My Finasteride Story so far...

[Dan26]

I would bet if you got sides from .25 every other day or every third day, that those sides would either subside to a manageable degree with continued use as your body adapts, or disappear altogether within a few weeks of stopping medication if you so choose.

I was taking a 16th of a proscar pill every third, and sometimes every fourth day (approx .3mg) for a month and started seeing results (no scalp itch, hardly any hairs falling out, and hair just felt healthy in general). Unfortunately, I still had slight brain fog / about 20% less erection strength. Could those sides have gone away if I stayed on? Possibly, who knows? What I do know is that since being off for a few weeks I feel absolutely amazing, I can always tell the difference between being on finasteride and being off in terms of 1) energy 2) mental focus 3) sense of self / calmness, not a chance its a placebo lol. Believe me, I'm still telling myself that I would like to try finasteride again at some point in the near future. I just want to make sure that when I do start, i'm doing everything I can to optimize my hormones.

I'll probably do this routine:
50mg zinc in the morning, 50mg zinc at night with 2mg copper and some magnesium
Toco-sorb
Regenpure
Nettle root extract (apparently slight aromatase inihibtor, and helps test not bind to shbg, and since dht is being inhibited, nettle in conjunction with finasteride should in theory mean just more T, which could be enough to offset sexual sides)
Biotin
Minoxidil at night followed with a little bit of emu oil


All that stuff is pretty cheap when considering the steal of a price for generic propecia, so yeah, totally worth a shot imo.

I just have no idea what I can do to counter brain fog, don't really feel like buying transdermal pregnenolone lol.

Would you suggest taking nettle root extract or Zinc to someone who has not yet tried fin but it is starting? Or are more of the philosophy only if you experience problems then come back with this approach?

[mpb47]

I would bet if you got sides from .25 every other day or every third day, that those sides would either subside to a manageable degree with continued use as your body adapts, or disappear altogether within a few weeks of stopping medication if you so choose.

Well I was on 1.25 at the time, not .25. That is why I was hoping I could safely use .25 once a week without any sides. If it only stopped my mpb I would be happy with that alone.

I was taking a 16th of a proscar pill every third, and sometimes every fourth day (approx .3mg) for a month and started seeing results (no scalp itch, hardly any hairs falling out, and hair just felt healthy in general). Unfortunately, I still had slight brain fog / about 20% less erection strength. Could those sides have gone away if I stayed on? Possibly, who knows? What I do know is that since being off for a few weeks I feel absolutely amazing, I can always tell the difference between being on finasteride and being off in terms of 1) energy 2) mental focus 3) sense of self / calmness, not a chance its a placebo lol. Believe me, I'm still telling myself that I would like to try finasteride again at some point in the near future. I just want to make sure that when I do start, i'm doing everything I can to optimize my hormones.

On 1.25, I got anxiety / depression and loss of sex drive -went from overactive to nonresistant. I recovered from the first 2 but not the lost of sex drive. It came back a little but nothing like before. A few years later went through some hell for about 3 years or so. Also hurt my back and was on pain pills. between stress, a huge weight gain, and the pills I got a second round of propecia sides even though I was not even using it. Only it was much worse, this time I had the fog and had muscle loss.

I thought it was the pills, but my Dr, who put me on hormones said that while the pills could have caused my problems, they would have only been temporary. So all I know is that I am sensitive to these type of sides, whatever the cause. Ironically when I got my second round of sides my hair loss pretty much stopped and maybe reversed a little. Not the great regrowth I got from Propecia though. Now I am fine other than mpb creeping back up on me.

I'll probably do this routine:
50mg zinc in the morning, 50mg zinc at night with 2mg copper and some magnesium
Toco-sorb
Regenpure
Nettle root extract (apparently slight aromatase inihibtor, and helps test not bind to shbg, and since dht is being inhibited, nettle in conjunction with finasteride should in theory mean just more T, which could be enough to offset sexual sides)
Biotin
Minoxidil at night followed with a little bit of emu oil

When I went on hormones, it was suggested that I take zinc and b6 to regulate things. I will say they do seem to work. Nettle root was also mentioned but I have not tried it.

