PROPECIAHELP: Persistent Finasteride Propecia Proscar side effects info & discussion forum

0) Where are you from (country)?

CANADA

1) How did you find this forum (Google search -- if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website -- if so, what page? Other?)

GOOGLE and heard about this place on a hair loss talk site.

2) What is your current age, height, weight?

39, 5'7, 141


3) Do you excercise regularly? If so, what type of excercise?

Pre PFS yes, after PFS, fatigue and muscle aches militate against the thought of exercise.

4) What type of diet do you eat (vegetarian, meat eater, raw, fast-food/organic healthy)?

All of the above. I eat alot of carbs and protein.


5) Why did you take Finasteride (hair loss, BPH, other)?
HAIRLOSS

6) For how long did you take Finasteride (weeks/months/years)?
I think it was about 2 years.

7) How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start Finasteride?
37

8) How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
39

9) How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
I WENT OFF COLD TURKEY. I DID NOT GET OFF IT DUE TO SYMPTOMS AS MUCH AS MY CONTENTEDNESS WITH MY HAIR (LOSS).

10) What type of Finasteride did you use – Propecia, Proscar, Fincar or other generic?
I TOOK PROSCAR CUT INTO 5 PCS. IT WAS MADE BY MERCK. INTERESTINGLY, TOWARDS THE END, MY PHARMACIST RAN OUT OF MERCK PROSCAR SO HE SOLD ME SOME MADE BY SANDOZ INSTEAD. THATS WHEN THE TROUBLE BEGAN!


11) What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
1MG

12) How long into your use of Finasteride did you notice the onset of side effects?
I NOTICED A LOSS OF LIBIDO EARLY ON, BUT THIS TAPERED OFF. BECAUSE I HAD A HIGH SEX DRIVE, I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO OVERCOME ANY SIDES.. UNTIL I WENT OFF COLD TURKEY.


13) What side effects did you experience while on the drug that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?



Put an X beside all that apply:

Sexual
[X ] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[X ] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[X ] Loss of Morning Erections
[ ] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[X ] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[X ] Reduced Ejaculate
[ ] Inability to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

Mental
[ ] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[ ] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfullness
[ ] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[ ] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[ ] Depression / Melancholy

Physical
[ ] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ X] Testicular Pain
[X ] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[X ] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ X] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[X ] Joint Pain
[ ] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[X ] Prostate pain
[X ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / "Poo Pellets"
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Increased hair loss
[ ] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[X ] Other (please explain)
SHRIVELLED PENIS!

14) What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug?
VIT D, CLOMID, ZMA, AND SUDAFED


15) If you have pre or post-Finasteride bloodtests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (pls post your test results in the "Blood Tests" section and link to them in your post)?

FREE TESTOSTERONE and FSH low!

16) Anything not listed in the above questions you'd like to share about your experience with Finasteride?

MY PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER DROPPING THIS MED COLD TURKEY.



17) Tell us your story, in your own words, about your Finasteride usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.

I USED TO BE VERY HORNY. I ADDED FIN FOR HAIR LOSS. I WAS EXCITED TO TRY IT. IT MAY HAVE SLOWED MY HAIRLOSS BUT IT DIDNT ADD TO IT. ANYWAY NOT MUCH TO REPORT WHILE ON THE DRUG. YES, LOWER LIBIDO BUT AT THE TIME I FELT IT WAS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR AVOIDING BALDNESS.

I GOT INTO A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP AND I DID HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE BECOMING INFERTILE + I WAS WORRIED THE DRUG COULD LEAD TO A BIRTH DEFECT, SO I WANTED TO BE AU NATURALLE FOR BREEDING PURPOSES. SO I WENT OFF COLD TURKEY.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS I FELT A PAIN IN MY GROIN (LEFT) AREA. FELT LIKE A BLOCKAGE IN SOME VESICLE OR OTHER. THEN MY LEFT NUT STARTED TO GROW HUGE. WENT TO THE DOC FEARING CANCER BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS EPIDYMITIS. WAS GIVEN CIPRO AND THAT RESOLVED THINGS. HOWEVER, AT ONE POINT MY RIGHT CHEEK GREW BIG WHICH RESEMBED MUMPS (BUT ONLY 20% OF FULL MUMPS). DOC SAID "YEAH MAYBE IT'S ORCHITIS".

