New Member Info.

Member Stories
#1

  1. Where are you from (country)? United States

  2. 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 search: “Propecia side effects.”

  3. What is your current age, height, weight? 27, 5’9", 183.

  4. Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise? Yes, running a couple times a week and lifting weights several days a week.

  5. What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)? Organic healthy, and eat meat.

  6. Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)? Hair loss.

  7. For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)? 4 years, 3 months.

  8. How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Finasteride? Age: 21, May 2007.

  9. How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? 25, August 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? Propecia and Proscar.

  12. What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 1 mg every day, went through a period of taking every other day also.

  13. How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects? After 2 days I noticed side effects.

  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
[X] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[X] Loss of Morning Erections
[X] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[X ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[X] Watery Ejaculate
[X] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

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

Physical
[X] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[X] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[X] Testicular Pain
[X] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[X] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[X] Weight Gain
[X] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[X] Muscle Wastage
[X] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[X] Prostate pain
[X] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[X] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[X] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[X] Increased hair loss
[X] 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? I have changed my diet to a more Paleo type diet, eat more raw foods and eating healthier than I ever did before. Take Vitamin D and Omega 3 everyday. I am looking into testosterone therapy.

  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)?
    My last testosterone level check was 304 ng/dl. I don’t know what it was prior to taking Finasteride but am wondering.

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

Another side effect I experienced on Finasteride was retrograde ejaculation. I never had this before taking the drug, or any sexual problems for that matter. I still occasionally get retrograde ejaculation but not as often as when I was on Propecia. Now, when I orgasm it is dulled and can happen immediately, much quicker than used to (even when on the drug). When this happens, there is little to sometimes no semen.

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

The side effects this drug has given me have been devastating. I have been off two years, and this year is better than last year so that is the positive. But, my physical symptoms don’t appear to be any better. I have just learned to accept that I have this condition now and am trying to seek options as to what to do now. My testosterone level is borderline “normal range” but obviously that range of testosterone does not account for many things, including age, weight, activity level, etc. I believe my testosterone level should probably be double or 200 ng/dl higher than it is. I am looking for another endocrinologist currently. I am so glad to fins this support group. Thank you.

#2

To the user, Woah, I just wanted to say thank you for your recommendation. As I’m sure you know, it can be frustrating to find an endocrinologist that knows how to approach PFS and treat it. The last guy I went to had heard of it, and said he had many patients come in about it but said my testosterone level at 304 ng/dl was “normal.” Which I know is not the case and have a very hard time believing. He kept focusing on the gynecomastia and his overall recommendation was to “consider plastic surgery.” Obviously does not know how to treat this condition, as I’m aware many doctors don’t know either. I wrote down the doctor you suggested and will be considering this in the future (if I can’t find an endocrinologist around here Albany, NY who has the experience).

Does anyone have experience trying to convince a doctor that they want testosterone therapy treatment, even if they fall within the “normal range” listed? I know I only fall within the normal range by about 20 ng/dl and I am 27, normal, healthy male.

#3

Problem is that PFS isn’t in the textbook, and since most doctors either don’t have the time or capability of thinking on their own, not many will know what to do. Whatever you do, keep looking for the best doctors, and one with who you are comfortable. Don’t wait for or depend on a referral to joe endocrinologist. I really recommend trying to find one who strikes as being really knowledgeable and engaged in research. Having tried doctors at both the local endo clinics and regional hospitals and then at research and teaching hospitals, I can say there is a big difference. At the former, I would say that their usefulness is limited more or less prescribing insulin. Just a tip, if they don’t know what Androstanediol glucuronide is, and why it might be important in your case, then their not going to cut it.

Also, I wouldn’t rush into TRT. Find a doctor who is willing to considerate it with you and who can give you the pros and cons before you jump into it. Also, there is a lot on this forum by people who have tried clomid and other options, to mixed results. Good luck and kick some a$$.

#4

Whoah- u are comming off as though you yourself have been receiving excellent medical attention by a knowledgeable Dr. Who has greatly improved your condition. Is this true?