All that stuff is pretty cheap when considering the steal of a price for generic propecia, so yeah, totally worth a shot imo.

I just have no idea what I can do to counter brain fog, don't really feel like buying transdermal pregnenolone lol.

I am not sure what fixed mine since I was on both hormones and several other supplements, but something did. Between all of it, I feel good again and I am fine other than I have started gradually balding again. Minox is slowly it down but pretty sure it will not be enough long term. Knowing all of this, would you risk .25 knowing you are sensitive to sides, but also get good results, least with 1.25?

[stilltrying]

On the topic of taking finasteride in a lower dose than the recommended one; is it really a good idea to do so?

According to research, 0.25 mg lowers the amount of serum DHT approximately the same as the recommended dose of 1 mg. So as for the side effects supposedly caused by lower DHT (decreased libido, soft erections etc.) it really shouldn't make a difference.

As for taking it once or twice per week instead of once daily, wouldn't this actually be more dangerous? From what I've understood, there's a sudden decline in serum DHT shortly after taking finasteride, while this slowly builds up again until the next dose. I don't think I've read this in scientific sources though, but I've read it multiple times in forum messages as well as on the website of Keratene Retard (where, on a sidenote, it was claimed that their treatment would not have the same sudden decline in DHT, which I find hard to believe unless it doesn't decrease DHT at all as claimed by multiple users on here).

I don't mean to claim that the TS's way of taking finasteride is not effective, but these are simply some doubts that other (future) finasteride users like me might want to think discuss with regard to dose and frequency.

[mpb47]

On the topic of taking finasteride in a lower dose than the recommended one; is it really a good idea to do so?

According to research, 0.25 mg lowers the amount of serum DHT approximately the same as the recommended dose of 1 mg. So as for the side effects supposedly caused by lower DHT (decreased libido, soft erections etc.) it really shouldn't make a difference.

As for taking it once or twice per week instead of once daily, wouldn't this actually be more dangerous? From what I've understood, there's a sudden decline in serum DHT shortly after taking finasteride, while this slowly builds up again until the next dose. I don't think I've read this in scientific sources though, but I've read it multiple times in forum messages as well as on the website of Keratene Retard (where, on a sidenote, it was claimed that their treatment would not have the same sudden decline in DHT, which I find hard to believe unless it doesn't decrease DHT at all as claimed by multiple users on here).

I don't mean to claim that the TS's way of taking finasteride is not effective, but these are simply some doubts that other (future) finasteride users like me might want to think discuss with regard to dose and frequency.

How would it be dangerous? As you still get sides or some other way?

It may not be ideal, but for some of us it may the only choice other than acceptance. I am getting closer to the point where I am going to have to decide between trying it or just accepting it.

[Desmond84]

Hey guys

Here's some facts I can assure you of based on my own experience:

1. Taking any amount of Fin at any interval less than ONCE A WEEK will slow down your hair loss.

2. Taking it TWICE A WEEK will most probably HALT your hairloss.

3. Side effects subside overtime.

4. By the 12th month your hormone profile stabilises and even your libido should return to normal. My libido is far better today than at the 6th month mark which was almost non-existent!

Based on these, I would definitely give it a shot again at ONCE A WEEK interval until you feel confident enough to increase it to TWICE A WEEK. I myself feel the scalp itch coming back by the fifth day so I would try and take it TWICE A WEEK if possible.

Also, don't forget Finasteride is NOT life-long...CB-03-01 is on the horizon and should be out within 3-4 years! My aim and everybody else should be to maintain until we get our hands on a non-systemic anti-androgen such CB which will maintain our hair for many years to come...

We have a 33 month window before the miniturised follicle will never sprout again! If we stop fin long enough, we will have hairs that will never turn terminal...

