Question about quiting

General Discussion
#1

Hi guys!

I have been taking Propecia for about two years now, and I started experiencing symptoms relating to erectile dysfunction / loss of libido around a month ago. Or maybe it was before that, and I just never noticed because I wasn’t sexually active (I’m 19). I have been meaning to quit, and it just so happened that I didn’t ask to have a refill shipped to me in time last week, so I have been out of pills since Monday. This means that, as of now, I am effectively 2.5 - 3 days into quitting cold-turkey. I would prefer to quit by tapering off of the drug, however, after having read through this site. My question is this: if I were to get another shipment of Propecia in the next few days, would it be a good idea to go back on to it in a lower dose, and taper off like that? Here, I made a picture to show you guys what I mean:

imgur.com/9jcpk.png

Basically: is this better, or worse than going cold turkey?

#2

Pls review previous posts on this topic.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4338

#3

Thanks for the link to that other thread!

After glancing through that thread, I’m leaning towards just quitting cold turkey. Especially since nobody really knows for sure how this drug effects your body as you are coming off of it. And since I’ve already been off of it for 3 days, it’s likely that my hormones are just beginning to recover (actually, my libido and erection strength might have been a - little - better yesterday than they have otherwise been lately. But that could have also just been placebo. The mind is very powerful at suggesting things to your body).

It was also relieving to read that the permanent side effects and the ‘crash’ only happen to a minority of men. Actually, another question: about what percent of men actually have these permanent side effects, and what percent make a full recovery after quitting? Have there ever been any studies done about the probabilities of each case happening? I know I am already in the minority for experiencing the side effects in the first place, but do most people who experience the side effects come out ok in the end?

#4

Unknown.

No, not yet.

Unknown, but likely. Those with permanent issues are a subset of men who get sides in the first place it would seem.

#5

Ok, that makes sense. What I’ve ultimately decided to do, to maximize my chances of a good recovery, is the following:

-Drink absolutely no alcohol, or take any illicit drugs, for the rest of the year (had my last beer this evening)
-Restart a daily workout routine, where I do cardio every day and lift weights 3 - 4 times a week
-Start taking a multivaitamin daily
-Get 8 - 9 hours of sleep every night, or as close as I can possibly get to this level
-Not stress out for the next couple of days, and keep my stress levels low for as long as possible (I have 19 hours of classes, this might be difficult)
-Stop masturbating for a while
-Eat only the healthiest food I can possibly get my hands on (I’ll go shopping at Whole Foods on Friday, and I won’t eat anything that is shitty until that point)

I haven’t been doing any of these things lately, I figure it’ll make me healthier whether or not I actually get my libido back. These are good habits to have, anyway. But its better to not have my body have undue stress over the next two weeks, I assume.

Thanks again for the help!

#6

You should maybe look into a raw diet as well. seemed to help many on here when they first quit, and even those with persistent problems. i have been about 85% raw diet for the past month and a half… and have recently started to feel better. not sure if its because of the diet or my body coming back on its own. or both.

but it cant hurt.