Man i got the standing imbalance too. Seems like a nerve impairment…its been 4 months for me and i have experienced nearly all symptoms. Some subsided other emerged through time. Im definitely on a rollercoaster too. The strange thing is that sometimes i feel normal, but it is temporary.
I would like to add a few symptoms to the previous list:
- I still have dark areas under my eyes and I think I have lost fat around the eyes too.
- My heartbeat is sometimes too fast (60 bpm when normally it should be 48 bpm) and sometimes I can hear the heartbeat clearly (especially when I lay on my side head to the pillow).
- I often have a few body convulsions when going to bed in the evening, which remind be of the crashes.
Overall I would rate my current recovery to be maybe 75% from pre-finasteride state. I would say I am in better state than I was during the last years of using the drug. So despite the ongoing symptoms, I cannot really complain.
A small update:
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Just woke up (after 5 hours of sleep) with very hard testicles. They are like two stones, and seem to be a little bigger than normal. I’ve felt more pain in the testicles in the past few days, spending time sitting on my sofa withouth pants seems to help. My penis is still somewhat shrunk and wrinkled, has visible veins, and is colder before going to bed. I wonder if I am still fertile after all these changes in my genitals.
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I had a very sexual period (which ended a week ago) that lasted 2 weeks. I felt like having sex at least twice a day, but now I have a lower libido than normal, maybe have the urge twice a week. I think I again had too much sex during the sexual period, which lead to a worse condition.
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I was able to sleep 6-7 hours without waking up for a few days, but now it is back to 4-5. I usually stay up 2 hours i the middle night before falling asleep again.
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When I read, the magazine shakes to the rhythm of my heart. This might be related to not being able to keep a perfect balance when standing.
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Yesterday morning when I woke up, I felt ache and burning in my scalp, which reminded me why I started this poison in the first place. I guess my hairloss is starting to speed up now, have also got some acne below and above hairline. Hair in my stomach, shoulders, thighs and back seems to be increasing.
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I used to have pain in my left breast, was not sure if it was the heart or my breast growing, but I have not felt it for a while. Luckily my breasts have not grown since stopping. I currently weight 8 kg less than at the time of the first crash at the end of September.
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Mentally I am doing fine, feel more happy and alive than on the drug despite ongoing symptoms. I never experienced a brain fog which seems to be common here, closest to that was a numb feeling in my forehead during the crashes.
I am having a difficult night. Tried to go to sleep, but pain in my left testicle keeps me awake. I have also had more muscle twitches than normal, and the testicle pain seems to cause the twitches sometimes. My ballsack has varied more than usual today, from wrinkly and almost hard skin to quite loose skin. I think I might have a hormonal imbalance (too much cortisol or estrogen). I have been eating butter and other dairy products today, and that might have caused this. I remember throwing away my butter 2 months ago after getting a reaction, I guess dairy just doesnt suit me. I think fasting might help, will probably try that over Christmas holidays, when I am going to Spain again.
Update:
For the past 2 days my penis has felt fuller and wider, and looks almost the same as before I started finasteride except for the blue veins. Today I made the mistake of playing badminton and eating some fast carbohydrates (milk chocolate bar and a potatoe), and experienced some crash symptoms again (anxiety, skin of the testicles hardening, coldness of penis) which are probably caused excess cortisol. Luckily I could lessen the symptoms by drinking a lot of green tea and lifting weights every time the symptoms got worse.
I still suffer from insomnia (though I managed to sleep 6 hours straight last night and 2 more in the morning) and testicle pain in my left testicle. Started drinking fresh pomegranate juice few days ago, and feel like its good for me. I think I am able to live an almost normal life if I do not eat fast carbohydrates, participate in competitive sports or have sex or any sexual stimulation too much or too often.
It is almost 3 months since I quit the drug. My genitals have looked normal now for a week, bot testicles and penis seem to be fuller. Veins on the penis are no longer very prominent. I have a normal libido and sexual ability. Have not felt testicle pain for a few days.
Insominia however is not improving. Last night I tried to stay in bed for 12 hours, but woke up every now and then. I remember waking up at least 3 times and also had a few body convulsions. I dont know how much I managed to sleep, took a hot bath during the first time I woke up. Currently I feel quite tired and have a mild headache. I think my eyebags are getting darker and wrinklier, and I even got scared of how sick I looked in the mirror. I also have had some numb feelings in my forehead, and I hope I am not getting the brainfog so many here has experienced. Will try to sleep whenever I can.
