I'm done with finasteride - how long until I'm back to normal?
- Thread starter Thickandthin
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Nitrogenius
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would be interesting...still taking .2mg?
Thickandthin
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Update: Still off finasteride. I've gone for most of the past few months (since my last post basically) with a decent libido and erection quality. But now things seem to be going downhill again. But then out of nowhere I will have days where I masturbate 4 or 5 times, each time being rock hard. Then randomly I will have 0 libido and my erection will be weak.
I stopped taking the zinc sometime in December, but I'm starting it up again. I will say that I have been eating and drinking a lot, and have been very unhealthy. I'm not terribly overweight (6' tall and 185 lbs), but I'm very much out of shape. So I'm hoping that perhaps getting back in shape will help out.
Do you guys think I am out of the water when it comes to possible permanent sides? And that my recent setback is perhaps just a coincidence? Or is the seemingly fluctuating T levels an indication that something might be related to PFS?
I stopped taking the zinc sometime in December, but I'm starting it up again. I will say that I have been eating and drinking a lot, and have been very unhealthy. I'm not terribly overweight (6' tall and 185 lbs), but I'm very much out of shape. So I'm hoping that perhaps getting back in shape will help out.
Do you guys think I am out of the water when it comes to possible permanent sides? And that my recent setback is perhaps just a coincidence? Or is the seemingly fluctuating T levels an indication that something might be related to PFS?
Thickandthin said:
Your body is trying to get back to "normal" but there is probably fluctations. Some guys on PH have had this and swear they masturbated themselves into a "crash". But the sounds off it you just need to look after yourself for a few months and hopefully things will iron out
lol, yeah. Shame I didn't get the chance to do so, at least I would've enjoyed one part of it. Do some exercising. I wouldn't use large amounts of zinc (RDA is fine) without being certain of that I had a problem with estrogen. You'll only make it a lot worse if it isn't the problem.
How about creatine monohydrate? 25 grams a day for 7 days. It'll increase your DHT level, and suppress your estrogen level the natural way. It should be great with some workout.
How about creatine monohydrate? 25 grams a day for 7 days. It'll increase your DHT level, and suppress your estrogen level the natural way. It should be great with some workout.
Thickandthin
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Had a new girl I've been seeing over last night. I was able to have sex with her, but the combination of performance anxiety and my penis being at about 75% made things very difficult. I lost my erection countless times before I actually did the deed.
I'm really just terrified that I might actually have permanent PFS. I really need sone reassurance that I most likely do not....
Here's why I think I don't have it:
-I still have very good sensitivity
-I can still get to 100% erection quality, albeit very briefly
-I get hard very quickly
-I don't really have any other symptoms (brain fog, gyno, weakness, fatigue, etc)
Here's why I'm afraid I might have it:
-My flaccid size is considerably smaller than it used to be (although occasionally it is normal size)
-I have very low libido
-My erection weakened multiple times during intercourse/while switching positions
-And probably the biggest one.....my hair seems to be improving despite not taking a single dose of finasteride in 6 months.
The last one is pretty cool, and my hair actually looks awesome right now. But by no means is it worth the possibility that my dick is gimped for life.
I'm going to keep taking the zinc and try to start hitting the weights and see if anything changes. I did have awesome success with 50/100mg of zinc back in December (libido was through the roof).
I'll keep you guys updated.
I'm really just terrified that I might actually have permanent PFS. I really need sone reassurance that I most likely do not....
Here's why I think I don't have it:
-I still have very good sensitivity
-I can still get to 100% erection quality, albeit very briefly
-I get hard very quickly
-I don't really have any other symptoms (brain fog, gyno, weakness, fatigue, etc)
Here's why I'm afraid I might have it:
-My flaccid size is considerably smaller than it used to be (although occasionally it is normal size)
-I have very low libido
-My erection weakened multiple times during intercourse/while switching positions
-And probably the biggest one.....my hair seems to be improving despite not taking a single dose of finasteride in 6 months.
The last one is pretty cool, and my hair actually looks awesome right now. But by no means is it worth the possibility that my dick is gimped for life.
I'm going to keep taking the zinc and try to start hitting the weights and see if anything changes. I did have awesome success with 50/100mg of zinc back in December (libido was through the roof).
I'll keep you guys updated.
