Penguin's Story

Hi All

I’m new to this forum, so I thought I’d introduce myself and ask for a little advice.

I began taking Propecia in my mid-thirties. My hairloss had accelerated during the break-up of a relationship and I felt in need of a boost… After a few months, however, I realised that my libido was waning as fast as my hair was growing back and I stopped taking the drug.

I’m now 41 and since I stopped taking Propecia, I’ve suffered many of the classic side-effects- low libido, loss of morning/ spontaneous errections, emotional blunting, brain fog, and what I now suspect has been prostatitis. (I had a consultation with a urologist, following discomfort while urinating, but he found nothing wrong.)

Although I did find this site (or perhaps its predecessor) when I first stopped taking finasteride, I didn’t want to believe that my side-effects might be long-lasting or even permanent, so I didn’t join. In fact, I’ve tended to blame the symptoms when they’ve been at their worst on mild depression, although I’ve always suspected that finasteride was at the root of it all.

I recently saw my GP/ doctor about my low libido and he had a few rudimentary blood tests- including testosterone and thyroid function- done, but the results were all “fine”. He attributes my low libido to depression/ stress and recommends a better diet, more exercise, and less alcohol and stress. All good advice, but I suspect that it won’t be enough…

I’ve recently been trying the broccoli treatment- for the prostatitis- and the first week had some effect, the second less so. I’ve also been going to the gym and following a vaguely pro-testosterone, anti-oestrogen diet.

My real question to the site’s veterans is: what next? A trip to Hertoghe- I live in London- Criser or Shippen? Blood tests before, e.g., from Medichecks.com? Or would tests be more extensive and cheaper as part of the consultation? (I only have limited funds to spend.) And how long should I be off the broccoli treatment before having them done?

Many thanks for any advice. I’ll try to be a useful contributor now that I’ve come to terms with my “almighty blunder”- ever taking finasteride- and joined the forum.

Kind regards to All

Penguin

Penguin,

I think many of us did the same thing you did as well, in regards to denying the drug caused these problems. I personally found this website while I was actually still taking propecia a while back. I read just a few of the posts and thought wow these guys are crazy. When I took the time to read more posts, I was shocked by the similarity of symptoms I shared with many of the men. That was when the reality really set in for me.

You need to get an apt with a good endo dr and have them run a more extensive blood test that includes as many of the items below as possible. You might want to try to find an endo dr that is close to you from some of the men on this site. Many of the drs don’t believe propecia has caused our problem and it makes it difficult to get treated if they are not on the same page as you.

Total Testosterone
Free Testosterone
Bioavailable Testosterone
Androstenedione
DHT
3alpha-diol G (Androstenediol glucuronide – (“Adiol-G” for short): metabolite of DHT, measures 5AR-II activity
Estradiol (E2)
LH
FSH
SHBG
Prolactin
TSH

You made the right decision coming here and dealing with it. Try to stay positive.

And while your at it start a long term healthy diet and exercise program. Busrt training both strength and cardio. Start slowly then push yourself then rest. The goal is to raise your body’s capacity to produce energy and strength.

Stay away from sugars, alcohol, breads, pastas.

Hi Martins,
Why i should stat away from pasta and breads? they aren’t healthy?

They cause a drain in energy over the long term for myself and a few others I’ve read on the forum. You’re free to do what you like. If I eat these I lose the ability to get hard and just want to lie down all the time.

I think they may overtax my adrenals like sugar.

Lots of things that should be healthy for me and used to be are no longer…

:frowning:

bostonusa2009 and martinM

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Penguin