3rd time trying finasteride...this time at .25mg! Still got side effects!

[thedarkcolor]

What can I do?!?!

Allow me to preface.

If anyone's followed my post history, back in May of 2014 I tried finasteride for hairloss:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interac...-like-some-opinions-help-Side-effects-and-PFS

I got pull blown PFS and was a zombie for about a month straight. I recovered 100% and sometime in December of that year, I cut my hair short. I've always had long hair. Past shoulder length.... It was really hard for me to accept that I couldn't have long hair anymore due to my receding hairline. I was about a Norwood 2.5 maybe approaching a NW3.

Anyways, I shaved my head recently and my temples are thinning out again!!! Like past where the recession "stopped" before and it looks so ****ing stupid. I have thick hair elsewhere, but I can literally feel the DHT surging my scalp destroying my hair. It itches so bad. So I'm like NW3 going on 4 now and my hair loss is trying to destroy my head it's falling out so fast. It's actually terrifying and I finally, FINALLY tried finasteride again. I got a prescription for name brand Propecia from a dermatologist earlier this year and had it sitting on my nightstand unopened due to the sheer fear of my previous finasteride experience. Trust me, it was awful before. I was hospitalized twice for depersonalization, severe insomnia, brain fog, emotional blunting, etc... It was honestly the darkest time of my entire life.

But I'm desperate and it doesn't look like my balding will stop, so I tried .25mg of Propecia about a week ago....That's 1/4th of a name brand Propecia tablet. But I took it nightly before I went to sleep. Eventually after day 3, I had sleep issues. I keep getting kicked awake in the morning around 7:00am and I always wake up after an extremely vivid dream.

You see, this is where I'm absolutely convinced that finasteride messes with brain chemistry: normally, I seldom remember dreams and wake up feeling refreshed. Both times I've been on Propecia, I wake up earlier than I'm supposed to and my entire night is nothing but extremely vivid dreams, and I wake up feeling exhausted from them. I get "kicked awake" every morning too.

Not only that, but I've had some mild breast tenderness and aches in my breast tissue and it seems like in the week I've taken Propecia .25mg nightly, that I've gained at least 5-10lbs in my belly. I'm very in tune with my body and I know what's normal for me and what's abnormal....and I'm getting fat and my pants are hard to zip up as of this past week. Button up shirts look stupid because of my all of a sudden gut.

I just don't want to loose anymore hair, but it's happening so quick. How can I mitigate these side effects? I feel like there's nothing left for me to do. I've tried finasteride 3 times now, all with the same results (of varying severity) and it doesn't seem like my body can handle the drug. I'm 25 years old and I have the hairline of a ****ing 60 year old man. It's embarrassing and I don't look good with a shaved head.

I just want my youth and confidence back. I feel robbed.

 

[g.i joey]

I say ride out the .25 for 2 months. Sometimes hormonal imbalances shock the body and cause exaggerated effects temporarily, maybe you just have to ride it out. If at 2 months you can't tolerate it then get off it. Best.

 

[thedarkcolor]

I say ride out the .25 for 2 months. Sometimes hormonal imbalances shock the body and cause exaggerated effects temporarily, maybe you just have to ride it out. If at 2 months you can't tolerate it then get off it. Best.

I'm just scared I'll develop actual gyno. How're you doing? I seem to remember you having difficulties with sides as well... Any update?

Maybe I will try riding it out... I just don't even know is .25mg is worth it for the side effects I'm experiencing.

 

[Wolf Pack]

Some people are just not meant to take it for various reasons, despite a few attempts. I understand your desperation and wish to ride it out, but health comes first.

0.25 mg is 80% as effective as the clinical 1 mg dose. It is worth it from a hair POV.

Honestly, in your position I would not continue it and find an alternative topical anti androgen. Our bodies are not all the same clearly. I get sides when I have codeine phosphate, minor stuff, but it ALWAYS comes, so I use an alternative pain killer.

