Hartford Courant Propecia Story and Interview

[robertino_totti]

Guys. FYI. I was recently interviewed by a Hartford Courant newspaper reporter. The article was just published recently and is available online.

Please feel free to post your comments/replies regarding the story. Great opportunity to raise awareness.

The link to the article is provided along with the discussion forum related to the article. Thanks.

courant.com/health/connecticut/hc-buck-propecia-lawsuit-0304-20110303,0,205650.story

discussions.courant.com/20/hartnews/hc-buck-propecia-lawsuit-0304-20110303/10

[boston332]

Nice. But shame they didnt mention that Sweden had issued the warning of permenant sides years ago or the Irwig, Boston U studies.

[robertino_totti]

@boston332

Nice. But shame they didnt mention that Sweden had issued the warning of permenant sides years ago or the Irwig, Boston U studies.

True, but I suggest you make a comment pertaining to the article and make mention of that. Just register on the website and submit your comments.

[boston332]

I’ve been trying…something is wrong with their website log in.

[visionquest99]

There might be some discussion coming here later too. Complaint is here. Thanks to OP for getting the word out.

[robertino_totti]

@boston332

I’ve been trying…something is wrong with their website log in.

yeah, it’s a pain in the ass…i also had trouble registering on their website, and thought i had unearthed an f’n virus…when registering, just type over the annoying advertisement blinking thing and it should work…keep trying or just try tabbing over or through that nonsense ad…
…i just registered today.

[robertino_totti]

Guys!

Please register on the Hartford Courant’s website and add your comment’s to the propecia lawsuit article. We need to be heard!
I’ve already seen comments trying to discredit the article, by the general unknowing public. Merck drone’s or stock profiteer’s?

Anyway, when registering on the site, go through the annoying blinking ad’s and register anyway.
If you run into problems registering, I recommend hitting your tab key and keep typing through the ad’s. They eventually will lessen.
The newspaper’s site has issues, but the more comments on our side the better. Thanks!

[boston332]

@robertino totti

@boston332

I’ve been trying…something is wrong with their website log in.

yeah, it’s a pain in the ass…i also had trouble registering on their website, and thought i had unearthed an f’n virus…when registering, just type over the annoying advertisement blinking thing and it should work…keep trying or just try tabbing over or through that nonsense ad…
…i just registered today.

are u using the Conn firm?

[robertino_totti]

maybe. haven’t decided yet. did you register and post anything yet on the courant.com?

are u using the Conn firm?
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[robertino_totti]

"Is this for real? People wonder why drugs cost so much money. People are just lining up to sue a pharma company for their wallets. Lets not forget pharma companies are businesses too, they also need to make a profit.

These lawyers are just trying to fatten up their wallets. Oh and by the way as men age they lose hair and have sexual dysfunction. Its a part of growing old. DumbA**."

• If this quote from a Merck exec or guy who owns stock’s in propecia(clearly insulting the fuck out of us and our cause) doesn’t get you guys to register on the paper’s website and make comment’s nothing will.

[robertino_totti]

@boston332

I’ve been trying…something is wrong with their website log in.

Boston332 and the rest of you:

More comments regarding the article on our side = more good publicity for our cause.

Now fuck the lawsuit for a second, and realize that this is really good and healthy for getting our word out in the USA’s oldest newspaper publication.
It’s also sent over to all the other rags as a published article. (i.e LA Times and NY Times) It add’s to our credibility and cause.

Even with a very ill mother, who i’m taking care of now, on top of all this propecia garbage, I did my part, now do yours!

[robertino_totti]

@boston332

Nice. But shame they didnt mention that Sweden had issued the warning of permenant sides years ago or the Irwig, Boston U studies.

With all due respect, what the fuck does this have to do with anything?

[martinM]

You realize that you will be trying Merck not only in the US courts but also in the court of public opinion?

Jazlowiecki said. “Merck knew this, and their claims that the negative effects of the drug go away once you stop using it are false. The damage to these men appears to be permanent, even after five years of taking the drug.”

shouldn’t this be after stopping the drug???

Jazlowiecki said that one of the plaintiffs in his suit suffered such severe symptoms that his wife left him, and that another plaintiff suffered from a loss of concentration that forced him to drop out of law school.

