This symptom can be due to hormones and neurological issues. We need to prove this theoretical issue, so the scans Miller suggested should be a priority.
Where did you learn about this progesterone or ghb treatment?
the mystery and story deepens yet again.
so, it’s like, “take magnesium sulfate, omega-3, and anti-oxidants” add yoga.
Are any of you on this forum taking magnesium sulfate and using omega 3 supplements?
I have been tryong OMEGA-3 for a while: in doses of 2mg and even 3mg, pharmaceutical grade. That alone does not help our finasteride related issues.
Maybe I’ll try some Epson salts = magnesium sulphate and give them a chance.
Nevertheless, the key point is making the demyelination analysis Alex Perry suggested. Has anybody done them so far?
I’ve thought about the Epson salts, but I’m too much of a chicken to try something like that because I have colitis and am worried about taking a laxative. If you try it, please keep us posted on how it makes you feel.
I will report here if I use magnesium sulfate in the future.
But, btw, you say you have colitis. Have you looked up information on EDTA chelation therapy? I used it years ago to treat supposed heavy metal toxicity which caused me about 2.5 years of constipation problems and multiple food allergies. I’ve recovered from that entirely. entirely. At the end of that story, the only change is that I cannot consume homogenized, unfermented dairy products (american milk, ice cream, and butter), almonds, shellfish, and maybe a couple types of grain (buckwheat? rye?) These are inevitable allergies for many people in adulthood even if they’re never aware of them.
So, WTF did I take finasteride?
another thing, I attribute my recovery from the constipation and constant inability to absorb food to mainly the chelation therapy with hydrocolonics AND hot yoga.
There was one day in particular following chelation and colon hydrotherapy where I had the feeling of lightness and energy that I thought I may bounce up and hit my head on a street lamp with every step I took. So, make of that what you may. I highly recommend chelation therapy (and, YES the colon hydrotherapy is essential and feels good–you find out)if you find that the underlying cause of your colitis is something treatable by chelation therapy. there are tests for this.
Guys, please keep this thread on-topic (Fin and neurological damage). If you want to discuss therapies for colitis, hot yoga etc, start another thread.
Cheers.
I’m seeing a neurologist in a week and I’m asking for an MRI from anterior, lateral and posterior horn. Anything else you suggest me to make the doctor gentler and more sympathetic? Thanks!
This is a brilliant thread with so much information that makes a lot of sense. Many thanks to Alex for his research and answering so many follow-up questions.
I have two questions to add:
First, is finasteride capable of producing demyelination in any other part of the nervous system besides the area of the spinal cord Alex mentioned? For example, could it affect the inner ear or related cranial nerves leading to tinnitus and/or hearing loss? Folks in this thread all share a ringing in the ears after starting fin. Others elsewhere (including myself) have also reported some degree of hearing loss.
Multiple sclerosis victims can suffer tinnitus resulting from demyelination (since their entire nervous system is affected). There is some evidence of a connection with Meniere’s disease too (characterized by hearing loss, tinnitus, and rotational vertigo):
Alex’s conclusions indicated that fin can cause partial MS-like symptoms by indirectly damaging (preventing from healing) certain areas of the spinal cord. Are there any other known areas of the nervous system that could be affected by this same process? Or do you believe occurrences of tinnitus in fin users are related to some other factor than demyelination?
2nd question – low GABA level was mentioned as one side effect of fin use. Could GABA supplements like these be useful as part of the recovery process? Would there be any downside or risk to using them besides some sedative-like effects?
We don’t know if Finasteride did in fact cause selective demyelination, that is simply a hypothesis which will likely remain unproven unless numerous men get MRIs of the anterior, lateral and posterior horn to check for MS-lesions which turn up similar results.
None of us are medical professionals so cannot answer with certainty wether “other parts of nervous system besides spinal cord” were affected… that would take more research. That said, since GABA-A receptors in the brain are involved in tinnitus, and loss of Allopregnanolone can interfere with GABA-A/CNS function, there may very well be a connection to be made there.
Same question, answers above.
GABA supplements do not cross the blood brain barrier and thus will have little, if any effect on receptor remodeling or agonist activities. On the other hand, pharmaceutical substances like benzodiazepines and barbiturates can cross the blood brain barrier and thus affect GABA-A directly.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GABA_agonist
Wether such substances have any permanent impact on “recovery” is unknown, but if they can affect and remodel GABA-A receptor plasticity and function in the brain, there certainly can be consequences from use. There have been a few users on this forum (ie, “ithappens”) who have reported use of Xyrem (GHB) improved their cognitive symptoms due to enhanced sleep quality, however others did not find success. As with anything, there are potential side effects to useage, especially longterm.
