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)?
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?
What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)? Finasteride 1mg
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 23 years, 1,76
What condition was being treated with the drug? Hair Loss
For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? 4 day
Date when you started the drug? 10/07/2024
Date when you quit the drug? 14/07/2024
Age when you quit? 23 years
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)? cold turkey
How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? 2 day
What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
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
[ X] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[X ] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[ ] Loss of Morning Erections
[X ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[X ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[ X] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[X ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[X ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[X] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[ X] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[X ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[X ] Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
[X ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[ ] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[X ] Muscle Weakness
[X ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Fatigue/Persistent Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach upset/digestion problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poop pellets”
[ ] Vision - Decreased acuity/blurriness
[ ] Tinnitus (ringing or high-pitched sound in the ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Reduced body temperature
[X] Other (Itching, foot shocks, anhedonia (I can’t feel deep feelings and I’m a very emotional person and I have difficulty feeling empathy, Dry skin)
What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
- Salix alba 150mg, Passilflora incarnata 100mg, Crataegus oxyacantha 120mg, Phenibut 100mg ___120 doses/capsules
Take 01 dose, orally, 2xday, during breakfast and lunch, for 60 days. - L-theanine 160mg Chamomile standardized extract 150mg ,Melatonin 250mcg ,Pyridoxal-5-phosphate 10mg ,Magnesium
threonate 150mg, Niacin 3mg Phenibut 100mg_____ 60 doses/capsules
Take 1 dose, orally, before bedtime, for 60 days.
Finasteride Hemeopath In blood cells
Treadmill running (150min per week minimum), Medium to high intensity weight training (3 to 1 format)
More soon ivermectin to rule out a case of long covid
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)?
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT -EXAM IN 2023
Red Blood Cells: 4.94 million/mm³ (Reference: 4.50 to 6.50 million/mm³)
Hemoglobin: 16.3 g/dL (Reference: 13.0 to 17.0 g/dL)
Hematocrit: 48.0% (Reference: 40.0 to 54.0%)
MCV: 97.2 fL (Reference: 80 to 100 fL)
MCH: 33.0 pg (Reference: 27.0 to 32.0 pg)
MCHC: 34.0 g/dL (Reference: 32.0 to 36.0 g/dL)
RDW: 12.7% (Reference: 11.0 to 16.0%)
White Blood Cells: 10,710/mm³ (Reference: 4,000 to 10,000/mm³)
Neutrophils: 75.8% (8,118/mm³) (Reference: 50.0 to 80.0%)
Eosinophils: 0.7% (75/mm³) (Reference: 0.0 to 5.0%)
Basophils: 0.0% (0/mm³) (Reference: 0.0 to 2.0%)
Lymphocytes: 15.7% (1,681/mm³) (Reference: 25.0 to 50.0%)
Monocytes: 7.8% (835/mm³) (Reference: 2.0 to 10.0%)
Platelets: 297,000/mm³ (Reference: 150,000 to 500,000/mm³)
IRON: 154.00 µg/dL (Reference: 70 to 180 µg/dL)
GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE (GGT): 13 U/L (Reference: 9 to 64 U/L)
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): 12.0 U/L (Reference: Up to 35 U/L)
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): 11.0 U/L (Reference: Up to 50 U/L)
V.D.R.L: Non-reactive
TRIIODOTHYRONINE (TOTAL T3): 1.01 ng/mL (Reference: 0.60 to 1.81 ng/mL)
TSH (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE): 0.92 µUI/mL (Reference: 0.48 to 5.60 µUI/mL)
FERRITIN: 69.20 ng/mL (Reference: 22.0 to 280.0 ng/mL)
ANTI-TPO (ANTI-PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES): 34.00 UI/mL (Reference: Up to 60 UI/mL)
ANTI-THYROGLOBULIN (AAT): 1.30 UI/mL (Reference: Below 4.5 UI/mL)
FREE TRIIODOTHYRONINE (FREE T3): 3.89 pg/mL (Reference: 2.30 to 4.20 pg/mL)
VITAMIN D (25-HYDROXY): 28.70 ng/mL (Reference: Adequate: 20.0 to 60.0 ng/mL; Ideal for risk groups: 30.0 to 60.0 ng/mL)
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE - DHT…: 894.00 pg/mL - EXAM IN 2020
EXAM POST FINASTERIDE
ERYTHROGRAM
Values Found: Reference Values:
RED BLOOD CELLS (million/mm³): 4.51 (4.50 to 6.50)
HEMOGLOBIN (g/dL): 14.5 (13.0 to 17.0)
HEMATOCRIT (%): 42.9 (40.0 to 54.0)
MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME (fL): 95.1 (80 to 100)
MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN (pg): 32.2 (27.0 to 32.0)
MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION (g/dL): 33.8 (32.0 to 36.0)
RED CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH (%): 12.7 (11.0 to 16.0)
LEUKOGRAM
Values Found: Reference Values:
LEUKOCYTES (mm³): 8,290 (4,000 to 10,000)
SEGMENTED: 64.9 (50.0 to 80.0)
EOSINOPHILS: 1.7 (0.0 to 5.0)
BASOPHILS: 0.0 (0.0 to 2.0)
TYPICAL LYMPHOCYTES: 24.5 (25.0 to 50.0)
MONOCYTES: 8.9 (2.0 to 10.0)
PLATELET COUNT: 256,000/mm³
Sample: Whole Blood EDTA Method: Impedance
Reference Values: 150 to 500,000/mm³
Collected on: [REDACTED]
Released on: [REDACTED]
GLYCEMIA FASTING: 81 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: UV ENZYMATIC (HEXOKINASE)
Reference Values:
NORMAL: < 100
PREDIABETES*: 100 to 125
DIABETES*: ≥126
(*With unequivocal symptoms of hyperglycemia.)