Listen to your body.

 

[Dench57]

Consider yourself lucky you can recover fairly quickly from those PFS symptoms. Some people have that **** for months/years. But like Wolf Pack said I think 3 times is enough to know your body will not accept Finasteride. If you are desperate you should look into the admittedly questionable alternatives like topical spironolactone, RU and PGD2 inhibitors like OC/Setipiprant.

 

[g.i joey]

imo .25 isnt enough to cause actual gyno. i got gyno from full dose finasteride 1mg and i could take .25 with no problems. what i did was start with .25 for a month, now im alternating between .25 and .5 1 day each and im doing fine. i will keep it at this dose until i see an improvement in hair. i am experiencing no side effects yet and im almost into my 2nd month. just keep an eye on ur nips if u feel major itchiness and sensitivity then yes, discontinue the drug.

i take a DIM capsule every day around noon, which also contains resveratrol (2 estrogen fighting supplements), idk if its helping but i rather be safe than sorry, i then take my propecia at night and dont have any problems so far (FINGERS CROSSED).

i truly think some people need to give their body an adjusting phase where it figures out what the hell to do without the dht. most people get sides and instantly quit.

 

[thedarkcolor]

Consider yourself lucky you can recover fairly quickly from those PFS symptoms. Some people have that **** for months/years. But like Wolf Pack said I think 3 times is enough to know your body will not accept Finasteride. If you are desperate you should look into the admittedly questionable alternatives like topical spironolactone, RU and PGD2 inhibitors like OC/Setipiprant.

Since I'm 25 and have fairly limited income...I don't even know where to begin looking for topical spironolactone, RU, PGD2, etc...

On another note, I'm thinking I may have developed reflex hyperandrogenicity. This morning before I took a shower, I noticed a fat white pimple on my bottom lip. Not under the lip, but actually on the lip itself. Over the last week, I've had such bad acne and my face will get oily that I have to wash my face at least 3-4 times per day to not look like I'm covered in sweat.

- - - Updated - - -

Consider yourself lucky you can recover fairly quickly from those PFS symptoms. Some people have that **** for months/years. But like Wolf Pack said I think 3 times is enough to know your body will not accept Finasteride. If you are desperate you should look into the admittedly questionable alternatives like topical spironolactone, RU and PGD2 inhibitors like OC/Setipiprant.

Dench, did you ever figure out how to reduce scalp inflamation? It's become a 24/7 issue for me. My face and scalp are always oily and my head itches so bad. I've tried Saw Palmetto, ketokonazole shampoo both 1% and prescription 2%, apple cider vinegar, biotin, stinging nettle. I don't know what to do and I've looked through your post history and it seems as if you're dealing with the same thing after using finasteride for a short period of time.

I'm considering going to an endocrinologist or a trichologist but at this point I don't know how educated these professionals are and if they have anything real to offer. I have a feeling this forum is probably a better resource. Thanks again for your time and responses on several of my threads lately.

- - - Updated - - -

Here are photos of where I'm at as of today.

 

[Bottlecap]

I'm at a similar loss as you. I'm on my second try of propecia. I have low libido but going to try and pull through.

I would look into RU or CB topicals as you can not tolerate finasteride. This is what I shall move too if sides don't go away or become unbearable. I am also in a group buy for Seti, and we're looking for more people to fill the ranks.
I and quite a few others are pretty optimistic about it as possibly a replacement for finasteride or hopefully at the least an excellent addition to a topical or oral AA.

This is the thread for the first Group buy, prices are the same and it's by the same organises PM me if your interested.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/91188-RU-Myristate-SETIPIPRANT-group-buys

(Don't put all hopes on seti though, it has alot of potential but as of yet no results as it's currently in trials. I would definitly reccomend finding a topical AA first and foremost)

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/90668-Kythera-Acquires-Rights-to-PGD2-Inhibitor

This thread has alot of discussion on seti, but there is a fair few threads. There's also a PGE2 group buy which hopefully will show some regrwoth when used with seti.

