Metabolism Problems

Symptoms Physical
#1

Since starting finasteride 4 months ago, my metabolism has completely fucked itself over. At first I thought it was the fluoxetine I was taking at the time for my BDD, but months after quitting that drug I concluded that it was the finasteride all along.

I still have good upper core strength, but upon starting the drug, my lower abdomen suddenly turned to flab. It was a bizarre cycle and I already noticed the effects in just a few days. Since then, it’s only got worse. No matter what workouts I do, that area is just soft and untoned. It doesn’t match the rest of my body, which is toned and thin. You’d have to see it to know just how strange it is, but it’s like having 4 pack abs with a fatty deposit beneath them.

So, getting to the metabolism. Right now I eat half as much as I did to lose weight last year, only I gain weight instead. It’s reached the point where I can only eat one healthy meal a day. I’ve been jogging, walking, hitting the gym, playing sports, everything. Nothing works. While I’m still slim, I can just see myself ever so gradually gaining weight and there is nothing I can do about it. I know this isn’t a hairloss board, but I am VERY concerned about losing my hair (I’m only 18) and as a consequence am reluctant to quit taking finasteride.

I’m leaning towards taking Saw Palmetto and weening myself off Propecia. I am also taking biotin. My only concern is, say I stop taking Propecia and my metabolism doesn’t get any better, and the Saw Palmetto doesn’t help my hair loss at all, then I’m in an even worse place.

#2

This forum is for men who quit the drug and continue to experience side effects. Unless you fall into this category, it will be of little use to you.

I would urge you to quit the medication if it is giving you problems. But do not expect much help from people here unless you do quit.

The reason you’re gaining weight is likely due to the increased Estrogen levels thanks to Finasteride. Get bloodwork done and you’ll probably find your Estradiol skyhigh, and possibly your TSH and Prolactin to boot.

Nobody cares about hairloss here anymore. That said, if you are SO concerned about losing hair despite your health problems, then either stay on Fin as you state you probably will (not advised), or quit and start up again at a later date (not advised because your health problems will come back again). But do not complain about your issues unless you are willing to take action against the medication causing them, by STOPPING the medication.

If you are fishing for people on this forum to say “its ok for you to stay on the drug”, or try and have them “convince” you to quit, we’re not interested in that. Not trying to be a dick but we have people come here all the time who are still on the drug asking these types of questions, or who are still concerned about hairloss… meanwhile the guys here have health problems months and years after quitting the drug, problems FAR greater than worrying about a few hairs on their head.

It’s ultimately your life, your health and your choice – if you decide to stay on, hairloss sites are for you. If you quit and have issues months after, this is the forum for you.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

#3

Hairloss can be an embarrassing and depressing act of nature that we cannot simply turn off, but good health tends to remain intact unless disease strikes. You may not be fully informed, but finasteride has the means to induce a state of disease, specifically in your body’s endocrine system, which in turn affects many VITAL functions (sexual health, mental clarity, physical stamina - and yeah, could very well be whats behind your metabolism change). Don’t sacrifice your good health for something so trite as hairloss; trading good health for appearance is NOT a fair trade.

Furthermore, Propecia is no miracle cure, and your scalp won’t turn into Elvis’ hairline from taking it. MAYBE you will see improvement, but the futility of the results is so unremarkable, it will almost certainly leave you wondering what other miracle cures you can get your hands on to fix the alopecia situation more effectively if the motive is strictly to “save the hair”, to quote Merck.

You’re stepping into the devil’s playground by taking Propecia. You don’t want to end up messing with your health to a degree that Dr.'s can’t find or give you a solution. You’re young, at the bloom of your experience with sexual function, and have a future to still claim in the world. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this hormone-altering drug, and leave the burden of side effects upon those whom have already learned the truth about Propecia.

Best advice I have is to tell your Dr. about your problem, tell him you’d like to stop using Propecia, and take it from there.

Good luck :slight_smile:

#4

I’ve stopped taking Fin now. These horror stories make me wish I never touched it to begin with. I can’t sleep anymore and I’m so tired.