Massive saw palmetto problems...please help with some advice

[pageidol]

Hello guys, ive been looking over these forums for a few months now searching for answers or advice. Basically what happened is I had abit of alopecia due to stress back end of last year so sought some advice from a hair loss clinic based in Manchester. They gave me what they referred to as vitamins to help with the regrowth and thats what i thought they were...vitamins. Upon taking them my body had a very bad reaction(Swollen glands, testicular pain, bright red face, bad guts, libido just vanished and for the first time in my life ED) and at first i put this down to a bad case of flu. I realise now this was the rise in estrogen from blocking DHT. Anyway after 3 weeks i finally worked out what was going on...i looked at these vitamins and they contained something called saw palmetto. I then researched this saw palmetto and its side effects on the web and got a massive shock. I found out that they are anti-androgenic herbs that shut down test to dht production via inhibiting 5 alpha enzyme. I wasnt best pleased and ceased taking sp immediately. I took 21 pills in total over 21 days. This was March this year. Were now in October and im still suffereing which 0 libido and struggle getting an erection. Ive had no morning wood for 6 months. Ive been deeply distressed over this and contemplated suicide. Is this likely to be permanent? Does it take time for the endocrine system to right itself? Ive had blood tests taken and my test levels are very low to at 10.5nmol. Im frightened im only 27. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Obviously sp isnt as strong as finasteride being only a weak inhibitor of 5 alpha.

Thanks for your time guys and i appreciate any advice you can lend

James

 

[rcom440]

Hi James, I've read before that some people who are sensitive to SP get those side effects.
Yes it does happen but eventually it should go away. I take it you stopped taking those vitamins with SP in March? And you still experiencing low libido? Do you think it getting better?
Please remember that ED is caused by stress. I don't know all the details but I'm sure it won't be permanent. Please do not think that it will be. And please do not think about suicide. I'm sure stress is a huge factor and it can effect you blood test as well. Let's talk about it. I'm sure you can find a lot of people here who can answer your questions.

 

[ham373]

That sounds like a bad situation, James.
You should probably go to a doctor to do some blood tests to see if your hormone levels are abnormal. This can help define what the issue is and allow for further treatments.
You should also put in a record of your problems to the drug regulatory body in the UK (the MHRA) which has a service called the yellow card. You are not the only person to have problems with saw palmetto and it should probably not be given out with vitamins. (it only takes a few min).
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

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For some solace, these things do seem to resolve in people and endocrine systems can heal. however, sometimes medical attention can assist.

 

[rcom440]

If he stopped taking SP than it should get back to normal unless there is other reason for this. Are you on any other medications?

I bet stress is a huge factor in his case. It does cause ED.

 

[hellouser]

Hair loss > stress > ED

And yes, people think baldness isn't a serious problem and men's health (especially psychological) is downplayed further.

 

[rcom440]

Hellouser, Totally, but I think in his case it's:
stress>hairloss>More stress>ED.

I think he will be able to get his hair back if it was caused by stress only. But it will take some time to do it on its own. No need for minoxidil, finasteride and vitamins with SP. I know people who went through huge shed due to stress but they got their hair back on its own after they got stress under control.

 

[pageidol]

Thanks guy for the support. I have in fact had my test levels taken on numerous occasions and my testosterone is very low at 10.5. Ill add that back in august I got fenugreek advised to me as a test booster and I started getting all the same sides as the saw palmetto. I researched fenugreek and found out its another 5 alpha blocker. ..thats how it boosts test but then of course turns into estrogen so you end up with the same problems. So ive probably hampered my recovery. Ive started training again and eating well. I haven't had a morning erection for 6 months. I understand what your saying about stress but all the stress I was under last year I never had problems. All my problems started with saw palmetto. .The whole thing is just stupid. ..it was just a bit of alopecia. Had I off just waited I wouldn't be in this mess now....and secondly I should of researched this 'saw palmetto' before I took these so called vitamins. My doctor had a similar case whereby his patient took 6 months to start getting proper erections again after taking sp. Its a bloody awful experience. I was so sexually active before all of this. Cheers guys. Has anyone else ever experienced this with sp?