Good luck

 

[thedarkcolor]

I'm at a similar loss as you. I'm on my second try of propecia. I have low libido but going to try and pull through.

I would look into RU or CB topicals as you can not tolerate finasteride. This is what I shall move too if sides don't go away or become unbearable. I am also in a group buy for Seti, and we're looking for more people to fill the ranks.
I and quite a few others are pretty optimistic about it as possibly a replacement for finasteride or hopefully at the least an excellent addition to a topical or oral AA.

This is the thread for the first Group buy, prices are the same and it's by the same organises PM me if your interested.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/91188-RU-Myristate-SETIPIPRANT-group-buys

(Don't put all hopes on seti though, it has alot of potential but as of yet no results as it's currently in trials. I would definitly reccomend finding a topical AA first and foremost)

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/90668-Kythera-Acquires-Rights-to-PGD2-Inhibitor

This thread has alot of discussion on seti, but there is a fair few threads. There's also a PGE2 group buy which hopefully will show some regrwoth when used with seti.

Good luck

Good info, thank you!

 

[Dench57]

Dench, did you ever figure out how to reduce scalp inflamation? It's become a 24/7 issue for me. My face and scalp are always oily and my head itches so bad. I've tried Saw Palmetto, ketokonazole shampoo both 1% and prescription 2%, apple cider vinegar, biotin, stinging nettle. I don't know what to do and I've looked through your post history and it seems as if you're dealing with the same thing after using finasteride for a short period of time.

I'm considering going to an endocrinologist or a trichologist but at this point I don't know how educated these professionals are and if they have anything real to offer. I have a feeling this forum is probably a better resource. Thanks again for your time and responses on several of my threads lately..

Sounds like you had a similar reaction to me. I really feel your pain because it's ruined the last 8 months of my life and I can't see any way out anymore. I had perfectly healthy scalp/hair before trying finasteride and now, 8 months after quitting, the 24/7 itching/burning/pain is just progressively getting worse. I also got really oily skin, increased acne and increased libido. Classic reflex-hyperandrogenicity - except no medical professional seems to know what that means, it's only really a theory in hairloss forums. You are right in that these forums we have are a better resource. I've spent over £1000 in consultation fees seeing endocrinologists, 3 different dermatologists supposedly specialising in hair loss, and none of them had a clue what was going on. I'm struggling to understand it myself, I think it is caused by upregulated androgen receptors caused by Finasteride, meaning you're much more sensitive to DHT, and from these sites we know that DHT attacking the hair follicle can often mean scalp pain/itching. No medical professional seems to know anything about this, which is really scary.

Unfortunately I've found nothing that even remotely helps with it, I wish I could suggest something to you. The only encouragement I can give you is that my case seems to be the most severe I've seen on these and other boards. Most people return to normal usually within weeks or months of stopping finasteride. Some continue to take finasteride and these symptoms subside.

Let's see, I've tried:

Every vitamin/supplement I can think of (currently take about 15 daily which are supposedly anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, degrade androgen receptor, help general health of hair etc etc)
Topical anti-androgens like spironolactone, fluridil
Topical PGD2 inhibitors like Ramatroban and cetirizine
Essential oils, aloe vera, tea tree oil
Every medicated shampoo you can think of, including keto, PO, curcumin, zinc, coal (T-gel etc), baby shampoo
Anti-inflammatories/painkillers like Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen
Various hair "serums" like Revivogen
Copper peptides like Tricomin
Emu oil
Ketoconazole cream
Scalpicin extra strength
Topical corticosteroids like bethamethasone/hydrocortisone
Amitryptyline, a tricylic anti-depressant used for the suppression of pain/itching sensations

None of these have done anything whatsoever. Many of these things do work in relieving the itch/pain though for many people, hence why I bought them, they just haven't worked for me because I think mine is so severe. They may work for you.

