Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.
Where are you from?
USA
How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other)
Searching “post finasteride syndrome forum” on Reddit
What is your current age, height, weight?
28, 5’10", 150 lbs
What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)?
Accutane as a teenager, fluoxetine, other antidepressants, and Im currently still on finasteride, debating on whether i should go off or not.
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
1.25 mg of fin every day for about 7 years now. I can’t remember the doses and durations of the other drugs.
What condition was being treated with the drug?
Male pattern baldness. Accutane treated severe cystic acne. Antidepressants treated depression and other mood issues.
For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)?
Years on fin so far. 6 months on accutane. 13 years on mood drugs. Currently only on finasteride.
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug?
Started fin at 21.
Started an SSRI at 14, attempted suicide, welbutrin at 15, tried other mood drugs in my twenties.
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
I quit my mood drugs a few days ago. I’m still on finasteride.
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
Quit my mood drugs one at a time, cold turkey.
How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects?
I developed meniere’s disease within a few months of starting finasteride. Didn’t realize the connection til recently. Currently i manage that with diet, lifestyle changes, and exercise. In a few years, due to other factors like abuse and social isolation, i devolved into a dementia-like state. I didn’t get out of that til i radically changed my life, got help from the government.
What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
I’m still on finasteride. Currently i deal with mild memory and focus issues. Very little sex drive or ability to have an erection.
Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.
Sexual
[X] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[X] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[X] Loss of Morning Erections
[ ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[X] Watery Ejaculate
[X] Reduced Ejaculate
[X] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[X] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[X] Confusion
[X] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[X] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[ ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[X] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[X] Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[X] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[X] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[X] Muscle Weakness
[X] Joint Pain
[X] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[X] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[X] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[X] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature
[X] Other (please explain)
I developed anemia after being finasteride for several years.
What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
Restyling my life to make it full of exercise, less speaking requirements, got government assistors to help me with life, became a devout Christian after having a spiritual awakening.
If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)?
Lowered blood cell count
Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience?
Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
I had a rough home life growing up. My family moved and i struggled to make friends. I was put on an ssri. Tried to kill myself. Was put in a mental hospital for a week. Lied to get out because i realized they weren’t actually helping people, and that no one there would actually give me what i needed - a loving, guiding support system. Took Accutane in high school at some point.
Stayed on welbutrin for a long time. Went to college. Had trouble making friends. Felt very isolated. Transfered schools. Started finasteride. Developed meniere’s disease. My once perfect eyesight dropped quickly for no apparent reason. My mother began drinking and being abusive. Instead of actual guidance i was medicated and in therapy for a long time.
I recently moved out and formed a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am changed. I can see the past more clearly than ever before. Instead of actual help i was given medications and taken advantage of by doctors. I’ve had to take things into my own hands just in order to survive.
Currently i am still on finasteride. Im wary of going off it. I’ve been experimenting with different dosages. It would be nice to have my brain back, though. I just dont want to go off at the wrong time and fuck up my body and life for years. So i am seeking information.
