New Finasteride case. 6 Months of use

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#32

Yes. Higher levels of prolactin would play a role.

Told me not to expect immediate results. We are going to do Cabergoline .25 mg once a week for a month to two months check levels and see where they are. Increase dose from there or reduce dose depending on tests and how I’m feeling.

cabergoline from everything I’ve read is 4 months to stabilize hormone levels at .25 twice a week and I’m only doing one since my numbers are not crazy high.

Also, Even though my testosterone levels were not considered low by text book definition, my levels certainly were for my body and that’s the first thing she said to me. Blood tests 6 months apart show an almost 400 drop from 775 to 420. That’s significant and for my body that was low.

Testosterone has gone up some to above 500 and I’m still not feeling entirely great but all I can do is give it time.

I think my next step is to go to be a gastro to get stomach levels checked but I’m going to work with my endo to see who she recommends or if she recs one while taking any meds.

I will say that I’ve had this strange thing going on the past few weeks where it feels like morning erection is trying to happen after I wake up and continue for an hour or two while I’m having my morning coffee and the connection is trying to happen but it’s not quite there. Then slowly starts to fade. Not sure if good sign or bad sign.

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#33

Also I want to be clear. I am here for the same reason everybody else is, and I am not downplaying this at all, but I also know how the world works. They see posts and threads about some of this really out there stuff and that is what they run with, and not the very important stuff that seemingly gets buried.

I’m trying to be delicate to everyone here but for example I see the threads about food and they drive me nuts.

Yes eating a healthier diet will make you feel better. My doctors have been telling me that since i was a teenager, but it’s almost gospel around here that you have to cut out so much food. I went insane healthy and was avoiding everything. I lost a crap ton of weight and realized I was only getting maybe 1200-1300 calories a day and trying to stay active, and noticed really no difference for months.

I went back to a normal diet where I eat healthy but I also eat pizza and burgers. I’ve since regained all my weight + and I’m eating pretty well normal and my condition has not improved nor worsened.

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#34

I didn’t check my testosterone levels before taking Fin, but after getting the symptoms, I had it tested with total testosterone level at 311 ng/dL. The PA didn’t see an issue with it as you’ve said, it was OK by textbook definition.

I’m assuming I may have the same issue as you with high prolactin levels. Just scheduled an appointment with my doctor to get it checked, and if not, get a referral to an endocrinologist.

Funny enough, I didn’t know about prolactin effects until someone in my online chat brought it up after my bouts of anguish. They doubted that my problems were hard flaccid related and said prolactin levels may be the case. Do you think prolactin levels can balance itself out over time without drug intervention? I heard it can take a long time as its a gradual process.

#35

How high was your prolactin?

#36

Prolactin levels may eventually figure itself out. Just like anything else, But I honestly was not willing to wait any longer and wanted to try and do something about it.

My last round my prolactin was at 26, the blood work 6 months prior my level was 30.

So while it was decreasing, I got the sense that it was going to be a slow crawl to get that back to normal which is below 13.

I should say I’m not expecting any miracles here and I’d bet there will be more work to be done after I get prolactin to eventually stabilize.

#37

My last bloodwork wasn’t in July and it was at 26. 6 months prior it was 30.

More that double the upper range of 13

#38

Thanks, interesting that we have the same prolactin level at 26.

Also know a guy from Reddit who had PFS and he also have the same number.

#39

Just wanted to say I really appreciate you keeping us updated. Also Cialis and other PDE5 inhibitors can cause GERD by relaxing the esophageal sphincter. Really hoping you make progress.

#40

So the depression/ mental fatigue has tried to come back the last few days but I’m fighting through it the best I can.

Can’t say I’m feeling much different on Cabergoline to date. Still only 3 weeks at less than the min recommended dose so I have to give it more time.

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#41

Your doc did say not to expect immediate results. Give it time brother. I know it’s hard with the hell you’ve been through. Pulling for you!

#42

Some progress and some regression.

Penile health is better, but not consistent.
Have good days great days and then off days.

Erections are better. Spontaneous are happening, but only to a certain extent. Some resemblance of penis/brain connection coming back.

Then I got through a weird down spiral of bad days where there is regression.

Repeat process above constantly.

Today is a good day.

Very frustrating/confusing.

Depressive feelings are still lingering/ motivation/fatigue still a thing. But again good days are mixed in as well.

If this is my new baseline then I can live with it.

Also great to see a lawsuit has been filed. If anything comes from that it could be great news for all of us. Fingers crossed.

I see my endo next month to do more baseline tests to see where I stand.

#43

The up and down rollercoaster of “recovery” is common but also maddening, atleast for me. I just try to enjoy the up days and stay hopeful they will come again. But it is brutal some days mentally. Glad to see you’re atleast showing some improvement and not regressing too badly. Thanks for updating. Means alot. Let’s keep fighting

#44

Probably the most devastating night to date. Went to have sex for the first time in awhile and couldn’t.

I’ve never felt so defeated and embarrassed in my life.

Didn’t tell her why just said I had to go after about 20 min of trying and drove home.

I was on 7.5mg cialis took 1.5 pils
Took 3 grams of citruline earlier in the day.

Ate Brussels sprouts, spinach and chicken for dinner.

Did everything the way I was supposed to.

This shit ain’t fair.

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#45

Very tough to go through that. It’s what I’m dreading if I start dating again but kudos to you for putting yourself out there and starting the journey to a fuller life in spite of the obstacles and fear. Maybe it was just a down day. It’s hard for me to know when my up days are which is part of why this disease unbearable. I know there’s never a woman around when I could use one but hopefully the stars align one day lol.

Anyway, I hope you can eventually move past this and make this moment a small part of your bigger story to come. All we can do is keep trying with what we’ve got and look forward to eventual success. This disease has taught us we never know what our blessings are until it’s too late, but I know the blessings are harder to come by these days. Any criticisms or disagreements with my response are very welcome.

#46

I don’t disagree with any of it to be honest. Really hard to find a positive.

Been a rough couple of weeks. I feel like I’m back to a few months ago.

Very tired, insomnia is back.
If I do sleep, Waking up with terrible night sweats which hasn’t happened in forever.

Gut health is the worst it’s been in some time.

Libido is all but gone again.
Penis/testicular health is going on wrong direction.

Hopefully only a minor set back and I start to move forward again.

#47

So some exciting news.

I have virtually zero energy.

I need to get back in the gym but I feel legitimately like I’m going to pass out I’m so tired.
It’s not like long day want to just relax tired.

It’s full blow moving takes so much energy tired and I need to rest.

What the hell?

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#48

I have the exact same issue. I’ve literally spent two whole days laying in bed lots of times. I literally feel like I’m 90 years old.

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#49

ME2! For weeks I didn’t stand up before 2 pm because I’m tiered, fatigued and totally demotivated in doing anything.

I feel like a bedridden 90 year old forgotten old man, in a hospital or a 59 yo man, who I am in the final state to leave his house and going to a supported live.

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#50

Try looking at your foods many give me this
symptom and its truly breaking. Foods with polyphenols seem particularly bed.

#53

Have you complained to your health authorities?