Post Finasteride Syndrome?? Help Required

combover

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Hi,

Just seeking a bit of help from those who may know!

I'm 28 y/o male, fit, healthy, etc. Best part of a year ago, I noticed some thinning of my hair. It progressively got worse and I sought blood tests, a trichologist, ect. I was told it was the signs of male pattern baldness, which I kinda expected, and was recommended Propecia.

I weighed up the pro's and cons and thought i'd give it a go. The first week on it was fine, the next 5 days after I got sincere pains in my testicles, my left one shrunk, I had trouble raising an erection, low libido, I felt I had developed more 'spidery' veins on my penis and scrotum, etc...the usual signs. So, I decied upon getting off the tablets - my health was a priority and I could always approach the issue later in life with a transplant or seek developments in the industry, etc, etc.

A week to two weeks later, and most of the side effects had gone. Before long, I felt pretty much back to normal.

However, in the last 3 weeks or so (about 6-8 weeks after being off Propecia), I have noticed a development of problems: I have slight testicle pain, my penis veers to the left slightly, I feel I have more 'foreskin' than before (suggesting some form of penile shrinkage), my left testicle is still smaller, the veins are still apparent and I have no morning glory.

However, I can raise an erection fine through stimulation (p**rn, basically...) or with my partner, and can masturbate although it isn't as 'easy' as before but not too difficult either. I am not, as of yet, affected during sex (I maintain an erection) and my ejaculate seems normal.

Do I have some early signs of PFS and not others, and should I be wary of this? The left-leaning of my penis is the part I am finding most worrying!

I sought advice from my GP and trichologist. The GP has referred me for some blood tests for testosterone etc, so that is the first step. I think, given I can get and maintain an erection through sex, the problem isn't a mental one. The trichologist seemed surprised to my sides and said it couldn't be Propecia...I wouldn't expect her to say anything else, but she has given me the contact details of an Erectile Dysfunction specialist.

All I take, in life generally, is a multivitamin each day, a B12 tablet, and HorseTail and Sea Kelp (which were recommended by a friend for healthy hair). Neither of these seem to have any history of reacting to the reproduction organs.

So...I'm basically asking for opinions! Is there any advice as to supplements for trying to level things out again - zinc, maybe? I am wary of balancing out the effects of one tablet with another, but I am open to the advice of those on here. Could it simply be some effects of Propecia still in the body that will dissapear over time. I know every case and everyone's body is different, I'm just seeking some experiences and opinions from those on here.

Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance.
 

Ende

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Read some threads on this forum. We have talked a lot about it. I've recently updated my own thread; viewtopic.php?f=46&t=59803, which should get you started. I recommend that you do a series of blood tests to monitor LH, FSH, testosterone, estrogen, prolactin and SHBG. Do the first one as soon as possible, and you should do a test at least once a month, to track changes. Just ask if you have any more questions.
 

combover

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Hi,

Thanks for that - i've got my tests booked for friday.

I know each case is different, but given I am not necessarilye xperiencing all of the side effects, and i was only on propecia for 11-12 days, should that enhance the chances of me returning to normal? Or is it independent to each case?

Any help appreciated again!
 

Ende

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I believe that two weeks are enough to induce estrogen dominance. It's impossible to say. There are still things we don't know about this condition yet. I recommend zinc treatment, but wait until you've done the first blood test. If you recover with zinc treatment, and have blood values which confirmes the change, it'll mean a lot to others in the same situation. Keep us updated on your progress.
 

Ende

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50 - 100 mg zinc a day. Buy the cleanest and most expensive brand. It's more information about that treatment in my thread.
 

combover

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Great, thanks for that.

Is it likely, in the forum's experience, for this to get better in time? I mean, given I am not suffering from all of the side-effects and my time on propecia (under 2 weeks) was low?
 

combover

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Thanks again - you sound very knowledgable on the subject. I shall read the blogs and posts on this forum tonight.

A bit of me still hopes it may just be a temporary thing and that it may resolve itself, although I don't know if that may be wishful thinking on my part...
 

Ende

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It should resolve itself according to the result from the Propecia trial, but post marketing experience shows that this is not the case for everyone. Merck and doctors will deny the problem. Dr. Shippen on the other hand (well known and respected endocrinologist located in US), acknowledge that something serious is going on, and he's supportive. I've been researching and experimenting on my own for more than a year now. I can't say I'm recovered, but I'm nearly there, and I've learned a lot along the way.

For my advice, you should read my thread and ask if you have any questions. I change information, and recommendations from time to time, according to my own, and others experience, so don't be confused if you read something else I've written earlier.
 

combover

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Thanks for that.

So, in your experience over the last year or so - and I guess you have seen many stories like mine on this website and others - would you guess that by either natural means or a zinc supplement I could near a return to normality, given the story I outlined?

I appreciate that everyone's case is different, of course.
 

Ende

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Based on what I know, I believe that you're going to recover with zinc treatment.
 

combover

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Good to hear - so, if I look into some decent zinc supplements at 50mg?

How long would you recommend staying on these? I am aware that 50mg is quite a high allowance.

Would it be worth getting a 50mg zinc supplement that also contains an additional 2mg copper supplement, or should I just fore-go the copper (which I believe is counter-balanced by the zinc) in the short-term?

Any help appreciated - thanks for all of your help on this.
 

Ende

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No, you should use tablets with zinc only. You'll probably have to give it at least a couple of weeks, but you treat according to symptoms. You have to reduce the dose when you notice improvement, and don't exceed the RDA when you have solid morning erections.
 

combover

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Hi Enden,

Thanks again for all your help on this.

I am looking to pick up some decent quality 50mg zinc tablets. Am I safe in assuming that if they are 50mg, you only take one a day? Is there a best time to take them?

My testicles are aching more and more currently, and there a definitely a lot more veins on them. However, today I had my first random/spontaenous erection in a couple of weeks, though my penis is still leaning to the left.

Although, again, every case is different, should I be confident given what I have outlined that Zinc may go some way to repairing these problems?

Any help appreciated again!
 

Ende

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Zinc should recover your sexual function. You should focus on that to begin with. One 50 mg tablet each day is good. I recommend that you take it before bed. Testosterone is mainly produced during the night, and you're going to adjust treatment according to morning erections.
 

combover

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Ende

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combover said:
These are the 2 main Zinc 50mg tablets avaqilable in the UK. Which do you recommend?
Good question. I haven't really done any research at all on different types of zinc before now. I found a study which compared zinc picolinate, citrate and gluconate. They concluded that picolinate is superior when it comes to absorbation. You'll have to wait and see how you respond.
 

combover

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Ok, thanks for that - I shall try the 50mg Zinc Picolinate and keep you informed. Are there any common sides to this other than the obvious potential nausea, etc?

Thanks again for all your help on this, I really appreciate being able to hear from someone so knowledgable!

It's funny - half the time I feel like I have something serious after just 11 days on Propecia and that it is potentially life-affecting. On the other hand, I feel that it is something that can be rectified and hopefully I just need a kick-start with the Zinc.
 

Ende

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You'll probably not experience any side effects before you drive the estrogen level too low. Read my thread. The endocrine system is very delicate. It's easy to get in trouble, when using supplements and drugs which affect hormones.
 
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