ANYWAY MY NUTS GOT SMALL (RATHER THAN LARGE) WHEN I WENT FOR ULTRASOUND. ULTRASOUND SHOWED NO VARICOCELE, HYDROCELE, HERNIA OR ABNORMAL SHAPE OF TESTES. BUT SOMETHING WAS CLEARLY WRONG.

NUTS ARE NOW NORMAL SIZE BUT NIPPLES HAVE OCC ASIONAL TENDERNESS. SO IM WORRIED ABOUT ORCHITIS.

I FEARED RETROGRADE EJACULATION. I WOULD SUGGEST EVERYONE TRY SOME SUDAFED (60MG) CUZ THIS CAN HELP WITH BLOCKED SEMINAL VESICLES. AFTER TAKING IT I FELT MY PENIS SWELL UP A BIT. NOT NORMAL BUT LESS SUBNORMAL. IT'S NOT A SOLUTION BUT WORTH A SHOT.

RIGHT NOW MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS FERTILITY. I CAN STILL BOINK WHILE ON CIALIS, BUT THE ERECTION IS NOT PROFOUNDLY SWOLLEN. RATHER, THE SHRIVELLED PENIS SWELLS UP INTO A SEMI HARD POINTER SUFFICIENT FOR PENETRATION. BUT THE DURATION OF THE ERECTION IS BRIEF AND PREMATURE EJACULATION OCCURS. ONCE I BUST A NUT, MY CHEMICAL HIGH IS COMPLETELY GONE. NO POST EJACULATORY DOPAMINE FLUSH AT ALL! SO SAD.

EJACULATION IS MINIMAL AND THIN. SEEMS LIKE ITS MISSING SOME INGREDIENTS. PERHAPS SOME VESICLE IS PLUGGED UP? NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I WILL BE GOING BACK TO DOC FOR A REFERRAL TO A UROLOGIST.

I ALSO HAVE LOST MY MOJO, THE LIFE FORCE THAT UNDERLIES CREATIVITY AND THE SEXUAL HUNT. IT'S GONE. THIS, NEXT TO LOSS OF FERTILITY, IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST LOSS OF ALL.

FINALLY, MY BODY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAUT, BUT NOW IT'S NOT.

IM TAKING NOTHING RIGHT NOW BUT VIT D and SUDAFED on occasion. NO ENERGY TO WORK OUT. LEGS HURT. LOWER BACK PAIN. AN ULTRASOUND SHOWED MY LEFT KIDNEY WAS MILDLY SWOLLEN TOO (NOT SURE IF ITS RELATED).

I BLAME THE BULK OF MY PROBLEMS ON FIN. SINCE THE PROBLEMS STARTED ONCE DROPPING FIN, I ALMOST THINK "SHOULD I GO BACK ON IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?" THEN I THINK BETTER.

(sorry for caps)

Welcome to the site. Appreciate your comments regarding the alternate maker of finasteride.

Low free testosterone, and low FSH appear to be common among most post fin sufferers.

kazman

The last time I had my blood tested was in Oct 2010.

At the time, the main results were as follows:

Total Test: 13.6 (8.4-28.7)
Free Test: 28.3 (31-94) * LOW
FSH: 2 (2-8) * LOW
LH: 3 (2-6)
TSH: 1.98 (0.35-5)
Total PSA: .54 (0-4)

Hope to have some new results to share soon.

I started getting cold hands, feet, lifeless pecker, and moobs (im slim so when i get this, i notice it immediately...they're like banana titties). After my blood test yesterday, I put some sustain alpha lotion between my toes (i heard that was effective) and took some Clomid as my nuts were getting smaller. Within a few hours, I felt some warmth in the extremities and some additional strength in my legs.

I later tested myself (as masturbation implies some joy lol) and had VERY reduced ejaculate. Like almost nothing. This is why I fear I have retrograde ejaculation or worse. I had a much better load last week when I was on ashwagandha. I was also taking sudafed as that has been recommended to treat retrograde ejaculation, though I didnt think it worked for me. Perhaps it did work?

I was feeling some pain sensations in my perineum. Throbbing sensation/vibration near anus. Started taking some cipro as i felt my groin lymph nodes felt prominent. Infection again? Once I took the Cipro, my urine flow improved substantially (like a race horse) and I felt like there was less tension when my bladder was full. Decided to stay on it (250mg/day).

Will be seeing a urologist in Toronto on March 22. I looked him up and he deals with prostate cancer and E.D.