So, considering all the recent blows we've had regarding the current status of cutting edge treatments in the pipeline, I would strongly suggest to everyone to give Fin a shot at any dose they can tolerate for at least another 3-4 years...

Hope that's helpful guys

[BudskiiHD]

Hey guys

Here's some facts I can assure you of based on my own experience:

1. Taking any amount of Fin at any interval less than ONCE A WEEK will slow down your hair loss.

2. Taking it TWICE A WEEK will most probably HALT your hairloss.

3. Side effects subside overtime.

4. By the 12th month your hormone profile stabilises and even your libido should return to normal. My libido is far better today than at the 6th month mark which was almost non-existent!

Based on these, I would definitely give it a shot again at ONCE A WEEK interval until you feel confident enough to increase it to TWICE A WEEK. I myself feel the scalp itch coming back by the fifth day so I would try and take it TWICE A WEEK if possible.

Also, don't forget Finasteride is NOT life-long...CB-03-01 is on the horizon and should be out within 3-4 years! My aim and everybody else should be to maintain until we get our hands on a non-systemic anti-androgen such CB which will maintain our hair for many years to come...

We have a 33 month window before the miniturised follicle will never sprout again! If we stop fin long enough, we will have hairs that will never turn terminal...

So, considering all the recent blows we've had regarding the current status of cutting edge treatments in the pipeline, I would strongly suggest to everyone to give Fin a shot at any dose they can tolerate for at least another 3-4 years...

Hope that's helpful guys

Thanks! Great Post!

I started finasteride yesterday in the morning ( ~30 hours ago ), going to go with 0.25mg 2x a week for now and then after some time bump it up to 0.25mg EOD and stay there. Don't feel any different for now, maybe side effects within next month, quite confident I won't get them but will see. Also adding RU58841 for the hairline next week. But yeh, I am gona really try to save all my hair follicles which I can until something better comes along. Oh and if that 33 month window is true, I should get most of my juvenile hairline back lol

As for CB-03-01, you should use RU58841 for now and then when cb 03 01 gets released you can just jump on it and drop RU58841

[Dan26]

Hey guys

Here's some facts I can assure you of based on my own experience:

1. Taking any amount of Fin at any interval less than ONCE A WEEK will slow down your hair loss.

2. Taking it TWICE A WEEK will most probably HALT your hairloss.

3. Side effects subside overtime.

4. By the 12th month your hormone profile stabilises and even your libido should return to normal. My libido is far better today than at the 6th month mark which was almost non-existent!

Based on these, I would definitely give it a shot again at ONCE A WEEK interval until you feel confident enough to increase it to TWICE A WEEK. I myself feel the scalp itch coming back by the fifth day so I would try and take it TWICE A WEEK if possible.

Also, don't forget Finasteride is NOT life-long...CB-03-01 is on the horizon and should be out within 3-4 years! My aim and everybody else should be to maintain until we get our hands on a non-systemic anti-androgen such CB which will maintain our hair for many years to come...

We have a 33 month window before the miniturised follicle will never sprout again! If we stop fin long enough, we will have hairs that will never turn terminal...

So, considering all the recent blows we've had regarding the current status of cutting edge treatments in the pipeline, I would strongly suggest to everyone to give Fin a shot at any dose they can tolerate for at least another 3-4 years...

Hope that's helpful guys

Desmond I don;t think once a week is wise! Probably once every 5 days at the most. If you look at the chart for single doses DHT would have made a signifigant decline by day 7. Isn't it best to not have your hormones fluctuating, but rather keep them at a steady level. And get on the drug by slowly getting your hormones to that desired steady state? I personally started 0.05mg/day this week because 1) a single dose only very slightly decreases DHT 2) We know that after 42 daily doses of 0.05mg/day serum DHT was reduced by 50% and scalp by 62%..Whereas with daily doses of 0.2 and up, serum DHT was reduced by around 70%, for daily doses...It is interesting the way this drug works..I wonder if they measuerd after 42 days, but of taking for eg. 0.2 twice or three times a week, perhaps serum DHT would be closer to 50%..because if u think about it daily 0.05mg doses vs 0.2mg twice a week is nearly the same amount of fin injested in a span of a week..

