dlH story

Member Stories
#1

I’m so glad I found this site. Propecia seems to be a poison.

I’m 40, active, and fit. I just recently went through a bad break up of a three year relationship this last July. For reasons of my own, I went online and got a prescription to Propecia. I lasted just six weeks until I found this forum and started reading the stories that were so similar to mine.

At first, I thought a lot of the bodily changes I was undergoing were a result of depression and a huge change in diet to 99% vegeterian. I started to have a bunch of bodily sensations, though that are not right. My body has been telling me so — and a recent bout of severe depression left me self-destructive. Not normal.

Symptoms:
• lost 20 lbs
• Pain in the testicles (like I was kicked or have blue-balls)
• Strange enlargement of my scrotal-sack
• Inability to sleep through the night without headaches (bad dreams)
• joint aches
• sudden increase in white pubic hairs
• Decreased desire/libido
• Erectile dysfunction - lack of morning/night erections
• Fuzzy-headedness, inability to think clearly
• Decrease in vision/blurriness

I didn’t associate this with Propecia until I read this forum. I stopped taking the drug today.

I lost my spleen a few years ago and have been left with a weakened immune system for which I take any number of supplements, many of which are mentioned on this site. I am starting to use the broccoli water twice a day, as was described from a link from this site.

I will keep posting about the physical changes I am having and try to update any recovery I have. I will be going to the doctor on 10/09/07 for a complete physical and blood work.

Good luck to all of you. Your stories have been chilling - I will help with anything I can find out or take note of with the herbal remedies I am involved with and am stepping up.

David

#2

  1. How did you find this forum? I searched the web for Propecia side effects on Google

  2. What is your current age, height, weight? 40, 6’0", 159lbs (down from 180)

  3. Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise? I mountain bike twice a week off road for 5 - 10 miles, snowboard, yoga, lift light weights 1 - 2 times a week, ride bike to work every day

  4. What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)? 99% vegeterian, now. I just changed over. Lots of garlic, onions, ginger, tofu, seitan, raw, healthy veggies…

  5. Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)? Hair loss

  6. For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)? 6 weeks

  7. How old were you when you started Finasteride? 40

  8. How old were you when you quit? 40

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

  10. What type of Finasteride did you use – Propecia, Proscar, Fincar or other generic? Propecia

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

  12. How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects? Maybe 3 or 4 weeks. Definatley obvious by week 6

  13. What side effects did you experience while on the drug that have yet to resolve since discontinuation? ED, strange scrotal sagging, kicked in the balls feeling

Put an X beside all that apply:

Sexual
[x] 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
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

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

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

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[x] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[x] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[ ] Other (please explain)

  1. What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug? I am taking a boatload of supplements to rebalance my hormonal levels and am trying the broccoli water morning and evenings

  2. If you have pre or post-Finasteride bloodtests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (pls post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)? Have to take my blood test, I don’t have anything to measure it by, though.

  3. Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience with Finasteride? The onset of symptoms was gradual, I didn’t notice at first. After week 6, I was sure there was something horrible going on, found this site, and stopped taking it immediatley.

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

#3

Thanks for sharing your story, unfortunate it had to be under these circumstances.

The pain in your testicles is likely due to increased Testosterone output, thanks to Fin’s downregulation of DHT (body senses less DHT, increases T to compensate). Merck notes that Testosterone levels get elevated by up to 20% in some men that take the drug.

The sudden increase in white pubic hairs I also have – and I’m not sure why. Perhaps decreased sensitivity to androgens in the genitals, since the 5ARII enzyme is found there, scrotum/penis are rife with androgen receptors, and we were blocking DHT (an androgen) with Fin.

I still don’t understand why the hair is turning white other than we have given ourselves the hormonal profile of an “old” man, since men get grey/white hair during the aging process when their androgen levels fall and their SHBG and Estrogen levels tend to rise.

