Agarman's Story - Shrinkage from Liposomal Finasteride

Member Stories
#1

Hi all - new member here that wants to tell his story and document my progress over time. There’s been a tremendous amount written here and I’d love to help others in any way I can.

Where are you from (country)? - USA

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?) - Google / Reddit

What is your current age, height, weight? - 26 / 6/0 / 170lbs

What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)? - Topical liposomal finasteride, from Farmacia Paratti

What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? - 1% forumulation, equivalent to 10mg per ml. 1 “click” (maybe .25ml) every other day

What condition was being treated with the drug? - Hairloss

For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? - 4.5 weeks

How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug? - 26

How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? - 26

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

How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? - about 2 weeks in .

What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?

Put an X beside all that apply:

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

Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] 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 (from reading this forum? lol)
[ ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts

Physical
[X] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[X] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] 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
[X] 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? - Taking mens daily vitamins, 50mg Zinc before bed, and 4000 vitamin D3

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)? - None yet

Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
As bit of background, I want to make clear two things. 1. - I’m still relatively early stages and extremely nervous about my progress, but wanted to post here to document progress for others to see if helpful - for better or for worse. And 2. - I always had an impression that PFS sufferers were a bit OCD / hypochondriac types. I’m learning the hard way this is not the case - I’m from an extremely “normal” background - went to a good college, majored in econ, was in a fraternity, highly social, extremely fit (workout 4-5x weight training per week), and work a demanding but high paying job I enjoy. Certainly not what I envisioned PFS sufferers to be like - as a word of caution to anyone reading this thinking this forum’s full of total nutjobs…

I ordered a 1% formulation from Farmacia Paratti as I was extremely concerned about permanent fin side effects, and read liposomal finasteride didn’t go systemic. I also saw a dermatologist that prescribed a topical finasteride(.1%)/minoxidil compounded liquid which I used for 2 days before deciding to stop and wait for liposomal finasteride to arrive (no sides from those 2 days).

2.5 weeks in I noticed significant penile shrinkage. My member usually hangs down past my testicles and noticed it was significantly smaller, lighter, etc and didn’t pass my testes. I of course freaked out and tried to get it up, at which point I noticed it would get hard but remain small - less than half my normal erect and flaccid size. It also had a faint hourglass shape - particularly on the right side - which is still persisting for now.

Not positive, but I think I noticed this shrinking after applying a bit more than normal of the gel to my temples and using rogaine the next day. My theory is that this alcohol destroyed the liposomes and gave my body a large exposure to fin quickly…

I read up and decided that tapering off would be best to avoid a crash. I started applying less and less finasteride over the next 2 weeks - moving to just a tiny dot every other day, then to every 3rd day until I stopped ~9 days ago.

I seemed to recover fine from there - penis was back to normal size for the most part even as I tapered, and the hourglass shape seemed to get better or less noticeable. I continued to have nocturnal erections return to full size and, while libido was lower and I had a bit of difficulty obtaining and keeping an erection (chalking it up to psychological worries), I felt confident I was on the path to healing.

Yesterday, however (8 days since stopping), I went from the gym to have a glass of red wine as I finished up some work. Returning home to shower, however, I noticed my member had shrunk again - back to what it looked like at one point while I was on fin. Anxiety rose thinking this will be permanent, of course - doubly increasing when I woke up and found my nocturnal erection was smaller in size and hardness than the days before…

Naturally I’ve been freaking out ever since and can’t stop looking at my penis and reading all the stories online. Earlier yesterday I was relatively normal in terms of size, “weight”, fullness, etc. until I got back from that one glass of wine.

Again - I’m still in the early days (9 since last dose) with zero mental or physical sides beyond ED and shrinkage, so I’m hopeful that things will improve but also realize this could be the dreaded crash setting in and staying forever.

I know there are no cures for PFS, but if anyone has any suggestions for what has helped mitigate the likelihood of persistent sides early on in the process I’d greatly appreciate it. Has anyone been able to recover from sides that are limited to shrinkage and ED? It seems my size gets larger when I sit on the toilet to defecate and after working out… I’m hopeful this will start to resolve as my prostate gets back to normal over the coming months.

I’ll be setting up a monthly donation to to the PFS foundation regardless of how this turns out, and will try to keep this thread updated for future sufferers. If I go dark in the future it’s likely due to my condition improving - you can rest assured that if things get worse I’ll be sticking around these forums haha.

Thanks for reading.

3 Likes
#2

Good luck, Im also coming off 9 pills as of 2 days ago. Very interested to track your progress and will be watching your thread.

#3

Thanks for posting agarman,

If everything works out, please post what you did or didn’t do before you disappear. There are lots of topics on here where people have just disappeared.

