since then (> 5 yrs.)

[drybone]

Believe me, I am. I thought I "somehow" dodged this bullet. All the males on my father's side were NW7 by 20.

But this was a real shock. My hair has been long enough not to notice any balding until I cut it -- then, *BAM*.

Dude. We are all like this. We see our hair thin out and we simply style it different.

But when we buzz cut it, we can see just how thinned out it is. You probably havent buzz cut your hair since you were 19 or so. I just buzzed mine and I was also shocked at how thin it was starting to get. I hadnt buzzed it since i was 23.

No worries.

[JDuff]

Just keep in mind that you might shed during this regime but this is NORMAL, don't panic and stay positive.

I'm ~2 weeks in almost to the day and I think I've started shedding. I think this is probably from the minox, and not the fin at this point. Not enough, IMHO, to be photogenic.

Anyhow, I think I understand (and trust) the science behind this, and am determined to stick with it. I'm in this for the long haul, and am determined to keep this thread updated with any progress (or lack thereof).