I took Finasteride because I didn't want the hassle, expense and commitment of applying topicals haha. I must've spent roughly £1000 on this crap, added to the £1000 I've spent on consultation fees. I'm 25 years old with limited income too. The pain and itching is so constant that I can't lead a normal life anymore. I spend most of my time on hairloss forums and researching medical journals for an answer. Not what any 25 year old should be doing with their life.

My next step is trying Sulfasalazine in the last hopes this can be treated with a powerful systemic anti-inflammatory, at least to relieve the symptoms. If it's inflammation caused by DHT, then this should work. I'm really clutching at straws though, and Sulfa is a powerful drug with nasty, potentially dangerous side effects. It will have to be done under the supervision of a doctor with regular blood tests. If it is just DHT itself causing this, then I'm screwed. I can't inhibit DHT because DHT inhibitors caused this itch/inflammation in the first place and would just make it worse! It doesn't make any sense.

I really have no idea anymore. I'll keep trying to figure it out, I've pretty much been left to find a treatment myself by the medical professionals and healthservice. Because it's "just" androgenic alopecia (this is beyond normal Androgenetic Alopecia) doctors really don't seem to care. I will report back if I find anything that works, and I hope you do the same.

 

[litcII]

Hi darkcolor,

I don't post often, but I just wanted to chime in on this, since your situation seems so eerily similar to mine. I am currently taking my third go at finasteride. I stopped the first time (.25mg everyday) because of pretty much the same side effects you mentioned in your post (brain fog, weird sleep/waking, and gyno fears). I stopped the second time (.25mg twice a week), because of the same, but less intense side effects... and also, I just got lazy. And now onto my third time, I have decided to try .25mg once per week. I don't even know if it's doing anything for my hair, but I am just focused on being able to tolerate it for now. Although I recall reading that DHT remains suppressed for several days after taking it, so maybe...

Anyways, I decided to change things up a little bit in how/when I take it to see if it made any difference. The main change is that I am taking it in the morning now, not before bed. Only once did I experience brain fog this time, and I have been taking .25mg once per week for just over a month now. I wonder if taking it before bed messes up your sleep, and then screws you up for the rest of the day or something.

I also noticed that my nipples would itch or have this pinching pain after working out or playing sports (maybe due to an increase in testerone? That's my bro-science guess). So I try to avoid these around the day that I take finasteride.

So far, by doing these, I have been able to tolerate finasteride, and that's a positive in my books. I'll probably stick with this for 2-3 months, see if my hair improves, and then maybe try twice a week again.

My suggestion is maybe try taking it in the morning instead, once per week, and see how it goes. And also pay attention to your body to see if anything correlates with an increase in the sides you feel, and adjust accordingly. Good luck!

 

[thedarkcolor]

Sounds like you had a similar reaction to me. I really feel your pain because it's ruined the last 8 months of my life and I can't see any way out anymore. I had perfectly healthy scalp/hair before trying finasteride and now, 8 months after quitting, the 24/7 itching/burning/pain is just progressively getting worse. I also got really oily skin, increased acne and increased libido. Classic reflex-hyperandrogenicity - except no medical professional seems to know what that means, it's only really a theory in hairloss forums. You are right in that these forums we have are a better resource. I've spent over £1000 in consultation fees seeing endocrinologists, 3 different dermatologists supposedly specialising in hair loss, and none of them had a clue what was going on. I'm struggling to understand it myself, I think it is caused by upregulated androgen receptors caused by Finasteride, meaning you're much more sensitive to DHT, and from these sites we know that DHT attacking the hair follicle can often mean scalp pain/itching. No medical professional seems to know anything about this, which is really scary.

Unfortunately I've found nothing that even remotely helps with it, I wish I could suggest something to you. The only encouragement I can give you is that my case seems to be the most severe I've seen on these and other boards. Most people return to normal usually within weeks or months of stopping finasteride. Some continue to take finasteride and these symptoms subside.