I'm still learning the difference between Clomid and Arimidex....and which one is better for me. I realize Clomid is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM) and Arimidex is an AI (Aromatase inhibitor), but I believe one is better than the other once you start to show gyno symptoms.

I'll update this threat periodically with updates.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

Haven't had time to visit the doc to get my test results. Long weekend coming up but I'll try my darndest to get em.

New observations:

1. Had a big energy boost from a product called THYROID ENERGY. It contains ashwagandha, something that appeared to help me improve the appearance of my flaccid penis. Anyway since this product has a lower dose of ashwagandha and iodine (which i bought it for), I added it to my regimen. Felt alot better physically and had a good day at work. Wasn't dogging it.

ingredients


2. Took a little dab of Sustain Alpha between my toes. Sound weird but i think this is a good location to put it. This stuff improves my penile rigidity alot. I'm pleased with things.

On the downside:

* my erections are thinner and not as long as before. But they are just as hard as pre fin. How long do they last? Havent tested that as much. Really feel the inner core of the penis during arousal but no cushion around it (like before).

* my left nipple and armpit has a slight pain. not sure what's causing it or how best to treat it. it sucks if the Sustain Alpha is causing it, cuz the SA has some good potency, and it'd be a shame to dump one of the few effective things. penis flaccid and lifeless.

* libido has not improved

If I need some arimidex or tamoxifen, i need to find a reliable source. PM appreciated.

Clearly some natural substances are not in the proper balance.

Seems like u take one thing to try to elevate or normalize a level, and once you do, things are great, but invariably the level is not sustainable at a fixed level (Faulty sensors?), and then we crash.

The settings others get naturally, we must simulate and artificially create.

It'll feel nice during a short period when things are "even", but once you overshoot or undershoot the target number, you're messed up again. Seems like a permanent concern -- how to find and stay in the golden mean.

It's alot of work to fool mother nature, and keep her fooled.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

In an effort to pinpoint what may have helped me during my "good days" last week, I changed my routine.

I kept the (i) carrot juice, (ii) sustain alpha, (iii) multivitamin

I dropped the Thyroid Energy.

Result: Libido dropped (bad). Nipple sensitivity gone (good).

Tomorrow I will reintroduce the Thyroid Energy capsule.

I was just reading an article on how the penis changes with age. No surprise, but alot of those age-related changes seem similar to my symptoms post finasteride. Here's what the doctor had to say:





Link

So it seems like finasteride has accelerated the aging of our sexual system. And we're basically living the life of a 55 year old guy who probably has the same symptoms but is attributing them to age, and perhaps by that age, he doesnt care to get them treated, because he's winding down on that phase of his life.

But in our cases, we're too young to accept this outcome and are fighting to get back to the way we were.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

Okay a few developments.

1. Started on TNTW's raw spinach (dolchinol) therapy. Too early to tell if there are any benefits but I don't feel worse and it's cheap.

2. My lower back pain had intensified over the past few weeks. It got so bad I couldn't sit at my desk at work for very long. I also had some more perineal pain. Anyway, because I've had a history of UTI's, I always keep some Cipro lying around. I took the cipro and within 2 days my perineal pain and back pain have diminished considerably. Feeling alot better and I feel like I can stand up straight again. I'm also peeing like a racehorse (feels like any water i was retaining has been expelled). I know it's not good to take this stuff (cipro) so much but for some reason it helps me. Just not clear if its addressing something that is pfs related or not.

3. This is the worst part. Went to my urologist appt today. The guy was initially receptive and hearing me out. Then two things happened that changed everying. One - he asked what I did for a living and I told him the truth (I'm an attorney). Two -- I told him my problems started once I discontinued propecia. He suddenly became very dismissive, took me to another room, checked out my nuts (didn't do a prostate check!), and took me back to the consultation room. I showed him my old blood results showing low T and free T, and he said "those tests are garbage... meaningless..... we need to know bioavailable testosterone levels......i'm going to send you for a specialized blood test........once i get the results, i'll call you and let you know if they're normal. If they are, then there's not much I can do for you". Realizing my time was running out, I told him about my reduced ejaculate volume and he said "get your GP to requisition a semen analysis and let me know the results".

Anyway, I left with a blood requistion form for one test: bioavailable testosterone.

