Months crashed, check my exams

Member Stories
#1
  1. Where are you from (country)?

  1. 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?)
    Google

  2. What is your current age, height, weight?
    22, 1,70cm , 75kg

  3. Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise?
    weightlifting 3 times a week since i was 16

  4. What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)?
    meat eater

  5. Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)?
    hair loss

  6. For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)?
    5 years

  7. How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Finasteride?
    started with 16 and a half

  8. How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
    21, october of 2012

  9. How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
    cold turkey

  10. What type of Finasteride did you use – Propecia, Proscar, Fincar or other generic?
    generic

  11. What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
    1mg/day

  12. How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects?

  13. What side effects did you experience while on the drug that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?

Put an X beside all that apply:

Sexual
[x] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[x] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[x] Loss of Morning Erections
[x] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[x] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[x] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[x] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

Mental
[x] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[x] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[] Confusion
[x] Memory Loss / Forgetfullness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[x] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[ ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts

Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[x] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[ ] Other (please explain)

  1. What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?

  2. If you have pre or post-Finasteride bloodtests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (pls post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)?

last month exams:

3aDiol 340 ng/dL (112 - 1046 ng/dL) i believe that range is wrong ?
LH 5,5 UI/L
FSH 4,4 UI/L
testosterone 760 ng/dL (240 - 816)
estradiol 3,5 ng/dL (0,8 - 4,3)
prolactine 6 microg/L
TSH 2,1 mUI/L
free T4 1,5 ng/dL (0,9 - 1,7)
ACTH 27pg/mL ( < 46pg/mL )
cortisol 26,9 microg/dL

  1. Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience with Finasteride?

  2. Tell us your story, in your own words, about your Finasteride usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
    I took fin for 5 to 6 years with no sides, except for kinda watery ejaculation, then i decided to go bald and stop using it. Months later, the sides came strong, i have memory loss, no morning/night erections and all my sex drive has gone. Before that and while takin fin my sex drive and erections were awesome, my girl couldnt even handle it and sometimes i felt like a superman. Now all those feelings are gone, i have just some weak erections and those dont last, my sex drive is at almost zero, i feel like a piece of shit.
    I went to a doctor and explained how i was feeling 9 months ago, that time i was not aware of the post-fin syndrom, and he told me it was all psycological. First i questioned that, but then i was like “what the hell do i know right? he is a doc” and then i just tried to ignore it all. Time past i still have all the sides and shit, then after some reading i have made new exams as you can see the results up there, i have scheduled a new doctor visit. The point is, what if he say its all psycological again, can you guys recommend me any medications or something? As you can see my 3aDiol is almost at the bottom of the scale and my estradiol is kinda high. I have tried tribulus but it didnt help.

#2

anyone?

#3

did you notice the symptoms months after discontinuing finasteride?

I used for 5 years, and i am no more than 5 years with the symptoms you mentioned.

since you stopped propecia a few months ago. why not try the CDNUTS protocol?

(1) juice feasting - 45 days

(2) 15 days water fast. Water only fast.

(3) Paleo diet

(4) exercicies

(5) Testo booster

do not expect 5, 10 years to get this protocol. If you get a chance, try it.

I’m trying to plan for me to fast for 15 days, it’s super hard for me because I work.

#4

ì’d say 1-2 months after discontinuing the use, before i had no symptoms, i’ve been at 2 other doctors, both say its psycological and that all my exam results are ok (they just ignore the low 3adiolg)
i have tried tribulus but had no effects at all, now i am trying DHEA at a low dose but honestly i dont see any future, i think its the same to those fasting diets, i am trying a half day fasting diet with carb backloading, by the way i am extremly healthy at everything, sometimes i just stare at the mirror and go like WHAT THE FUCK is that shit
i am thinking about going hard on steroids because at this point i am not sure if any other thing might help

#5

steroids does not work. believe me.

try a 15 days water fast or CDnuts protocol.

I am planning my water fasting. My biggest problem is work. If you have time, do it.

#6

I would be careful with DHEA because it converts to estrogen and that might make you feel worse. Half day fasting with carb backloading is a good thing, I also started with that 3 days ago, but I do it the opposite way (carb frontloading …).

