Ex-Finasteride User (until today)

[HairLovingIdiot]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and I apologize if my status does not qualify to post here on the forum, because the understanding I got was that it is for people who have quit finasteride. However, after spending a good deal of time reading through the forum for the past several hours, I know I will never touch another one of my proscar 1/4 pills EVER again.

Anyhow, I was wondering if someone could guide me in my journey. I’ll begin by briefly describing my situation:
Been taking finasteride for roughly the past 2.5 years (started sept 2008 when I was 20.5, recently turned 23). For about 1.5-2 years, I took a 5 mg pill quarterly 4 times a week, and had recently upped that to quarterly every day (so 1.25 mg a day).

Symptoms:
Sexually, I would say my symptoms were mild-moderate (?). I have noticed my libido has gone down very mildly, in fact sometimes I think that it hasn’t gone down at all, but just the fact taht I think about it tells me that it probably has gone down. I still get strong erections, I masturbate daily, I get full erections as far as I know (sometimes in class etc. just thinking about sexual thoughts), so my biggest worry isn’t there.
However, the thing that immediately hit home with me after reaching this forum were the neurological symptoms. I have become a very, very anxious person. Almost any type of situation in my life, be it minor social dilemmas or whatever, causes extreme anxiety in my head and I spend hours worrying about the littlest problem and playing it out in my head. I feel like I am an emotional rollercoaster. I experience panic attacks and my long term memory feels much weaker than before (seem to forget a lot of tasks/chores that I have to do). I can expand on this more later.

My question(s) for you guys:

• Tests I need to do: should I do the recommended total testosterone and dihydrotestosterone tests right now? or after I start experiencing the post-finasteride syndrome?
• Should I wait to see what my response is over the next few days? I’m really scared of what’s going to happen. Should I wait to see if I get that brief resolution of side effects in my mood in the next few days? Should I keep a log of it and keep you guys updated?
• If the “complete endocrine system crash” occurs, what should I do? Should I at this point go to the testosterone test?
• Most importantly, what do you guys recommend I do as I begin this journey of post-finasteride life?

Thank you for all your help, Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section (and deep apologies if my status does not qualify me for the forum), and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all.

[Mew]

However, the thing that immediately hit home with me after reaching this forum were the neurological symptoms. I have become a very, very anxious person. Almost any type of situation in my life, be it minor social dilemmas or whatever, causes extreme anxiety in my head and I spend hours worrying about the littlest problem and playing it out in my head. I feel like I am an emotional rollercoaster. I experience panic attacks and my long term memory feels much weaker than before (seem to forget a lot of tasks/chores that I have to do). I can expand on this more later.

Direct result of drug’s inhbition of key neurosteroids such as Allopregnanolone (anti-depressant, required for proper mood and cognitive function) and THDOC (anti-anxiety, anti-stress, anti-seizure). Good thing you recognized the signs and are taking the appropriate steps.

should I do the recommended total testosterone and dihydrotestosterone tests right now? or after I start experiencing the post-finasteride syndrome?

It is always a good idea to get tests before, while on, and after quitting so you can see what the drug was doing to your body. Therefore, if you are quitting, I’d recommend you get tests ASAP within the next 3-5 days before DHT starts coming back online.

Odds are probably in your favor that you won’t experience PFS so don’t worry. We are in the small minority of users who experience this problem, for whatever reason.

Should I wait to see what my response is over the next few days? I’m really scared of what’s going to happen. Should I wait to see if I get that brief resolution of side effects in my mood in the next few days? Should I keep a log of it and keep you guys updated?

Not clear on the question – should you wait to do “what” exactly? If you wish to keep a log, that’s entirely up to you – if you do end up feeling great in coming week or two and continue to feel as such without any further issues, you will be well on your way!

If the “complete endocrine system crash” occurs, what should I do? Should I at this point go to the testosterone test?

It would be more useful to have Testosterone (Total/Fee), LH, FSH, DHT, 3a-diol G, TSH and others done before quitting. IF you experience problems after quitting, then get a 2nd set of tests to compare against your first.

• Most importantly, what do you guys recommend I do as I begin this journey of post-finasteride life?

Relax. Try not to worry. Realize we are in the small minority of users who got side effects, and who’s side effects did not resolve. We do not represent the entire Finasteride-using userbase and as such this should be of some comfort that odds are likely in your favor that things should resolve in due course over coming weeks/months.

However, if they do not, then posting on this forum makes more sense.

[bostonusa2009]

HairLovingIdiot,

First of all I would ween off of the medication. Keep cutting the pills smaller, rather than quiting cold turkey. It’s probably a long shot that doing this will prevent a “Crash”, but however small the chances it’s worth it to avoid the “Crash”

If you can afford it go see one of the more highly regarded doctors like Chrisler or Jacobs. You will avoid wasting your time going from doctor to doctor. Many won’t even believe propecia caused your problems, so you will waste time.

Count your blessings that you found this forum as soon as you did, I wasn’t so lucky.