Artista and Finasteride

[TheSwingingGate]

Artista,

Ok, got the message too about the PM's.

I was going to ask if (you don't mind), when you spoke with your doctor, did he/she have a definitive take on Propecia side effects?

Did the doctor seem to think they would diminish (if experienced) with continued use, was there any discussion of lasting side effects after medication is stopped?

My GP and Dermatologist both seem to think that side effects are rare, and would discontinue with use if experienced...however, there was not a lengthy discussion with either.

Just curious to hear what other medical professionals' take is on this whole experience.

[Artista]

Hi TheSwingingGate,
This is what I had said at the beginning of this thread~
"I had a great conversation with my regular (GP) doctor, he was very POSITIVE of its usage. I was surprised to hear that he has prescribed it to many of his patients for MPB (throughout the years) and he states that all (not some) of those patients have had RESULTS at varying degrees.
Some patients have had very minor changes and some have had and maintained great IMPROVEMENTS due to Fin' usage.
He said that the only side effects present were of a small % of his patients experiencing lessening of their ejaculate, but that's all.
Nothing worse than that.
My doc had also told me to take 1 mg everyday and in 3 months we would have a follow up appointment on this. He feels that my scalp should have a positive result from its use, also that it should not be a negative factor to my health or age".

Today is my 31st day on Fin'..again Ill say, no side effects that i can see or feel.

[stuart01]

Artista if you have not taken any recent pictures of the present state of your hair loss make sure to take some so that you have a starting point and retake them every 3 months so that you can monitor your results.

[Artista]

Hey there Stuart01-!
Glad to hear from you. First off, Ive spoken with Dr Panine's office a couple of times in the past.
(First time when Dr Panine's office was located on Thatcher ave.)
Dr Panine is one of our premier surgeons here in the Chicago-land area.
Im sure that we will be speaking again soon.
Yes, I have taken photos at the time that I started using Finasteride.

[Artista]

It is now my 40th day on Finasteride.
NO side effects to speak of, major or minor.
My 'good' hair as I have said before, DOES seem to be a bit more robust.
My existing hair at the front and mid-scalp being effected by MPB seems to be "puffier" as stated by my wife ,or robust too.
Im purposely not focusing in on the vellus hairs at this time for my own good lol.
Ill take photos at the 3 month mark to see if there actually is a change.
If there isn't as yet , I will stay on Fin' of course.
Ill give it a year to see. At any rate, finasteride will be useful once I possibly have a full on HT.
Ill decide that after being involved with Dr. Wesley's phase test.

[Spex]

Good for you Artista. Keep us updated.
Regards
Spex

[Artista]

Spex ! Great to hear from you my friend..thanks for the comment. I certainly will continue to share my experiences here..fingers crossed.

[Hair87]

All the best Artista!

[Artista]

THANKS Hair87 !
Actually, after showering this morning, I must tell you that my hair is looking to be a lot more positive.
I wont speculate or assume anything.
Keep in mind that I have also included using Nizoral shampoo @ 1% to my routine.
I dont expect miracles , just hoping for a little improvement and a chance to halt the hair loss for now.
Cheers

[Artista]

Hello everyone!
Today marks the second day into my 3rd month on Finasteride.
Ive gone through a full 2 months on the medication now with NO side-effects to speak of.
Back in August after approx 2 weeks on Fin' I had experienced severe 'dry mouth' for one or two days and wondered if it may have been a minor side effect of Fin' BUT IT WASN'T. (It was from a different med altogether)
Haven't had ANY issues since then.
I try NOT to focus on my scalp too much and as you know thats a hard thing to do-lol.
Ill say this, my 'good' hair DOES seem to be much more healthy/robust.
I still feel very POSITIVE about the effects of using
Finasteride (1mg per day) and I will hold off from making any statements until Im at the end of my 3rd month.
This morning I had read User1991's similar thread for the first time.
He began taking generic Finasteride at the end of May 2013.
He too has had no side effects from it.
Ill post a 'hello' to him on that thread now ..(a Fellow Chicagoan!)

Hey 'SwingingGate , How are you doing these days????

[TheSwingingGate]

Artista! Good to hear from you my man.
Happy everything is going well for you, hope you see some new hair in the not too distant future.

I started on the .25mg every 3-5 day protocol. Felt sides immediately after the first dose, decrease in ejaculation, fluttery feeling in pelvic area, urge to urinate. Gave it about a week for the second dose, same thing.

Decided to take 2-3 weeks off to see if everything returned to baseline, and it did. So, decided to try again. I am now 3 doses in the .25mg every 3 day protocol and it is much better this time. No sides I can detect.

Hope this keeps the course, and I will slowly increase the dose.

On a personal note, I have lost a lot of ground the last 6 months, I am in a constant shed that is occurring everywhere, not just in the MPB pattern. DUPA? I do not know. All my blood work was clear.

Keeping hope alive. Hope is a good thing!

[Artista]

Hello everyone, Today marks my use of Finasteride (1mg) at approx 2 months & 1 week now.
On Oct. 3rd of this month I began also taking 2500mcgs' of Biotin to hopefully promote better hair growth.
Anyone else using this pill with positive results?
Good to hear back from you too Swinging' !!

[Notcoolanymore]

I take biotin, but I have no idea if it is actually doing anything though.

[whatsgoingon]

I take biotin, but I have no idea if it is actually doing anything though.

I have noticed my finger nails have grown a lot quicker and have become tougher. So I assume it is keeping my hair healthy at least. It's supposed to help speed up regrowth. I have read a few things on it, seems plausible.

But yeah, finger nails are definitely stronger and quicker growing. It's good too, cause I like to finger pick my guitar.

[Artista]

Hi Notcoolanymore , We will find out together bro..how long have you been taking Biotin and at what mcg?