2 months free of Finasteride, still suffering

Member Stories
#1

Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.

Where are you from (country)? US

How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other?)

What is your current age, height, weight? 37, 6’1", 200 lbs

What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)?
finasteride

What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 1 mg/daily

What condition was being treated with the drug? hairloss

For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? 2.5 months

How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug? 37, July 2018

How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? September 2018

How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)? cold turkey

How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? a month

What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation? shrinkage, abnormal/weak/delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, anxiety, abnormal sensation and sensitivity

Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.

Sexual
[ ] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[ X] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[ X] Loss of Morning Erections
[ X] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ X] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ X] Reduced Ejaculate
[ X] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ X] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[ ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ X] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[ ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts

Physical
[ X] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[ ] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ X] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[X ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[ ] Other (please explain)

What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug? Zinc and Maca supplements

If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)? i have only had one post-drug blood test and my testosterone levels were normal, even a bit high

Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience?

Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.

A month into the drug I noticed that it was difficult to sustain an erection like I used to, and that ejaculation felt abnormal and different, not satisfying or complete. Sometimes erections were smaller than usual and painful, and I could barely cum at all. I finally quit after a little over 2 months, hoping that the symptoms would go away as I was told they would when I started this awful medication. They didn’t, and haven’t, after 2 months, which I guess makes my condition “persistent.” The problems are not consistent though and seem to be very (very) gradually improving; on occasion I will have an erection as big and hard as before the drug, but it doesn’t last like it used to and ejaculation is still abnormal. My libido levels are the same as always, very high, but my body just won’t respond properly. I have noticed some changes to mood but honestly I can’t tell if that is just overwhelming anxiety about these sexual issues maybe never going away, which I now understand is a possibility. There are so many horror stories. I am hoping that my body is recovering, just more slowly than I would obviously like. I can’t accept that my sex life is just…over. There has to be a way back to normal. I can’t believe a drug this dangerous is so easily available; I know several friends who are on it with no problems and I thought it would probably be fine. Will never forgive myself. Any advice or encouragement would be appreciated about how to recover and how long it’s taken people. Please don’t scare me any further saying recovery is impossible. Thanks

3 Likes
#2

Hey man, I’m in the exact same place as you were and I was wondering if things improved/resolved fully since your post. Thanks!

#3

Unfortunately no, things haven’t resolved and seem to have plateaued with no end in sight. I’ll never forgive myself for taking this poison. Hope you have better luck.

#4

its odd that your libido is normal, but only your erections are weak. I have the exact opposite. You get a check up from a physician and try cialis.

#5

Yes I’ve seen several doctors, a urologist, and an endocrinologist. The only abnormality found so far is elevated prolactin which they’re attempting to remedy with medication but I don’t notice any difference. However this evil drug knocked my system out of whack, it cannot find its way back to normal. Have completely given up at this point. Cialis helps a little but the sensitivity and sexual response are still nowhere near what they used to be.

#6

Can you elaborate pls?

#7

no morning erections ever, difficulty achieving an erection, usually decreased ejaculate and delayed/interrupted ejaculation. the worst most extreme cognitive effects have gone away but the low grade depression remains. feel like it’s caused muscle loss and made me look older too. it’s like living in hell. and for nothing gained.

#8

Not sure why I bother posting here since no one seems to have any answers, but I don’t know where else to go. No doctors have been able to help me or figure out what is wrong. Coming up on two years since I took this poison, and improvement has been minimal if at all. starting to accept that I will never be like I used to be, but the sadness and regret is unbearable. wish someone could provide any sense of hope.

1 Like
#9

Wow, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.

I wish I had some advice for you, but I don’t. I’m at the 2-month mark, and your story scares me.

Best wishes, kr600. I wish you have a happy life.

#10

yeah, again, no one has any answers. everyone’s body reacts differently and all we can do is wait and suffer and hope it gets better. which for me it is clearly never going to. don’t see much point in life anymore.

#11

I’m so sorry, man.
It’s only been 2 months for me and I’m already feeling down. Just too many symptoms.

#12

i’m sorry too. if i have any advice it’s to stay off message boards like this or get any medical advice online from strangers. it is just crazy-making. i have spent two years trying to get to the bottom of this with over a dozen doctors and there are no answers to be had. all you can do is try to be as healthy as you can be, not fixate on it, and hope your body can heal.

#13

im 2 months and 8 days now of 3 pills , still have probs with ED , cant sustain erection for long if no stimulation. as for libido, i would say im at 90%

and btw i had to do lifting with my penis to get better erections and dont feel the penis disconected

i take nothing not even tribulus just letting the time pass

#14

Tribulus can be very risky as several of our members would attest to. Just wanted to warn you if it’s something you’re considering.

#15

i will wait this month to get 3 clean months , if nothing happends i will have to think about of do something tribullos or maca peruana idk ,i hope i can recover this ed problem

#16

Has anyone noticed dramatic improvements in their PFS symptoms after stopping alcohol abuse? There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to how individuals react and some people get better with no lifestyle adjustments, but just curious…

#17

I’d say everyone’s PFS is different.
A lot of people find improvements with taking or cutting certain foods and supplements.

Then there are people like me who developed IBS from fin and recovered from every other symptom. I don’t get any symptom relapses from ingesting the ‘wrong’ foods; rather, I get diarrhea and stomach bloat.

#18

UPDATE: About 2 years later I’ve felt substantial improvement, maybe around 75% of where I was before. Have no clinical data to share as to why, although I have been taking maca root which seems to help a little with the sexual side effects (but improvements had started before that). It’s been gradual but now seems to be steady. Only sharing to provide some hope. Don’t give up.

2 Likes
#19

Good to see that you’re still recovering even years after you quit.

Hope to see more good news from you.

#20

2.5 years in and taking a downturn; have been experiencing severe suicidal ideation similar to what I felt at the beginning of this nightmare. Often seems to come out of nowhere. Really doesn’t feel like there is any point in going on, clearly my body and brain are just destroyed, and all that’s left to do is just watch myself deteriorate even more. Wondering if anyone else has had resurgence of this symptom so long after taking the medication. Working with my doctor (who is almost completely useless) on maybe taking a round of testosterone to jumpstart my system. Feels like at this point there is nothing to lose.