My head still seems a bit too hot and my hands are sometimes cold. I probably have some kind of imbalance in my brain. I am thinking of trying melatonin to improve sleeping, and if it does not work, maybe Alprazolam or Bromazepam as recommended here: finasteridesyndrome.blogspot.com … treat.html
It is now 3 months since my first crash and 3,5 months since stopping Finasteride. I just tried to take a nap, but both of my testicles hurt so much that I cant sleep.
I spent a week in Spain during Christmas, got tanned and felt quite good on many evenings. Yesterday and today I have played 1 hour of competitive aerobic sports, and felt bad and emotional after both sessions. Today I noticed my penis getting really cold and small during squash, but now it seems normal (not normal like before Finasteride though, veins and wrinkliness are still present). I think aerobic sports somehow lower my testosterone.
Insomnia is still pretty bad. I slept 4 hours, stayed up 3 and slept 2 last night. While in Spain, I stopped drinking green tea for one day, which I have been drinking maybe 4-8 cups a day since the crash, and woke up in the middle of the night to fast heartbeat and very alert feeling which reminded me of the crash. I think green tea maybe lowers my cortisol and/or raises my GABA-level.
My libido works and I feel like having sex daily or every other day. Main symptoms are insomnia and testicle pain. I also noticed that I could not remember the plot of a movie I watched 2 days ago during the early hours, but I am hoping it was because I was tired.
Avoiding crash…
Thanks for all the play-by-play accounts never_again. I used finasteride 1 mg for a long time, about 12 years. I noticed that many of the symptoms that never_again describes I also have but did not recognize them as they were so insidious. Everything came to a halt this past New Year when I could get an erection but not hard enough for intercourse (after significant amount of alcohol and was very tired). I then immediately went on the internet, found this website, and to my horror read many of the stories that we are all familiar with.
I mainly am on this site because I stopped finasteride 4 days ago after this horrible event. I’m very, very scared of the endocrine crash that everyone here speaks about. I have a few questions:
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I’m feeling better now, but, does everyone go through the endocrine crash? Or only the minority of people that end up with PFS? Or for some reason do the PFS sufferers just not recover from the crash as well? It seems over time never_again has made recovery enough where he can have vaginal intercourse (that is my biggest fear!). I feel like my body is a ticking time bomb right now. I realize I may be in the “brief recovery” phase. What’s crazy is that everything is working well now, so its going to be heartbreaking when the crash comes. Is it inevitable?
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Based on all the recommendations from everyone on this site, I’m going on a no/low carb, paleo style diet, with daily light to moderate exercise. I’m going to take zinc in the form of Berroca which was recommended by another user. This morning I drank my first glass of tap water + baking soda. I ordered L-arginine and will start taking that daily. I’m thinking about taking Carnitine as well. Does anyone have any other recommendations to help me through this incredibly terrifying period?
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It seems that no masturbation, no porn, and limit stress (impossible knowing that my entire body may shut down in 3 weeks) is important as well.
If anyone else can help me through this process with any other suggestions or let me know if any of the above is wrong, I would be incredibly indebted!
longtimeuser
Oh no! After one day of feeling back to normal, I’m now back to having difficulty maintaining an erection. Is that possible? Can the crash come four days after stopping the drug?
Since you didn’t mention it, I assume you’ve had no blood work. But you may want to give things some time, since you’re feeling ok at the moment. If you do want to pursue bloodwork, there’s a recommended short list of tests posted in the forum.
For now, I would chill and see how your body reacts. PFS is not a one size fits all condition, including whether one experiences a complete crash.
Hopefully this is your one and only post.
Best of luck.
The crash is probably a result of excess cortisol release as mentioned here: finasteridesyndrome.blogspot.fi/ . If so, any action that keeps cortisol low helps prevent/lessen the crash.
After the last pill I felt better and more aggressive for a week, but on the last 2 days before the crash my stamina lowered. The first crash came 9 days after the last pill, 8 hours after competitive aerobic sports and 6 hours from having sex. Competitive aerobic sports still seems to worsen my condition (and introduce crashlike symptoms), but lifting small weights, stretching and walking improve it.
