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Where are you from (country)? Singapore
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How did you find this forum?
Google Search - Propecia help -
What is your current age, height, weight?
32, 187cm, 72kg -
Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise?
Yes, Fairly fit. Gym 3-4 times a week. -
What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)?
Everything, no diet restrictions -
Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)?
To stop hair loss. -
For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)?
About 10 years. I’ve stopped a few times over the years with no sides. -
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Finasteride?
Maybe 20? -
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
32 -
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
Initially I quit cold. Used to quit cold too. But after reading about it decided to taper off. But I don’t think I did a good job. First I started with quarter pill of finastride every other day. for about week. Then down to 0.25 everyday for another week or so. -
What type of Finasteride did you use – Propecia, Proscar, Fincar or other generic?
Proscar -
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
5mg Proscar in quarter tablets. So 1.25mg a day. -
How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects?
None -
What side effects did you experience while on the drug that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
I didn’t experience any sides while on the drug. I had a bad sexual experience once and I was worried so I started reading online and found out about the horrors of this drug and I decided to stop. Since stopping I have developed all the classic symptoms and side effects of the drug which I don’t understand.
Put an X beside all that apply:
Sexual
[X ] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[ X] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[X ] Loss of Morning Erections
[ X] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ X] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfullness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[ ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[X ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[X ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ X] Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[ ] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[ ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[X ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature
[ ] Other (please explain)
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What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
Nothing. I don’t know what to do. Trying my best to stay positive and going to the gym. -
If you have pre or post-Finasteride bloodtests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (pls post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)?
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Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience with Finasteride?
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Tell us your story, in your own words, about your Finasteride usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
Hi all, thanks for reading. I started propecia when I was 20. I was starting to recede at the hairline and thought it was a good idea to start on propecia to preserve and save what ever hair I could. Both my parents were bald, yes even my mom. And going bald was the worst thing that I could imagine happening to me so I started taking the drug. I must say the drug did very well to preserve my hair. Over the course 10+ years I have lost maybe 10% of my original hairs which I thought was an acceptable result.
Over the years, I have also stopped taking the drug a few times. Sometimes when my prescription ran out and I was slow to refill or days when I felt like quitting because I really didn’t see myself taking this drug long term. But each time I would come back to taking the drug after stopping for a few months and see my hairs fall out. I panick and would go back on the drug.
I have also never experienced any side effects while on the drug what so ever!!! In fact, I feel really good when I am on the drug. I felt strong! There were times where I could go 8 times a night with no problems!
But this time about a month ago, I decided to stop the drug for good because I had a bad sexual experience and felt my libido going down after sex. Initially I stopped cold, like I used to but then I read about he dangers of that and I started to taper off. First 1.25mg every other day for a week then 0.25mg everyday for a week. During the entire time and even, I feel like I have crash! I have difficulty getting and maintaining an errection and have lost all interest in sex. Even when I have the most beautiful girlfriend. I cannot imagine my life without her. But otherwise I am feeling physically fine! I go to the gym 3-4 times a week to try and in the hope of getting my self in shape.
So my question is:
Which I really don’t understand is. How can I get the side effects of propecia now when I am quitting when I have been FINE when I as on the drug??? Is this a PFS syndrome people are talking about? Is that even possible when I have no reported side effects when on the drug?
Is my body becoming used to or addicted to the drug? Is that even possible?
I appreciate you reading my story and and advice would be greatly appreciated.