Help - Unexplained health problems

General Discussion
#1

I have been taking finasteride for about 90 days, to treat hair loss. I have been experiencing several unexplained symptoms recently, and I am trying to rule out all causes, but from what I have read here, it looks like they may be from the finasteride. I haven’t taken any for a few days, and I think I am done with the product what what I am hearing. I have always had good health, so my symptoms are alarming, and I am trying to see if there are any similar stories out there.

For the last 5 weeks or so, I have had daily headaches.

Starting 2 weeks ago, Back and chest (front and back) pain about the area of lower lungs. This pain comes and goes, and sometimes is constant. Almost more of a discomfort than pain.

Some side pain

Some testicular pain

Lower back pain

Some general muscle pain/discomfort/fatigue

I also had a panic attack - Something I have never had before. - No fun.

I am divorced, and not sexulally active, so I haven’t noticed any of those side effects.

I am just wondering if there are any similar stories out there.

Please help!

#2

Yes these are all symptoms many can relate to here.

Read through some of the profiles in the Profiles section and you’ll get a sense for what people have gone through, as well as other posts throughout the forum.

Then have a look through the Finasteride studies section to see what you are doing to your body and WHY you are experiencing what you are experiencing.

The chest pains in particular could be the beginning of gyno (male breast development), I also experienced sharp pains/pressure in my chest at around month 6… turns out it was the beginnings of gyno due to elevated Estrogens (Finasteride reduces DHT… DHT keeps Estrogens in check… Finasteride also elevates Testosterone which, due to less DHT to keep E in check, aromatizes into extra Estrogen)… best bet would be to get blood tests as outlined in the FAQ of this site… and get off the drug.

#3

If you do get off the Propecia, it is probably wise not to quit all of a sudden. Rather, slowly ween yourself off the drug. A lot of us quit cold turkey and wonder if that could’ve made things worse.