MEDICAL CARE/PRACTITIONER TIMELINE
Started Prop end Jan 18th ’08
Perscribed by Dr. Mark Reisman (Kaiser Oakland, CA)
-Saw Dr. Reisman in Dermatology with regard to a skin problem.
-While there decided to ask about mildly thinning hair and Propecia
-Propecia was suggested over Rogain or anything topical
-Side effects or adverse effects/reactions were discussed
-The impression was given that there was no risk whatsoever
in using this drug
-It was suggested that I purchase from COSTO as it would be cheaper
-When purchasing from COSTO there was NO discussion of adverse
effects/reactions
AFTER ≈ 2 MONTHS OF BEING ON PROPECIA AND EXPERIENCING SIDE EFFECTS:
I met with my original general practitioner, (primarily for another issue) Dr. Huynh (Kaiser Oakland, CA) sometime in March
- I was in the early stages of coming to terms with the side effects I was experiencing
-Dr. Huynh told me that what I was experiencing was “all in my head”
Continued use for a total of 3 months (Jan,Feb,March)-Severe side effects
-Read that sometimes side effects abate after continued use
-Bought 2nd 3 month prescription
-Used for approx 2 weeks
-Side effects too severe
-Found Prop Help website
-Discontinued use
AFTER DISCONTINUATION OF PROPECIA ≈ 3.5 MONTHS:
Discovered the Prop Help Website
- Was due to lose health benefits
-Called Dr. Reisman and explained my symptoms and research I had found
-Dr. Reisman responded with skepticism: “While what you are describing is possible it is highly improbable.”
-Dr. Reisman was informed that I was not sure what I was going to be able to do as I was going to lose my benefits but that I would drop off the medical research I downloaded from the Prop Help website to his office. I did not want others to have to go through what I was going through.
-No response from Dr. Reisman.
I scheduled an emergency care appointment with a different physician, Dr. Shah (Kaiser Oakland, CA)
- Met with Dr. Shah, who was extremely sympathetic and eager to help.
- Dr. Shah looked at the research I presented to her, scheduled blood work, and said she would contact an endocrinologist.
-Dr. Shah called me and said that before I see an endocrinologist I would need to get blood work done. - I got the blood work done and thought my benefits expired.
I discovered my benefits did not yet expire so I chose a new general practitioner and scheduled an appointment with him- Dr. Dennis Ing (Kaiser Oakland, CA)
-Dr. Ing was receptive, looked at my blood work results, received the research from the Prop site, prescribed Levitra for the interim, and advised to wait and see how my body would adjust to my having stopped taking the medication before I start any other kind of treatment.
-My benefits ran out, I got a new job with benefits again and met with Dr. Ing once again to check-in. His assessment did not change but shortly after I emailed a request to see an Endocrinologist as 10 months had passed since I had stopped Propecia and I still had gynecomastia. He arranged for the appointment.
Jan 09 Met With Endocrinologist – Dr. Susan Y. Peng (Kaiser Oakland, CA)
-Dr. Peng was receptive, informative, supportive, and very helpful
- She, as well as Dr. Ing, continues to be supportive and helpful via email
-Admission of knowledge by her that Propecia is known as causing gynecomastia
*Was this information not available to Dr. Reisman?
-Discussion of tamoxifen – instructed to research and email thoughts.
-Request for blood work made and appointment for mammogram (changed to appointment with breast surgery)
-Blood work 2/16; Surgery appt 2/17 - After researching tamoxifen I think I will request a trial
-Met with surgeon and was advised against surgery as my gyno was not “severe” and it may not be covered by insurance at it may be deemed cosmetic by the med chiefs.
June 09 telephone appt with Dr. Peng and finalized Tamoxifen trial.
-Decided didn’t want to start trial as I was still working, (and was going to teach summer school) and knew side effects were going to make working difficult.
Aug 09 on disability for repetitive stress injury and able to take time for Tamoxifen trial; research legal options for malpractice in negligent prescription of medication.
-benefits expired again so trying to reapply to continue working with Dr.Peng.
-In doing more research on gyno and its use by steroid users/adolescent boys and older cancer patients, it becomes clear that if my case had been taken seriously earlier Tamoxifen could have been prescribed with little chance of side effects given my age, and the probability was very great the gyno could have been efficiently resolved.
-Dr. Ing should have moved for me to start a trial before the hardening of fibrous breast tissue. At this stage Tamox may be effective.
-Law offices I spoke with either only take on more severe cases, as awards in CA are capped, or are not sure as to whether or not I am within the statute of limitations.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Severe Side Effects
-No libido; No desire to masturbate, copulate etc.
-No morning erection
-Depression
-Change in penis shape/size
-Pain in scrotum, prostate area
-Increase in tiny red blood “blisters” on body
-Weight gain
-Detached feeling from sexual organs
- Severe gynecomastia
*painful enlarged breasts
*extremely sensitive nipples
-Noticeable lack of dreams? Change in sleep state? (Hard to pinpoint)
Off Of Propecia Since Mid-March
Since Summer 08 (w/ much work on the weight loss)
-Decrease in weight
-Decrease in breast size and sensitivity
-Penis regular shape/size
-Increase in libido and connection to sexual organs closer to “normal”
*though prescribed Levitra if needed -by Dr. Dennis Ing
-Morning erections are not as robust
-Increase in # of sexual dreams
-While general levels of libido have increased it feels different (hard to describe),not what it used to be – not as robust.