 

[hellouser]

Hellouser, Totally, but I think in his case it's:
stress>hairloss>More stress>ED.

I think he will be able to get his hair back if it was caused by stress only. But it will take some time to do it on its own. No need for minoxidil, finasteride and vitamins with SP. I know people who went through huge shed due to stress but they got their hair back on its own after they got stress under control.

Nope, it goes more precisely like this:

Loss of genetic lottery > Androgenetic Alopecia > Hair Loss > Stress > Depression > Erectile Dysfunction

Stress can cause hair loss, but its not really permanent.

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My doctor had a similar case whereby his patient took 6 months to start getting proper erections again after taking sp. Its a bloody awful experience. I was so sexually active before all of this. Cheers guys. Has anyone else ever experienced this with sp?

I took Saw Palmetto as well before getting on Finasteride, thinking it'd be safer. My libido has been down the last couple years. I haven't touched SP in about a year or so but I've remained on RU58841. My libido today is weird... sometimes I'll be in the mood constantly for like a week straight and then i'll have little urge for weeks. It doesn't really bother me much as... well, you know, being a balding guy its not like you're going to have much luck with women anyway, they despise us, so whatever lol.

 

[pageidol]

Well my hairs grown back...im stressed because I took an anti androgen and now my dick doesn't work and im worried its for life. I don't even care about my hair if I lose the use of my dick. So your taking finasteride mate? No wonder your libido comes and goes. Did you ever have ed problems?

 

[2bald2young]

Loss of genetic lottery > Androgenetic Alopecia > Hair Loss > Stress > Delusional nw1-2 > realization > realization that you are fvcked > depression > chopping your balls off out of desperation > no p*nis > Erectile Dysfunction

Yes, I have nothing better to do.

 

[rcom440]

James, don't worry mate it's not for life. I've read about people having problems with ED due to SP but they recovered after a while. Please stay away from SP and any other meds for hairloss. I'm sure you will get your hair back on its own. Try not to think too much about that whole thing because it's not helping and it's only stressing you out which doesn't help to deal with ED.

 

[pageidol]

thanks rcom440, these other geezers didnt actaully take the time to read what ive said. I appreciate the support and reassurance mate...its been pretty distressing as you can imagine. The hair loss from alopecia has largely grown back....had i off just relaxed at the time and not done anything i wouldnt be in this mess right now. That saw palmetto is bloody horrific...i advice anyone from going down that road. Like i said i got in this mess because they were sold so me as 'vitamins' which wasnt the case. I dude down in London who deals with sports supplements is helping me a great deal. A few years ago he also misleadingly took saw palmetto which was incorporated into a multivitamin package. It took him 8 weeks to nail what the hell was happening to him. It was 6 months before he started getting proper erections and another 9 months before his libido returned. luckily for him he can now sport rock hard erections and has a high libido. So fingers crossed i can follow a similar pattern. It just aint worth it....a shaven head is a good luck nowadays no ones really bothered but to lose the ability to have sex and maintain a healthy normal relationship is a nightmare.

rcom have you personally come across anyone who has had problems with sp and they recovered after a while?

Thanks again friend

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thanks rcom440, these other geezers didnt actaully take the time to read what ive said. I appreciate the support and reassurance mate...its been pretty distressing as you can imagine. The hair loss from alopecia has largely grown back....had i off just relaxed at the time and not done anything i wouldnt be in this mess right now. That saw palmetto is bloody horrific...i advice anyone from going down that road. Like i said i got in this mess because they were sold so me as 'vitamins' which wasnt the case. I dude down in London who deals with sports supplements is helping me a great deal. A few years ago he also misleadingly took saw palmetto which was incorporated into a multivitamin package. It took him 8 weeks to nail what the hell was happening to him. It was 6 months before he started getting proper erections and another 9 months before his libido returned. luckily for him he can now sport rock hard erections and has a high libido. So fingers crossed i can follow a similar pattern. It just aint worth it....a shaven head is a good luck nowadays no ones really bothered but to lose the ability to have sex and maintain a healthy normal relationship is a nightmare.

rcom have you personally come across anyone who has had problems with sp and they recovered after a while?

