Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Diart on March 31, 2018 at 3:53pm

I have taken Finasteride for 2 months. The only side effect I've experienced is dizziness. It isn't so bad I would stop taking it. I go for a term check in a month. She took before photos so we will compare. I have seen a few wispy hairs at my hairline but I'm not sure if the hair is coming in or going away ;) I recently started taking professional strength Viviscal (amino acids & cartilage etc) recommended by my hair salon. Time will tell! I am also 30 days into the AIP diet and feel great. I would not be able to stay on a med with those side effects. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Plain Jane on March 31, 2018 at 4:56pm

I was on finasteride 5 years ago when first diagnosed. Very quickly, I developed chronic (and painful) dry eye and stopped taking it after a few months. I used restasis for nearly a year to get my eyes back to normal, however they are still hypersensitive to wind, sun glare, dry heat, etc. If you look at the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.85.12.7072 you can get more information about the association of dry eye and finasteride use. Never had any gastro issues, so can’t weigh in on that aspect of your side effects, sorry.

Permalink Reply by Torgal on March 31, 2018 at 5:17pm

Thanks for this. I thought I was crazy about the dry eye!

Permalink Reply by Plf on March 31, 2018 at 7:01pm

Hi, that sounds awful, very disappointed that specialists don't really discuss side effects that you may experience on the drugs they prescribe, are you on any other medications?

Permalink Reply by Torgal on March 31, 2018 at 7:56pm

Just the finasteride which I’ve decided to store. I’d rather lose all my hair then risk my health. 

Permalink Reply by Plain Jane on April 2, 2018 at 9:21am

In my experience, specialists never take the time to discuss the possible side effects of meds, if they even are aware of them. All of the docs I have seen have only been interested in treating symptoms, and they have never addressed the real issue: WHY is my immune system attacking my hair follicles? I have never had a single doctor ask me about my diet or my stress level or recommend blood work to see if I’m deficient in vitamin A or too high in cortisol, which are relevant to this disease process.  Only one out of the 6 specialists I’ve seen in the past 5 years in 3 different states has been willing to work with my primary care physician to provide continuity of care. They are happy to write an RX  or inject your scalp with steroid (a form of cortisol) and see you in 3 months. But they are unwilling to treat the disease holistically because that would take too much time. And I get it; they see 35 patients a day.... they don’t have time to do that kind of work, even though that’s what we’re paying them for. On the other hand, it takes time for US to do that kind of work; reading everything we can get our hands on, reaching out to others online, seeing different doctors, trying all the crazy meds (men’s prostate medicine?!!) and various topical applications. And time is what we DON’T  have. Because every day that our immune systems continue to flame on, we’re left with more and more scar tissue where there once was beautiful hair. And more importantly, what is the effect of this disease process on other parts of our bodies? Today our immune systems are attacking our hair... once the hair is destroyed, what will be next in line? 

Permalink Reply by ammie on April 2, 2018 at 7:48pm

I feel a little dizzy sometimes but I haven't experienced other side effects. I take 2.5 mg once a day.