I did a 10 day water fast and it had very very positive effects on me so I can only recommend that too. I am planning to do another fast in the near future.

Maybe you want to try some fishoil and the methylation protocol. That should give you more motivation and better sleep.

#7

Did some tests again:
Doctors just say its psychological and all in my mind
the funny story is that i had an amazing libido while i was on fin, the crash came only after stopping

FERRITINE: 179 microg/L Range: 36 to 262 microg/L
TRANSFERRITINE SATURATION: 148 mcg/dL Range: 65 a 175 mcg/dL
IRON : 148 mcg/dL Range 65-175 mcg/dL
PROLACTINE: 8 microg/L Range: Up to 20 microg/L
(TSH) : 2,1 mUI/L Range : 0,45 a 4,5 mUI/L
FREE(T4) : 1,6 ng/dL Range : 0,9 a 1,7 ng/dL
(LH): 7,4 UI/L Range up to 9,0 UI/L
(FSH): 4,1 UI/L Range up to 10,0 UI/L
TEST: 883 ng/dL Range : 240 a 816 ng/dL
FREE TEST : 527,8 pmol/L Range: 131 a 640 pmol/L
Calculated based on SHBG and TOTAL TEST
(DHEA-S): 462 microg/dL Range 160 a 492 microg/dL
ANDROSTENEDIONE, 103 ng/dL Range: 30 a 180 ng/dL
GLICOSE: 80 mg/dL Range : 75 a 99 mg/dL
CREATININE : 0,94 mg/dL Range: 0,70 a 1,30 mg/dL
DHT: 98 ng/dL Range:16 a 79 ng/dL
SHBG : 53 nmol/L Range: 12 a 75 nmol/L

any ideas?

#8

You probably neee estrogen tested as well with libido issues.

#9

Hi Ulfang,

How are you doing now mate? It has been more than a year since you quitted, what symptoms do you still experience and what have they recovered totally or somehow? Are you taking any treatment?

I am also a 23 yo sportman who took the drug for years. That´s why I am interested in your case.

Regarding your bloodtests:
Your numbers are not only in range but also are optimal. You have good gonadotropins levels and very high testosterone and DHT. The only thing that can be said it is that SHBG is high for our age. SHBG captures part of your plasma testosterone and don´t let it work.

However, you don´t have to get crazy about blood results. I mean, our situation´s causal factors are unknown and whilst some people have abnormal results others have normal ones and still experience symptoms. It seems that in some cases what is “broken” can not be seen via bloodwork, that is, it is not a matter of quantity but quality. Maybe your great amount of sexual hormones just needs more time to work properly. However, as Bradwaggoner suggested it would be useful to check your estrogens levels which can play role in some symptoms if they are altered.

To sum up, if I were you right now I just would try to decrease those SHBG levels naturally.

I look forward to hearing your actual situation and I will try to help. Best regards!

#10

Hey guys, thanks for the replies
regarding the estrogen levels, i really doubt that is the case because I lift weights since i was 15 and i look ripped and dont feel bloated as i would if i had alot of estrogens. The worst side is still the libido issue and a little ED. Ive been trying some Ashwaghanda with Ginseng in the last two weeks and it helped a little, a little more blood in the penis and a little libido. There is still alot to go though.

I think this libido issue is most related to neurotransmitters than with the hormone levels. Ive tried supplements like yohimbine, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, arginine and Gaba, but without any success. Someone recommended me to try some Mucuna pruriends in order to boost dopamine. Have any of you tried that?

I was at a neurologist last week and he said it is all in my head. However he asked me to make an MR from my lumbar spine to check. I really doubt it will result in anything.

About the high SHBG, i agree with you. I told that to the endocrine and he said it is normal (??!?!?). Sometimes i think they just look at the ranges and would just care if the levels were way outta range. About 6 months ago i tried some proviron for one month, felt good for 2-3 days in the end of the first week regarding the enlargement of the prostate i guess, and then after a week everything felt as always. How would you suggest to reduce them naturally?

The worst thing is that i was with this amazing girl last week and i am crazy about her. But that animal feeling for sex and the feeling while doing it (used viagra and cialis) is just not there. I guess you guys know how its like.

