New Victim! Feeling depressed [CRASHED] - Test results - 75% RECOVERED

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)?

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?)

What is your current age, height, weight? 32, 160lbs

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

What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 1x 0.25mg orally, 4x 0,25mg topical

What condition was being treated with the drug? hairloss

For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? 5 days ( 1x oral, 4x topically applied)
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug? 32

How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? 32, 17/04/2020

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

How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? after the first dose

What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?

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 (RESOLVED)
[ ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

Mental
[x] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat (RESOLVED)
[x] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating (75% RESOLVED)
[x] Confusion (RESOLVED)
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[x] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought (RESOLVED)
[x] Slurring of Speech (RESOLVED)
[ ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[x] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks (RESOLVED)
[x] Severe Depression / Melancholy (RESOLVED)
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts

Physical
[x] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[x] Testicular Pain
[ ] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[x] Muscle Wastage
[x] Muscle Weakness
[x] Joint Pain (RESOLVED)
[x] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes (75% better)

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[x] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears) (50% better)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[x] Other (please explain) muscle cramp/stiffness(neck, shoulder, head)
75% better

What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug? due to the onset of severe tinnitus I got a 10 day dose of 60mg prednisolone from my doctor.

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)?

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.

Started finasteride after watching some informative videos on Youtube (Kevin Mann, Hairloss Show (two Australian hair doctors)).

I started with a low dose of 0.25mg orally. Immediately got severe side effects (dizzyness, muscle stiffness/cramps, brain fog, stumbling over words), so I stopped taking it. The side effects wore off after five days.

These Australian youtube doctors say that using Finasteride Topically will give you none or very limited side effects. I wanted to give a try in hopes that I wouldn’t get side effects, I crushed a quarter pill and dissolved it into a solvent and applied it on my scalp.

I did this once a day for a total of 4 days (in two weeks time, did it on tuesdays and fridays). I noticed some pressure on my head and a bit of chestpain. However after the last (so fourth time) the problems really started. The day my last dose it started with an intense ringing and throbbing pain in my left ear and my shoulder, neck and head muscles cramping up severely. I stopped using finasteride and after three days brain fog kicked in heavily, I felt like my IQ dropped below 0, everything felt surreal… this was very scary for a couple of days. I also experienced an increased pressure in my head (as if my brains were boiling inside my skull). Testicular ache started a week after I stopped, as well as the penile shrinkage and so on.

As im writing this Im 3 weeks later. The brain fog cleared and I also get spontaneaus erections in the early morning.

However the muscle cramps and tension (come and go),headache/pressure, testicular ache and anxiety are still persistent. The tinnitus and earache in my case is the hardest part since it is a constant high pitched sound and tension in my left ear. It feels as if my central nervous system is cooked. Sex and women don’t even cross my mind due to these aches and pains.

Im sharing my story and hoping to get some insights from you guys…I feel like i am starting to get into a depression… Will I be able to shake these side effects off?

16/05/2020 here’s a little update 29 days after stopping.

Positives:

  • I went to a massage salon twice to help get rid of the musclecramps/stifness in my neck and shoulder area and jaw. This really softened things up and the tension is almost gone.
  • Testicular ache seems less prevalent, however still present.
  • Seems like there is more bloodflow in my genital area (I kind of get an urge to watch at women again).
  • Brainfog completely gone I have clarity again (memory, emotions etc.)
  • Morning woods.
  • My willy has gained its old girth and size. (i guess pre-fin state)
  • Less anxiety/tension

Negatives:

  • The tinnitus in combination with ear ache (throbbing pain) is still going on in my left ear, it seems like it did decrease in loudness, but remains constant.
  • My testicals do ache alot when Im trying to get an erection… and the pain radiates towards my legs and abdomen
  • Headache/pressure has decreased but is around 15 - 20%
  • Heartache every now and then. I had this symptom when I while using, unfortunately this didn’t dissipate after discontinuation.
  • Libido very low
  • Lost 6lbs of muscle tissue since crash.
  • Although it is less than before I still have muscle stifness/cramps in neck and shoulder area

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/safety-reviews/summary-safety-review-finasteride-assessing-potential-risk-serious-muscle-related-side-effects.html

I gained some additional symptoms/damage >20 days off:

  • Eyes became really dry after around 20 days off, sucks since I wear contactlenses. Dark circles under my eyes.
  • Joint pain in knees, elbows, wrists. Seems to come and go.
  • Skin looks dry (especially my arms) --> I use baby oil this seems to help.

GP gave me nosespray with corticosteriods for tinnitus and ear ache.

Feels like my body is going through an inflammatory response due to finasteride (muscle-tissue,eyelids, ear, joints).

08/06/2020 here’s a little update 7 weeks after stopping.

I crashed after ejaculation 6th week post fin.

Positives:

  • Testicular ache seems even less prevalent, however still present.
  • Seems like there is more bloodflow in my genital area (I kind of get an urge to watch at women again).
  • Brainfog completely gone I have clarity again (memory, emotions etc.)
  • Morning woods.
  • Penile issues resolved.
  • Less anxiety/tension
  • Less insomnia.
  • Less earache.
  • Chestpain/heart palpitation seems to be resolved.
  • Joint pain seems resolved

Negatives:

  • Muscle tension/stiffness in my neck and shoulders started coming back after the 2nd crash, its very bad this around.
  • The tinnitus is still going on in my left ear, volume changes on a daily basis, from tolerable to complete madness.
  • Headache/pressure has decreased but is around 15 - 20%
  • Libido low
  • Lost 6lbs of muscle tissue since crash.
  • Extreme dry eyes
  • Extreme Fatigue (even after good nights rest)

Additional:
No more excersise, No more supplements, Painkillers, Paracetamol for the muscle stiffness and pains.