Let's see, I've tried:

Every vitamin/supplement I can think of (currently take about 15 daily which are supposedly anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, degrade androgen receptor, help general health of hair etc etc)
Topical anti-androgens like spironolactone, fluridil
Topical PGD2 inhibitors like Ramatroban and cetirizine
Essential oils, aloe vera, tea tree oil
Every medicated shampoo you can think of, including keto, PO, curcumin, zinc, coal (T-gel etc), baby shampoo
Anti-inflammatories/painkillers like Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen
Various hair "serums" like Revivogen
Copper peptides like Tricomin
Emu oil
Ketoconazole cream
Scalpicin extra strength
Topical corticosteroids like bethamethasone/hydrocortisone
Amitryptyline, a tricylic anti-depressant used for the suppression of pain/itching sensations

None of these have done anything whatsoever. Many of these things do work in relieving the itch/pain though for many people, hence why I bought them, they just haven't worked for me because I think mine is so severe. They may work for you.

I took Finasteride because I didn't want the hassle, expense and commitment of applying topicals haha. I must've spent roughly £1000 on this crap, added to the £1000 I've spent on consultation fees. I'm 25 years old with limited income too. The pain and itching is so constant that I can't lead a normal life anymore. I spend most of my time on hairloss forums and researching medical journals for an answer. Not what any 25 year old should be doing with their life.

My next step is trying Sulfasalazine in the last hopes this can be treated with a powerful systemic anti-inflammatory, at least to relieve the symptoms. If it's inflammation caused by DHT, then this should work. I'm really clutching at straws though, and Sulfa is a powerful drug with nasty, potentially dangerous side effects. It will have to be done under the supervision of a doctor with regular blood tests. If it is just DHT itself causing this, then I'm screwed. I can't inhibit DHT because DHT inhibitors caused this itch/inflammation in the first place and would just make it worse! It doesn't make any sense.

I really have no idea anymore. I'll keep trying to figure it out, I've pretty much been left to find a treatment myself by the medical professionals and healthservice. Because it's "just" androgenic alopecia (this is beyond normal Androgenetic Alopecia) doctors really don't seem to care. I will report back if I find anything that works, and I hope you do the same.

Thanks for the reply Dench. I will definitely send you a PM if I ever find anything that helps out. I haven't taken finasteride for about 3-4 days now and the oiliness has decreased about 50%. The itch is still there are times, and when it's there....hooooly **** it's there, but definitely not as bad as it was when I was taking the drug. My breast pains and slight brainfog are just about gone too. Jesus, this hairloss thing is hard to deal with.

Hi darkcolor,

I don't post often, but I just wanted to chime in on this, since your situation seems so eerily similar to mine. I am currently taking my third go at finasteride. I stopped the first time (.25mg everyday) because of pretty much the same side effects you mentioned in your post (brain fog, weird sleep/waking, and gyno fears). I stopped the second time (.25mg twice a week), because of the same, but less intense side effects... and also, I just got lazy. And now onto my third time, I have decided to try .25mg once per week. I don't even know if it's doing anything for my hair, but I am just focused on being able to tolerate it for now. Although I recall reading that DHT remains suppressed for several days after taking it, so maybe...

Anyways, I decided to change things up a little bit in how/when I take it to see if it made any difference. The main change is that I am taking it in the morning now, not before bed. Only once did I experience brain fog this time, and I have been taking .25mg once per week for just over a month now. I wonder if taking it before bed messes up your sleep, and then screws you up for the rest of the day or something.

I also noticed that my nipples would itch or have this pinching pain after working out or playing sports (maybe due to an increase in testerone? That's my bro-science guess). So I try to avoid these around the day that I take finasteride.