Finally, such substances do not necessarily address the Allopregnanolone-demyelination theory in 5AR2 dependendant tissues (ie, spinal cord), as they specifically target GABA-A receptors throughout the entire brain… this is different than targetting 5AR2-specific areas where selective demyelination may have occured (ie, axons & neuronal growth/function, myelin sheath) as their mechanism of action targets something else entirely (GABA-A).
Instead, as Alex notes, Progesterone has been shown to positively influence re-myelination; unfortunately, it is a feminizing hormone in males and is often given to sexual predators in prison to chemically castrate them/cause loss of libido. If you’re interested, do some research on Progesterone and myelin, you’ll get more info.
google.ca/search?hl=en&sourc … elin+repai
scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en& … a=N&tab=ws
The best natural alternative would probably be supplementing with Omega 3s (fish oil) to assist with neuronal repair (and alleviate depression), since the brain and neuronal health relies heavily on essential fatty acids.
Some dosing ranges can be found on page 10, for use in depression:
The muscle twitches we have are most likely a neurological problem too. It could be from thyroid or liver disorder though.
This article seems to make tons of sense, in that I sense there is a mental deterrent, in making things function normally for me at least. It sounds very chemical and nerve damage can result from suppression of certain chemicals in the brain. ok. After my mri, my headaches came storming back along with feeling very dazed, weak and confused. Could be that nerve damage is present? How can this be proved then is the question? Only an mri?
Likely a side effect of the MRI itself, many others have reported similar (and they haven’t touched Finasteride, either):
trusted.md/blog/anji/2008/02/06/mri_side_effects
trusted.md/blog/tyler24476/2006/ … de_effects
Probably has to do with having a Tesla magnet with 3x the gravitational force of the earth placed near your head, and possibly the toxic contrasting dye they inject you with:
ehow.com/about_5078732_gadol … fects.html
mri-side-effects.com/
See blue text:
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … 4146#14146
I’m an ex-finasteride user who has suffered crippling mental fog and headaches.
My endocrine system is a total mess - low T, DHEA, higher cortisol, reverse T3, e2, insulin resistance.
I was wondering whether anyone got the MRI of the spinal cord and what were the results?
Alex is indeed onto something! Try this!
I have been having neck pain and headaches in the back of my head for a year now since stopping. Whats funny is when i move and shake my neck around alot - i have less brain fog! This might be because of nerve blockage’s/damages in the spinal cord? My vision also improves along with feeling almost normal. It’s as if something becomes unblocked or cleared!
I’m serious about this. Try this exercise; Move, stretch and shake your neck around for 20 minutes. Don’t go crazy though - nice and easy. Less brain fog! I have not got my mri done, the dickheads at the va hospital will not allow it. I have to save money and see someone like a neuro-endocrinololgist or a neurologist specilizing in chemical - electrical processes of both the brain and spinal cord, and not a brain structural abnormalities expert.
Not to mention my “instant” positive reactions to eating foods rich in magnesium. Coincidence?
This is a must in getting checked!
Is there any way of contacting Alex?
I’d like to know who the neurologist was that helped his ailing friend. I’d go see him; like seriously tomorrow!
Thanks,
Robert
Go to the thread he started, register an account on that site and private message him.
Hello to all,
I also have brain fog (and other secundary effects) due to finasteride (proscar). I really believe that what have been said in this thread could be the real cause of our problems.
I am going to buy Omega 3 but I´ve seen there is a suplement which is called: Super DHA 360 mg. Omega 3 has 3 acids:
Ácido alfa-linolénico (ALA)
Ácido eicosapentaenoico (EPA)
Ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA)
and I´ve been reading that DHA is what enhances neuronal problems (Alzheimer and others). EPA is for lipids. So instead of ordering just Omega 3 I think it could be better to order just DHA.
I´ve been searching and this is the best thing I´ve found yet and I will probably order it:
supersmart.com/article.pl?id=0140
What do you think about it?. It has twice the amount of DHA that normally have other Omega 3 suplements.
I also have found some things about Magnesium Sulfate but I don´t think I will try them until I really consider this is the solution:
lavoisier.com/es/productos/p … 0-0-1.html
Regards.
I have also found that the best way to check the demyelination is the MRDTI (Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging) technic,for those who are going to check it out.
And what Strong Antioxidants should be considered to be taken for demyelinization?