I just felt like Merck's influence runs deep among the medical community and many docs dont want to rock the industry boat. I'm not done yet, but I do have a better appreciation of the uphill battle we're fighting here.

p.s. i will be posting my most recent blood tests....i had hoped to have them for my appt with the urologist but my doc misplaced my file.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

I had the same problem with the urologist I went to a couple years ago. As soon as I told him I thought my issues were due to fin, he told me I was fine, shoved his finger up my ass for a prostate check, and showed me the door. Based on this and 2 subsequent doctors visits where I mentioned that I felt fin was the issue, the last doctors appt I had I didn't mention fin, just the fact that I had ED, and low libido. It went much better. I got a subscription for Bactrim for the tiggling on the back of my testicles, which I mentioned to the urologist 2 YEARS ago and didn't get anything, and the offer to try Wellbutrin for low libido. I haven't tried the Wellbutrin yet but probably will at some point since it is basically free from the HMO.

Hasn't Wellbutrin made some people much worse?

I don't remember reading this. I did some checks on the internet and Wellbutrin does have alot of reviewers that claim their sex drive went up dramatically on the drug. Here is a good link to some very positive reviews:
http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic38778.html

I don't mean to hijack your thread but if someone with PFS got worse with Wellbutrin I would certainly like to know that before I tried it. There are a couple people on the forum that are trying it and claim it makes them feel better, but no increase in sex drive:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4725

I took a break from ejaculation. It was almost like unlearning a behavior -- I used to watch some porn and have an irrepressible desire to ejaculate. Now I look at it to test my response level. While arousal is not completely absent, it's not like before.... there's no demon to repress. As a result, now I am not inducing an ejaculation "just because". [This is probably a good thing as ejaculation depletes energy and we have little to spare].

I have added vitamin E to my regimen. It improves the quality and quantity of my sperm by 70%! I wish I knew why. I can notice this because I do suffer from dry orgasms alot. On the downside, when I take vitamin E, I feel a headache come on. Again, not sure why but a small price to pay for white sperm.

I've had trouble sleeping for decades so I may try the trazodone in small doses to see what gives.

Overall I'm functioning better in mind and body. However the knowledge that things down there are (almost) cold and dead is disturbing.

I go to the gym and see things that used to arouse me, but I don't feel the arousal.

It's like my eyes are telling me "that's what you like" but my body is not responding accordingly.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

It's still too early for me to trumpet the semen change experienced while taking vitamin E.

However, I did read the following:
Link.

If anyone can figure out why vit E would help my semen quality so much, please let me know, as it might provide insight into my particular condition; i.e. prostate, hormonal, lowered immunity, etc, or some combo thereof.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

Things are feeling better "down there" thanks to the vit E.

I found a natural source of vitamin E, not the synthetic crap. I'm taking Now E-1000 as it has all the diff vit E types as shown below.

Natural vitamin E is listed as d-alpha tocopherol, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, or d-alpha tocopheryl succinate. In contrast, synthetic forms of vitamin E are labeled with a DL instead of just D. Turns out my costco vitamin E was synthetic.

I can't fathom the rationale for this vit E boost. I'm thinking my prostate has been damaged and the vit E has repaired it in some fashion. I know vit E is good for peroynies disease.... maybe i had a kink in the old hose? One thing I know for sure. The perineal area seems better.

Reaction to sexual stimuli has been better. Semen quality better. Just wish I could get the libido to be there.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

Exercise and time.

I've reduced the 1000mg natural Vit E from everyday to twice a week.

My body and scalp seemed to be overheating while on this dosage.

Scalp was burning, even. I believe this to be DHT.

This burning coincided with better flaccid size and semen quality.

I'm also taking the Omega 3 6 9.

I'm treating myself with an anti-inflammation diet +trying to eliminate the triggers to inflammation, taken from Dr. Hyman's account of another patient. It's hardcore but so is my desire to feel better.



Now the subtle sensation in my prostate/perineal area has abated.

I'm by no means a scientist. But my approach now is (i) cleanse, (ii) reduce inflammation, (iii) nourish.

For the cleanse, I took a laxative and felt immediate gains. I've suffered from constipation pre fin so I know this is an ongoing issue. But what I felt after the cleanse was like toxins that were building up inside me and causing issues (reflux, heavy arm feeling, fatigue, insomnia) had gone. I hope it continues.

For the reducing inflammation, I have taken the steps in the quotation above. I consume(d) alot of sugar and pfs or not, i had to reduce my intake. If nothing else, this step is good for my health.

