Nelt's Story 6 years still up and down

Member Stories
#1

Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.

Where are you from (country)? USA

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

What is your current age, height, weight?
46, 5’11”, 190lbs

What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)?
Propecia / generic finasteride

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

What condition was being treated with the drug? Hair loss

For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? 9 years

How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug? 31

How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? 40 - quit six years ago

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

How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? 9 years

What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
ED / Gas / sleep / anxiety

Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.

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

Mental
[c ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[ ] 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
[x] 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)
[x ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[x] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[ ] Other (please explain)

What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
Fasting cleanse / healthy eating / all natural T, Berberine , nettle root , vitamin D - HIIT workouts

If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)? My Estrogen and cortisol levels are elevated

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

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

I started taking Propecia for hair loss when I was 31 with no noticeable side effects until my 40th birthday when I started having sexual side effects. I immediately did research and found this website and started to taper off the drug. Numerous side effects happened after quitting the drug like anxiety, muscle loss, fatigue, ED and gas and others. My primary physician acknowledge the fact that Propecia can cause problems and suggested natural supplements to start. I’ve been on all natural testosterone booster, berberine, vitamin D and nettle root. Over the past six years my symptoms have gone up and down but have improved overall. About 12 Months ago I considered myself fully cured. Had also stopped taking all natural supplements and was feeling good and sexual functions working properly. Then I caught Covid approximately six weeks ago and since recovering have crashed and ED symptoms resurfaced. I restarted the all natural supplements a few days ago and I am able to have a good sexual functions with Wife again. I think my symptoms will continue to improve but might take more time. I am very empathetic and feel horrible for everyone going through the side effects. Taking this drug was one the worst decision of my life. I have two daughters and a son and hope I did not pass any of these problems to them.

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#2

Hey man. I’m sorry to hear your story. But I’m glad to hear you’re not very severe case and you still have ups and downs. Same story here, but I’ve got the problems after taking ssri.
Keep going, you have 2 kids and wife, so that’s the real reason to keep going. God bless you

1 Like
#3

Hi Nelt,

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this. It’s a dreadful condition, this community hopefully will give you a place where people can understand what your are going through. It’s no solution, but beign understood can make the difference.

Out of curiosity: is your sexual function affected by the supplements you mentioned? If so, what supplements are giving you relief from a sexual standpoint?

#4

Thank you for the note. When I first start having symptoms I would read the recovery stories which would give me hope. I am currently taking natural testosterone booster, berberine (Thorne brand) and stinging nettle root extract, vitamin d snd c.

#5

After rereading your question I don’t think I fully answered, sorry. Supplements definitely help me feel less anxious and boost sexual function. I was also taking watermelon, pomegranate and lemon juice the days I planned being sexual with my wife. It seemed to help. I had taken myself off everything for about six months and then got Covid which caused my system to crash again. I’m back on the same program and feeling pretty good with relatively good sexual performance.

1 Like
#6

Thank you, much appreciated. I’m hoping to give others guys Hope who are experiencing symptoms.

1 Like
#7

Forgot to mention that early on when my symptoms were severe I did a three day fast/cleanse which seem to help as well. It took a few years to get functions back and start feel fairly good, which I attribute to time, working out, natural supplements and lots of prayer.

#8

Yeah pomegranate helped me too.

I later found out it’s antiandrogenic, unfortunately, but sure I noticed a difference in my cognitive abilities.

#9

Hey man,
Checking in to see how you’re doing?

1 Like
#10

Hey man,
Checking in to see how you’re doing?
I was doing great until I got sick a couple months ago and now have been up and down.

#11

your muscle loss stopped? in this six years did you fell pain body, muscle pain?

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#12

Hi Henrique,
I don’t remember er having pain, but did lose about 15 lbs of muscle,

but ended up regaining it back. I take opti T booster, Berberine, nettle root, zinc, vitamin d, multi vit and pro biopics. This combinations (with working out 5 days a week with weight and HIT) helps with my energy, muscle and overall mental/physical health.
Are you getting muscle pain?

#13

I’ve had been taking L- Argentine and citrulline (9 months) which worked great for awhile but now seems to not be working. Has anyone else had similar experiences? My ED has gotten worse within last couple/few months, which is weird.
Also, for those that have taken cosmos and viagra does it continue to work over do you see it being less efffectiive over time?

#14

How’s your pain level and body been feel?
Better, same, worse?

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#15

I’m feeling better, but it fluctuates. What probiotic you use?

1 Like
#16

Good to hear. I’ seem to have gotten worse over last few months. Largenine and citruline was working well then lost its effectiveness…which is weird. Optional Flora plus probiotic.

#17

I’m curious if anyone has gotten worse or had a bad experience with using viagra? I’m considering using it.

#18

I’ve used it last year and think it has caused my vision to go slightly blurry since then. In the hours after taking it, it can also cause headaches and bloodshot eyes, but these should go away quickly. I’d recommend speaking to your doctor before taking it

#19

Thank you. I’m trying to continue to use natural products and not go to hard meds just yet.

#20

Been 8.5 years with many peaks and valleys.
Have trouble getting and maintaining erections, watermelon juice, Largenine and L Citrulline day of helps but currently in a valley.
I feel a lot of guys are looking for hope, which I still have. My hope rests in Jesus, that he will either heal me or continue to get me thru this as He has done up to this point. A relationship with him fills the void in life every person is trying to fill typically with worldly things like success, money, relationships, love, etc…. Once you have a relationship with Him you can get thru anything knowing this world is temporary and your true treasure is in heaven.
He gives me a peace beyond understanding,
Just thought I would share what’s getting me thru.

1 Like