Originally Posted by
Aly
Hey guys,
I go by nevergiveup on PH and this is my story:
As stated in the subject, I took finasteride for only three days when I was 22 years old. I was completely healthy before taking it. The first time I took this poison was on Jan. 18 and 20 and then I stopped after noticing low semen ejaculation. That is the only side effect I faced. Then, I took another tablet on Feb. 15. After about one month and a half month (around March 30), I faced what people in this forum call post-finasteride crash where I faced insomnia, penis shrinkage, gut inflammation, and ED to a certain degree along with terrible mental side effects.
For the past 4 years, I was extremely stressed with grad school and was not taking care of my health in terms of following the paleo lifestyle and exercising.
I finished with grad school a couple of months ago and did strict carnivore diet for a month to resolve the gut inflammation (check out meatheals). My thought process was that to tackle gut first, then sexual and mental. However, even though a lot of people have benefited from carnivore diet, it backfired on me and made my mental issues even more worse. I started having extreme suicidal thoughts. I don’t know if it was because I was adjusting to it or what but I suspect the carnivore diet helps people with autoimmune disorder and our problem isn’t autoimmune.
A couple of years ago, I discovered the CDnuts protocol but I never committed to the protocol 100% because of my grad school and because frankly I didn’t wanna think or do anything about my problems until I graduate. Grad school was stressful enough for me. I thought time would make me better but it has only made me worse.
I have decided to fully commit to the protocol mentioned above since I have nothing else to lose and I am not gonna throw away my life which I worked so hard to build because of three pills. I am going to recover.
Where are you from (country)?
USA
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
What is your current age, height, weight?
27, 5’ 10’’ and 200lbs
What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)?
Finasteride
What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)?
1.00mg
What condition was being treated with the drug?
Hair loss
For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)?
Three days
How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug?
22 years old and Jan. 18, 2016
How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit?
22 years old and Feb. 15, 2016
How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)?
Cold turkey
How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects?
2 months
What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation?
Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list. [at the time of the crash on March 30, 2016)
Sexual
Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
Erectile Dysfunction
Complete Impotence
Loss of Morning Erections
Loss of Spontaneous Erections
Loss of Nocturnal Erections
Watery Ejaculate
Reduced Ejaculate
Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
Reduced Sperm Count / Motility
Mental
Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
Confusion
Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
Slurring of Speech
Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
Severe Depression / Melancholy
Suicidal Thoughts
Physical
Penile Tissue Changes
Penis curvature / rotation on axis
Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
Weight Gain
Gynecomastia (male breasts)
Muscle Wastage
Dry / Dark Circles under eyes
Misc
Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
Insomnia
Now I would like to update my list of symptoms as of now.
Sexual
Loss of Libido / Sex Drive (recovering)
Erectile Dysfunction (recovering)
Complete Impotence (recovered)
Loss of Morning Erections (recovered)
Loss of Spontaneous Erections (recovering)
Loss of Nocturnal Erections (recovering)
Watery Ejaculate (recovering)
Reduced Ejaculate (recovering)
Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm (recovering)
Reduced Sperm Count / Motility (recovering)
Mental
Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat (recovering)
Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating (recovering)
Confusion (recovering)
Memory Loss / Forgetfulness (recovering)
Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought (recovering)
Slurring of Speech (recovering)
Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency (recovering)
Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks (recovering)
Severe Depression / Melancholy (recovering)
Suicidal Thoughts (recovering)
Physical
Penile Tissue Changes (recovering)
Penis curvature / rotation on axis (recovering)
Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness (recovering)
Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease (recovering)
Weight Gain (recovering)
Gynecomastia (male breasts) (recovering)
Muscle Wastage (recovering)
Dry / Dark Circles under eyes (recovering)
Misc
Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion (recovering)
Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems (recovering)
Insomnia (recovered)
So far in the month of October, I have made progress and that has given me hope to keep going and to not give up. I have realized a few things that I would like to share.
I spoke to two people over the phone who have made complete recovery from pfs and both guys were genuine people and they gave me encouragement that recovery is 100% possible. One of the guys told me that one thing that stuck with me very strongly which was if you put your body in the best optimal state for enough time it will reach homeostasis.
I have realized that the only way to recover from pfs is putting in the work and being 100% strict with the protocol. There is no other way. I have been suffering from pfs for 4.5 years now and my side effects were the same so its not just a matter of time. I have to put in work every single day until I recover. Just putting in the work for two weeks in October, I can already see how much progress I have made. I just have to keep going and being consistent.
Going to the gym for the last two weeks, my strength has increased and I have made some modifications to my workout routine:
4x8, 2:00 break, last one till FAILURE!
Cue - Right after work
Routine - Weightlifting
Reward - Fruits
Chest/Triceps:
Bench Press - 150
Rope Tricep Extension - 40
Incline Bench Press - 110
Dips - (-)55
Overhead Tricep - 50
Push-Ups - 7
Back/Biceps:
Seated Bicep Curl - 55
Lat Pulldown - 105
Low Row - 125
Pull Ups - (-)55
Back Extension - 150
HIIT - 5 sets, 30sec @ 7mph
Legs:
Squats - 90
Seated Leg Press - 230
Leg Extension - 150
Leg Curl - 110
Hack Squat - 90
Calf Raise - 45
Shoulders/Biceps:
Shoulder Press - 45
Lateral/Front Raise - 15/35
Hammer Curls - 30
Bicep Curl - 25
HIIT - 5 sets @ 7mph, 30 seconds
Finish with cold shower.
Repeat!
In terms for diet, I have also made some modifications.
I skip breakfast and drink a paleo smoothie for lunch. These are the ingredients I use for the smoothie:
Nut and Seeds Butter
Cocoa Powder
Canned Coconut Milk
Frozen Avocado
Frozen Berries
Egg White Protein Powder
Collagen Powder
Bone Broth
Pecan Butter
Banana
I have been drinking this smoothie for ten days and its working well for me in terms of filling me up and keeping my carbs low during the day so I can carb backload at nighttime after my workout.
After workout, I eat fruits (banana, oranges, grapes etc.) and a protein rich meal. I have realized for me natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit causes bloating so I don’t take that anymore with coffee. Instead, I use honey.
I have also jumped on board with no fap and I feel like that has been helping me in terms of improving my libido and mental acuity.
Also, I have placed an order for herbs and I will be taking them as soon as they arrive.
Lastly, I plan to do a 12 day water fast in December. I have done a 7 day water fast before and that helped me tremendously but didn't not follow the protocol afterwards.
I will keep you guys updated about my progress at the end of November. Wish me luck!