Dr Le Fanu in The Telegraph Warns about Propecia

General Discussion Media & Awareness
#1

Dr Le Fanu is the resident doctor of The Telegraph’s health clinic.

Dear Doctor Lefanu,
Just writing to you following a letter you printed yesterday involving an 80 year old man who had appalling night sweats, Finasteride being one of the 9 medications he was on. I can confirm that I have suffered an illness for 10 years following 2 years taking a drug called Finasteride or ‘Propecia’, the brand name. Symptoms of this illness which I have absolutely no doubt were created by this drug are chronic fatigue, headaches, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, brain fog and indeed night sweats. I had the night sweats whilst I was taking the drug.
Propecia or Finasteride is a very dangerous drug which should never be prescribed for hair loss and more and more is being found out about the damage it causes. I have heard of many reports of the suicide of men who have become ill using this drug. Post Finasteride Syndrome is the condition which broadly covers the range of symptoms men endure when ceasing to take it.
If you could write an article on this drug and it’s associated problems, this would be very helpful in the increasing fight against this awful poison.
Best regards,
Nick.

Dear Nick
Thanks for drawing attention to the serious side effects associated with Finasteride.

Dear James,
I believe you’re looking to speak with people who have had night sweats from using Finasteride.
I’m 31 years old and I have used Finasteride to treat hair loss, I have experienced night sweats from Finasteride as well as a host of other side effects which have not been pleasant to say the least.
If would like me to go into more detail about how Finasteride has affected me I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
regards,
John C

Dear John C,
Please see above.

Dear Dr Le Fanu,
I read with avid interest your article in the Telegraph about Finasteride-related “night sweats”. Having taken Propecia myself (for hair-loss), I can tell you that I have also had these sweats, as well as (many) more life-altering complications. Please see my website propeciamaycausecancer.com./ I would be more than willing to be interviewed regarding my Finasteride experience, and I have already been in the UK national press regarding this matter.
Best wishes,

Dear Anon,
Thanks for being in touch and drawing attention to your website on Finasteride.

telegraph.co.uk/health/11186 … -2014.html

#2

Thanks – and we know: everyone worked together on this:

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=9831

#3

Oh sorry I hadn’t seen it posted here. Good work. I also posted it on Reddit where I’ve been concentrating my awareness efforts recently. Reddit has a big community of young men who are considering hair loss options. I always get downvoted to hell but it doesn’t matter.

#4

Agreed: Reddit is a great forum for this issue. Be sure to let everyone there know that Robin Williams WAS on finasteride:

PR123
Post subject: Re: Robin Williams Takes His Own Life (Was He on Propecia?).
PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:29 am
Online

OK, the report of Robin Williams being on finasteride comes from RadarOnline – a highly reputable, investigative media outlet:

“Investigators found that he had been prescribed a variety of drugs, including lansoprazole, rapaflo, finasteride, amoxicillin, quetiapine, carbidopa, and mirtazapine.”

Please comment asap, letting the editors know that PFS side effects are in line with what Robin was reportedly experiencing:

radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/ … h-suicide/

And try your best to include a link to the PFS Foundation website’s symptoms page:

pfsfoundation.org/post-finas … -symptoms/

Thanks.

#5

Will do. The problem with the Robin Williams story is how do we know finasteride caused his depression? Depression is a common problem and correlation doesn’t equal causation.

That said, this type of report is quite compelling:

Robin’s wife had told authorities shortly after his death he had been complaining about the meds and the way they made him feel.

washingtonpost.com/news/morn … -dementia/

#6

We can never prove direct causation – at least not in Robin’s case – but we CAN educate the media and medical community by letting them know what PFS symptoms are, and point out that they overlap with what Robin was reportedly experiencing.

That way, maybe other celebrities who are on finasteride will speak out as well.

Thanks.