This is bullshit. This is all anecdotal and unprovable in court. This is not a case. You know what Merck’s lawyers could do with this now? Bring it into court. They could stand up and say:

Jazlowiecki said that one of the plaintiffs in his suit suffered such severe symptoms that his wife left him, and that another plaintiff suffered from a loss of concentration that forced him to drop out of law school.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, my wife left me but I’ve never taken this drug. 2 of my best friends dropped out of law school in the first year. This happens all the time in people that haven’t taken finasteride. Where is the causation?

Answer, there’s none. If these are misquotes get the reporter to fix them. if not, know the next time you talk to the press to get your story straight and focus on the scientific matters that are arguable in court. It is very easy to read this article and come up with a bad impression of PFS sufferers.

I don’t mean to burst bubbles here either, but Jazlowiecki’s main goal is to get his name out as much as possible right now. There are going to be thousands of people signing up for this lawsuit when it becomes big. Jazlowiecki’s name out there means more people signing on with him which means more 33% commissions. Think, if these lawsuits are worth $1,000,000 each and he makes one third of them each of us are worth $333,333 to him. He doesn’t care so much if the facts are wrong as long as his name is associated with the story and people looking to take legal action against Merck call him before other lawyers first.

I urge everyone who’s dealing with this guy to put some pressure on him to get the facts straight before making such statements to the press. Using such terms and “mental and emotional symptoms” only brands us as crazy. What about reduced libido? Gynocomastia? Allopregnaolone inhibition? Shrinking the prostate? Fatigue? Non-erect penile and testicular shrinkage? Dry skin? Female physical traits?

I left a comment on the webpage (see below). When talking to the press we need a unified front based on scientific reasoning, not shouting about how our wives left us and our anecdotal lives are ruined from this drug. We know it altered our hormones, caused sexual disfunction along with a host of other issues, and we know Merck’s product warning label is inadequate. You don’t need the other personal items that make you sound crazy!!!

This article is anecdotal and misleading. There is evidence that Propecia causes permanent sexual disfunction along with inhibiting neurosteroid production which causes neurological problems and Merck has known about this from the beginning.

Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, lowers DHT levels on average 65% while simultaneously increasing testosterone and estrogen by on average 15%. What people do when they take this drug is lower the strongest male hormone DHT, the hormone responsible for making men men, and raise a weaker male hormone and estrogen, a female hormone over an extended period of time. The body adjusts to the lower levels of DHT and higher levels of testosterone and estrogen. Body builders cycle steroids specifically so their body levels don’t permanently adjust to these altered levels.

Proscar, another packaging of finasteride, is marketed to older males to shrink the prostate which causes permanent sexual disfunction. The catch is there is only a 5% difference in action between Proscar, which reduces DHT levels on average 70%, and Propecia’s 65% reduction.

Men essentially become hypogonadal after taking this drug, their bodies appear to be lacking hormones even though their hormone levels are within range, so doctor’s don’t know how to treat you.

[robertino_totti]

I respect what you have to say Martin, but the story is a first as far as i know…

You are right, but please set your emotions aside, as I have to as well, and go with this for now…

Do you think my father respected me when i told him i got sick off some bullshit hairloss drug? He told me to fuck off and get a life. How about my cancer stricken mother?

The point here is, that our community has a start now. Initially people will NOT respect us and our stories, UNTIL there is more awareness out there in the REAL world. That is also why I encourage you all to comment and add cred to our issue’s. I feel ya’ on the Jazlowiecki issue, and I’m not too keen on him myself or any lawyer for that matter, but at least he’s actually doing something for us.
Every lawyer I confronted in the past, told me to go fuck myself and called me crazy. Same thing with the doctor’s.

Understand that this is only a start, and do you really think a lawyer is going act like our savior “mew” (with all due respects brotha’ mew) and tell the reporter a whole list of scientific facts and theories as to how this shit fucked us up? Regardless, the reporter only asked me a few questions, and I didn’t feel it was necessary to list every single detail. Martin, I promise you man, this will get bigger and their will be more article’s discussing this. I have the reporters name and contact info. if you would like to contact him, and discuss our sickness in more detail with him. I respect that. Please feel free.