So far, by doing these, I have been able to tolerate finasteride, and that's a positive in my books. I'll probably stick with this for 2-3 months, see if my hair improves, and then maybe try twice a week again.

My suggestion is maybe try taking it in the morning instead, once per week, and see how it goes. And also pay attention to your body to see if anything correlates with an increase in the sides you feel, and adjust accordingly. Good luck!

Very interesting. If you don't mind me asking about your personal experience with finasteride, how long did you take it during each attempt and what were the durations of the side effects? For me, the first time I took it, the sides took a few days to go away once I discontinued. The second time, I'm almost sure I developed some time of adrenal fatigue (PFS) and was a zombie for a month straight.

It's been about 3-4 days since I haven't taken it and I feel myself returning to normal. It's just so frustrating on two different levels. The first being that such a small dose will give people like us severe side effects, when there are guys taking both finasteride and dutasteride and claim to feel 100% normal! The second being that on Reddit's r/tressless and even a little bit here...there are guys who REFUSE to believe the possibility of side effects. I was just reading a thread the other day where someone mentioned they had something along the lines up gyno/brainfog and this guy was like "You got side effects the same day? That's BS. Any side effects from finasteride will show up within a few weeks/months after taking the drug."

When I first posted my side effects thread on this forum and Reddit, some guys refused to believe that I got breast pains/sleep issues/brain fog the same day within a few hours on the same day of taking my first dose of finasteride. Yes, that happens. Some people's bodies are (unfortunately) incredibly sensitive to drugs. You're taking something that directly affects your hormonal profile, which will in turn probably screw with other things.

Anywho, thanks for the response and I will likely give your plan a go once I feel I've recovered 100% from my third trial.

Regards,

 

[Dench57]

I haven't taken finasteride for about 3-4 days now and the oiliness has decreased about 50%. The itch is still there are times, and when it's there....hooooly **** it's there, but definitely not as bad as it was when I was taking the drug. My breast pains and slight brainfog are just about gone too. Jesus, this hairloss thing is hard to deal with.

Consider yourself lucky, that's definitely a good sign that it's reduced after you stopped taking, hopefully it will wear off. I've been off it for 6 months and the itch/pain has gotten progressively worse.

 

[g.i joey]

Dench, I know this sounds crazy... but why don't u give finasteride another go if u xostantly have scalp pain maybe ur second time around will help with the itchiness... my 3rd time around on finasteride is a whole diff experience for me.

 

[Dench57]

Dench, I know this sounds crazy... but why don't u give finasteride another go if u xostantly have scalp pain maybe ur second time around will help with the itchiness... my 3rd time around on finasteride is a whole diff experience for me.

The crazy thing is in the last month or so I've actually been considering trying it again on a lower dose. I mean I ****ing hate that drug, I know it's great for most people but it's ruined/is ruining my life and I regret the day I ever touched it. And when you have awful side effects 6 months after quitting, and you start reading and talking to other people who've had persistent or permanent sides... makes me realise how scarily powerful that stuff is. But I've explored every other possible option for treatment, and the fact my scalp pain is progressively becoming worse means I can't keep telling myself it will resolve itself naturally.

My last bullet is Sulfasalazine, a powerful and fairly nasty anti-inflammatory. If that doesn't work, then I will be left with no other choice but to take finasteride again. There's not even any logic to that, it gave me this scalp pain in the first place so why would it suddenly have the opposite effect and help the scalp pain? My theory is that Finasteride massively upregulated my androgen receptors, making me more sensitive to DHT. That's why I have the higher libido, oily skin, scalp pain, accelerated loss. I'm hoping if I took a lower dose than before, that I could reduce the DHT without upregulating my receptors any further than they have been. It's a huge risk but I won't be left with any other option I don't think.

I know people have retried finasteride and escaped the sides they had before, but that's usually for people with the usual lower libido/ED/brain fog type sides. Haven't really seen anyone with reflex-hyperandrogenicity go back on finasteride.

