my story.... to hell (and back).

Member Stories
#1

HI there, I was on propecia for 3mths and stopped taking it due to severe lack of libido and difficulty getting and maintaining erection. After 1 month side effects hadnt disappeared - became extremely stressed and after some reading became very very concerned it might be permanent. Was extremely depressed during this period, with very negative and suicidal thoughts. Ruined a new relationship also. Visited doctors and voiced concern…they all said the side effects would reverse in time. Also spoke with parents which helped mentally. I was SO worried…it was definitely the hardest 2months of my life…chemical imbalances altering the way my brain worked, along with the extremely worrying thought of losing all sexual function at age 29! My penis had lost all life… felt pre-pubesent. less than half normal flaccid size. no morning or random erections… see a hot girl in the street and mentally get excited without any physical response… so terrible. isnt that what makes men men!! i was so so stressed!

After 3months I am back to normal…feel pretty much 100% again. I was on daily propecia for 3months…and it took me 3 months to get better. The body is a complicated system, the 2-3 weeks the drug company suggest is not realistic!! At least not for me… knowing this would’ve prevented a lot of stress and depression. The reason im on here is because it was so hard to find a positive when i was down in the dumps…all the reading i did convinced me that it was permanent…it was terrible.

In a nutshell, this is what i recommend. And if you’ve been on propecia for longer than 3months i guess it’s possible it will take longer also:

  • Speak with doctors and people you trust for support…you can’t do this alone. it’s way too scary and depressing!!
  • i got the doctor to give me a blood test, checking for everything but mainly testosterone (about 3weeks after getting off propecia). All was normal, which although sexually i was still not right, it gave me hope that it would only be a matter of time.
  • i also got the doctor to give me some help. VIAGRA. i highly recommend this…helped mentally as it showed me i still had IT in me. i only got 4 pills…im single at the moment and dont have a regular partner… after a week or so was on a date and ended up sleeping with her…took the viagra and boom! was so hard it was just like the old days…but more! yes, this was fun…but mentally it was a massive step and put me in a positive frame of mind. The other 3 i used in a combination or masturbation and partners…it was very helpful for the mind…and fun.
  • give it time. it took 3months for me…i was on it for 3 months. be patient!
  • be healthy. i usually run/swim 4-6 days a week and am fit and healthy. I stepped up my exercise intensity during this period…helped take my mind off it and also got the pheremones going which made me feel better.
  • eat as healthy as possible.

At the end of the day these are good pointers from my experience…but may just be placebos. Most importantly you need time and a positive attitude. Speak to the doctor and get checked… and get some assistance (viagra) to help with the mental side of things. Im not saying some people arent forever effected by propecia…as im sure there are and i really feel for you guys (this is a horrible drug and should be banned!)…however all the reading and press out there made me think it was permanent when it wasnt, so i wanted to put my experience out there. i was so depressed and nearly suicidal…normally i am totally fine mentally. i cant imagine what some people more predisposed to such mental conditions must be going through. I hope it gives someone like me a glimmer of hope and helps avoid months of depression… good luck!

btw…got a haircut the other day and although getting a little thin on top it doesnt matter. keep fit and do things that make you happy and you will be more attractive than ever…it’s all from within! Especially from a girls point of view. trust me…the last few months ive been so happy to have my old self back and the girls are noticing! :wink: good luck guys!!

#2

Thanks for sharing your experience and normal recovery within 3 months timeframe. Sounds like your body was able to readjust hormonally after quitting the drug, albeit it took a few months to do so on its own.

Unfortunately there are many other men who have not been so lucky, including myself at 6 years off drug. As you know, this problem is extremely complex and affects multiple body systems beyond just erectile dysfunction, and requires more than just “positive thinking and viagra”, unfortunately. That’s why further scientific research and investigation is required for those who’s symptoms did not resolve post-drug.

Best of luck to you, glad things worked out in your favor.

#3

Thanks for the upbeat post, but I was on Propecia for 6 months at the most and 7.5 months off of propecia I’m still suffering severe sexual sides. Consider yourself very lucky to have recovered in such a relatively short time (compared to others).

Btw, are you the guy who has this website?

finasteriderecovery.com/

#4

Not to get this thread off-topic, but that site is an Internet Marketing scam designed to make the owner money (e-book/video downloads you need to pay for access to), and has been discussed previously.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2298&p=27268&hilit=Finasteriderecovery#p27268
viewtopic.php?t=3331

#5

oldog,

I am very happy for you. Take this horrible experience as a “lesson learned”. You are back on the bright side of life.
Unfortunately, many men don’t recover, including myself. I am suffering for 8 (!) years - no recovery so far. I have somehow accepted what has happened to me (even though the first several years where very tough).

All the best.
Keep up

#6

No i am not… totally new to this site and not here for cash or to mess with peoples emotions. this is serious mate.

#7

Unfortunately there are many other men who have not been so lucky, including myself at 6 years off drug. As you know, this problem is extremely complex and affects multiple body systems beyond just erectile dysfunction, and requires more than just “positive thinking and viagra”, unfortunately. That’s why further scientific research and investigation is required for those who’s symptoms did not resolve post-drug.

…

totally agreed. i am by no way suggesting this has not become a permanent and serious problem for many. i am all for further research and scrutiny on medicines such as propecia and its terrible side-effects. sites like this do a lot of good to spread the word or the danger…i had no idea about the risks when i picked up my first script from the chemist.

I am just coming at it from a slightly different angle…albeit a lucky one i acknowledge. i was so depressed, worried, stressed and potentially suicidal as i thought i had a permanent problem… many people will go searching for answers in the months after they go off propecia and get nothing but doom and gloom… a positive attitude on the other hand will help many through the rocky recovery process.

no doubt this site is about getting awareness out there before people get on the drug … and then helping those who are more seriously/permanently effected. but people like me inadvertedly will stumble across this in search for help…and will hopefully benefit from a more hopeful story.

good luck to all.

#8

@olddog

First of all it feels great that you got back to be normal in 3 months time. And best of luck to you for your life.

I am also about 2 months off propecia and the sides have only partially recovered since the crash and constant headaches in morning, low body temperature and some sort of erectile dysfunction still remains and my balls are like hanging low and then suddenly retracting back close to the body (more so when I start feeling cold due to low body temp). I wanted to know if you felt anything like this during your recovery? Also how was you recovery in 3 months? Was it slow at first and then fast as you approached 3 months or was it fast initially and then gradually all sides subsiding over the last month.

#9

Hey Salwah,

My recovery was very gradual over the 2-3month provess…slowly started to get size and feeling back when stimulated. Then started started feeling normal again when having sex… random and morning erections came back eventually too. May still be not 100% but feeling pretty normal so close enough i think…

on the other sides, temperature and hanging balls etc … havent really noticed but those could just be normal reaction to your temperature anyway. that’s what they’re meant to do with changes in temperature, so could be a good thing.

anyway, i think if youre seeing improvement, you could well be on the way to full recovery. could just take a little more time… good luck mate.