The lack of nocturnal/morning erections is also a common factor for many here – Merck even notes this in the studies they sent to the FDA:

Page 30-31 (of PDF)
fda.gov/cder/foi/nda/97/2078 … _STATR.PDF

… lack of such function is (my opinion) possibly due to combination of factors:

  • reduced Nitric Oxide production due to low DHT (DHT mediates NO)
  • disturbed Androgen/Estrogen ratio (higher Estrogens due to lack of DHT/upregulation of T via Fin)
  • decreased Free Testosterone (increased SHBG)
  • tissue changes in the penis due to lack of androgen, leading to progessive loss of function

Anyway I’m sure as you do the reading on this site you will start to understand the issues at hand… this drug appears to cause problems in a number of areas for a lot of men. Complete blood workup as per this site is the very first step to see what is happening.

Keep us updated.

#4

Oh, and Mew is forgetting one of the most obvious things. Propecia works on the PROSTATE by screwing with androgens, and “shrinks” the prostate. This causes blockages, hence why many of us on this site have prostatitis, diagnosed, or un-diagnosed, and/or prostatitis symptoms. Once a prostate gets infected and blocked up, it can take years to clear out (if it does at all) and start functioning properly again.
This very well may be caused by hormone imbalances caused by Fin, and also may persist as long as the imbalances are still ocurring. But most of the penis problems, erection problems, urinary problems, and pains are all characterisitc of prostate problems as well.
And I’m not arguing with Mew, these very well may be caused by the hormone imbalances caused by Fin, like I already said, but do some reading on the prostate, its your number one sex organ! Where all the veins and nerves of your penis run through and past.
Good luck figuring this out. But if you’re having ejaculate problems as well, this is most likely due to a malfunctioning prostate

#5

Boston is correct, the main mechanism of action of Finasteride, by reducing DHT, is to shrink the Prostate… and the prostate is intimitaly involved in sexual function.

#6

Thanks for getting back to me. Damn, this is isolating.

I would like to say that since I started the broccoli water, I’ve had two night time erections that woke me up. So, either that is helping, or the Fin is leaving my system. I hope I didn’t damage myself.

The depression isn’t letting up, though. I have had some bouts that have been pretty severe in the last two weeks. I’m wondering if this isn’t related to prostate function and testosterone?

#7

I went in for a physical today. I weighed in at 151 pounds. In March, I weighed 180. Depression with a vegetable/reduced calorie diet are hopefully what accounts for most of that. I told my doctor about how I think Fin has altered my physiology. I’ll be waiting for the results of my bloodwork this week.

After a full physical exam, they didn’t find anything wrong with me. Prostate seemed to be normal, thyroid, glands, all that…

Waiting…

#8

If the Broccoli water is working for you, maybe you might want to look into DIM and Chrysin supplements, I think it’s the same thing but without the hassle of making and drinking the broccoli water.

#9

Thanks for the post…

What do DIM and chrysin do?

I kind of like the broccoli water. I eat the boiled stuff for lunch or mix it with stir-fry. At least my mother doesn’t have to tell me to eat my veggies…

#10

DIM is short for Diindolylmethane, a compound found in brocolli, often sold in concentrated supplement form.

DIM is supposed to help with Estrogen management. More info: dimfaq.com/

Chrysin is an isoflavone which is also supposed to help reduce Estrogen levels, however I have read it has to be combined with Piperine to be effective (even though that’s up for debate).

#11

I just got a call from my doctor. He said all of my blood tests were fine. Even my cholesterol is down, but that he couldn’t find anything to explain the weight loss.

I’ll post my bloodwork results when I get them.

#12

Quite possibly, but then again people have been told their results are fine even when their T levels are borderline hypogonadal and feel like complete shit. Looking forward to the results.

To drop 30 pounds in a few months seems a bit extreme… however, lack of protein does affect muscle in a negative way, and certainly going Vegetarian may have a major role in this. Since you only took Finasteride for a short period of time (6 weeks), it may or may not have had an impact.

However, just thought I’d highlight the following, regarding reversible myopathy (muscle weakness, possible atrophy) associated with Fin:
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=589

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … t=myopathy

Also, more than a few members have noticed a drop in their weight/atrophy after discontinuing the drug… most likely due to low T levels.