It’d be a morale boost to hear from people getting better and could also be helpful in mapping out the successful ways to deal with symptoms.

1 Like
#4

Agreed, I posted in a different thread involving facial changes however just in my 2 days coming off I have seen tremendous progress in my sides which were:

Blackness around the eyes
Swelling in top layer of the skin
Sleep interruptions
Loss of morning erection
Weaker erections

2 days off and I slept well last night, got morning wood today, and I’ve noticed that working out (specifically my legs) made me feel back to normal. Will continue to update on progress.

#5

lol I remember seeing Hasson and Wong lying and posting study results that nobody experienced side effects from liposomal fin earlier this year. Some other shit company Cassiopea is claiming that their topical anti-androgen drug Breezula causes no serious side effects either. It’s just more lies though.

1 Like
#6

Thanks everyone for the replies. Really glad this community exists.

Wanted to share more information - I’m planning to follow the “spinach” protocol listed at the link below over the next few days (assuming I can stomach it). Figure the worst that can happen is my stools turn green and I get sick of spinach even if it doesn’t work haha. I’ll also be upping my zinc intake to 100mg to hopefully keep estrogen down, and will go to the doctor for a Viagra prescription to see how the plumbing is working.

Other than that I don’t plan to do anything different other than continue to eath healthy, exercise, and stay positive. Don’t want to take more drastic measures until I know this is persistent (3+ months).

If a 1% liposomal did this to me I can’t imagine what would have happened if I was on the 2.5% or oral fin… Trying to stay positive and not go down a dark rabbit hole here. Taking solace in how many profiles abruptly seem to stop posting - can’t imagine that would be the case if things has stayed the same.

Best of luck to everyone and thanks for reading.

#7

Not to sound morose but I think reality needs to be looked in the eye. Unfortunately for some (many?) of the people who abruptly stop posting there is a reason different than recovery. I recently discovered one more of them - VancouverBC. This was his last post: Suicide

I am optimistic about your recovery. It is too early to know if you have PFS. There is a very high chance that you don’t.

#8

Agarman

You dont need to be reading that right now, focus on your wellbeing and stay positive. Ive found that working out helps a lot, however I didnt actually experience any real side effects like others. Still waiting to see whats comes of this. Keep in touch

1 Like
#9

I would not use Zinc. Stay far away from it and get your RDA through your diet. Zinc has been shown to block aromatase as well as 5AR2. I believe one guy got extremely bad PFS from using 150mg zinc per day.

Best of luck on your recovery, keep us updated - don’t fizzle out :wink:

#10

Ya as a matter of fact don’t listen to me, I dont know as much as these guys do. All I know is that I take zinc everyday and I have avoided many side effects, however that can be attributed to the fact that my body chemistry is not prone to fns (I fucking hope to God) or that Im not taking anywhere near 150mg, thats an incredibly high dose for anyone to take

#11

Thanks everyone for the replies. Quick end of weekend update from me.

I wrote this post on a Friday afternoon and was experiencing non-trivial shrinkage after being on the up and up (looked like I had a child’s penis while flaccid…),and what felt like an anxiety attack (from reading the stories here all day long I think…). I made a point to eat a healthy salad and a bunch of spinach as indicated earlier. Not sure if it did much - but I did think I felt a bit better and more full/sexual, likely placebo though.

Spent the weekend outdoors at a concert and with friends - tried my best to keep my mind off of it which is easier said than done. Think the heat helped increase size but was constantly checking as non-obviously as I could all weekend…

Still getting nocturnal erections from what I can tell. Slowly felt better each day. Was able to masturbate Friday and get it up without porn which is a good sign (haven’t in 1 week, trying to limit) - couldn’t have done that a few days ago. Shrunk back again slowly after, at a similar rate to normal, but reduced to what I would think is ~50% of normal size. Seemed not 100% the next day but acceptable (which I consider to be when the tip goes past the testicles, even if just slightly).

This morning I woke up and felt “fuller” down there - had sexual urges and was able to get it up a few times from self stimulation and imagination. Size looks almost normal in the mirror most times I check and feeling a bit more libido if that makes sense? Taking this all as a good sign.

Concerningly, I am noticing that when erect my penis is tilting on it’s axis to the right - not painful or limiting in size, but seems to be pyronie’s disease? Would align with a slight hourglass figure I’m seeing on my right side only when flaccid… I’m shocked such a short amount of time on the drug can do that - hoping it’s not permanent, but if I can come out with just this I’d be beyond thrilled. Can anyone comment on their experience with Pyronie’s and Fin?

