I’ve been perusing the message boards and it seems that, for some treatments, the longer we wait to start treatment, the less likely the treatment will be effective. Is that true? And if so, which treatments should we start immediately?
I’d really appreciate any help. This is killing me inside. But if I can save myself years of agony by attacking this early on (I’m a few months in now) … that would be huge. Thanks.
I am assuming you recently quit, and are experiencing some of the side effects noted here.
The thing you could do assuming the above is true is to get bloodwork done, at a minimum total serum testosterone, LH and FSH, SHBG, and 3a androstanediol glucuronide.
For about $200 US, you could get a 24 hour urninary steroid profile (docotor ordered from Rhein labs or the lab that Dr. Jonathan Wright uses in the northwest). The ratios of some of the metabolites can be used to determine if there is a problem.
Would recommend holding off 3 months or so (after quiting finasteride) before trying any treatment, as a significant majority of men see symptoms resolve. As we have all painfully learned, the endocrine system is a delicate thing and difficult to fix if broken, and there are things out there that do more harm than good.
Welcome to the board - kazman
I’d purse something early to be on the safe side. As Kaz said, most recover normally over time. Have the blood tests done and contact one of the PFS docs. Schedule something so you’ll have it if you need it. Will probably takes months to get in, if your fine by then just cancel.
Thanks. It’s been five months now. (Weak erections, no nocturnal/morning/spontaneous.) I’ve gotten the bloodwork done and seen some of the doctors here. One doctor suggested T, but I’m hesitant, because it hasn’t appeared to have helped anyone here … But maybe that’s because people waited too long to start?
Topical or injected testosterone is the last option for raising T. Once you are on this your testicles will start to shrink and any endogenous testosterone synthesis gradually shuts down. You will thus lose any natural, pulsatile testosterone secretion. These options should be left for last, after conforming that you have primary hypogonadism, or secondary hypogonadism that does not respond to stimulation from clomiphene or hCG.
If you have been off finasteride for three or four months, and your symptoms still persist, then seek treatment, but first carefully verify your starting point (total and free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, prolcatin, 3a- androstaneeddiol glucuonide, 24 hour urinary steroid profile). This is the right thing to do from a medical perspective, as for example if your estradiol is way out of whack you might try to treat that first using very low doses of arimidex (like 0.25 mg/week). It is also the correct thing to do from a legal perspective, as it would provide a basis for indicating what finasteride may or may not have done to you prior to starting any treatments.
I don’t believe it’s due to delayed treatment. The problem is treatments stop working over time, the body adjusts homeostasis downwards, so more treatments work toward the beginning of the post fin period.
@ Kazman: Thanks for your advice. I did the bloodwork before taking any medication. The only thing I’ve taken since is Viagra/Cialis.
@ MartinM: Thanks, that sounds logical. I’ll likely hold off on taking anything for a bit longer.