What do you do if you know someone who is about to take Propecia?

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#1

“What do you do if you know someone who is about to take Propecia?”

This dilemma happened to me when my sister had mentioned to me that her husband was going on Propecia. Initially I was reluctant to say anything to her. I would have to go through the embarrassment of talking about all of this stuff with my sister.

I thought about it for a few weeks. One day she called me and I guess it was on my mind more than usual, so I told her how bad this crap is and that it messed me up very bad. She sounded a little concerned knowing her husband was taking it, but wasn’t overly worried.

Then this week she called me back and said she had a conversation with him. She told him that I had taken Propecia and I had quit because of the side effects.

Then since she brought it up, He told her he felt loss of libido almost immediately after taking it. She was shocked. She said, “we still have sex, what do you mean” He said, " I could care less if we had it though, I wasn’t very interested". Sound familiar guys?

It turns out he took it for a year. He said he stopped, because he ran out; and was off for three months. I think he probably stopped because he knows it’s bad for him. Now he has been on it again for 3 weeks. I had no idea he was on it for more than a year and I’m not sure if she knew that either.

He told her he was going to give Propecia another try. I told her how many men were suffering on this website and he would regret it. Well, I guess I don’t have to feel guilty if he ends up with all of the side effects that most get if continues for a long period of time. I did my part.

I also know another guy who took this pill for 8 years. I often wonder how bad his problems must be.

There were several health issues I was having and I never suspected they were from Propecia. Like sensitivity to light and wind. Joints cracking. It wasnt’ until I found this website that I realized how bad this stuff is.

I think when you know how truly bad this stuff is for you, it makes you feel obligated to tell anyone you know how dangerous it really is.

Do any of you guys know anyone who has taken or is still taking this pill?

#2

Yes.

I have a friend who has probably been on it since… 2003? It was after seeing his results first hand, that convinced me to seriously consider the drug.

I told him about my problems after quitting a year later, but he says the only issues he has is sometimes it takes him longer to ejaculate. Other than that he says he feels fine… he says he’ll never stop taking it because he doesn’t want to go bald. I can only imagine what it’s doing to his body long-term, but I’m also pretty sure he’d never reveal he’s even having issues as a matter of self-pride.

I gave him the links to this site (he doesn’t know I’m the one running it, though) and propeciasideeffects.com at one point, and he felt they were fear-mongering and didn’t believe he’d have these problems. Hopefully he won’t, but if he ever quits he may be in for a rude awakening, if he experiences the “rare” Post-Propecia Syndrome.

Finasteride is like playing russian roulette with your chances of surviving on a runaway train. You don’t know what camp you’ll fall into when you take it, or after you quit… and that’s ultimately the problem… none of us knew, and the only way to know is to try it, which looking back none of us should have done in the first place… but we did chance it, only because we believed Merck’s statements about resolution of any side effects experienced after quitting. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a lie.

#3

This would be the sound of the hammer hitting the nail on the head.

#4

I have a friend who has been on it the last 8 years. In the last 4 years I’ve noticed he has become more feminine looking in face and gained some weight around midsection he cannot drop.

I’ve told him of my problems while I was on and the horrible experience I’ve hand since being off but he’s not receptive even though he noticed the change in my behaviors and depression.

Everyone must make their own mistakes, I’m not sure what else you can do…

#5

I should add that it’s the same with my friend… he has put on a lot of weight around the midsection, but blames it on not running enough (in general he’s usually at the gym anyway). It’s definitely noticeable.

We went out for lunch the other day and he told me he’s been having nausea and digestion problems a lot, ie feeling sick after eating – I told him I had the same things towards the end of my 11 months on the drug, but he doesn’t think there’s a connection with Finasteride.

Eventually he’ll find out for himself, I’m sure.

#6

Make sure he tapers his dose or he’ll end up here, does he stare into space a lot or drift out of conversation?

#7

No, he’s still quite with it, from a “brain fog” point of view.

Obviously this drug affects everyone differently based on their genetic makeup, individual hormonal profile, and likely a variety of other unknown factors.

However, just because he’s not experiencing mental issues at the moment (or maybe he is, but just isn’t telling me) doesn’t mean he couldn’t in the future.

#8

Mew,

I had similar stomach problems also often after I was done eating. That is very likely caused from Propecia. I posted a link a while back, ironically from Merck’s website where they list pharmaceutical drugs as one of the main causes of stomach ulcers or H. Pylori bacteria. You should tell him to get tested for the H. Pylori bacteria by his doctor. The bacteria will continue to eat away at the lining of his stomach if he has this.

Well, I spoke to my sister again and asked if her husband was still going to take Propecia. She said he was. Over the past couple of weeks I told her about nearly every side effect I experienced, including problems with eyes, brain fog, bad memory, complete lack of energy, horrible loss of libido, other sexual sides, etc.

I guess people do have to figure things out on their own. I just know that I still feel an obligation to at least warn someone that I’m close to about what could potentially happen to them; and that the side effects caused from this drug do NOT always go away as Merck dictates.

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#9

God, I didn’t even remember it at the time but I had the nausea/digestion problems too. My stomach’s still very sensitive and I have to eat every four hours or I get problems.

