Hello - page 1 -

• Hello by Rabbit on 07 May, 2009 16:43
• Hello everyone,
  
  First off I'd like to thank all the contributors to this site. It's been a great support to me. I've lurked here for some time now. A couple of years anyway.
  
  I'm 35 years old and I live in Ontario, CA. I started losing my hair when I was 13/14 yrs old. It really  made highschool hell for me. I became depressed and eventually dropped out. After highschool I wouldn't be seen anywhere without a cap on. Which really limited the things I could do. When I was 27 (and still a virgin) I began taking propecia. At first I loved it. It worked better than I ever hoped. My confidence came back, I had lots of sex and even got a steady girlfriend. Then the other shoe dropped...I began getting side-effects from the propecia. It killed my sex-drive, gave me gynecomastia (tits) and panic attacks. That for me was the last straw and I tried to commit suicide. My attempt was obviously unsuccessful. Now after 4/5 years my body is starting to return to normal. All the hair that I had regrown has fallen away and I've basically withdrawn into the life a recluse. I can't work and barely go outside..unless it's dark and never without my hat on.
  
  I believe I have a condition called B.D.D./O.C.D. which makes this so hard for me to accept. And was wondering if any of you have had experience with this and could give me some advice. As for my hair... I managed to buzz it down to a couple of millimetres the other day. I've only shown two ppl so far. One was my cousin who said it looked good. The other was my sister who when I pulled my hat off (first time she's seen me without a hat in 10 yrs maybe) said...'do you like it?'... I mumbled something and put my hat back on. I feel like being bald is way better than balding however this b.d.d. thing is still sapping my confidence... plus I feel too old to reinvent myself...like I'm 20 yrs late for the prom.
  
  Anyway thanks for reading this pathetic story...and any advice would be more than welcome.
  
  p.s. anyone considering using propecia I would suggest they check out propeciahelp.com. I'm here to tell you the effects these guys are having are very real.
• #1 by Tyler on 07 May, 2009 19:14
• Rabbit, welcome to Sly Bald Guys!  Thank you for your candid testimonial regarding propecia.  That is nasty stuff and that's why we tell guys to stay away from it. 
  
  As for what you can do, I would recommend the same thing that we tell all the guys that come here looking for advice - shave your head and keep it for 30 days.  There's something magical about the 30 day trial period that transforms guys in to confident men.  If you need help with a shaving routine, let us know.
• #2 by OzPete on 07 May, 2009 20:23
• Welcome Rabbit!
• #3 by TANK25 on 08 May, 2009 06:32
• Welcome bro
• #4 by Paul on 08 May, 2009 07:13
• Welcome Rabbit.  Tyler gave you some great advice.  Go for the full sly and keep it that way for 30 days.   You will be amazed at the confidence you will gain and how different your outlook on life will be.   There are great people here to support you along the way, so go for it.
• #5 by Mikekoz13 on 08 May, 2009 07:33
• Rabbit .... Welcome to the Forum!
  
  Thanks for such an open intro. There are great guys on here who will give great advice.
  
  
            Let me tell you this..... it is NEVER to late to change your life. My life was one big mess at the age of 33. I had made a mess of my life with two divorces, I had partied way too much, and as much as I hate to say this... I was a first class "player" when it came to women.
            When my second wife and I split i was at rock bottom and had no idea what to do with my life. The simple words of a very simple man changed my life.
            My Dad and I were out for a car ride late one night....just driving around trying to pass some time. He knew i was at rock bottom. He's a man of few words when it comes to giving advice. The car ride was silent.... then out of the blue, without even looking at me Dad said this, " You know, you're 33 years old and you've had a Hell of a lot of fun in your life....... but now it's time to grow up a little and make some better choices. No need to say anything..... and I'll never mention it to you again".
            It was like an epiphany...... choices...... it all simply came down to better choices.
  
            So Rabbit, I'd say this to you..... I'll bet it's about choices, at least to some extent.
  YOU need to CHOOSE to change your life. CHOOSE to not let hair loss run and ruin your life, CHOOSE to stand tall and like yourself, but most of all CHOOSE to be happy.
  
           You need to decide what it is that YOU need to choose to change about yourself. Don't let others dictate these things. Be honest with yourself..... look in the mirror and list the things you DO NOT like about yourself. Then come up with a plan to change them.
            I'm not going to blow smoke at you...... being honest with yourself about your own short comings is difficult, but you HAVE TO DO IT. Once you've decided what to change, take small steps. Change the simple things first and then the more difficult things to change will become easier.
  
            None of us are perfect my friend..... but we can try to make ourselves better.
  
   Peace........
  
• #6 by DCdome on 08 May, 2009 10:34
• Rabbit!
  
  Welcome to SBG, buddy.  You have come to the right place.  Glad you finally signed up.
  
  Okay, so you missed the prom.  So what?!  That's the past; be concerned about the future.  Shave the dome, ditch the hat and wear the dome shaved for 30 days.  You will never regret it.
  
  Having said that I want to add that if you really think you have O.C.D. you should definitely seek assistance from an appropriate professional.  I hope I am not overstepping bounds here, but I really think you need to do what's best for you.  Help is out there and it is wise to seek it out.
  
  But you know what?  You are going to love the feel and freedom of a shaved head.  Go for it.
• #7 by ludeakris7 on 08 May, 2009 11:33
• Welcome Rabbit!
  I just signed up today and I'm in the same boat as you regarding taking the plunge...I too wear a hat all the time and am self consious about my hair. Just listening to everyone here has made my decision to shave it that much easier. In just a few hours I gained the confidence to just do it as opposed to dwell on it for another month. Everyones advise has shown me that its best to just do it. Just thinking about shaving it tonight has gotten me really excited and even confident already. I'm thinking of it as becoming a new man...and being a new man is getting rid of all those old negative thoughts. Just look at all the positive advice everyone is giving..that should show you that people care out there..strangers even. Do it!
• #8 by boiler1bald on 08 May, 2009 20:11
• Welcome Rabbit....I was 34 when I first started shaving and have been shaving ever since...we are here for your support, so don't be shy...just ask....for me shaving was one of the best decisions I have made
• #9 by The Scottish Ambassador on 09 May, 2009 00:55
• Welcome Rabbit. You have come to the right place. There are so many good guys on here. Loadsa support and advice. Ask any of us. 
• #10 by Bald Kahuna on 09 May, 2009 12:12
• Welcome... you are at the right place and it seems at the right time. I have never experienced a support group like the SBG's, online or offline. These guys are offering great advice now, and will continue to do so. Check-in when you need big ears attached to smooth heads to listen then offer sound support.
• #11 by The Scottish Ambassador on 09 May, 2009 12:40
• Quote from: Bald Kahuna on 09 May, 2009 12:12

  Welcome... you are at the right place and it seems at the right time. I have never experienced a support group like the SBG's, online or offline. These guys are offering great advice now, and will continue to do so. Check-in when you need big ears attached to smooth heads to listen then offer sound support.
  

  
  Big ears?? Sh*t! Are they that noticeable?? 
• #12 by wpruitt on 09 May, 2009 22:39
• Welcome Rabbit
• #13 by PBurke on 10 May, 2009 11:00
• i was in that boat too bro. i chaved at 32. and have enjoyed every minute of it. no regrets. go for it. hope to hear more from you soon. paulie
• #14 by Rev Sly on 10 May, 2009 12:35
• Welcome to SBG - we're glad you're here.