#13

Yeah, if you read in “The Testosterone Syndrome” by Dr. Shippen he talks about low T and muscle decline.
Also, he says quite often people are “within range” but are still too low for their own wellbeing, so these reference ranges can be misleading to many doctors, pretty much what Mew just said.

#14

Thank you. I will take that into account. It is more difficult to excercise these last few weeks… Depression may also be affecting the situation.

I did see my counselor yesterday to track when the severe depression became noticeable, trying to tie in the physical with the mental. The double whammy, if you will. I believe they’re linked. My muscle tone isn’t as good… Then again, I haven’t been lifting and riding 2 days each a week with school being tossed into the mix. I just need to see if I can get back with one day a week biking and lifting.

#15

Do you know that Finasteride has been linked to Depression?

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40

And that elevated Estrogen levels (which often rise due to Fin – hence the warning about gynecamastia – via increased Testsoterone production/aromatization of that extra T that would normally convert to DHT, but can’t due to Fin/blockade of DHT – DHT which would normally keep Estrogens in check) and depleted Allopregnanolone levels (conversion from Progesterone --> Allopregnanolone via 5AR, which is blocked by Fin) are associated with depression and anxiety-like symptoms in men?

All this info is in the Finasteride Studies section of this website. If you just came off the drug, give yourself a few months, I can pretty much guarantee your depression will start to clear up the longer you’re off Fin, unless it is due to some other issue that’s unrelated to the drug.

#16

Pardon me Mew, but how exactly does the Estrogen become high with the high T aromatizing if the problem for men is normally their T levels are way low?

I’m wondering how my Estrogen could possibly be higher now, and if this can eventually correct itself.

#17

The drug causes an upregulation of T by up to 20% in some men. All that extra T has to go somewhere.

Usually it gets converted to DHT (an antagonist of Estrogen), but since Fin is blocking DHT, the T gets aromatized into Estrogen instead… plus there’s less DHT to keep Estrogens in check, so Estrogens can start to run rampant in your system.

Hence lots of guys end up with high estrogens while on the drug, which manifests as gynocemastia, depression, anxiety etc.

The low T issue usually happens for those unfortunate guys like me, or others on here, who find their T levels crash after coming off the drug. They may not have had low T levels prior to taking it, but wind up with this problem after quitting.

#18

But then once they come off, and their T levels plummet, wouldn’t estrogen go back down or do something as well, because there is no longer excess T for aromatization??

Also, could you tell what you think about this?
How long does it take T levels (and hence free T levels) to build up in the system?? I wonder if it does just take years for the body to come to its “normal” balance of hormone levels, and T level, and so when something such as this Propecia problem hits us that are suseptible and lowers out T, it can maybe take years to rebuild back up to the level that each of our own body’s are used to??

Also, what if, just what if some men can take replacement therapy, and then their bodies then just retain that elevated level!!

#19

Hi all,
Is anyone having Erectile Dysfunction problem because of anti-depression medicines?
Studies have shown that male with depression are more prone to ED disorder. I am 39 and on anti-depression pills for last 2 years and I got into that as my job is very stressing and needs a lot. Few days back I started to lose erection while having sex and this is stressing me further and I feel very low in confidence. I am not able to figure out the reason behind my disorder.
levitrabliss.com From this link, I got to know that Levitra is a FDA approved drug and helps in treating impotency and ED disorders in men suffering from risky medical conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Should I have this medication to get over my disorder or should I try some herbal medication. Should I continue to have my anti-depression medicines? I will be seeing a physician in some day’s time, but before that I would like to research about this of my own. Is there anyone who has faced such problem and can share his experience with me? I will be grateful if anyone can shed some light on this and can suggest me what can I do.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

#20

yeah these pharma ED drugs they work alright… in the short term for a few hours

if you are in a relationship or need to perform regularly it will seriously drain your bank account

keep a couple on hand just in case but try and fix the root cause of your issues instead of treating end symptoms