For the nourish part, I feel the natural vitamin E is nourishing my prostate. I really do. My ejaculate volume is greater (remember i was having dry orgasms 2 mths ago) and the scalp burning sensation is linked to my vit E consumption. The overheating of my body suggests I am taking too much though, so I will reduce the vit E to 2x a week. We'll see how that goes.

Concurrent with this, I am going to the gym 3x a week. My exercise tolerance has diminished -- my body is sore the next day, but my performance is similar to the past. I just dont see the results of the workout on my body like before. I'm sure I'm low in T so that is a factor. My post-workout flaccid size is small as well, but bounces back within 12 hrs.

Sleep has been elusive but it's part of my regimen now. Its importance cannot be overstated.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

These are my general observations. Not an explanation of PFS by a long shot. Just a collection of thoughts from my own experience regarding things that have helped me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been on Royal Jelly supps for a few days and the NOW Royal Jelly (mixed into a honey base) for a day. One thing I noticed was that my body heated up alot. My cold hands were warm and pink, and blood circulation was given a jolt. The bottoms of my feet had a buzzing sensation. Erection quality was very high (harder, thicker than ever). Post ejaculation, the little guy felt ready, if pressed (npi), to go again. Those were positive developments.

On the negative, the amount of ejaculate was less than my recent experience. I have NOT coupled the RJ with natural Vitamin E (which helps my ejaculate volume and thickness) or Omega 3 6 9 (which helps circulation and perhaps volume). Also had a runny nose which may indicate an allergy to pollen (only with the liquid form of RJ).

Observation: One thing I noticed about RJ, Vit E and Omega 369 w/fish and flax oil is this: My body got WARM/HOT. Hands hot. Bottoms of feet hot. And since PFS, I've been more of a listless person with cold extremities and a weak immune system.

What does it mean? Not sure, but I can say that the things that have helped me also warmed me up.

I recall from Eastern medicine (particularly Chinese medicine) that they classify foods by cold/cool/warm/hot.

I'm by no means an expert on Chinese medicine, so if anything I state is unhelpful, disregard and move on. All my posts are based on my own thinking and observations. I am making progress and hope it continues.

I found this book on Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you want to read it, click HERE. It's very interesting and well written. If you can elaborate or explain anything with the knowledge in this book, please do. It's all new to me.

The four basic therapy strategies deal with yin and yang:

Supplementing yang
Supplementing yin
Draining yang repletion
Draining yin repletion





Since imbalance and fluctuation of yin and yang are considered the basic causative factors of disease occurrence and development, treatment must readjust yin and yang to their basic state of relative balance.



In general, I have found that strengthening Yang has helped me.

Note the cold extremities that some of us have experienced.





I'm definitely in a "pattern of disharmony", hence my possible response to the hot/warming diet.



Some info on general impotence in TCM:




Selected Thermal Properties of Foods
Cayenne pepper -- Hot
Flax Seed - Warming
Liqueur, Spirits -- Hot
Garlic -- Warm to Hot
Ginger -- Warm to Hot
Turmeric - Warm to Hot
Salmon -- Warming

I know some of the above have helped those with general erection problems, and some people who drink on here.



Where does Royal Jelly fit into this? HOT

I've taken some short quotes from some TCM sites.






Treatment of both Qi Deficiency and Yang Deficiency is similar. Both would require strengthening the Qi. Yang Deficiency would include some treatment to warm the interior of the body as well. As it turns out, many of the Qi Tonics are also considered Yang Tonics. For example, Ginseng and Royal Jelly is a Qi Tonic and a Yang Tonic. Its effect is to strengthen the stomach and lungs. This makes the absorption of Qi from food and air more efficient. When these organs function better, the whole body benefits from abundant Qi. Chinese Ginseng also warms the body making it a Yang Tonic. If your need is a Qi Tonic (more energy) and a Yang Tonic (warming), this might be a product you would choose.



Study: Royal jelly has an anti-environmental estrogen effect
Study Link

Again these are my general observations. Not an explanation of PFS by a long shot. Just a collection of thoughts from my own experience regarding things that have helped me.

_________________
"We don't fully understand why, but it is as if something shuts off biologically, and stays that way." - Dr. Traish
Regimen: Vit E, Niacin, B12 (with folic acid, biotin, B6), Cod Liver Oil, Magnesium, Iodoral, MSM.

Okay, I (finally) got my blood results from Feb 2011. I also got a copy of the urologist's report back to my GP.

Blood Results.

