Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

[WizeOne]

Seems that nature is playing a disheartening trick on my 20 y/o son. Without any genetic history (that we know of) on either side of the family, my son has been going bald, at least on the top front.

His total body hair pattern is the opposite of mine. I have a healthy head of hair and little hair on the rest of my body. He has considerably more and darker hair on his chest, arms and legs.

He has gotten a perscription for Propecia but it is both expensive (no Rx insurance) and has a horrendous list of potential side effects including playing with his testosterone levels.

Has anyone taken this drug? Does it work? Any experience with side effects?

My son has not lost all his top hair yet but it is noticably thinning and this seems like a good time to try something if the total price is not to high.

 

[JB]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

Stay away from drugs he doesn't need to function effectively.

If his genes say lose his hair, live with it and quit, for God's sake, treating it as if something is wrong with him.

Losing most of my hair never impeded me in the least.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

I started losing my hair at 20 too. Did the vanity thing for years, then actually grew up and said the hell with it. Who cares. Its only a vision of MYSELF in the mirror, and if others don't like that I'm (was) losing some hair, thats their problem.
Agree with JB. Just stand tall and proud and healthy.
Just tell him to say the simple comment to any remark about it...
"Doesn't mean that much to me, so why does it mean so much to you"..and walk away..

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

My guess is that propecia is like most of the products like Rogaine and Hair genesis. They make it look like you will grow new hair but the main thing they do is slow down and maybe stop the hair loss. Re growing new hair only happens in like 10 percent (this is rogaine and hair Genesis) of the cases. They use some kind of DHT blocker that is suppose to allow hair folicles healthy and allow them to grow new hair.

Our society is full of snake oil treatments that include weight loss pills and hair grow tonics. These places prey on peoples vanity and in most cases are just placebos. If you really want to do something about it talk to your doctor about hair restoration. I think it is mucho bucks but at least you stand a better chance of seeing results.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

^^^What Scaaty and JB said.^^^

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

Who knows if there will be any side effects 10 years from now that causes it to be removed from the market......

There is no need for it as stated above.

Good time to build up the hat collection. My Dad had a full head of hair until he passed away.... my brother has a headfull..... me... well that is another story. I take after both of my Grandfather's and they were bald too.

If someone comments about hair loss or any appearance they are usually too shallow to have a valid opinion in my book.

 

[Coors]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

All the young guys I see are purposely bald/shaved.
Tell him to join the crowd./peers

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

I feel for ya wiseone, but must agree with the others. I have a full head of hair (@44) but have been gray since I was in my teens. My stepson started losing his front hair when he was 19 or 20 and was bald except for the sides by 24. He shaves his head now and I must say it looks good on him. That seems to be the style now anyway. I know self image can be a huge thing to someone his age, but with your support, I am sure your son will adjust. I am a firm believer in "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". I know it hurts now, but both of you will be better for it.

 

[cbear34]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

I have a full head of hair also. But my best friend, since grade school, starting losing his hair in his twenties also. He started trying all the hair treatments and decided one day for a cancer benefit for his nephew, chemo treatment, shaved his head. Liked it so much he just keeps a clean shaven head. Says he saves money on shampoo also.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

I used to have hair down to my waist. Then I cut it short. 6 months ago I decided to shave it and keep it that way. Don't have to buy shampoo (just use soap/body wash), don't have to buy conditioner, don't have to pay for hair cuts ($20 electric razor and I do it myself), don't have to style it, brush it, worry about the wind, rain, snow, hats, helmets, etc.

If having no hair means he won't have a job, respect, love, friends, etc then it's time he finds a new line of work, new friends and starts looking for different women

 

[rwise]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

When I was about 8 my little brother lost all his hair, the Dr's said they could do nothing. Mom took him to the witch (long gone know) up the street, she map a poultice and put it on his head. I do not know what was in it other than I gathered peach leaves. He had to wear it for a week, he still has a full head of hair today! (about 50 years later) Not much help I know, but maybe there is a witch Dr near you that could help if you ask,,,,, good luck!!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

A close friend of mine has the balding problem as well. He checked out the meds and came to the conclusion that he can buy a lot of hats for the price of one prescription.

My hair is thinning, but I'm not concerned about it. Nature is going to to what its going to do. Meds on the other hand will do things that nobody really knows.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

I have been thinning on top since I was 19, even though I have always had some in the front, even to this day. At one time about 20yrs ago, I had a hair piece that stayed on by double stick tape, that looked quite natural because of the hair I had at the front, sides, & back, but it was not practical because I was working construction, & always had to keep a hard hat on, or constantly switch hats, when pipefitting or welding, so I gave it up.

I never tried propecia, but 2 my son's did, because they ended up losing most of their hair in their early 20's, and didn't have much luck with it, But I tried a new herbal remedy a number of years ago (I don't remember the name?) that had a form of Cayenne pepper in it, plus other natural ingredients, that actually worked to bring back hair from some dormant follicles, when massaged into the scalp daily. It worked for me! and wasn't very expensive, but although it brought some hair back, didn't seem to help much? but also at the time, I felt no need to continue with it, as I was in a relationship anyway. The strange part is, I bought this formula for both my sons, and they had no success with it at all.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

Thanks all! I'm sure that my son will let nature take it's course. He just has to get over the initial shock of being without a part of him that he has had for nearly all his life. I know it's not the end of the world and I am sure he will come to accept that as well.

Interesting that his mother thinks it is due to all the spikey gel he used when he was in his early to mid teens.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

i grayed and started loseing my hair at 23, i would stay away from any drug that wasnt needed to keep you alive .
read the little white paper that folds out to 1ft by 1ft and gives you a list of side effscts that the drug gives you .like rectal bleeding .
no thanks
that will knock the vanity right out of you
best of luck Bennyb

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

Rectum?? Damn near killed him!!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Propecia! Has/does anyone take it?

Tell him to save his money and just deal with it. Too many risks for little to no reward...