I’m personally not doing this for the money as of now. I did this because it’s the right thing to do. I really did this to raise more public awareness and not to hook up some lawyers pockets. I hate lawyers anyway…fuck them.

[robertino_totti]

• The real world out there will think we are crazy anyway initially. Have you heard the news recently that Tylenol is making people sick?
  Now I think they are crazy as well and trying to sue to get rich…
  I’m taking a stand and not hiding behind the computer monitor and driving myself crazy with trying to find ways to get better. Time for some action. If you want to play the “smart boy” researcher with the outside world right away, go right ahead. I respect that, but personally I don’t think that it’s necessary for now. It’s only natural for the outside to think we are crazy initially…
  I wouldn’t worry about Merck taking Jazlowiecki’s comments out of context, cause it’s just a start man.

[robertino_totti]

Thank you for adding a comment Martin. Much appreciated. Nice job with adding a "scientific’ spin to this. I just took the “emotional” route with mine, but hey, that’s just me. Kind regards dude. Keep your head up.

@martinM

You realize that you will be trying Merck not only in the US courts but also in the court of public opinion?

Jazlowiecki said. “Merck knew this, and their claims that the negative effects of the drug go away once you stop using it are false. The damage to these men appears to be permanent, even after five years of taking the drug.”

shouldn’t this be after stopping the drug???

Jazlowiecki said that one of the plaintiffs in his suit suffered such severe symptoms that his wife left him, and that another plaintiff suffered from a loss of concentration that forced him to drop out of law school.

This is bullshit. This is all anecdotal and unprovable in court. This is not a case. You know what Merck’s lawyers could do with this now? Bring it into court. They could stand up and say:

Jazlowiecki said that one of the plaintiffs in his suit suffered such severe symptoms that his wife left him, and that another plaintiff suffered from a loss of concentration that forced him to drop out of law school.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, my wife left me but I’ve never taken this drug. 2 of my best friends dropped out of law school in the first year. This happens all the time in people that haven’t taken finasteride. Where is the causation?

Answer, there’s none. If these are misquotes get the reporter to fix them. if not, know the next time you talk to the press to get your story straight and focus on the scientific matters that are arguable in court. It is very easy to read this article and come up with a bad impression of PFS sufferers.

I don’t mean to burst bubbles here either, but Jazlowiecki’s main goal is to get his name out as much as possible right now. There are going to be thousands of people signing up for this lawsuit when it becomes big. Jazlowiecki’s name out there means more people signing on with him which means more 33% commissions. Think, if these lawsuits are worth $1,000,000 each and he makes one third of them each of us are worth $333,333 to him. He doesn’t care so much if the facts are wrong as long as his name is associated with the story and people looking to take legal action against Merck call him before other lawyers first.

I urge everyone who’s dealing with this guy to put some pressure on him to get the facts straight before making such statements to the press. Using such terms and “mental and emotional symptoms” only brands us as crazy. What about reduced libido? Gynocomastia? Allopregnaolone inhibition? Shrinking the prostate? Fatigue? Non-erect penile and testicular shrinkage? Dry skin? Female physical traits?

I left a comment on the webpage (see below). When talking to the press we need a unified front based on scientific reasoning, not shouting about how our wives left us and our anecdotal lives are ruined from this drug. We know it altered our hormones, caused sexual disfunction along with a host of other issues, and we know Merck’s product warning label is inadequate. You don’t need the other personal items that make you sound crazy!!!

This article is anecdotal and misleading. There is evidence that Propecia causes permanent sexual disfunction along with inhibiting neurosteroid production which causes neurological problems and Merck has known about this from the beginning.

Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, lowers DHT levels on average 65% while simultaneously increasing testosterone and estrogen by on average 15%. What people do when they take this drug is lower the strongest male hormone DHT, the hormone responsible for making men men, and raise a weaker male hormone and estrogen, a female hormone over an extended period of time. The body adjusts to the lower levels of DHT and higher levels of testosterone and estrogen. Body builders cycle steroids specifically so their body levels don’t permanently adjust to these altered levels.