Prolactin should be ruled out if you're having trouble with libido and sustaining erections. It really messes with your sexual function, and it's almost certain that you have a problem with prolactin, if you've had a problem with estrogen. How is your refraction period? Any change? The refraction period will increase with the level of prolactin. It can be in range, but still give you problems.
0.25 mg cabergoline, twice a week, for a couple of weeks to 4 weeks - depending on the amount, will deplete your prolactin level. This has no negative consequence.
0.25 mg cabergoline, twice a week, for a couple of weeks to 4 weeks - depending on the amount, will deplete your prolactin level. This has no negative consequence.
Thickandthin
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Ok....and where would I go about obtaining that?
And be honest, Enden--do you think my symptoms sound serious?
And be honest, Enden--do you think my symptoms sound serious?
No, but something is wrong. Just cool it with the zinc for a while, and try cabergoline. It's available through assetchemist.co.uk / hwprescriptionservice.com.
State that you've developed side effects from Propecia, and a blood test which you did recently, showed a high estrogen level, and a prolactin level slightly above normal range, which is 86 - 324 mIE/l. You need Dostinex to lower it, and you're not going to use anymore than 0.25 mg twice a week for a couple of weeks, and you're going to do a new blood test shortly after you're finished with treatment.
State that you've developed side effects from Propecia, and a blood test which you did recently, showed a high estrogen level, and a prolactin level slightly above normal range, which is 86 - 324 mIE/l. You need Dostinex to lower it, and you're not going to use anymore than 0.25 mg twice a week for a couple of weeks, and you're going to do a new blood test shortly after you're finished with treatment.
Thickandthin
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Is this something I'll need to take forever or will my body eventually level off?
Like I said, I went for months with a fairly normal libido (after finasteride). But now it's dropped to almost nothing. Almost like another crash, like what happened to me immediately after dropping finasteride for the first time. Except 6 months later.
I appreciate the link Enden, but I think I'm going to get an actual blood test done and talk to a real Doctor about this. Luckily I had a blood test done before I started finasteride, so I have my baseline levels to compare to.
Also......somewhat relevant info. I masturbated today after my girl left (as I was unable to finish intercourse with her) and everything was.....fine? Erection quality was good, and even though I wasn't very turned on it stayed hard for 20-30 seconds without any stimulation. So now I'm wondering if perhaps the whole damn thing is psychosomatic?
Like I said, I went for months with a fairly normal libido (after finasteride). But now it's dropped to almost nothing. Almost like another crash, like what happened to me immediately after dropping finasteride for the first time. Except 6 months later.
I appreciate the link Enden, but I think I'm going to get an actual blood test done and talk to a real Doctor about this. Luckily I had a blood test done before I started finasteride, so I have my baseline levels to compare to.
Also......somewhat relevant info. I masturbated today after my girl left (as I was unable to finish intercourse with her) and everything was.....fine? Erection quality was good, and even though I wasn't very turned on it stayed hard for 20-30 seconds without any stimulation. So now I'm wondering if perhaps the whole damn thing is psychosomatic?
Check your prolactin level! It messes with the psychological part as well, because it reduces sexual arousal. Less sexual arousal, means that you're more likely to struggle with sustaining erections. 2 - 4 weeks treatment with a small dose. That's all it takes.
Enden, I haven't seen too many guys with overly high (interfering) prolactin from PFS. There is one guy having considerable success on his first week of dostinex though so who knows. It does no harm i suppose!!
Well wait and see.
Get the bloods done.
No treatment is likely to be forever, the hope would be it resets your levels and they normalise naturally.
Thickandthin said:
Well wait and see.
Get the bloods done.
No treatment is likely to be forever, the hope would be it resets your levels and they normalise naturally.
Thickandthin
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Seems like my erections are ok. I was with my girl again last night and while we didn't have a chance to have sex, I was worried the entire time because I didn't feel like I was hard enough while fooling around. But once again, I was able to get an erection at 85-90% "capacity" by myself this morning. So I believe that issue is due to performance anxiety.
Libido is still slightly lowered, but my main problem is my flaccid size. I used to be a shower instead of a grower. But now I've barely got anything to speak of down there. Is that a sign of high estrogen? I also occasionally have watery semen--like maybe once a week. What does that mean?
Libido is still slightly lowered, but my main problem is my flaccid size. I used to be a shower instead of a grower. But now I've barely got anything to speak of down there. Is that a sign of high estrogen? I also occasionally have watery semen--like maybe once a week. What does that mean?
