Penis still completely 'off-line' 6 months after taking Fin for 3 weeks...any advice?

Member Stories
#1

Hi all:

Guess I’m just the next in line to be hit by this. Here’s my resume so far…took fin for the first 3 weeks of Jan 2008 but got bad ED.
2 days after coming off I got a dizzy spell (bit like a rushing panic attack) but haven’t had anything like that since then.
My problem is serious ED.
Balls shrunk by about half the size and have not returned, retracting penis, 100% limp at times (just drops 90 degrees to the left at the base) - 4 weeks after coming off I got ball ache about 3 to 4 on a pain scale of 10). That went but still have low ejaculate volume, and in the past have had watery semen as well as very thick semen. I can get erect at times but it takes a lot of stimulation which has to be pretty much constant. I’ve also had the very occasional odd twinge of light but unusual breast pain (guessed it was raised estrogen) but havent experienced that over the last 2 months. Blood test said T was ok. Viagra works (but I know it’s not vascular anyway). Penis gone narrower but regains its orginal all round size when fully erect - thank God. You guys are doing a great job communicating like this…I think the likes of Mew etc have probably saved lives by running this forum because the whole thing is very destressing at times…I’m thinking of going for ‘‘Letsconveinence’s dopimine routine’’…any advise please.

#2

Go to a urologist or a GP and tell your story, he will most likely run the necessary blood etc tests. Do NOT do anything on your own. Make an official report. Good luck.

Edit: With the ball aches, chest issues etc. I’m guessing your hormones are all over the place (they should not be according to merck) and I would ask for a prostate check if you got genital discomfort.

#3

Cheers Onni: Will make an appointment today. Hows you recovery going? Whats the most positive part of your recovery so far? Also, how do I make an ‘official report’?
Jay.

#4

Call the regulating agency for drugs in the UK, and get your doc to file an adverse events report on your behalf to them as well.

Also you may want to try seeing some of these docs, they may have some experience with ex-Finasteride users:

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=770

Dr Minhas would be my first pick.

#5

I’ve been off propecia for 4 months after taking it for 3 weeks. I am currently taking mew’s & boston’s advice and am arranging to see a urologist (via my GP).
I’ve been watching this forum for 4 months and only yesterday (11th May 2008) made my first post (in the ‘member’s stories’ section) about how lifeless things have been for me in the trouser department while on, and since quitting, propecia. Therefore it feels a bit early to be writing in the recovery section, however what I experienced last night deserves to be shared since it may be (only may be) helpful to some.
I’m not under any illusions about my road to recovery as there are so many stories out there about ‘short-lived’ improvements. I’m also not a sensationalist so won’t ever overstate things unessesarily.

However…what do you make of this guys…last night I slowly woke about 3am and while I was lying still in bed I could feel some sort of mild chemical activity in my brain (nothing unsettling to me), then, about 1 min later I felt a jolt from my adrenals (like a final surge from a lifeless battery), then 2 seconds later, BAM! a strong nightime erection followed by strong morning wood. I had’nt experienced anything like this at all during the previous 4 months. Earlier the same day I went to the herbalists and bought 2 suppliments and just for the first time that afternoon took 1 gram each of:

L-Tyrosine (from Holland & Barrett)
L-Phenylalanine (free form) from ‘SOLGAR’

I’m puporting a direct causation here (for myself at least) but my intention here is to give hope to some others out there who are suffering/scared. I won’t be adding to these suppliments (except some gym work to help raise T naturally) , just want to keep it as simple as possible at the moment. Anyway, I’ll see how it goes, I just wanted to do my bit and keep everyone posted - as I will continue to do. Any questions please ask guys won’t you.

Jase.

#6

Well I’m on many meds now and some improvement has taken place, but I’m far from my former self. Check my previous posts, I’m really trying not to think about these things.

#7

some news to report:

just this second got back from the 2nd visit to my GP…he’s writing to Merck about the situation to try and get a ‘solution’ to the nightmares were all going through. (I’ll keep you posted).

Can anyone interpret my total-T results:

Total-T 14.4 (range 11-36) taken at 4pm

My GP wouldnt refer me to a urologist until my LH, FSH, Total-T(again), and Throid function test results come back. Also, I noticed that one of the hormone tests that I was’nt put down for is Oestradiol…I only noticed this when I got home (damn!). I feel this last one is important, what do you folks think?
by the way, after my initial hopes, the L-Tyrosine (from Holland & Barrett) and L-Phenylalanine (free form) from ‘SOLGAR’ arent doing a damn thing anymore.

#8

Good stuff, though I doubt Merck will disclose anything. Hopefully he will be able to get some info though.

Your test was taken at 4pm!! It should have been taken between 7-9am when T levels are highest in the morning! This result does not show your highest T level thus it is misleading, although it is on the somewhat lower end of the range.

You should get retested in the MORNING. Basing further treatments on tests taken in the late afternoon is foolish… or if you want, get a 24hr pooled bloodtest done to see how your levels change throughout the day.

While a Uro may be able to explain the physical changes, an Endo would be your best bet for the hormonal issues.

Yes, Estradiol is crucial – Fin is known to affect the androgen/estrogen ratio in men, hence Gynecomastia. Many men have wound up with elevated Estrogens – to not test for this is stupidity. The scientific materials are on this site to prove your case if you want to use them.

Also, I’d tack on Prolactin, DHT, Adiol-G, and definitely Free & Bioavailable Testosterone – even if you have to pay for them yourself.