Facial Swelling

[martinM]

can’t we change the name of this thread to FACIAL SWELLING???

[Mew]

Done.

[3pm]

@boston332

3pm,

My IGF-1 is off the chart high. Since I am only 5’10" I’d think it wasn’t that high normally. I never tested prior to Fin but I can reasonably guess Fin may have caused this. Gigantism is basically super high levels of IGF-1. One of the symptoms is over growth of bone structure in the face. For example protruding cheek bones and chin. Google a pic of “Andre the Giant”. Dr. Jacobs has told me if I don’t get my levels down I could experience this side effect “over time”. I’ve only been dealing with this for about a year. I know you been been suffering for several years. How have your IGF-1 levels looked?

By the way, I agree with the other posts and doubt Finasteride has anything to do with thinning of the nose. High IGF-1 is a seperate issue.

I haven’t ever been tested for IGF-1. Thanks so much for that info…

I’ve tried to avoid doctors over the past year, but I guess I should have this examined. What do you think should be done about high IGF-1? Searching online only seems to suggest cutting animal and milk proteins out of diet…

[boston332]

That is pretty much all I can find too. I have always ate a high protein diet so maybe that along with Fin throwing something out of balance is the culpret. Do you eat a high protein diet? Raw diet with alot of veges seems to be what most recommend. I’m testing IGF-1 soon, hopefully next week. I’ll try to get ahold of Jacobs after he gets my labs and discuss that with him. I’ll let you know.

Maybe try to get your doctor to order that lab along with T, e2, cortisol, etc. since you havnt had labs in a long time.

[3pm]

Do you eat a high protein diet? Raw diet with alot of veges seems to be what most recommend.

I often eat protein, yes, in animal meats or a simple shake. I guess I need to change the veggies:protein ratio. Gonna stop drinking milk too.

I’ll schedule an appointment this week with the doc, and we’ll see where I stand in all of this. Was your GH high also? If so it points back to the pituitary, although we’re used to having that gland underproduce hormones.

[martinM]

I’m not sure if this plays in to your growth hormone discussion, but many commercial brands of milk have bovine growth hormone, or bvg. most commercially available meats also have growth hormone. Although i havent seen studies, i believe this hormone does have a similar effect on humans. You might want to switch to organics.

[3pm]

Just reading a generic info site on this issue… a lot of the symptoms of excess GH/IGF-1 pinpoint the symptoms specific to mostly myself on here rather than those most common to us as a group. Though if I do have excessive GH/IGF-1 I don’t know why yet, this condition may be further hampering the sexual dysfunction already acquired from low androgen function and/or neurological inactivity through transmitters. This is all just strange.

cushings-help.com/igf1.htm

What signs and symptoms are seen with excess GH and IGF-1 production?

In a child, it is unusual tallness that is often first noticed. With an adult, it may be more subtle: a larger nose, thicker lips, a more prominent jaw, or rings and shoes that no longer fit. Other signs and symptoms may include:

* Deepened, husky voice
* Enlarged organs - liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen
* Enlarged tongue
* Erectile dysfunction
* Fatigue
* Headaches and visual disturbances
* Joint pain and swelling
* Menstrual cycle irregularities
* Muscle weakness
* Snoring
* Sweating and body odor
* Thickening of the skin, skin tags
* Trapped nerves (Carpal tunnel syndrome)

[boston332]

I have 7 of those other symptoms. Wouldnt know if I snore and obviously don’t have a menstral cycle so not including those two.

I havnt tested for GH.

Probably is a good idea to go organic. Hard to get used to the taste of some of the organic stuff though. But in the scheme of this I guess thats a minor issue.

[martinM]

@boston332

Probably is a good idea to go organic. Hard to get used to the taste of some of the organic stuff though. But in the scheme of this I guess thats a minor issue.

The wild caught or organically raised meats are great, the flavor is much, much better than the factory raised junk most grocery stores sell. Buffalo, beef, wild caught salmon, all 10 times better than their factory, corn & hormone fed counterparts.

[Brendan34]

This happened to me also, though I didn’t realize at the time what was happening. My face started changing shape around my last year on finasteride, and after going off the drug my face became more bloated. I am not a big person by any means and always had a narrower face, but now my face is full, cheeks are bigger and face is not as tight as before taking propecia. My jawline is not as visible and my face has an older, tired appearance… this happened all within the period of a year or so, and I am 28 now. The fat gain in the cheeks, jaw area is in addition to change in body shape, fat gain in hips, lower back, chest, thighs and buttocks. Only specifically in those places.

[notna]

regarding the nose “shrinkage”… I also have this side effect along with facial wasting.

This is not bullshit. The sceletal structure of my nose hasnt changed, but my nose became much slimmer at the tip. A big nose tip (round and broad) is a manly trait.

[sanane]

this is a complete hormone rolelr coaster so you can experience such things especially while you are on a recovery period- until its become stable.

and maybe you are experiencing an anxiety regarding this period so you can feel much fear like that.

[depressedguy]

@notna

regarding the nose “shrinkage”… I also have this side effect along with facial wasting.

This is not bullshit. The sceletal structure of my nose hasnt changed, but my nose became much slimmer at the tip. A big nose tip (round and broad) is a manly trait.

I know this, my nose, ears, cheeks, even scalp lost collagens.

[sanane]

Its queit possible if you mess with 5ar inhibitors as a male. So give it some time to recover. Exercise is your best friend