Dude, it sounds like you are under a lot of stress and pressure. If this isn't the cause of your problems right now, I would wager it's definitely making them worse. When you're with a girl, there is nothing worse than having doubt in your mind to muck up your performace. You can be with the hottest chick on earth; if you keep thinking "god I hope I can get it up tonight" I can almost guarantee you will have problems. Hell, i've been in that exact situation before; went home with one of the hottest chicks at the bar, worried the whole time, and in the end, couldn't get it up. I wanted to die from the embarrassment... She said something along the lines of "What a waste of my time" then left. Worst night of my life. But it happens to the best of us.. Or at least I keep telling myself that
From what i've read about your experience, it sounds to me like there is nothing wrong. You seem to be experiencing a LOT of anxiety. Keep in mind that when you are in a constantly state of high anxiety, your package literally shrinks. When i'm stressed and anxious, it happens to me too. Your testicles suck up inside your body and same with your penis. It's your bodies natural response to anxiety. Keep in mind that Libido is also affected by anxiety as well.
Here is an interesting Wikipedia article that explains this phenomenon. It's ironic that the fear of this disorder alone can cause this unfortunate symptom to manifest!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koro_(medicine)
Keep in mind it's nothing permanent or even dangerous.
FYI; i've been a 'grower' my entire life. 3" flacid, 7" erect. It doesn't mean anything; it's just another one of those things that makes us all different! There are about an equal number of 'growers' to 'showers' in the male population from what i've read. Just take a look at some dudes in the locker room if you are so inclined.
You'll be fine man. Do your best to stop worrying about all this and go enjoy your lady friend! I'm confident that when all this worry leaves your mind, you will be back to performing like before. Good luck!
From what i've read about your experience, it sounds to me like there is nothing wrong. You seem to be experiencing a LOT of anxiety. Keep in mind that when you are in a constantly state of high anxiety, your package literally shrinks. When i'm stressed and anxious, it happens to me too. Your testicles suck up inside your body and same with your penis. It's your bodies natural response to anxiety. Keep in mind that Libido is also affected by anxiety as well.
Here is an interesting Wikipedia article that explains this phenomenon. It's ironic that the fear of this disorder alone can cause this unfortunate symptom to manifest!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koro_(medicine)
Keep in mind it's nothing permanent or even dangerous.
FYI; i've been a 'grower' my entire life. 3" flacid, 7" erect. It doesn't mean anything; it's just another one of those things that makes us all different! There are about an equal number of 'growers' to 'showers' in the male population from what i've read. Just take a look at some dudes in the locker room if you are so inclined.
You'll be fine man. Do your best to stop worrying about all this and go enjoy your lady friend! I'm confident that when all this worry leaves your mind, you will be back to performing like before.
Good luck!lol. I knew someone would give me a hard time. I'm cool with it! In fact, on average, growers have longer erect wangs than showers.. That's where it counts! There is even a Wikipedia article about it.. I'm not about to search for that while at work though.
You can impress guys in the locker room with your shower, but ladies really dig the growers!
You can impress guys in the locker room with your shower, but ladies really dig the growers!
Haha, right... I'm glad the internet is anonymous! I know my friends would give me a hard time reading these posts. I'm very careful to clear my history when my Girlfriend is on the computer also!
Honestly though, on the subject of locker rooms, I can't count the number of times i've been tying my shoes and look up only to see a 300 pound, 70 yearold naked guy standing right infront of me, inches from my face.. There are times I swear I almost smacked their junk with my nose. Old guys have no shame. It must be awesome to have absolutely no self-consciousness.. At least that's something to look forward to when you get old.
Honestly though, on the subject of locker rooms, I can't count the number of times i've been tying my shoes and look up only to see a 300 pound, 70 yearold naked guy standing right infront of me, inches from my face.. There are times I swear I almost smacked their junk with my nose. Old guys have no shame. It must be awesome to have absolutely no self-consciousness.. At least that's something to look forward to when you get old.
*breathe in, breathe out* Yes, I think all my problems will be gone when I wake up tomorrow. Anxiety! That's it! The mind is so powerful, that it can make you loose morning erections, shrink your testicles, waste your muscles, make you loose body hair, make shaving a lot more convenient by slowing the growth of your beard so that you only need to shave once a week! It can even make you grow a nice pair of breasts!!! Obviously, all we need is a shrink! All this time, I thought the problem was physical.