Increased Dosage of Finasteride?

[hollywoodkid]

I've been on generic fin for about 15 months and have not noticed any decrease in shedding (no sides either, so at least that's good). Has anyone had any luck increasing dosage? 2mg? 2.5mg?

Only looking for responses from people who have tried increasing dosages, don't need anyone whining on here about propecia killing their hard on unless it's relevant to the question.

Thanks dudes

Just hoping to hold on long enough for one of these treatments in testing to come thru the pipeline, unless the pending global economic meltdown hits and then hair will be the least of our worries.

[Tracy C]

I've been on generic fin for about 15 months and have not noticed any decrease in shedding...

Is your hair shedding or are you still losing hair? Please be aware that those are two very different things... Shedding means the medicine is working and your hair follicles are regaining size. The shedding will stop when those hair follicles are almost back to normal. If however you are still losing hair after 12 months on the medicine, the medicine is not working for you.

There was another thread the other day discussing the option of taking the medicine twice a day, approximately 12-hours apart. It wouldn't hurt to talk that idea over with your doctor.

[hollywoodkid]

Thanks Tracy,

I guess I can't tell if I'm 'losing hair' or 'shedding,' but hair is still falling out of the top of my head at a rate that alarms me. How can I be sure which one it is?

[Tracy C]

The best way is to keep a photo diary of good quality photos (not cell phone photos) while you are treating your hair loss. Take these photos every two months and keep them as consitant as you possibly can. Same background, same poses, same lighting and so on. It is best to get someone to take these photos for you.

Once you have a years worth of photos, compare them and see if you have less coverage on your head than you had in the first photo. If you have less coverage, you are still losing hair and the medicine is not working for you. If you have the same coverage, the medicine is working for you. If you have more coverage, the medicine is working well for you.

[hollywoodkid]

So what you are saying, going back to the first reply, is that shedding can be a good thing even 15 months in? I will say that I believe my hair is thicker where I have it (I'm losing it in that Jude Law patter), which would make me think it's working. Except I'd guess I'm losing/shedding 250-300 hairs/day, which is probably the same rate it was before I started fin. For ex, if I am reading a book, nearly every page I turn there is a fallen hair on it. Maybe 2. In the shower, every time I run my hand thru my hair there's another 15 on my hand, I probably take 80-100 hairs out during showers alone. This would make me think it's not working... Then again if these are just 'shed' hair as you say, it's not true loss?

I may have this entirely wrong.
Thank you Tracy

[Confided]

So what you are saying, going back to the first reply, is that shedding can be a good thing even 15 months in? I will say that I believe my hair is thicker where I have it (I'm losing it in that Jude Law patter), which would make me think it's working. Except I'd guess I'm losing/shedding 250-300 hairs/day, which is probably the same rate it was before I started fin. For ex, if I am reading a book, nearly every page I turn there is a fallen hair on it. Maybe 2. In the shower, every time I run my hand thru my hair there's another 15 on my hand, I probably take 80-100 hairs out during showers alone. This would make me think it's not working... Then again if these are just 'shed' hair as you say, it's not true loss?

I may have this entirely wrong.
Thank you Tracy

I don't think it's normal to shed 15 months in. Most people see a few months of shedding max, then they start to see some progression in hair growth. You, however, seem to be seeing no effectiveness from it. Maybe you should go on Midox & Nizoral as well. I guess it wouldn't hurt to start doing all three and see how that benefits you. Most people see some growth or decrease in hair loss when using the big three, from what I've read.