Thanks again friend

 

[hellouser]

Well my hairs grown back...im stressed because I took an anti androgen and now my dick doesn't work and im worried its for life. I don't even care about my hair if I lose the use of my dick. So your taking finasteride mate? No wonder your libido comes and goes. Did you ever have ed problems?

where did I say I'm talking finasteride?

 

[pageidol]

Nope, it goes more precisely like this:

Loss of genetic lottery > Androgenetic Alopecia > Hair Loss > Stress > Depression > Erectile Dysfunction

Stress can cause hair loss, but its not really permanent.

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I took Saw Palmetto as well before getting on Finasteride, thinking it'd be safer. My libido has been down the last couple years. I haven't touched SP in about a year or so but I've remained on RU58841. My libido today is weird... sometimes I'll be in the mood constantly for like a week straight and then i'll have little urge for weeks. It doesn't really bother me much as... well, you know, being a balding guy its not like you're going to have much luck with women anyway, they despise us, so whatever lol.

You said you took sp before finasteride? :tellme:

cheers

 

[rcom440]

I actually don't know anyone personally who experienced ED from SP but I've read a few posts over the years on different forums. As far as I remember those people recovered. There is no way SP would give super sensitive people ED for life. As long as they stop taking SP it should get back to normal but as you already know it will be slow process. Just like your friend from London, it took him 6 months but everyone is different and it also depends on the dosage of SP.
You will be fine my friend, just be patient.

 

[pageidol]

Thanks again mate, I think it has alot to do with shrinking the prostate due to lack of DHT...im wondering if it takes so long to recover because thats how long the prostate takes to go back to normal. Anyway im still not out the woods yet,,,far from my normal self. Im just utterly perplexed how 3 weeks on on saw palmetto can cause all this.

James

 

[rcom440]

You are probably very sensitive to SP but you will recover my friend. Did you notice any improvement?
Also try to eat nutrition dense meals - fish, vegetables, fruits. No junk food. I believe it may help with faster recovery. Also drink plenty of water.

 

[pageidol]

At the moment dude ive got a long way to go. Ive just quit smoking which i took up 3 months ago to help me cope with what was going on...obvs ive had my time off the rails now so ive started eating well again, drinking water and starting back at the gymn. We all need a vice sometimes right!

I got the same symptoms when i tried out fenugreek 2 months ago which gave me the same reactions as saw palmetto(later found out, its another 5 alpha blocker...i believed it was a test booster..wrong!). So ive probably set myself way back in my recovery. Im not having morning wood at all, (which i got everyday prior) and having a play is like touching a foreign body...so im still not in the best head space with it all. Kid you not I was sexual jetpilot before all this began.

Im starting a cycle of tongkat ali which has been well reccomended to me and ive done plenty of research as its encourages the pit to produce more LH and therefore stimulating test, which in turn DHT! thats the theory anyway.

Whats crazy about it all is i just had abit of alopecia, and i was given prostate pills disguised as 'hair life vitamins'...its fuking crazy that people who you trust to help you have no idea what there doing. This is Manchester Hair Loss Clinic! They are idiots. Again had i of known or had they explained what they were dispensing to me i wouldnt have touched in a million years and the only reason im in this mess is they pushed them as vitamins! This is the crazy ****ing modern world we live in.

I think guys are crazy to risk the sides of the various anti-androgens out there....sex and relationships are so important to wellbeing and life...it really is the small things in life that count. We only have a short time on the planet so enjoy it...dont risk taking anything thats gonna disable yourself....were all gonna lose our hair to some degree or another. Obviously i feel this way because ive had such a bad reaction but **** me it aint worth it.

Cheers James

 

[Wolf Pack]

Saw Palmetto is the worst of both worlds, possible sides (safety not confirmed by trials) AND little/no benefit to hair. I heard it doesn't lower Serum DHT but is specific to prostate DHT or something. Questionable benefit either way.

I am sure you will recover.

 

[pageidol]

Thanks pal.

Is there anybody else on these forums that knows a thing or too regarding sp sides, tales and recoveries. I think out of all cases ive read, 80% of people have got back to normal. I think the other 20% people took it long term, have run into problems. The product i took contained 37.5% fatty acids whatever the hell that means and was an extract of sp

Thanks