#11

First of all, your SBHG maybe goes up automatically just as a result of your high TST and DHT (so it is possibly what your endocrinologist meant). However it seems that if you want to decrease SHBG long term and safe the best options are diet, exercises, supplements and maybe some herbs for several months and continuous regimen. Diet and exercise can modify insulin levels, potentially affecting SHBG and the biologically available levels of androgens. I read about this information because my SHBG is high and my androgens are low. What it happens is that your androgens are already high, so your case is different and it is definitely advisable to check your estrogen levels just in case. Anyway,

WAYS TO LOWER SHBG:
-Medicines= Danazol, testosterone injections, proviron…
-Herbs= Nettle root (low dosis so as not to suppress DHT), Tongkat ali extract, Avena Sativa, Muira Puama, others… From what I have read it seems Tongkat ali to be one of the most useful and safe, read this: forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=747873
-Minerals= Boron, Magnesium, Zinc.
-Diet= Carb Loading, low fiber diet, High protein diet.
-Supplements= Vitamin D3, Fish oil.
-Quit reducing-testosterone drugs= Alcohol (increase estrogens), smoking, sedatives, antihypertensives, tranquilizers, hairloss drugs (obviously)…

My recommendation:
Vitamin D3 is a must-take, me and others use it and find it very helpful with lots of issues. Other supplements and minerals seem to be safe and may help, do your own research and decide. Diet and quitting drugs are absolutely advisable. I wouldn´t take medicines. And regarding herbs, you must read long before taking them because they can have undesirable effects, they have to be high % natural extract in order to be effective, etc; I can not recommend any because I don´t take them (yet).

Back on your story,
Do you only deal with low libido and minor ED? How would you describe in terms of % improvement/ability your sexual persistent sides like sensitivity, ED itself and anything you experience?

Regards!

#12

Thanks for the infos, ill try to get the estradiol in check.

ive been taking Vitamin D3 too for a long time already in different dosages, now i am taking 10.000 UI a day.

I would say i still have some desmotivation with life too, but i am not sure that this is not happening just because of the libido loss. I can perform with viagra/cialis, otherwise i dont think so.

Something that really bothers me is the total lack of morning wood. That is the proof that something is physically/mentally wrong, is not just a psychological thing. I remember those days i used to get up with a boner that it was even hard to piss, because it just would not go down.

Anyone with good hormone results but still had the sides has tried to go back on fin? Because i felt really good on it, and i remember that my test levels were up to 1200 because of the DHT blockage.

I am making the MR on Saturday, will report if anything interesting comes up.

Fun thing that now even my parents want me to go to psychological treatment, haha

#13

Ulfang, our story is pretty similar. We can talk privately if you want to.

This is not psycological and do never take antidepressants or psichiatric medicines, they would probably only slow your recovery or make things worse.

Do you have bloodtests pre and during finasteride so as to compare them to these post treatment?

#14

Sorry dont have the results of blood tests taken during fin, i just remember i made a routine test while i was on fin, test was around 1200 and he told me it was cuz i was taking fin.

Since we have a similar story have u tested any drug/medicine that gave you a libido boost? I am thinking about trying something that boosts dopamine, as it does not seems to be something directly hormonal for us.

#15

Do never take finasteride again.

I only take vitamin D3. And because I had shrinkage+curvature+rotation of penis I also took vitamin E, L-arginine, L-carnitine and coQ10. Besides I took ginger infusions before going to sleep. Maybe you can try arginine, carnitine and ginger; they could be helpful in libido.

I have being recovering naturally month after month and my big worry now is ED and libido. I am thinking of t-boosting herbs (have a look:http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10342&start=20) and maybe low dosis Cialis once a week. And letting time pass by. For me it is soon to try risky protocols, I am 10.5 months off and I feel pretty better than my worst days, there is a good progression so I am patient and optimistic.

Finally, regarding your dopamine/desmotivation worrys, I would look for natural dopamine boosters if I were you… there are lots of information out there.

#16

The MRI shows that everything is ok, shot in the dark again
Had some good sex on the weekend with the help of viagra and cialis