Your regime sounds good. I would maybe include broccoli, cabbage and green tea in the diet (green tea seems to help lower the cortisol in my case). I would also recommend to keep a calm mind, take long slow walks and get some sun. Remember that sexual stimulation raises the cortisol even if you do not ejaculate. Good luck with your recovery and keep us posted!
Update:
I have felt quite normal for a few days: Genitals feel fuller, no anxiety, normal libido and sexuality. I can sleep 8 hours a night (with one peeing break, and fall asleep again immediately after it).
Only remaining problems currently are dark circles under the eyes and prominent veins on penis, but I feel very lucky since I could be doing much worse. I guess it is possible to recover (at least temporarily) from multiple intense crashes.
Just as an update I am day 16 post-propecia. Some days I feel like I can have a “normal” erection (although I’m not even sure what that is anymore), however other days I feel the testicular shrinkage and feel the “rubbery penis syndrome” and “numb dick” that others have described. I haven’t been with a girl since the episode of ED so its difficult to tell whether an erection during masturbation will translate into vaginal sex like I was having on the drug, that’s the part that bothers me the most. When the time comes to be with someone and things don’t work…is that the PFS or severe anxiety from going through all of this? Anyway, trying to get on a better diet and exercise even if I’m depressed (seems to affect things). I can’t help but to masturbate from sheer paranoia because I have this vision that any moment, my penis will simply just stop working. I think day 20 will be a good milestone to see how things are going. I haven’t exactly felt a crash. The worse part is I’ve been working so hard to get to a place where I finally feel like I’m ready for a long term relationship and a family and now this. That’s the worse part about it. Do most of the PFS sufferers…are they able to still have sex and carry on relationships?
Thanks!
longtimeuser
It is now almost 5 months since the last pill, and 4,5 months since my first crash.
Ongoing symptoms:
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Sleep problems still exist. I can sleep more than during the months after the crash, but often wake up after 4 hours of sleep. Sometimes I wake up to fast pulse and heart palpitations.
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My resting pulse has gone up to 60-70 from pre-crash rate of 47-48. However this might be partly because I have not done much aerobic exercise. I have also gained 5 kg weight, probably for the same reason.
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Fat around my eyes seems to be further reduced, making me look older and sicker.
Improvements:
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My genitals have stayed in a same size and condition for over a month and libido is normal.
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I can eat carbohydrates without crash symptoms. This probably applies to exercise too.
I would rate my recovery to be around 75% of my pre-finasteride state. I am planning to do more sports in the spring/summer.
I woke up in the middle of the night and got nothing to do, so would like to make an update.
Improvements:
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Have not suffered from cold hands or hot head for a while.
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My voice seems to have deepened.
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Body seems to get hairier still.
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I am able to eat carbohydrates without crashlike symptoms.
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My adam’s apple looks and feels more prominent, although I am not sure about this.
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Standing imbalance seems to be slightly improved.
Ongoing/worsening symptoms:
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Insomnia is getting a little worse, woke up 2 hours ago after 2,5 hours of sleep and did not feel at all tired.
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I can still feel my heartbeat when lying on the bed, and resting pulse is usually elevated (60 when it used to be under 50).
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I’ve been feeling somewhat depressed and and a little anxious lately. Don’t have the energy to go out and meet people after work.
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My genitals still react to competitive sports. Penis becomes cold and smaller and testicles start to hurt.
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I’ve gained 5 kg in my stomach area in the last month, currently weighing 102kg.
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My penis is still wrinkled with prominent veins and softer skin, and sometimes curves to the left and displays an hourglass form.
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I have dark eyebags and loss of fat around the eyes.
Here is some information about my usage history:
I started Propecia for the first time in May 2002 and took 60 tablets. I noticed more frequent urination, dribbly penis and watery ejaculation soon after starting.
However Finasteride stopped itching and burning feelings in my scalp, which was a big relief. I used to hold a bag of ice on my head during the worst burning sensations. Besides itching I also got pimples in my scalp that were really painful, but on Finasteride they too disappeared. I have later speculated that eating gluten might have caused/worsened the scalp problems, I’ve been gluten free since 2008, after which constant itching in my throat and palate stopped.