Have your stomach problems resolved? I eat a lot of omega 3s and juice and milk now to temper them. Overall though after numerous fasts, cleanses, lots of yoghurt & kefir I still feel that it’s overly sensitive, though I at least feel I am taking energy from my food again. But I eat a ton of calories each day, probably 4000 on average for a 5’10" 145 lb 30 yo male with a slow metabolism.

#10

Martin,

My stomach problems are gone completely. I had gone to my primary care dr regarding feeling a dull pain in my stomach area. They did a test on me and I was positive for H. Pylori bacteria.

He prescribed “Prev Pac” for me. I was a little reluctant, because I hate taking medications now, but I’m glad I took it. I think it’s 6 pills that you take per day, three before breakfast and three after dinner, for 14 days. When I was done with the pills, it was gone.

I had that same problem with having to eat every 4 hours or so. Until you can get that problem resolved you should make sure you eat your meals at the proper time; meaning don’t skip lunch. If you’re busy at work and feel like you won’t be able to eat until 1:00 then make sure you have a solid snack like Nuts, Apple or Yogurt. Missing meals can actually be one of the things that aggravate the ulcer.

Take a look at this post that I posted back in July. It shows a link between Propecia use and a stomach ulcer. I know it’s a pain in the but to keep going back to the drs, but you should get that test done to see if you have a stomach ulcer. I know the way that feels in the pit of your stomach and it’s a horrible feeling. It used to kind make me nauseous. The problem is if you have one, it won’t go away and less you treat it; and it could get worse.

Take a look at this post, that I posted back in July. It shows a link between Propecia use and a nstomach ulcer. I know it’s a pain in the but to keep going back to the drs, but you should get that test done to see if you have a stomach ulcer. I know the way that feels in the pit of your stomach and it’s a horrible feeling. It used to kind make me natueaus.

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … highlight=

Are you still having the eye problems with sensativity to light and wind? It’s odd that the Tyrosine worked for me, but didn’t for you.

#11

Eating every 4 hrs is actually quite normal, and is recommended to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

The typical “3 meals” a day, 6 hours apart, is not a very healthy way to maintain a high metabolism or regulate glucose levels. Most health, diet and nutritionists recommend eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day (ie 4-6 meals) every 3-4 hrs.

#12

My eye problems have gotten better but they are still there. I wear sunglasses almost all the time outside.

I don’t mind eating every 4 hours but it sucks if my stomach starts to hurt if I don’t. Plus I don’t feel that most of the food/energy is actually getting into my body, it more feels like it’s being wasted somewhere.

Thanks Boston I’ll have a look into this.

#13

Correct, mew. But when people have a stomach ulcer they begin to feel a horrible pain if their stomach becomes empty. It becomes a situation where you almost have to be sure you begin eating before your stomach really becomes empty otherwise the pain starts. Often once it starts it doesn’t subside for hours. For me I remember I used to have to eat something like oats and bananas with milk to make it go away.

#14

Back on topic only a couple of people knew I was taking this stuff, not thru shame just forgot about it, one of them a ‘friend’ I roomshared with. Now he knew I had low libido (was taking viagra)and probably realised more than me what caused it yet did nothing to stop me or even make me reconsider, even though he also knew I was self medicating.
Some people are just cunts though, I guess I have to accept it was my carelessness to blame, both in choosing drugs and friends which were both useless and destructive.

#15

You were worried about telling your sister? My whole family knows, how could they not know? I can’t really have a normal relationship, I don’t notice women that every other guy notices, it’s not something that I ever really felt like I could keep a secret. I really feel that different and am not a good enough actor to pass myself off as “normal.” I guess we all handle this in our own way…whatever works for you

I am actually in a similar situation, I know someone who is taking this crap that is dating a family member. I was thinking about saying something, but I thought the odds were something like one in a thousand that he would have problems. At this point I’m really mostly worried about myself and recovering than other people. I know that sounds selfish, but I have enough problems of my own to worry about before I start worrying about other people.

#16

joe,

I have been in a few relationships throughout my time taking the drug. I am rarely not in a relationship with a woman for very long. I will agree the sexual aspect of the relationship isn’t as good as it was prior to using this drug, I am able to perform ok. So, my family has never knew I experiened anything.

I was fearful that once I told my sister and her husband, then she would tell my other sister as we are all close. Then she would tell her husband and maybe my parents. God only knows who else will find out about it. I sort of feel reluctant having told my sister about this anyway now. I had a conversation with her about it again and the conversation drifted to her husband. I asked her if she thinks he will continue to take it; she said he would; and that she thought medications all effect people differently, so he should be ok.

I got a little pissed off since she ironically she has spent her entire career working for pharmaceuticul companies. It seems to me she may be rather brain washed by their propaganda. Her husband has been on the pill for a year, come see me when you he has taken it for 5.5 years like I did and I’ll bet his side effects are worse. I guess I just thought my own sister might believe me over a drug company’s clinical study.

#17

I just heard from my sister a couple of day ago. Her husband finally quit propecia after 1.5 years. I didn’t bother to ask if what I said influenced his decision. I assume it did. I told her how messed up my hormones are and that it may be permenant if I don’t opt for hormone treatment. I am glad I could at least salvage the life of another guy.

#18

This is exactly how i feel with my food intake. I eat normal, get no energy from food and have a shit hardly ever. Where the hell is it going? Im not putting on weight.

#19

It’s being wasted. Do you urinate a lot?

#20

No, much less after fin