Proscar, another packaging of finasteride, is marketed to older males to shrink the prostate which causes permanent sexual disfunction. The catch is there is only a 5% difference in action between Proscar, which reduces DHT levels on average 70%, and Propecia’s 65% reduction.

Men essentially become hypogonadal after taking this drug, their bodies appear to be lacking hormones even though their hormone levels are within range, so doctor’s don’t know how to treat you.

[robertino_totti]

“When talking to the press we need a unified front based on scientific reasoning,” - Martin M

Feel ya’ on this too. We need to find ways to meet and organize my friends. Like it or not, we are a community and need to find ways to get together and work together. We need to function like Union’s and look out for one another. You are all brothers to me, and I mean that in the most sincere way. I will find a way to create a website dedicated to “organizing” our efforts and not running around like chickens without a head.

[robertino_totti]

Contact info. to reporter deleted. if you want it, PM me. Thanks.

[martinM]

@robertino totti

• The real world out there will think we are crazy anyway initially. Have you heard the news recently that Tylenol is making people sick?
  Now I think they are crazy as well and trying to sue to get rich…
  I’m taking a stand and not hiding behind the computer monitor and driving myself crazy with trying to find ways to get better. Time for some action. If you want to play the “smart boy” researcher with the outside world right away, go right ahead. I respect that, but personally I don’t think that it’s necessary for now. It’s only natural for the outside to think we are crazy initially…
  I wouldn’t worry about Merck taking Jazlowiecki’s comments out of context, cause it’s just a start man.

Tylenol is hepatoxic, this has been known for many years.

It’s very important that people don’t think we are crazy. Merck wants us to seem crazy so they will win any and all legal battles. People who understand the mechanism behind finasteride will not think people suffering from PFS are crazy. It’s important for people to understand the basic function behind the problem to connect it to the effect. 1+1 = 2. Merck got us to take this poison by doing exactly the opposite. Fighting the battle intelligently here is 95% of the battle. Merck has had teams of people preparing for legal and PR issues since before this drug was on the market. You must communicate pointedly and logically to have half a chance here…

[robertino_totti]

Hepa what the fuck? Gee, let me ask my smart uncle if he knew that tylenol was hepatoxic. He loves the stuff! C’mon man…get real. You would also assume that the general public would understand this fancy word, and would also assume that the general public hover’s over the propeciahelp.com forum? Dude. Relax. It’s just a start. I’m just as angry as you are, but if YOU want to take that route, go ahead and contact the reporter about making a new story about this, with the slant of an amateur researcher. The reporter told me, that he is interested in talking about this some more. Call him up. Be my guest.

Tylenol is hepatoxic, this has been known for many years.

They WILL think we are crazy anyway INITIALLY. Trust me, I spoke like “smart boy” to many people over the years, trying to explain our predicament, in medical terms, including my neurologist. By reading my neurologist’s medical history notes recently, he called me an obsesssive insisting that i was a finasteride researcher or something, in other words, a nutcase) He took me totally out of context and viewed my attempt to have look into this some more as nonsense and insane.
We ARE not doctor’s and everyone here shouldn’t have to sound like doctor’s (i.e everyday, i see many crazy homeless people around town, reading astrophysics texts, pushing shopping carts)…and many of us DO NOT have an official diagnosis of anything!

Feel free to contact the reporter and discuss a follow up article with your take and story if you like. I respect whatever you have to do.
Martin, realize that not everyone here feels that they NEED to take a more intelligent stance. I also think your giving the general public too much credit in terms of their education and sense of understanding. Last I heard, they still eat at Mcdonald’s Mcfunsters…
I’m not going to argue with you and I did my best…peace.

It’s very important that people don’t think we are crazy. Merck wants us to seem crazy so they will win any and all legal battles. People who understand the mechanism behind finasteride will not think people suffering from PFS are crazy. It’s important for people to understand the basic function behind the problem to connect it to the effect. 1+1 = 2. Merck got us to take this poison by doing exactly the opposite. Fighting the battle intelligently here is 95% of the battle. Merck has had teams of people preparing for legal and PR issues since before this drug was on the market. You must communicate pointedly and logically to have half a chance here…
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