again, lets be really carefull before using the words “brain damage” It may well have altered brain functiioning or resultied in low brain metabolism, but that does not neccessarily mean brain damage.
True. I’m really curious to see the results and assessment of our fMRIs.
I mean, 12 months ago i really thought I had brain damage, when I crashed I was confused, couldn’t remember simple tasks, forgot passwords, would go to work without my contacts in my eyes and wonder why I couldn’t see etc. it was horrible, as time went on I suffered bad name recall and word association but that’s improving every month! In fact I was so fluid the other day with my thoughts and didn’t once pause to try to come up with the right word.
I am still more convinced then ever that our problems stem from too much estrogen
(Or estradiol for us) in the brain. I am thinking that I’d there is nothing to counter the estrogen in our bodies than it wouldn’t matter if we had high or low levels of estrogen, it could simply be un-opposed estrogen
Yeah, this image is from the same study described in dgreene’s second post.
The study was pretty much discredited in court.
bmartinmd.com/2010/02/accutane-p … dited.html
The article also raises some questions about “plaintiff-sponsored research”.
You may also want to read this: druganddevicelaw.blogspot.co.uk/ … -dont.html
If the issue was un-opposed estrogen, wouldn’t more people recover via aromatase inhibitors and testosterone?
“So, guys, if it can purportedly work for those afflicted by accutane, maybe it can work for us too.”
that was my thought, too. But I can´t get MJ. Have no connections.
It’s going to be legal to buy from dispensaries in Colorado and Washington state in 5 months
wow, this is pretty interesting. If there are some real science guys perhaps we can make some link here. As I have stated previously, while on finasteride and having no noticeable side effects attributed to it (took it for 9 years before crash) I was on a cruise ship and when I got off the cruise ship, I felt the rocking of the boat for several years (I am not joking, it was horrible). I often google this syndrome called Mal De Debarquement to see if I can make any link to finasteride and our own syndrome.
Well I found this study in 2012 that seems to indicate patients who have had Mal De Debarquement (Me) have undergone metabolic and functional connectivity changes in the brain.
Anyone out there can shed more light on this??
wow again, it seems that increased metabolism in the left entorhinal cortex can correlate to potential problems in dopamine metabolism!!!
Here’s an excellent study I posted elsewhere proving, via use of functional MRI, that functional brain connectivity and cognitive control are affected by loss of androgens.
Effects of androgen deprivation on brain function in prostate cancer patients – a prospective observational cohort analysis
Herta H Chao1,2,9*, Edward Uchio3, Sheng Zhang4, Sien Hu4, Sarah R Bednarski4, Xi Luo5, Michal Rose1,2, John Concato1,2,6 and Chiang-shan R Li
Abstract
Background
Despite a lack of consensus regarding effectiveness, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for non-metastatic, low-risk prostate cancer. To examine a particular clinical concern regarding the possible impact of ADT on cognition, the current study combined neuropsychological testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess both brain activation during cognitive performance as well as the integrity of brain connectivity.
Methods
In a prospective observational cohort analysis of men with non-metastatic prostate cancer at a Veterans Affairs medical center, patients receiving ADT were compared with patients not receiving ADT at baseline and at 6 months. Assessments included fMRI, the N-back task (for working memory), the stop-signal task (for cognitive control), and a quality of life questionnaire.
Results
Among 36 patients enrolled (18 in each group), 30 completed study evaluations (15 in each group); 5 withdrew participation and 1 died. Results for the N-back task, stop-signal task, and quality of life were similar at 6 months vs. baseline in each group. In contrast, statistically significant associations were found between ADT use (vs. non use) and decreased medial prefrontal cortical activation during cognitive control, as well as decreased connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and other regions involved with cognitive control.
Conclusions
Although ADT for 6 months did not affect selected tests of cognitive function, brain activations during cognitive control and functional brain connectivity were impaired on fMRI. The long-term clinical implications of these changes are not known and warrant future study.
Keywords: Androgen deprivation; Prostate cancer; Brain function; Cognitive function
Full text here - biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/12/371
btw I second the notion that this isn’t ‘brain damage’ merely something that can be repaired if we are able to identify and treat the core problem of androgen resistance.
assuming all of this, why am I am getting better? Albeit very very slowly. Each time my body cycles, I have improved sexual thougts/fantasy ( in other words I am thinking about women a lot lately, 10 months ago I would think about a girl every 3 weeks). Also some improved sleep, sweating, less redness in my face, less dryness, better cognitive function with memory, ideas, word recall etc. Who knows I guess.
I’m getting better too. At least in some areas. Much better sleep, skin is better, energy is good, depression gone. I still am badly affected in other areas but it is not a fixed situation for most of us. We feel at our absolute worst (usually) coming off the drug but as the months and years progress we can improve in many areas. Again, same thing happens to guys on ADT a lot of the time. Their bodies become used to the new homeostasis and some of the mental and physical sides recede.
I once read a book about a man who had a stroke and was more or less a vegetable afterward. His son worked with him and after a while he was able to function to some degree. Move around, fix himself food, speak, basic stuff. After he died they did an autopsy or whatever and found out that the stroke had annihilated 95% of his brain. Don’t underestimate the power of the body to heal itself. I think most people with PFS would more or less recover on a long enough timeline, it’s just that such a timeline could be 40 years, which is obviously unacceptable.
Yeah, 40 years is definitely unacceptable.
Luckfax- I assume that also sexually you are recovering? High libido, stronger erections, more sexual thoughts and fantasy? It should all go hand and hand
I think we could have “brain damage” similar to stroke victims. Like I had to relearn spatial awareness to be able to drive my car without hitting the footpath.
My grandmother had a stroke which left her unable to speak she learned to speak again but was never the same.
I have not had any mental improvements since last year I believe I have recovered as much as I can mentally but I dont think Ill ever be 100% because I think my brain has been damaged.
Many men are not getting better, for myself its been over 3 years and no better. I know of others who have not improved after being off 5-10 years. Dont assume that just because someone is not coming here regularly or at all they have improved, because some havent.
I’m sorry you’re not getting better, Tim. 
So… who wants to try the cannabis oil thing? I’d totally do it, but I cant afford it right now.
I’ve been looking into it but I’m on another regimen at the moment. I’ll see how that pans out first.
This past March I tried it (i took accutane) and began noticing improvements about a month in however i had to come off after 6 weeks because i took too much and had a psychotic episode (my oil was made using some sativa cannabis which can cause psychosis. make sure it is made from Indica Cannabis)
Here are some of the improvements i had:
occasional nocturnal erections
spontaneous erections
repaired my thyroid (thyroid tests came back normal while on it. not sure if it is still normal)
grew hair on fingers
lost 10 pounds and looked more masculine after (starting to put weight back on 3 months later)
It’s a shame i had to come off it because I am unsure of how my improvements would have continued had i kept taking it. I am planning on trying a second round of oil made properly (100% indica) and hopefully can maintain taking it for a long period of time.