Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.
Where are you from (country)? U.S.
How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other?) Google.
What is your current age, height, weight? 30/5 10"/185
What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)? finasteride, saw palmetto
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 1mg about 1 month again 2weeks . been off over 2 yrs
What condition was being treated with the drug? alopecia
For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? months
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug?
21. 28.
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
28. side effects
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)? cold turkey
How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? first day
What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation? Right Testicle Pain
Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.
Sexual
[x ] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[ ] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[ ] Loss of Morning Erections
[ ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[ ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[ ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
[x ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[x ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[x ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts
x] Testicular Pain
[ x] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[ ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[x ] Joint Pain
[ x] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ x] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature
[ ] Other (please explain)
What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
diet. water. antibiotics, anti inflammatory, pain meds, vitamins
If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)? n/a
Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience?
no
Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.
So I first started taking propecia around maybe 21 yrs of age at first for about 6 months. No real side effects the first time besides maybe shrinkage, lower libido. anyways, from the shrinkage and paranoia of side effects I quit. Then maybe 26 yrs of age I tried some natural dht blockers named folliform which contained pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto. No side effects but
I eventually quit. Then. Maybe 2.5 yrs ago at age 28 I tried finasteride one more time and said I would ride it out. ( still have most my hair, mature hair line, doctor said i dont need it) This time for maybe 2-3 weeks. Instantly I was hit with sever testicular pain specifically right side, groin area. I was told this is normal ( ha!) anyways the pain was so severe I had no choice but to quit.
A couple months after I quit I tried saw palmetto for a about a week and the feeling came back. Quit that.
And since that two yrs the pain has never gone away! It only intensifies after ejaculation. I no longer seek sex because it is embarrassing and painful.
I practice semen retention now. Which has helped immensely. Both in testoerone/libido levels. and decreased pain.
I should mention I am on a few psychotropics, which never gave me problems down there. zyprexa 5mg, ativan 1mg, tegretol 200mg for bipolar disorder.
The past two yrs has been a complete S*** show in seeking out causes and/or solutions. I’ve been to the urologist 3 times, a hernia surgeon, STD tests three times all negative. Primary doctor about 10 times and er once. 2 ultrasounds showed my testicles and groin are perfectly healthy. xrays on back and all fine. I mention taking finasteride did this and they think i am crazy.
My primary doctor thinks its from my lower back radiating to my testicle/groin area. The next step is physcial therapy and mri. But, my back does not ever really bother me. I have no signs of hernia. No matter what I do everything always seems to come back as “normal”.
It’s to the point where I think this pain is all in my head! Well it most certainly can’t be. but thats what these people are making me believe.
I don’t know if my prostate was effected. I was dx with prostititus about 9 yrs ago. But, those problems went away themselves.
I just ordered pygeum. I am looking for all and any natural solutions. This problem has yet to go away on its own like they said it would.
I am on keto diet which works great for me. But I am willing to try Any diet/notropics/vitamins/exercises anything.
If you made it this far thank you! By the way I’ve come to conclusion hair loss is fking normal! My hair stopped falling out when I quit smoking and medication change (did not smoke long). But, at 30 yrs of age most people would not be able to notice my hair loss. People think im crazy when I talk about it. Vanity!!! Of course I don’t have the hair I had at 16. so what! And i can pull of bald. But, this EGO stuff no longer matters!
I want my life back.
pls help.
love,
Ck