Reason for Weening off???

General Discussion
#1

Does anyone know why it might be better to ween off propecia 1 mg rather than stopping cold turkey? Is there any study or obvious proof showing why this might be better?

The reason I ask, is because every time I’ve ever stopped propecia for more than a day I’ve had groin pain for about a day. And it would seem that weening off over several days or weeks would be hell on your system. This constant ‘starting’ and ‘stopping’ over and over again it seems would be hard on one’s prostate/hormones/overall health.

Here is my current situation:

-Propecia 1 mg for three years (minus a 3-month span 1.5 years ago)
-July 1st, 2007 1 mg
-July 4th 1 mg
-July 7th 1 mg
-July 9th, noticed urethra burn for a few hours after ejac
-July 10/11…no pills…no discomfort
-July 12 no pill…noticed burn again after ejac…but not as bad…but burn lasted longer
-July 13 no pill
-July 14 took 1.0 mg, noticed burn again after ejac…but even less severe
-July 15 took 0.5 mg
-July 16 No pill … very very slight burn/ache off and on all day

Ok, now, I’m not sure where to go from here. I feel as though this constant start/wait/stop cycle may be really bad for my prostate/hormones/etc. And I’m not sure at all if this ‘one’ symptom is a sign of prostatis, or just a body going off and on propecia over several days. I mean, is it really possible to have prostatis on just ‘one’ symptom? And the burn is really really slight. Not even pain, just more of an odd sensation.

Sooo, I don’t know if I should run to a urologist, or just stop the drug, wait a week or two for my hormones/prostate to level out…and then if its still there…go to a uro. I REALLY don’t want to go, because I’m a private person, and talking about this with a stranger, or several, gives me much anxiety.

Any rational thoughts anyone???

#2

Reason would be that if you made up your mind to quit several weeks in advance, weening off may help reduce the “shock” of potential withdrawal symptoms from the drug. Wether reducing dosage is debatable since the drug has a flat dose response but I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt, since many report a lessening of side effects the lower the dosage used.

Or you could just go cold turkey if you are seriously concerned. Get the proper bloodwork done in the meantime so you can see what is going on. Then within a month or two if you don’t feel well see an endo to discuss.

Also, get used to being more open about this, especially if you will be dealing with medical professionals. You need to know what you are talking about and be adamant its not in your head, despite what they may claim. Forget about being embarrased, if you want help from the medical system, you need to fight for it.

#3

I’ve also considered the possibility that this may just be the beginnings of a urinary tract infection. Since I’m only having one symptom, and I first noticed it immediately after getting out of the shower. I’ve read that getting soap in the urethra can lead to a uti. And that’s what it felt like at first, a bad burn, which has diminished over the past week. Yes, ejac irritates it a bit, but I have to wonder if that’s what this is. Especially considering that I had stopped propecia cold turnkey 1.5 years ago, and did not have this. I think I’m going to call tomorrow and set up an oppt. with a urologist or my general doc and try to get going on some anti-biotics and a bloodtest to be safe. And if that doesn’t work, then I’ll try an endo.

I do wish there was some sort of proof or study indicating that the ‘ween off’ method is more effective. It seems like this goes against common sense to me considering that Merck and all med professionals say its not necessary. Not to mention the fact that the on/off cycle of skipping days wreaks havoc on one’s body. (I know, I’ve felt it).

Nonetheless, thanks for your help Mew.

#4

We don’t have proof of the ween off method, its just that a lot of guys on here that quit did so cold turkey and thus wonder if weening off would have made a difference in preventing their issues.

It really is up to the individual to do what they choose.