Testosterone: 19.8 [Range 8.4 - 28.7 nmol/L]

Free Testosterone: 39.1 [Range 31.0 - 94.0 PMOL/L]

Follistropin (FSH): 2 [Range 2 - 8 IU/L]

Lutropin (LH): 6 [Range 2 - 6 IU/L]



Looks like FSH is on the lowest end and LH is on the high end of normal.

If anyone has any comments, please reply.

=======================

Urologist's Report

I'll just take some quotes from this Jerk's letter to my GP:

"He had a free testosterone that was low but his total testosterone was normal. Unfortunately, free testosterone values are inaccurate. Total testosterone values are more accurate. The most accurate test is bioavailable testosterone which he has not had done."

and

"My impression is that this is probably psychogenic in nature. He also complained that he is worried about low semen, although he has not had that checked yet."

"There is not much more I can do and he may need some sex therapy assistance".

My GP just laughed at the sex therapy part. He said "this urologist probably has a sex therapist friend who he wants to refer you to so his friend can make some money".

Wow, what a fucking cock.

I haven’t updated my member story in quite a while.

I have two general themes to report about.

Phase 1: Fasting
I embarked on a 30 day fast consisting of abstaining from food and drink completely during the daylight hours. Here’s what I observed:

• no noticeable improvement or drop off in my erection quality (note: it was still weak)
• the amount of ejaculate remained low (note: dehydration didn’t help)
• since there were long periods of no food or drink, I found that my body retained as much food/water/energy as possible, resulting in some abdominal swelling. After the 30 days were up and I was able to eat/drink freely, I was able to rid myself of constipation, which also seemed to increase blood flow to my genitals (more on this below);
• clearer thinking (though this decreased alot already compared to immediately post crash)

So just to document this, the fasting in and of itself, did not help my condition, and may have in fact, worsened my erection due to constipation arising from dehydration.

Phase 2: Discoveries
I don’t subscribe to any particular theory re PFS. Frankly, I measure myself based on my own subjective appraisal of my erection. I should point out that my erstwhile brainfog has diminished considerably, as have my hot flashes. As far as I recall, it took about 10 months for the mental sides (forgetfulness, searching for words, confusion) to diminish.

My general flaccid size has improved. I say “general” because even pre-fin my size would fluctuate based on temperature, etc. I must say, the return of my general flaccid size has unburdened my mind considerably. Though my fiancée lives abroad (i.e. no regular boinking) and it’s not like I was showing my cock off, the tiny shrivelled chess bishop of a penis I sported around for almost a year had grown. Just knowing I had some semblance of my size back was a conscious and subsconscious relief.

What brought it back? I can’t say. Time? Supplements? Who knows. Since I know you’ll ask, it did coincide with me taking the following supplements:

1. Magnesium Citrate combo– this mineral, in my opinion, cleared out all the gunk in my gutt/intestines. I don’t believe I fall into the textbook definition of a constipated person because I have a BM without fail each morning. However, I can’t help but believe that there may have been some blockage or failure to remove all excrement that should have been removed from my body. I would suggest that those who feel like your body is attacking itself, resulting in inflammation (in my case, my feet and hands would often be swollen, prickly, and warm) should do some sort of cleanse. For me, I used this magnesium citrate (which came with 2 other forms of magnesium) which doesn’t induce diarrhea. [Note: if you have any muscle spasms anywhere in your body, the magnesium helps this as well. Magnesium + malic acid is a staple among those suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic pain].

Is there a link between Magnesium to the prostate? Yes.

Study 1: Magnesium is postulated as a marker of Prostatis.

Magnesium and zinc are both involved in a high number of enzymic activities vital for mammals. They are found in prostate in remarkably high concentrations and released into seminal fluid. Furthermore, drastic reduction of Zn and Mg concentrations in the semen fluid may lead to disorders in male fertility. We aimed to analyse the differences in Mg and Zn levels in the seminal plasma of 213 males including 48 normozoospermic, 30 azoospermic, 28 oligoasthenozoospermic, 22 asthenozoospermic and 85 chronic prostatitis. Mg and Zn concentrations were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. While zinc levels did not show correlation either with the volume of the sperm or the percentage of pathological forms, magnesium concentrations in seminal plasma were significantly decreased in chronic prostatitis patients as compared to other groups or normozoospermic patients (p<0.001). We propose therefore magnesium as a marker of prostatitis.

This researchers believed this "was probably due to the inflammatory state of the prostate as
suggested previously by Eliasson and Lindholmer".