My hormonal test results came in (7 weeks post fin), unfortunately I dont have a baseline since I didnt do one pre-fin use. My symptoms are mainly physical.
Estradiol is a stupid high just as testerone.

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Some questions I have:

  • Can anyone help me to interpret them?
  • How do the results compare to other PFS sufferers?
  • Is there anything I should do diet or supplement wise?
I was thinking about starting finasteride, but after reading this site i guess i won't anymore?
#2

Hi,

You’re early in your journey and based on the fact that your brainfog has cleared, things look promising for you. I think the best thing for you to do is to avoid taking any supplements, avoid any drastic lifestyle changes (diet, too much exercise, etc.) and just try to do some light exercise if you can tolerate it. Hopefully you should be good soon.

2 Likes
#3

Hello Borax,

Thanks for your uplifting response. I am starting to get into a dark place in my mind, I just cant believe that a pill can have such disastrous effects that last this long after quitting it.

I’ve noticed my hairs haven’t been shedding much ever since quitting, can I conclude that the finasteride is still blocking DHT in my system?

Is there someone else who was able to get rid of the tinnitus at least? This side effect is killing me the most as for now.

edit: today im experiencing joint pains (knees, elbows, wrists)!! it feels like the more time passes the more symptoms I seem to get
:sob:

#5

I took 10 doses about 1.5 years ago. The first three months were all over the place and was also in a terribly dark place. Give it time and try not to analyze everything. I honestly believe no advice here helped me other than the encouraging replies which is why I come back from time to time. I 100% recovered about 3-4 months after I stopped. It may have even been longer. I just stopped constantly thinking about it and let it work it’s way out of my system. It’s a powerful drug. I did absolutely nothing to recover by the way. Drank, smoked, no supplements. Just gave it time.

5 Likes
#6

thanks your comment, gives me some hope.
Its very nervewrecking to have symptoms a month after stopping, im scared that its caused permanent damage.

I have so much regret of using it, I keep telling myself If only I tried a dose of cocaine, its much less damaging than this POISON!

Were your symptoms similar to mine?

#7

@CO1314 thanks for coming back to share. It’s giving me hope to hear you made a full recovery. Could you let us in on what your symptoms were and how severe, etc.?

#8

I had what felt like just a complete disconnect from penis. Complete Loss of libido. No random erections, no nocturnal erections. Penis was very small with what seemed like shrinkage and seemed cold. Difficulty maintaining erections. Testical pain. Testicals constantly changing, but mostly seemed saggy. Brain Fog. I just remember constantly analyzing the changes.

2 Likes
#9

how old are you btw?

#10

Did your get testical pains when trying to get an erection?

#11

Hi, Casual.
I had testicle pains for about 5 weeks since quitting. Haven’t had another one since.
Give yourself more time.

2 Likes
#12

thanks worriedguy, this is the 5th week for me. I’ll just leave it for now and try again next week it just hurts too much:sob:

are you okay?

#13

Well, I’m still not 100% yet. I was supposed to take a break from this forum until my friend told me he was also interested in finasteride, so I was hoping to gather a case for him to avoid it.

I’ll see you back in a couple of weeks. I will keep you and everyone else on this board in my prayers.

3 Likes
#14

@CO1314 Is it common for people to make full recoveries after 3-4 months like that do you know? And was it a gradual progression or sudden?

#15

It seems like that is the case for some people, especially those taking it for a short amount of time. There are also a number of forum posts with new people who never come back and update and I’m assuming it’s cause they recovered.

It was not sudden but all over the place. Things were always changing in the first 3-4 months. I would recommend not analyzing day by day cause it will be all over the place. I would add I never had a crash that others speak of, just bad symptoms until I recovered.

2 Likes
#16

Thanks for your reply, but did you just have sexual symptoms or also pains and aches all over your body (i.e. joints, muscles, abdomen, legs etc.) Headaches, skin rash, dry eyes and so on and so forth.

I am very worried that I have permanent damage, even though I only used it 4 times topically.

#17

I’ve been experiencing the same thing the past 2 months. Ups and downs with no rhyme or reason. I hope I have as good of luck.

1 Like
#18

I have had tinnitus for like 8 years now. It bugged me at first but I dont think about it anymore and I do this if it acts up. You might be in a different situation because I got mine from going to very loud music shows constantly for years so idk if this will help. But i think its called sound therapy. The idea is to play a high pitch sound and match it with the pitch of your tinnitus and listen to it for a few minutes. You can use a music program to try to match the Hz till it lines up with what you hear. Its tough to explain but I think you should be able to find some videos on it if you research that

#19

I cant believe this frickin drug damaged me after 5 times of use.
In my case its not just the tinnitus, I also have an ache/throbbing pain in my ear, the ear doesnt pop anymore (its just my left ear). At this moment I would like to believe it still can get better…

1 Like
#20

Hey man is the ear’s hearing inpaired at all? I had a ton of wax built up in my ear a couple months ago to the point where I was pretty deaf in that ear. I put some drops in it and got 3 big raisin-like chunks of wax out. I didn’t have a throbbing pain though so I don’t know.

I believe it can get better too and I hope it does soon for you man.

2 Likes
#21

Hey Wellshoot, my hearing is fine luckily.

I went to an ENT, but they cant find a cause (its Finasteride induced).
However, its not just the tinnitus but I in combination with ache/pain/fullness behind my left eardrum. Maybe its something in my Eustachian tube, because my left ear doesnt pop.
I’ve used nasal spray (corticosteroids) and I went to a massage specialist and did acupuncture however it still remains. :frowning:

I dont know what to do anymore.