From: JB
Date: 17 May 2000
Time: 20:13:42
Remote Name: proxy-606.public.rwc.webtv.net
Tom...the first thing you must do is to stop panicking and become more realistic. There is no way that Propecia could have the adverse effect that you think in such a small amount of time--I think that you are allowing the comments that you have read of others to cloud your judgement. You've convinced yourself of something before it's actually happened. It's almost become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everyone loses up to 150 hairs per day--that's a fact (and it's normal). If you believe in advance that Propecia will cause your hair to fall out...those random hairs that you see falling out now and that you never paid attention to before Propecia...now seems like doom and gloom. I can pretty much assure you that your shedding is not worse now than before Propecia--you're just so pre-occupied with shedding because of the comments that you've read. Let's play devil's advocate and say that the additional shedding that you now see is legit: be happy! It means that your body is reacting to the hormonal change and that the hairs in the telogen (resting) phase are beginning to fall--thus making way for stronger and healthier hairs to come in. Stick with it! However, if this whole process is going to make your life miserable and you can't accept the premise that it will get a bit worse before it gets better...stop taking it. Your peace of mind and mental health are too important. Remember, the matter-of-fact comments of people who claim that Propecia causes hair loss are made by those who didn't continue usage after seeing initial shedding. It would be the equivalent of you posting a blatant claim right now that Propecia causes hair loss--it's only half true. You never allowed it the time needed to work. You would be making a statement based on a normal side-effect. You can't make definitive conclusions unless you do the whole regiment for the recommended amount of time. I will try to check in daily to see if you have any more questions. Try to take it easy and think positively.