Rogaine Foam

I can't tolerate PG in minox solutions so I was on Dr Lee 5% non PG for a few years until he was forced out. Then switched to ************.. same formula then they were forced out. So I just tried the Rogaine Foam and within 10 days had a terrible shed. Especially front and temples. First time it looks like I lost hair. I don't understand the shed because I was already on 5% minox for years. Not sure what to do now. I stopped using it. But have no idea what to try next. Have to do something soon or I'll shed from being off minoxidil after being on it for years.
But the foam shed was scary especially considering the loss in the frontal area which is almost impossible to grow back.

Anyone have any ideas why I would shed like this considering I was already on a minoxidil formula.. a shed in 10 days seems pretty quick.
Any ideas what to try next?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Frank

I can't tolerate PG in minox solutions so I was on Dr Lee 5% non PG for a few years until he was forced out. Then switched to ************.. same formula then they were forced out. So I just tried the Rogaine Foam and within 10 days had a terrible shed. Especially front and temples. First time it looks like I lost hair. I don't understand the shed because I was already on 5% minox for years. Not sure what to do now. I stopped using it. But have no idea what to try next. Have to do something soon or I'll shed from being off minoxidil after being on it for years.
But the foam shed was scary especially considering the loss in the frontal area which is almost impossible to grow back.

Anyone have any ideas why I would shed like this considering I was already on a minoxidil formula.. a shed in 10 days seems pretty quick.
Any ideas what to try next?

Thanks

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Try propicia, it's your only other OPTION FOR FDA approved med.

NW777, do add a safety warning about Propecia before casually advising someone take it.

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Originally Posted by chrisis

NW777, do add a safety warning about Propecia before casually advising someone take it.

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well said,

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Originally Posted by Frank

I don't understand the shed because I was already on 5% minox for years.

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The lack of shedding is a direct indication that what you were using before was not doing you any good. Shedding means the medicine is working. If you started shedding with Rogaine foam, that means the medicine was working. Stopping the medicine because of shedding is usually a very big mistake.

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Originally Posted by chrisis

NW777, do add a safety warning about Propecia before casually advising someone take it.

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I bet his doctor covers that.

Thanks guys.. and girl.. I should have mentioned I've been on Propecia for 2 years. Right Tracy, I understand shedding can be an indication the medication is working. But if you're shedding in the frontal area which is an extremely difficult area to regrow hair, continued use and shed there seems like a losing prop. Very few people restore their hairline and I had a great hairline 10 days ago.
Dr. Lee's products did seem legit.. but who knows.
On the other hand I've read a lot of doctors who claim more patients don't shed than do on either minox or Propecia. They would not argue that meant the treatment wasn't working. So I don't know.
I may go to 2% with less PG until I can figure things out.

Thanks for your responses..

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Originally Posted by Frank

I understand shedding can be an indication the medication is working...

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Shedding is an indication that the medicine was working. The lack of shedding is an indication that what you were using before was not working.

There is no way to avoid shedding and treat your hair loss at the same time.

Tracy, I can tell you before the 5% formula was available I started on the 2%. I had no shed. I had no regrowth I was aware of but I had no loss either. Never a shed. But it was working. It maintained.
The Derm who prescribed Propecia says he doesn't see shedding in his practice. I saw no shed on propecia..though I started slow.. a quarter of a pill and slowly increased. So I should take the no shed as an indication the Propecia isn't working?
2 Specialists I saw both said they don't see shedding from treatments in their practice either but they have people on their practice's website forums complain about it. Otherwise they don't see it.
Some doctors I've read on the Internet say a shed is common.. but I've never seen one say it there's no noticeable shed stop treatment because its not working.
If you can direct to me to studies or specialists who have determined that unless you have a noticeable shed your treatment's not working, I would find it very helpful. Because I think that's an important piece of knowledge.

Thanks

Frank,

It would be a good idea for you to take the time to learn about these medications. Here are some links to help you.

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medi...a-finasteride/

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medi...ine-minoxidil/

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medi...ax-laser-comb/

No honest doctor can tell you that none of their patients experience shedding. That would be a complete lie. Though some people do not experience noticeable shedding, most people will - because it is part of the process. The hairs from the damaged follicles need to shed out of the way as those damaged follicles are being repaired. The hair that sheds out usually grows back. When it does it will be thicker than the hairs that had shed out. This gradual thickening will continue over time and hair cycles if you continue to use the medicine.

Starting slow on Propecia is a good idea. I also think it is a good idea to start slow on Rogaine (either foam or liquid) as well. Doing so may indeed reduce the perceived degree of shedding. It is very likely that you did in fact shed while using Propecia, but since you started slow, it could be a lot less noticeable. This is also possible with Rogaine. It seems to be much better to start slowly and taper up to the full twice a day dose rather than to start right away with twice a day. It is a very bad idea to stop using the medication abruptly. Stopping the medication abruptly can induce a massive shed. One should only stop abruptly if they find that they are allergic to the medicine. If you feel you need to stop using it, aside from allergic reactions, it is best to taper off of it slowly.