My Story

Member Stories
#1

I already posted this in another spot but wanted to add it to the member stories thread.

On and off dutasteride for 5 years.
Sexual Sides are my biggest problem:
Loss of libido and ED

Its been a long and confusing road to be honest. I’d say sexual sides started around 08 but it was hard to pinpoint them to avodart bc of a complicated relationship, so i brushed them off. The sides continued to increase in severity over time, and I now suspect may likely have been enhanced by going on and off the medication. It wasn’t until recently that I started seeing sexual therapist to find out what was wrong with me. She concluded there was nothing wrong with me (mentally). She then referred me over to Goldstein in early July, and here I am.

I went from being Hypersexual to hyposexual. I wish I had found this forum sooner, bc I was off the medication for almost a year and just started again in late Feb… and I think this last stint has done some additional damage.

I’ve been reading quite a bit, trying to find a plan of attack. But at this point I think I will give it time before seeking any treatment. It seems there is so much confusion about our condition. Not to mention the varying list of sides that some have and some do not. It seems the great motivator for all of us is putting an end to these dreadful sexual sides. However, without understanding the biology behind the cause I feel time is our only ally, for now.

I had my labs done while still on avodart, then again 2 weeks after stoppage. I plan on having them done again on the 6th which will show 2 months after stoppage. In the meantime, I maintain a healthy diet and work out often. I try not to read the horror stories on here or the negative comments, I feel like the last thing I need to add to my struggle is depression. Many of us have suffered great losses from the sides, myself included, but I think its best to focus on the science behind the damage, treatments, and recoveries.

Its been a rough 4 years, but I am excited to see the attention this getting and the studies now being conducted. I pray that they make a break though sooner than later and put an end to this “disability” once and for all.

#2

I agree with you, the more I read the stories here the more I am going into bloody depression and that makes me get 10 times wors but from the other side people here are the only ones who can understand whats exactly happening to us,

And no one is replying to my story which is really sad as well,

Anyways my friend I wish you good luck

#3

Hang in there bud… Things will continue to improve with time.

Thats all we can hope for.

#4

Anyone have any thoughts on the progression of these numbers?

6/9/2011 (On Dutasteride) 7/11/2011 (Off DUT for 6 days) 9/8/2011 (Off DUT 65 days)
LH Unknown 5.0 7.7
FSH 10.1 10.4 10.5
T 1035 680 685
Estradiol 78 35.1 19.5
DHT Unknown 4.9 43
Prolactin 3.3 4.1 27.6
SHBG 35 23.6 32.4
TSH 1.71 1.84 3.83
Prostate Spec. Ag 0.3 0.6

#5

  1. Where are you from (country)?U.S.

  2. How did you find this forum Dr. Goldstein (had no clue otherwise as there is not much out there that would bring a dutasteride victim here)

  3. What is your current age, height, weight? 27, 5’9’’ 165

  4. Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise? Yes, Cardio 5+ days/week and core and plyo 5+ days/week

  5. What type of diet do you eat? organic healthy

  6. Why did you take Finasteride/ Dutasteride? hair loss

  7. For how long did you take Dutasteride (weeks/months/years)? On and off for 5 years

  8. How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Dutasteride? Approx 22 y/o 5/2006

  9. How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? 27 7/5/2011

  10. How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)? Cold Turkey

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

  12. What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? .5mg/day

  13. How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects? Hard to pinpoint a date approx 2 years

  14. 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 2009
[x ] Erectile Dysfunction (some) 2009
[ ] Complete Impotence
[x ] Loss of Morning Erections 2008
[x ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections 2009
[ ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[x ] Reduced Ejaculate 2011
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

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

Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[ ] 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”
[x ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness 2008
[ ] 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? Healthy diet, lots of exercise.

  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)?

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

  4. Tell us your story, in your own words, about your Finasteride usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.

#6

any updates?

#7

Get your prolactin checked again. 27 is really high and not necessarily common in PFS.