2 days on dutasteride - too late to get baseline tests? + psych prob

[fml]

Short version: Is it possible to see breast growth after two days of Avodart or is it in my head? Is it too late to get baseline tests?

Details:
I have taken two genuine Avodart caps so far.

I am having a bit of a psychological problem where I am focusing in on every little feeling, every little slight ache, every little physical characteristic in my body. A few hours after the first cap I was thinking I have got a little puffy underneath my pubic hair on one side. (Pretty sure that was in my head.) Today, which is the 2nd day of dutasteride, maybe a couple of hours after taking, while in the shower I looked down at my chest and immediately became convinced my breasts have grown. I even had to sit down in the shower due to the effect of shock like feeling faint and feeling sick. When I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror, I really couldnt be sure at all. I squinted and squeezed and prodded and lifted my arms around and now things looked pretty normal.

Its about nine or ten hours later now and I just looked down my top and am convincing myself again that my breasts are growing.

Naturally, if I wasnt fucked in the head enough, reading this forum on sides for the last hour has really done it. Im thinking about stopping already even though, to be honest, if I had to try to rationally bet money on it, I would probably bet that I havent experienced anything. I dont seem to have any breast pain. I have been prodding and squeezing. I do have it in my head though that there is more to squeeze. Then again, in the last three weeks or so I have put on maybe eight pounds from eating too much.

FWIW, I do believe yesterday (first day on dutasteride) it was slightly easier to get an erection and the erection was slightly stronger. Not raging p**rn star effects, but just enough to notice. Did not get to examine semen. Dont know if I still have this easier/stronger effect today.

Thanks for any advice. I know I must sound like a head case. And no offence, but Im not even sure if this is the smartest place to post. I understand the issue with selection bias. Im gunna get responses mainly from people effected by sides, and additionally, those people might have a slightly distorted view of how widespread serious problems are. But then again, where else would I post :/

Any comments? I guess the main questions are, can I be seeing breast growth after two days? And is it too late to stop and get baseline tests or will the dutasteride already be changing things significantly?

 

[Mens Rea]

gyno in two days? im not expert but id be pretty shocked it that was possible

gyno hurts like hell you'll know if you're getting it

as for baselines....not ideal but get them ASAP better late than never


EDIT - when i say ASAP i mean, go off dutasteride for a week and take them.

 

[GeminiX]

I'm reasonably sure that's impossible.

Even in transgender cases where huge amounts of feminising medication is taken, breast development takes several weeks at least before even the first signs of tenderness are experienced.

 

[fml]

Thank you both for the responses. Yes I really let this stuff get in my head yesterday and was totally paranoid. I dont have any noticeable sides. At what point is it that sides are most likely to show up if they are going to? I know the can happen basically any time, including (w/ finasteride at least) after quitting, but what is the most likely time? A month? Two?

I have not taken the dutasteride today. Since ive only taken two in total, Im trying to decide whether to just write those two off and postpone for a week or two and get baseline tests first. I read that dutasteride stays in the blood for upto six months though so Im not even sure if I can. Now that I have a less paranoid eye on things though and its clear I wasnt experiencing anything, Im a little tempted to just keep taking it.

But Ive also been reading threads in the Tell Your Story forum and am now questioning other things. Im a little confused about dutasteride vs finasteride. I know dutasteride is suspected to be even more effective, but I was also under the impression that the risks were not really any higher than finasteride. There appears to be some confusion about it and im not the first to think it. Yet others here suggest dutasteride is worse in some way.

Looking at studies posted on drugs.com for finasteride and dutasteride, the incidences of the usual sides seem to be similar for both. In the first six months to a year, a few percent of people experience libido/erection/ejaculate/breast issues, but all but the breast issues are less prevalent in continuing users.
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/finasteride-side-effects.html
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/avodart-side-effects.html

In fact from those studies dutasteride does seem to have a (slightly) lower percentage of people affected. But basically similar. Could either of you offer more information on why dutasteride is more risky?

The only reason I chose dutasteride is that it is suspected to work even better, and Id read others suggest sides were no worse. And with the statistics above it seemed a no brainer.

 

[Ende]

Thank you both for the responses. Yes I really let this stuff get in my head yesterday and was totally paranoid. I dont have any noticeable sides. At what point is it that sides are most likely to show up if they are going to? I know the can happen basically any time, including (w/ finasteride at least) after quitting, but what is the most likely time? A month? Two?

A week, couple of months, a year, several years. Side effects can strike at any time. I'm using Propecia, and got hit within the first week.

I have not taken the dutasteride today. Since ive only taken two in total, Im trying to decide whether to just write those two off and postpone for a week or two and get baseline tests first. I read that dutasteride stays in the blood for upto six months though so Im not even sure if I can. Now that I have a less paranoid eye on things though and its clear I wasnt experiencing anything, Im a little tempted to just keep taking it.

It's already too late to map your baseline values, but a test is still recommended if your worried about side effects. Your hormone levels can't be too far from baseline, when you're not experiencing any problems.

But Ive also been reading threads in the Tell Your Story forum and am now questioning other things. Im a little confused about dutasteride vs finasteride. I know dutasteride is suspected to be even more effective, but I was also under the impression that the risks were not really any higher than finasteride. There appears to be some confusion about it and im not the first to think it. Yet others here suggest dutasteride is worse in some way.

Dutasteride inhibits more DHT, and is probably going to be a nightmare if you get hit by side effects, because of very long half life. Good news is, side effects comes from elevated estrogen level which is managable with a supplement or drug which inhibits aromatase enzymes. Dutas also inhibits the 5AR type 1 enzymes. I don't think there is any long term studies on that part. You also need to use condoms (no exception) during sexual intercourse, as this sh*t is able to transfer in dangerous amounts, like 5 mg finasteride tablets - but unlike 1 mg - Propecia.

Anyway, I've first hand experience with gynecomastia, and you'll feel it if lumps begin to grow. It hurts like hell, as Colin said.