 

[g.i joey]

My advice to you would be go get blood tests and if you don't see anything abnormal go ahead and try finasteride again. I honestly think it will help you man.

 

[Dench57]

My advice to you would be go get blood tests and if you don't see anything abnormal go ahead and try finasteride again. I honestly think it will help you man.

I've been tested for pretty much everything, all within normal range. The only thing I'm still waiting on is of course...DHT. Unless that's absolutely through the roof then I don't think I'll learn much from that either though.

 

[litcII]

Thanks for the reply Dench. I will definitely send you a PM if I ever find anything that helps out. I haven't taken finasteride for about 3-4 days now and the oiliness has decreased about 50%. The itch is still there are times, and when it's there....hooooly **** it's there, but definitely not as bad as it was when I was taking the drug. My breast pains and slight brainfog are just about gone too. Jesus, this hairloss thing is hard to deal with.



Very interesting. If you don't mind me asking about your personal experience with finasteride, how long did you take it during each attempt and what were the durations of the side effects? For me, the first time I took it, the sides took a few days to go away once I discontinued. The second time, I'm almost sure I developed some time of adrenal fatigue (PFS) and was a zombie for a month straight.

It's been about 3-4 days since I haven't taken it and I feel myself returning to normal. It's just so frustrating on two different levels. The first being that such a small dose will give people like us severe side effects, when there are guys taking both finasteride and dutasteride and claim to feel 100% normal! The second being that on Reddit's r/tressless and even a little bit here...there are guys who REFUSE to believe the possibility of side effects. I was just reading a thread the other day where someone mentioned they had something along the lines up gyno/brainfog and this guy was like "You got side effects the same day? That's BS. Any side effects from finasteride will show up within a few weeks/months after taking the drug."

When I first posted my side effects thread on this forum and Reddit, some guys refused to believe that I got breast pains/sleep issues/brain fog the same day within a few hours on the same day of taking my first dose of finasteride. Yes, that happens. Some people's bodies are (unfortunately) incredibly sensitive to drugs. You're taking something that directly affects your hormonal profile, which will in turn probably screw with other things.

Anywho, thanks for the response and I will likely give your plan a go once I feel I've recovered 100% from my third trial.

Regards,

The first attempt, I took it for 9 days straight, at 0.25mg per day. I took it at night, and the side effects started sometime during the night. I would feel the brainfog the next day, and it would wear off at night, roughly a few hours before I would take the next dose. And then I would take the next dose, and start being a zombie again the next day...

During this time, the early gyno symptoms (the itch and pain) would just show up every once in a while.

When I took the last dose of my first attempt, the brainfog went away the next night as per usual, and the gyno symptoms went away in about a week.

The second attempt, I took 0.25mg twice per week, for about two weeks. Side effects were similar, but less severe.

And I agree - the attitude some people take regarding those who are prone to side effects can be pretty frustrating.

 

[thedarkcolor]

Just stopping by for an update. I tried finasteride again...and it makes me feel like garbage. I've been taking .25mg every night before I got to sleep for the past 5 days and I'm INSANELY tired the next morning. I get randomly "kicked" awake at 7:00am and then I fall back asleep and can't even get out of bed until 11:00am. All day I am an emotional zombie and it's hard for me to find the right words to say.

To top it all off, ever since I tried finasteride again even at a low dose, I've been getting cystic acne on my face, arms, chest, and back. And the itch is worse than ever. Classic reflex hyperandrogenicity again. Strangely enough, is that this time I have no gyno aches in my chest or bloating feelings which I did every other time I've trialed finasteride.

****K!!!!!!!!!! WHAT DO I DO? I'm approaching Norwood 3V almost 4 now and I don't have much time left before it's unsalvageable. I hate my goddamn life.

 

[kenkroo]

Im in the exact same situation right now, tbh i think the brain fog is one of the worst sides you can have.

Feel your pain brother..