Feeling much better overall today but not deluding myself, know I’m very far from out of the woods yet. Still extremely on edge about a potential crash popping up out of nowhere - seems there’s no rhyme or reason in the way of “if you make it X weeks without a crash you’re likely in the clear”… Will try to post updates 1x a week or so for anyone else in the future experiencing a similar profile.

Gents - thanks for the point about Zinc, I had no idea! I have seen it recommended everywhere here to reduce estrogen as you quit… I’ve dropped the dose down significantly but am still taking some (~50mg) for now. Seeing conflicting evidence on this but would like your take - does the mild 5AR inhibition outweigh the Estrogen suppression from your experience/knowledge? Wonder if I should taper down over the next days.

Fingers crossed this is all a good sign on the way to recovery. Know 10 days since quitting is almost no time and a crash could pop up at any point… Seriously can’t thank this community enough for existing and everyone for their kind words so far. I’m hoping the small donations I can make will help find a way out of this horrible disease…

1 Like
#12

Quick update.

Feel as if I’m in the middle of a crash. Was able to masturbate again last night to test the pipes no problem. Felt very full and penis was back to normal size last night. Had nocturnal erections and woke up feeling good. Even had a spontaneous erection this AM.

I think something happened this morning though. I may be in the middle of a crash… My penis shrunk way up, testicles too all of a sudden. I had a very delayed lunch and not much to eat the last 24 hours and felt something like an anxiety attack coming on. Felt something similar last Friday but managed to get my mind off of it and it passed.

Feeling extremely anxious - is this the dreaded crash? It’ll be ~12 days since stopping the gel now… Been having loose stools from all the spinach, so it may be something else, but my extreme shrinkage going on this morning is very worrying. Going to try and push through with work and keep my mind occupied as I eat my spinach and try to focus on staying positive. Wish me luck all - please send any advice you may have my way.

#13

I don’t want this to sound like I’m discounting your symptoms, but it sounds to me like you’re in a constant cycle of worry - anxious because of shrinkage, shrinkage because your anxious. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but if you were to experience the crash, you would know right away.

Chances are you’re probably panicking. If it makes you feel better, Im riding this out with you. 5 days off 9 pills now, not feeling any differently then pre-fin but will keep you updated.

3 Likes
#14

I think you’re right Pete. Took some calming deep breaths, ate some healthy food, and had a warm shower and things un-shrunk a bit. Still feeling anxious as hell like something’s not quite right.

I’ll go back to posting 1x a week here to update on progress, and go 1x a month after 4 weeks. I think the less time spent on this board the better for now - seems to raise stress levels and cause a negative feedback loop. From the last few days it seems I do better the less focused I am on this and the more I stay relaxed and try to live a normal, happy life and laugh once in a while.

Thanks for following my story.

#15

I know what you mean about feeling like something isn’t right - that deep anxiety in your chest and gut that you can’t seem to shake. I know because I get it too sometimes and then realize shortly after Im stressing myself out from reading all these stories. I’m almost certain thats your mind playing tricks on you. If a crash were to happen, I imagine it will hit you all at once - one commonality and reocurring theme I often see people describe is feeling intense fatigue and loss in libido, and your penis going numb shortly after you wake up.

1 Like
#16

Hi-

Quick update from me for anyone following my story.

Lots of ups and downs. Felt better overall the last few days - was able to get it up, masturbate (had watery semen which I didn’t on the drug), and even have sexual thoughts as recently as 2 days ago. Noticed my erection is to the right and a bit tilted, worrying sign of Peyronie’s.

I think I’ve gotten worse the last 2 days however. Feel significantly less libido and not sure I could get it up if I tried…

Not yet felt a crash of any sort but feeling as if I have less feeling in my penis today. Noticing an hour Glass shape when coming out of the ocean today, very nervous. Could be mental but I’m fairly certain I have Peyronie’s.

Noticing size wise I have some nocturnal erections at night, wake up full, and then testicles and penis retract between 10-2 pm. The last few days this was alleviated by a warm shower and a nap but less so today.

Penis is currently cold even after a warm shower. Extremely worried as a result. Not sure if the ocean swim today may be a culprit. Will keep thread updated in case this ever helps future PFS sufferers.

#17

Agarman

I honestly think you’re okay buddy, don’t stress out too much. Give it time before you start to assume the worst. The fact that you can masturbate successfully and are having nocturnal erections is a promising sign. You are likely having lingering side effects which will subside.

As for losing feeling, does it still feel that way? Make sure you’re not excessively tugging just for the sake of making sure it works

#18

Just started today. Getting that rubbery, numb feel people talk about. Scary stuff. I’ll keep you posted - thanks so much for being willing to talk and glad you’re doing better

#19

You really shouldn’t take zinc or any other hormone changing drugs.

#20

How are you doing LBV? Any change in your side effects?