Propecia

[Khayembii Communique]

Nobody answered my post in the previous thread on balding.

First, can I just go to any dermatologist about hair loss? I can't find any in my area that focus on hair loss or MPB, much less covered by my insurance. Can I go to any dermatologist or should I find a specialist? If so, anyone know of any in the Milwaukee/Chicago area?

Second, has anyone had any negative effects on Propecia? I've heard all the horror stories before but it's just interesting to hear others' experiences.

Third, someone said something about getting Proscar and cutting the pills into fourths. How big are the pills being referred to, and since Proscar is used to treat prostate issues, could I still get a prescription from a dermatologist?

 

[dragon8]

1. yes
2. I have not but heard stories of Ed
3. you need a prescription for propecia and/or Proscar.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by JLay87

Nobody answered my post in the previous thread on balding.

First, can I just go to any dermatologist about hair loss? I can't find any in my area that focus on hair loss or MPB, much less covered by my insurance. Can I go to any dermatologist or should I find a specialist? If so, anyone know of any in the Milwaukee/Chicago area?

Second, has anyone had any negative effects on Propecia? I've heard all the horror stories before but it's just interesting to hear others' experiences.

Third, someone said something about getting Proscar and cutting the pills into fourths. How big are the pills being referred to, and since Proscar is used to treat prostate issues, could I still get a prescription from a dermatologist?

You can just go to your family doctor to get a prescription. You don't need to see a dermatologist. There's nothing to it really. I don't know anyone that's had bad side effects with Propecia but, then again, I'm not a doc.

 

[makushin]

If you are comfortable with it, you can sidestep the physician and order proscar online very easily. Generic version is Fincar. I recommend inhousepharmacy.biz. Fincar 1 year supply $78. I don't see much value added seeing a physician.

 

[Reggs]

Not Fincar. Finpecia is what he would be looking for. The Fincar pills look so tiny I cant imagine anyone splitting it up into fifths.

http://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/mens-.../finpecia.html

 

[Khayembii Communique]

I would prefer to go see a dermatologist to actually get a professional opinion on whether or not I'm actually going bald or if I'm just being paranoid.

 

[privateer]

You should just go to a internal medicine (GP/Internist) if you want a doctors opinion.

Dermatologists don't specialize in hair loss.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by privateer

You should just go to a internal medicine (GP/Internist) if you want a doctors opinion.

Dermatologists don't specialize in hair loss.

My dermatologist examined me and recommended Propecia. My dermatologist determined if it was male pattern baldness

 

[darnelled]

I'd rather be bald than suffer erectile dysfunction, impotence, low libido and gynecomestica (side effects of propecia). Had you tried topical rogaine first ( no rx needed)?

 

[APK]

Originally Posted by JLay87

Nobody answered my post in the previous thread on balding.

First, can I just go to any dermatologist about hair loss? I can't find any in my area that focus on hair loss or MPB, much less covered by my insurance. Can I go to any dermatologist or should I find a specialist? If so, anyone know of any in the Milwaukee/Chicago area?

No need for a dermatologist. Your family doctor will suffice. Unless you want confirmation that you're balding, a dermatologist is an unnecessary waste of money.

Second, has anyone had any negative effects on Propecia? I've heard all the horror stories before but it's just interesting to hear others' experiences.

I've been on and off it since 2006. No adverse effects. Maybe a period or two of weak, ahem, shots, but that's been it. There are going to be bad experiences with any kind of drug, so naturally you'll hear about all of them. Don't forget about the placebo effect some people experience while on prescription drugs. It's easy to detect side effects that aren't really there if you're over-analyzing everything. Most of it's all in the mind.

Third, someone said something about getting Proscar and cutting the pills into fourths. How big are the pills being referred to, and since Proscar is used to treat prostate issues, could I still get a prescription from a dermatologist?

These are small pills. I used the overseas online pharmacies for about six months since it was more cost effective than even splitting pills purchased over here. But now WalMart has added generic Propecia to its line of $9.99 prescriptions. The pills are 5mg each, so for $9.99, you theoretically get a four-month supply. I cut mine into fourths since the pills are small enough where trying to cut them into fifths isn't really worth it.

In summary:

- Visit your doctor, get a prescription
- Go to WalMart and fill the prescription
- Take your daily dosage and go on with your life

 

[APK]

Originally Posted by darnelled

I'd rather be bald than suffer erectile dysfunction, impotence, low libido and gynecomestica (side effects of propecia). Had you tried topical rogaine first ( no rx needed)?

Rogaine only regrows hair; it does nothing to stop hair loss. If OP is genuinely losing hair, then he'll just be spinning his wheels at best with Rogaine. If regrowth is desired, pair Rogaine with Propecia.

Every drug out there has a list of possible side effects. A very small segment (1-2 percent) of users actually get any of the side effects you mentioned.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by APK

Rogaine only regrows hair; it does nothing to stop hair loss. If OP is genuinely losing hair, then he'll just be spinning his wheels at best with Rogaine. If regrowth is desired, pair Rogaine with Propecia.

Every drug out there has a list of possible side effects. A very small segment (1-2 percent) of users actually get any of the side effects you mentioned.

Rogaine only regrows hair in certain areas only.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by makushin

If you are comfortable with it, you can sidestep the physician and order proscar online very easily. Generic version is Fincar. I recommend inhousepharmacy.biz. Fincar 1 year supply $78. I don't see much value added seeing a physician.

Originally Posted by Reggs

Not Fincar. Finpecia is what he would be looking for. The Fincar pills look so tiny I cant imagine anyone splitting it up into fifths.

http://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/mens-.../finpecia.html


Why see a doctor? Because online pharmacies are notorious for selling counterfeit medicine.

For something like Finpecia which has no immediate and obvious effect (versus say generic Viagra which obviously does or does not work within an hour) I would be willing to bet the quality of any of the Propecia or generics like Finpecia is very dubious.

 

[adamha21]

Most family doctors will prescribe Propecia now. When I first started taking it about 8 years ago, I had to see a dermatologist because my doctor wasn't comfortable prescribing it.

Yes, you can get Proscar and cut it into 4th's. This is what I do.

I haven't had any side effects in 8 years and it worked and even re grew hair for me.

 

[APK]

Originally Posted by dragon8

Rogaine only regrows hair in certain areas only.

It's only been clinically proven to grow hair in certain areas (i.e. the crown). Do some digging; there are definitely people out there who have experience regrowth along the hairline from Rogaine. It's much less common that regrowth in the clinically proven areas, but it's certainly not unheard of.

Point still stands that if you are, in fact, losing your hair, you best pair Rogaine with something like Propecia if you want to actually keep the hair.