I am not sure if I renewed my Propecia prescription after those 60 pills, but in March 2004 I started to take generic Finasteride and would cut the pill in 4 pieces. I remember being very nervous and anxious in September 2004 during a sports tournament, and now think it might be because of the drug.
In 2007 I remember noticing that I should only take the pill every other day to avoid negative symptoms (don’t remember what they were though), and a dose of 1/8 of a pill is enough to keep the itching of the scalp away.
Since I ruptured my achilles tendon in the autumn of 2007 I have been overweight. I suspect Finasteride has something to do with either weakening of tendons of tightening of calf muscles. I used to be 85 kg before, but my weight crept up to 102 and stayed there despite a lot of sports and low-carbohydrate diet.
Also since 2008 I have been unproductive at work, required naps during the day. I’ve also felt anxious, less motivated and difficulty to concentrate.
I consumed a total of 60 pills of 1 mg (Propecia) and 360 pills of 5 mg (generic) in little over 11 years, which makes it (1860 mg / (11*365)) = 0,46 mg of Finasteride daily. I did stop for a few times during those 11 years, but itching of the scalp always made me start again.
I stopped the drug during summer 2013, wanting to see what would happen. Did not take any pills for a few weeks, and started noticing heart palpitations. I went to the doctor and had my heart monitored, but they found nothing except that my resting heart rate was 60 bpm, when it used to be 47-48 before.
For some reason (might be itching of the scalp, don’t really remember) took a single dose of 1,25 mg the 20th of September 2013. I remember lying on the bed after taking the pill, and realizing that there is something wrong with me, and went to Google Finasteride side effects. That’s when I found this page, and have not taken any pills after that.
10 days later I crashed (see my first posts for details), could not have an erection at all for 3 days, and was at my sickest during the 3rd day of the first crash. On that day I thought I was dying, was hyperventilating and had strong waves of tingling going through my body. I was barely able to drive to the emergency room, and the doctor thought I was suffering from mental problems. During the evening of that day I could not remember my bank account number, which I had always remembered. However the next day I was feeling better and my memory recovered.
I had another severe crash 12 days after the first crash, and some small crashes after that. I have contacted the doctor who prescribed my the drug, and he has filed a report to the officials and the manufacturer. Hopefully this poison is pulled from the market some day.
Hi!
Where in Sweden do you live?
In your previous posts you said that you visited a doctor and did some tests and the doctor told you that you have hypopituitarism. Are you still seeing the doctor and are you in any treatments right now? What kind of treatment did the doctor offer?
Hi, I would not like to share more personal information, as this is not something I would like to be recognized for.
The doctor who said I suffer from hypopituarism did not know much about PFS and could not give any reasonable advice. I also crashed again a week after the doctor’s appointment. Only thing he mentioned was prescribing testosterone gel, but since people on this forum have had bad experiences from it, I don’t want to try it. I have not taken any treatments besides vitamins and natural supplements.
Hi,
It is soon 6 months since my last pill. I’ve been feeling relatively fine, some nights I can sleep 8 hours uninterrupted, sometimes 4, but fortunately I get a total of 8 hours of sleep every night. I can have sex multiple times per day without crashing. Fasted for 3 days this weeked, and although it seemed to help me sleep a little better and perhaps raised my libido, I am now starting to eat because of fatigue (have to work tomorrow).
As I have written before, my crash and other symptoms seem to be caused by elevated cortisol. Finasteride somehow messes the cortisol regulation, and after quitting finasteride cortisol rises, and causes testosterone to drop. Here is one article linking penis shrinkage to cortisol: herballove.com/guide/penis-s … s-hormones
If this is true, it might be important to advice people who are quitting finasteride to somehow limit their cortisol levels. Since the pfs usually begins at the crash, avoiding the crash might help people to avoid also pfs.
That site is a sham promoting supplements sales, a few PFS guys have been stung from there in the past with no benefit.
I agree stress does not help matters at all, but how would you propose avoiding a crash? Seems it’s either going to happen or not, not much you can do about it.
If crash happens because cortisol rises too high, then doing something that lowers cortisol or/and avoiding something that rises cortisol. might prevent the crash.
I wonder if people who quit finasteride in the future will be put on a diet, medication and exercise regime which keeps their cortisol levels minimal for weeks or months after quitting. That might solve the pfs for future quitters.