PROTHROMBIN TIME
Sample: Plasma Citrate Method: Coagulometric
PATIENT TIME: 20.90 sec
ACTIVITY: 42.0 %
INR: 1.76
Reference Values:
Age Range Time (seconds) Activity INR
0 to 15 days 12.7 to 22.2 - -
15 days to 1 month 11.9 to 21.0 - -
1 to 6 months 11.3 to 15.8 - -
6 months to 11 years 11.7 to 17.1 - -
11 years to 15 years 12.1 to 18.7 - -
Adults - 70 to 100 0.96 to 1.30
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL: 144 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Enzymatic
Reference Values:
Fasting: < 190 mg/dL
Non-fasting: < 190 mg/dL
HDL CHOLESTEROL: 53 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Enzymatic Colorimetric
Reference Values:
Adults (> 20 years):
Desirable: > 60 mg/dL
Borderline: 40 to 60 mg/dL
Low: < 40 mg/dL
LDL CHOLESTEROL: 77 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Enzymatic
Reference Values:
Desirable: < 130 mg/dL
Borderline: 130 to 159 mg/dL
High: ≥ 160 mg/dL
VLDL CHOLESTEROL: 14.40 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Calculation
UREA: 25.4 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Kinetic
Reference Values:
Adults: 15 to 40 mg/dL
CREATININE: 0.83 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Kinetic Colorimetric
Reference Values:
Adult (Male): 0.70 – 1.20 mg/dL
IRON: 167.00 µg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Chromogenic (TPTZ)
Reference Values:
Adults: Male - 70 to 180 µg/dL
MAGNESIUM: 2.1 mg/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Mann and Yoe/ Magon Sulfonated/ Xylidine Blue
Reference Values: 1.6 to 2.6 mg/dL
SODIUM: 139.0 mEq/L
Sample: Serum Method: ISE - Ion Selective Electrode
POTASSIUM: 4.3 mEq/L
Sample: Serum Method: ISE - Ion Selective Electrode
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE - TGO: 17.5 U/L
Sample: Serum Method: Kinetic UV
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE - TGP: 10.6 U/L
Sample: Serum Method: Kinetic UV
V.D.R.L: Non-Reactive
Sample: Serum Method: Flocculation
Reference Values: Non-Reactive
HIV ANTIBODY 1 AND 2: Non-Reactive
Sample: Serum Method: Immunochromatography
Reference Values: Non-Reactive
FREE THYROXINE - T4 FREE: 1.35 ng/dL
Sample: Serum Method: Chemiluminescence
TSH - THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE: 0.86 microUI/mL
Sample: Serum Method: Chemiluminescence
Androstenedione
Result: 0.30 ng/mL
Reference Values: 0.6 to 3.7 ng/mL
Australia Antigen - HBsAg
Result: Non-reactive
Index: 0.35
Copper
Result: 59.50 mcg/dL
Reference Values: 70.0 to 150.0 mcg/dL
Cortisol (Morning)
Result: 19.50 mcg/dL
Reference Values: 5.3 to 22.5 mcg/dL
Serum Chromium
Result: 0.60 µg/L
Reference Values: Up to 5.0 µg/L
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Result: 695.00 pg/mL
Reference Values: 160 to 790 pg/mL
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA)
Result: 440.20 ug/dL
Reference Values (21-30 years): 85 to 690 ug/dL
Glycated Hemoglobin (Hb A1c)
Result: 5.20%
Reference Values: Normal: below 5.7%
Hepatitis C - Anti HCV
Result: Non-reactive
Index: 0.18
Serum Selenium
Result: 74.0 ug/L
Reference Values: 20 to 190 ug/L
Free Testosterone
Result: 9.15 ng/dL
Reference Values: 3.03 to 14.80 ng/dL
Total Testosterone
Result: 440.00 ng/dL
Reference Values: 165 to 753 ng/dL
Serum Zinc
Result: 104.60 mcg/dL
Reference Values: 60.0 to 120.0 mcg/dL
SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
Result: 29.40 nmol/L
Reference Values: 13.3 to 89.5 nmol/L
Vitamin A - Dosage
Result: 0.99 mg/L
Reference Values: 0.30 to 0.70 mg/L
Vitamin B6
Result: 23.50 mcg/L
Reference Values: 8.7 to 27.2 mcg/L
Vitamin B12
Result: 343.00 pg/mL
Reference Values: 172 to 890 pg/mL
Note: Attention to new reference values due to assay reformulation. Patients being monitored with this test should have their values realigned.
Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid
Result: 0.09 mg/dL
Reference Values: 0.50 to 1.50 mg/dL
Vitamin D - 25 Hydroxy
Result: 27.70 ng/mL
Reference Values:
Deficient: Below 20.0 ng/mL
Adequate for the general population: Between 20.0 and 60.0 ng/mL
Ideal (risk groups): 30.0 to 60.0 ng/mL
Risk of toxicity: Above 100.0 ng/mL
Note: Risk groups include the elderly, post-bariatric surgery patients, pregnant women, those with osteomalacia, osteoporosis, history of falls and fractures, secondary hyperparathyroidism, use of drugs that interfere with vitamin D metabolism, type 1 diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and malabsorption syndromes.
Vitamin E
Result: 11.73 mg/L
Reference Values: 5.00 to 20.00 mg/L
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.
First of all, I’m Brazilian and I’m using GPT for translation, so I apologize! I started taking finasteride because of hair loss; I began losing hair at 18 after applying two ampoules of Durateston. Ironically, I also had a crush on it and experienced mental side effects, like derealization, confusion, and dizziness for at least two weeks. This year, I decided to take finasteride on my own; I was aware of the side effects but not the syndrome. I told myself that I would stop if I felt anything. On the first day, I felt nothing! On the second, I felt drowsy, but I didn’t associate it with the medication. On the third day, I was masturbating and, for a moment, I felt my penis didn’t become erect, which made me suspicious, but I thought it was just in my head due to the anxiety about the side effects. On the fourth day, I woke up normally and decided to test myself by masturbating; it was my way of checking that everything was okay, but my penis didn’t get erect, and I had an orgasm with a flaccid penis. Right then, I thought, “I’m screwed!” Still, I went to the beach with friends I had planned to meet, but I was scared about what was happening. When I got home, I researched a lot and discovered PFS, realizing how trapped I felt, so I decided to tell my mom. She didn’t understand much but called me crazy for taking medication without medical guidance, and she was right! I found a WPP group here in Brazil for PFS and decided to join. I talked to people, and it was terrifying. From the day I felt dysfunction until the next day, I experienced agonizing anxiety that made my whole body tremble and terrible anxiety! I went four days without sleeping, and I couldn’t handle it; I felt extreme confusion, derealization, and absurd pressure in my head! The group members advised me to eat well, eliminate gluten and sugar, and continue with the weightlifting exercises I had always done. On the fourth day, I decided to tell my ex-girlfriend, whom I still like a lot. She supported me and tried to help, even though we hadn’t spoken for a month after our breakup. Interestingly, the next day I slept normally and felt 100% again; I stayed that way for two days. On the second day, I decided to masturbate and ended up falling back into it, feeling brain fog, anhedonia, leg pain, and a lot of weakness, confusion, and derealization. Although my morning erections returned a bit, I’ve been like this for two months now! Some symptoms improved, like the pain and weakness in my legs and forearms, and the joint pain in my fingers; the tingling in my hands comes and goes. The pain then moved to my shoulders, which felt horrible, like a knife stabbing through my shoulder, but now I face fluctuations between 100% and some pain. My sexual health is around 50% to 60%. What breaks me the most is my mental state and emotional numbness; I don’t recognize myself anymore, I have no motivation, and I lack empathy! I still have some muscle spasms. Currently, I’m undergoing treatment with a doctor in Brazil who treats people with PFS; he recognizes the syndrome and tries to help those affected. He also practices in the USA, I believe! I’ve been on homeopathic medication for four weeks and following a strict exercise routine, and for two weeks, I’ve been on a supplement for my cognitive health, which has alleviated things a bit and made it more bearable. I used to cry every single day, but I still feel like a wreck, and sometimes I feel like it’s not worth living.
Self-reporting template - ONLY USE FOR FUTURE POSTS TO REPORT ANY TRIALS OF TREATMENTS, NOT YOUR INITIAL MEMBER STORY
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Name of the therapy/substance:
- Dosage:
- How often you took it:
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Status
- Still using [ ]
- Stopped with no lasting change to initial symptoms [ ]
- Stopped with persistent change to symptoms [ ]
- Duration of use: Days [ ] Months [ ] Years [ ]
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Response when you started:
- Greatly improved [ ]
- Slightly improved [ ]
- Stayed the same [ ]
- Slightly worsened [ ]
- Greatly worsened [ ]
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Current response (if you’re still using the therapy/substance) OR Response in the time before you stopped the treatment
- Greatly improved [ ]
- Slightly improved [ ]
- Stayed the same [ ]
- Slightly worsened [ ]
- Greatly worsened [ ]
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Lasting changes to initial symptoms after cessation (if you have stopped for more than 3 weeks)
- Greatly improved [ ]
- Slightly improved [ ]
- Stayed the same [ ]
- Slightly worsened [ ]
- Greatly worsened [ ]