Tripping over words when speaking

Symptoms Neurological
#1

Hey guys. I’ve been on Propecia for 7 weeks exactly, and within this time, I can definitively say that I’ve noticed a difference in the way that I speak. Before Propecia, I always seemed so silver tongued and quick witted when I spoke. Now it seems like I’m thinking about what the hell I’m talking about, and when I speak, I seem to trip over words and this creates conversations that often make me sound “retarded”, for lack of a better word. For example, I’m a grad student, and I often would volunteer in large classes and give quick witted and often funny answers (which are correct usually) to questions. Now, I hardly want to volunteer, and if I do, I’m usually speaking too fast and stumbling over my words for some reason, especially words grouped together that are hard to say in general, like “Doctor Danielson”.

I’ve never ever even thought about myself as somenoe who doesn’t speak well, until about 7 weeks ago. Maybe this is related to this mental fog everyone’s talking about, maybe not?

I’m looking for feedback on what I should do and if other people know what I’m talking about. Is this mental fog manifested when speaking orally in conversations to other people? I don’t want to lose my hair, but I don’t want to lose my speaking skills, either.

Thanks!

#2

It’s harder for me to tell jokes now, both in delivery and coming up with them in my mind. This is my impression at least.

=(!

#3

I’m going to post my story in the appropriate forum as well. I just stopped Propecia.

#4

This is the exact reason I stopped using propecia about a week ago. I do feel a bit quicker already; like I am able to articulate what it is that I’m thinking. I don’t feel the need to be as conscious about what I’m saying or going to say, as I did while using propecia. The words are beginning to flow as they once did. Boy, I felt as though I had lost about 20 IQ points while taking prop.

#5

Right on!

You hit it right on the button. Before, I didn’t even think about what I’d say. With Propecia, I was conscious of how I was tripping over words. I wonder why they don’t include mental side effects on the Propecia leaflet or why my dermatologist didn’t mention this.

I’m in contact with a Prof. Michael Hall who stated to me via email that finasteride could affect GABA? receptors in the brain, thereby reducing cognitive powers.

I have been off of Propecia myself for exactly 27 hours. I feel better already but I haven’t had a conversation with someone yet. Plus, I’m sure it takes a few days/week for it to come back right?

I’m an actor so I definitely need my ability to speak. I actually did get a part in a film on Propecia with a crappy audition, and I have no idea how I pulled that off because I def. stumbled through the lines.

#6

I had a conversation with a friend today, and it felt about 85-90 percent better already, and today is the first day I haven’t been taking Propecia. My words flowed easily and the wit was back most of the way. I’ll keep track over the next few days.

#7

I still feel about the same as I did a few days after I stopped Propecia, so I want to re-edit my prior post - I feel about 65 percent better, not 85-90. One other thing I noticed is that in conversations, I’m very less apt to jump in with a quick remark or witty comment, in “fear” that I’ll stumble and just fuck it up.

#8

I went to the psychiatrist this morning, and I explained my symptoms and what not, and he seemed to think that I had a very very mild form of social phobia or anxiety or something, and taht propecia just made me recognize this. I definitely don’t think I agree with this at all.

#9

Hopefully you brought some studies showing how Fin interferes with GABA-A receptor function and other neurosteroids like Allopregnanolone, Dihydroprogesterone and THDOC formation. If not, I can understand why a medical professional would dismiss your claims – you need to PROVE to them how Fin interfered with things.

This is a good study as it has a diagram on page 3.
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=202

#10

I didn’t bring any studies per se, but I mentioned how I’ve been doing a lot of research and how finasteride, while blocking the enzyme 5AR, blocks testosterone’s conversion to DHT as well as progesterone’s conversion to allopregnanolone, and a simillar effect with cortisol. It seemed as though his response was a standard canned response to someone like me. I guess attempting to prescribe anxiety medication is an overarching approach, although I am relatively firm in my commitment not to take any prescription medicine. I realize he was trying to read me with my answers to his questions, but I know for certain that I don’t have any sort of social phobia or anxiety.

#11

Before I went in to see the psychiatrist (I’m always wary of them for the record), I wnated to make sure he knew a lot about Propecia, and was informed he did. He said that any side effects from Propecia shouldh ave been gone soon after I stopped taking the drug b/c of the short half life and what not, which I’massuming is how he believes my slurring of speech/loss of wit/tripping over words is not related to finasteride usage. That was my impression. He also said since I’m 25 years old, this kind of anxiety is normal, especially being almost done with grad school and going into the “real world”, but honestly this has nothing to do with any of my problems b/c frankly, I’m not anxious about the real world at all.

#12

I’ve dealt with those type of psychiatrists also. They’re doing the best they can with minimal education of the Propecia problem, and since we can’t fix it ourselves, why should our understanding of the problem be valid enough? I view their function as parasitical; any pecadillo induced by this mess, they will hop you up on drugs and diagnose you with all sorts of nonsense. Therapists are alright if you need someone to talk to, but be weary of the psychiatry field - they don’t understand our plight.

#13

Mew, did you say your slurring of words improved instantly one day or was it gradual?

#14

Very gradual. I still get it sometimes/tonge tripping, even 3 yrs off… but much better compared to before where my tongue felt heavy/numb like I couldn’t control it, and would slur sentences like I was drunk.