Started to experience Fog/Clouded Brain

MikeyMo

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I posted my experiences in a different thread, but was looking to get something different out of that post, so I'm reposting this here to ask for some guidance in regards to the sides I've experienced and/or whether I should continue to use finasteride--

Just recently (November 10, 2010), I began using Finasteride/Propecia. I was extremely reluctant to do so, as I've read the horror stories. However, after much contemplation, I decided that I would give it a go at a lower dose (.625mg -- I cut the 5mg tabs into 8) and monitor my behaviors closely.

Over the first month and a half, I recalled there being 2 days where I felt some extreme brain fog/cloud. I was at work and suddenly I couldn't do anything -- it felt almost like a semi-dream state, like I had just been woken up from a deep sleep and I was trying to figure out what was going on -- what was real and what wasn't...scary.

After this happening twice, both during random occurrences, I continued to use finasteride. This decision was party due to the sides not lasting more than half a day, and the fact that I had started taking Ambien at the same time I started finasteride -- I was hesitant to quit if the sides were from another medicine altogether.

December 27th came and I felt clouded all day. I didn't know what was going on. December 28th was very similar. It was at this point that I decided to test what would happen if I didn't take finasteride for the next couple days... within a day and a half of being off of finasteride I was back to normal and feeling ALIVE.

...I stayed off finasteride for that whole next week, and just decided yesterday that I was going to give it a go again (was this a stupid decision?), as I have heard of people experiencing some sides at first, but then fighting through them and having good luck with the product.

----now that you know my drug history, let me say that I am 26 years old and started to see thinning on my hairline at about the age of 22. Thinning on the top of my dome has just popped up in the last year or so. Aside from finasteride and some special shampoos, I haven't tried anything.

So back to my original question -- should I give it another go? Are there any ways to combat this side?

Also as an FYI, I'm thinking about starting Nizoral and maybe minoxidil as well..


Thanks.
 

Mew

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So back to my original question -- should I give it another go? Are there any ways to combat this side?

ANSWER: You can do whatever you like, but I personally wouldn't, since you already know that you experience this side effect from the drug. As for combatting "brain fog" and cognitive impairment while on Finasteride, there is no treatment other than not inhibiting 5AR (ie, stop using the drug).

REASON: Finasteride inhibits 5AR-derived neurosteroid metabolism in the brain (lowered THDOC, Allopregnanolone levels) which affects GABA-A receptor/GABergic function in the central nervous system, leading to depressive symptoms, mood disorders and cognitive impairment.

Merck has just added DEPRESSION as a possible side effect from use due to these exact mechanisms. Lowered THDOC is also implicated in anxiety and seizure models.

DETAILS (be sure to scroll down for study abstracts and screenshots):

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=63138
 

barcafan

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you need to get off the drug and thank god that you arent going to suffer long term damage from it.
 
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