Read full study: Link

For what it's worth, there's a doctor from the 1960s who wrote about magnesium's positive effect on prostate issues.

Interesting sidebar:



So in closing, I feel like the magnesium citrate at least cleansed my lower digestive system, perhaps toxins that were not escaping normally. I felt an immediate increase in blood flow to my genitals.

I felt also that pressure against the prostate was relieved. I was told that another important cause of prostate disorders is constipation, when the feces become hardened and the rectum or lower bowel is overloaded, this causes undue pressure on the prostate gland. Furthermore, constipation can also put pressure on the bladder. Use whatever source you can to cleanse yourself even if you feel you do not suffer from the textbook definition of “constipation”.


2. Omega 3-6-9 (Fish, Flax, Borage, Vit E)
I have had benefits from vit E. This is a staple among peyronies disease sufferers. I have had a slight bend in my penis which is not pronounced but has come on slowly and insidiously. I would suggest one take vitamin E if for no other reason than as a prevention against penile fibrosis or the development of penile curvature/plaque.

Be sure to take a natural vitamin E; i.e. D-alpha and not Dl-alpha. I was taking a Now E-1000 but this was too heavy for me to take regularly, so I’ve shifted to Nature’s Bounty Omega 3 6 9. Here are the ingredients.


This is good for immune system, reducing inflammation, hair, skin, and of course, your heart. The vitamin E alone is a natural Estrogen antagonist and anti-inflammatory.

The addition of B6 can also help. Interestingly, I have not been supplementing with Zinc, aside from what small quantities may enter my body through a multivitamin.

3. Garlic (Capsules)
The inflammation and tingling I felt in my extremities subsided substantially after introducing garlic to my diet. The only other time I would have this effect is after taking antibiotics, which I’ve noted on this forum elsewhere, had a positive effect on my libido and inflammation. This is all anecdotal of course, n=1, but if something is helping me, I will not discontinue its use simply because I do not understand its mechanism of action.

Upon closer examination, I note that Joetz’s heavy metal detox (part 2) contains, among other things, garlic. I just noticed this.

Other than the foregoing, I’ve read that garlic can thin the blood and lower blood pressure. Also, the so-called “erection tea” espoused by some on the internet contains garlic as well. Finally, and for discussion purposes only, garlic is listed on wikipedia as helping to attack fungal infections and raising testosterone in rats.

In my opinion, the garlic is doing something significant for me.

4. Potassium Citrate
For the sake of completeness, I am mentioning that I took this only after reading that it can reduce prostate calcifications. I cannot find the original source for this suggestion, but this stuff is widely used in connection with kidney/renal calcifications. I have also learned that potassium citrate helps to dissolve calcium, which is interesting, as calcium and magnesium ratios are important.

I do not believe the potassium citrate had a large role in my improved health, however, unlike 1-3. I point it out for the sake of completeness.

In closing, my recent improvements have been larger flaccid size, feeling of greater penis response to visual stimulation, and reduced feeling of inflammation in my body/extremities. In two words, for the moment, "I’m happy”.

Since these effects have been very short term, please note that I am not proclaiming recovery, nor am I suggesting that any of the above address the root cause (whatever that is) of PFS. It is simply a “soft” solution to my managing my symptoms.

Oh, I stopped this regimen for 3 weeks preceding my most recent blood test. I did felt a drop off in my health during this time, but I wanted to see my blood results baseline. I have since returned to this regime and regained the benefits.

p.s. i was prescribed wellbutrin but discontinued very early on due to insomnia. i do not believe this helped me though i did feel less anxious for those few days.

Just a quick note. I started on a small dose of liquid iron and felt that I was getting a harder natural erection.

I know people who had some success with spinach which contains iron.

In my case, I took the iron because I have tested low for it in the past when I feel run down.

Getting over a flu here so I thought I'd take it and noticed the erectile improvement. Could be placebo, who knows.

I dont intend to continue with the iron. I'll take it as needed (when I'm going to boink) and continue to note any differences.

I intend to give Joetz heavy metal detox a shot. I found the same brand at my local health store for a reasonable price (~ $30) which is a good price for a month-long treatment.

I will be going to Malaysia for a vacation in December. I'll be with my girl so I doubt I'll have a chance to grab Zydena Udenafil (a drug, not a hot Russian tennis player) which is available there. Hopefully we can find another source for it though. It's making news there.