Thanks. What I wonder is if PFS, for at least a subset of us, is a massive infection or conglomeration of infections (and the ensuing cascade of events) triggered by an overactive immune system / compromised immune system.
It’s often surmised on this forum that there must be something unique about us, something that was set up to be broken by a powerful pharmaceutical like finasteride that doesn’t necessarily affect everyone this way. (As in, why do we not come back online like we’re supposed to?)
What if that common link was our immune system? (i.e. our intestines, our gut)
What if we shared a sensitivity, perhaps rooted in something like Celiac disase, or even subclinical, subtle intolerance of grains/wheat gluten? (just as an example; I repeat, just as an example).
What if, that immune system, already prone to be broken, and perhaps under duress for any number of reasons (life in general, work, diet, antibiotics, complaining girlfriend) was then overloaded with an immuno-suppressing drug?
Steroids [like finasteride] are said to suppress the immune system, kill “friendly” bacteria, cause the proliferation of fungal infections in the gut, all of which contribute to the development of a leaky gut. (Aka intestinal permeability).
With the leaky gut, vitamin absorption & nutrition are compromised, toxic elements leak into the blood stream, are attacked, further excreting toxic substances, etc.
The immune system goes haywire, the person falls ill, and is now susceptible to infections of all sorts…including those in, say, prostate. Inflammation abounds, the function of every organ is compromised, including those that synthesize or manage the sex hormones: liver, prostate.
Some plausible mechanisms and consequences:
-Damage to or breaching of the gut wall’s detoxification capability, leading to new chemical sensitivities and potential overload of the liver.
-Interference to the gut’s protective coating of immunoglobulins, resulting in decreased defense against bacteria, protozoa, viruses and yeasts.
-Spread of infection due to the “escape” of bacteria and yeast from the intestine.
-Formation of auto-antibodies due to leaking of body tissue look-alike antigens
This is a layman’s theory. I’m sure it’ll get attacked. But again, I ask WHY US? What do we have in common? Or, at least, what do some of us have in common?
Ideas for potential risk factors:
-exceedingly high libidos/promiscuous sexual behavior / increased risk of contracting pathogenic bacteria and the like
-high alcohol / sugar / carbohydrate intake
-multiple courses of antibiotics or long-course antibiotics (and no probiotic therapy afterwards)
-skin issues: rashes, hives, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis
-food allergies
-IBS, diarrhea, constipation, diverticulosis / diverticulitis, upset stomachs, nausea, GERD, frequent use of Tums or Pepto
I don’t think we have to have every single suggested marker in common, but what if we found some striking similarities? Let’s brainstorm!
P.S. I know some, like myself, have been inspired by this thread to book appointments with urologists to rule out prostatitis. What about gastroenterologists? How many people have had endoscopies or colonoscopies or thorough intestinal lab testing?
nice find!