[Desmond84]

Thanks! Great Post!

I started finasteride yesterday in the morning ( ~30 hours ago ), going to go with 0.25mg 2x a week for now and then after some time bump it up to 0.25mg EOD and stay there. Don't feel any different for now, maybe side effects within next month, quite confident I won't get them but will see. Also adding RU58841 for the hairline next week. But yeh, I am gona really try to save all my hair follicles which I can until something better comes along. Oh and if that 33 month window is true, I should get most of my juvenile hairline back lol

As for CB-03-01, you should use RU58841 for now and then when cb 03 01 gets released you can just jump on it and drop RU58841

Oh really! That is awesome man All the best and keep us updated on your dosing and sides...the more evidence we gather the better we can control this damn curse

Desmond I don;t think once a week is wise! Probably once every 5 days at the most. If you look at the chart for single doses DHT would have made a signifigant decline by day 7. Isn't it best to not have your hormones fluctuating, but rather keep them at a steady level. And get on the drug by slowly getting your hormones to that desired steady state? I personally started 0.05mg/day this week because 1) a single dose only very slightly decreases DHT 2) We know that after 42 daily doses of 0.05mg/day serum DHT was reduced by 50% and scalp by 62%..Whereas with daily doses of 0.2 and up, serum DHT was reduced by around 70%, for daily doses...It is interesting the way this drug works..I wonder if they measuerd after 42 days, but of taking for eg. 0.2 twice or three times a week, perhaps serum DHT would be closer to 50%..because if u think about it daily 0.05mg doses vs 0.2mg twice a week is nearly the same amount of fin injested in a span of a week..

Once a week is definitely not ideal...but its a start.

Don't forget majority of ppl are terrified of taking Fin (myself included)

Once you feel no sides, you will definitely feel more confident to increase the dosing frequency

[Desmond84]

Oh btw, you are going to be the greatest story in the coming months!

Keep a log and report everything Dan...we're all curious as to how effective is the 0.05mg

I personally think it will MOST DEFINITELY HALT YOUR HAIRLOSS...but its good to have anecdotal evidence...good luck man

[hiilikeyourbeard]

bud, interestingly enough I also started fin yesterday and am starting ru next week. I'm starting at .6 mg or so EOD. will see how that goes

[Dan26]

Will do brother!

btw it did not dissolve that well in vodka...I assume for the most part the actual fin is dissolved, but it does look a bit cloudy and i can see tiny particles, but no clumps atleast. Gonna try and get some ethanol in the meantime!

Will definitely keep you guys updated. I got my DHT tested before I started, and plan to get it again in 45-60 days to ensure the information in the studies hold up.

Good luck hiilikeyourbeard, hopefully we have progress to report in the coming months

[hiilikeyourbeard]

I forgot to get my dht tested. I'm not so sure it matters but it's probably a decent idea. maybe I should set it up today

[Dan26]

I forgot to get my dht tested. I'm not so sure it matters but it's probably a decent idea. maybe I should set it up today

Can;t hurt. But since you already have taken it, not sure how much it will help. Unless you wait a couple days, dont take it, get ur dht tested, then resume taking.

[hiilikeyourbeard]

yeah I was thinking the same. fin acts quick from what I've seen. I wanna do it for the same reason you are, just to show how effective a lower dose is

[Dan26]

yeah I was thinking the same. fin acts quick from what I've seen. I wanna do it for the same reason you are, just to show how effective a lower dose is

Yea man, and I doubt everyone responds the exact same way. Like if I find out this dose of 0.05mg/day only reduces my DHT by 40% or less then I'll probably up it!

I think for us because we are also using RU, a solid 50-60% reductions should enhance results greatly, and not give us too much to worry about in terms of sides.