Hello Wales UK 1981, Mont here. My appointment with the Doctor who prescribed the Finasteride was two days ago, and I picked up the written answers to my questions to my pharmacist the same day I think. I have been pretty sick and all compound side effects of the Finasteride according to my physcian and fits the medication's and my timeline. Also busy with various Doctor appointments to determine what was happening in my chest. (A hard walnut size painful tumor behind my left nipple.). Ultrasound determined it was gynecomastia. An abnormal mass but not breast development in my case. This is caused by a hormonal imbalance ie: testertosterone and estrogen imbalance. Caused by either lunesta, sleep medication but unlikely as I had been taking it for some years without incidence. Most likely side effects of Finasteride according to my physcian. As this was my latest medication and a known side effect of this medication.
This is list of the other side effects. I developed in the order I developed they manifested and it is recommended you see your physcian if you develop any of them with any intensity or persistance. Although the side effects are not common, I have been learning they are not uncommon. And for some the side effects, go away. Bear in mind I was prescribed high dose 5mg Finasteride. for prostate health and hair loss.
Also the product does deliver what it promises as far as beneficial effects, in many cases. It increased prostate health and grew back hair I lost due to anti depressant.
First I developed some sexual dysfunction, (achieving climax), different types of sexual dysfunction for different people. This I remedied with a dietary supplement geared for that. >> >> I can go more into that supplement if you like.
***Next I began becoming more fatigued with increasing intensity a few months into the finasteride, until finally of late I was very exhausted most of the time. I am not telling you this to alarm you but to alert you should you develop similar symptoms.
>>>>A few months in I stood up and started moving toward my kitchen. I was dizzy and then woke up on the floor. My General Practioner Doctor had me undergo various tests with no resolution. I finally linked it to the Finasteride and the prescribing Doctor confirmed it along with the other side effects and had me stop the Finasteride immediately. There had been more episodes of the dizziness up to that point, which I was prepared for, by the first sign of dizziness, a prelude to blacking out; I would lock my arms around some solid supporting object or gently sit down. As I recall it always happened as I was standing. (Side effect symptom) It accentuated the blood pressure loss. This could be dangerous if you were not expecting it and struck your head on a hard surface.
***Other late stage side effects were mental fog at times, loss of memory retention, irritability, severe mood swings, nausea. And I forget what else, I think that was it--that's enough!! And these are documented by other users of Finasteride besides myself. And listed among possible side effects.
Good news is that these side effects are reversable as the Finasteride leaves your system. (Up to 6 months)
>>> My Doctor presribed Avodart also known as Dutasteride. 0.5 mg as a replacement for Finasteride. I noted other fellows on this site used this medication as well as a hair loss deterrent and in some cases restored hair. I do not know what strength of Dutasteride is prescribed for hair loss. My dosage is prescribed for prostate. I will follow this post with the hair loss dosage after research. The more advanced in age the less hair is restored by Dusteride.
>>>One question answered by my medical team was that progress with prostate and Possibly hair growth gains are lost and reversed with the discontinuance of Finasteride, and once started one must remain on it lifelong to maintain gains and stop reversal.
***Dutasteride/Avodart (also used as an anti anxiety medication) can have some similar some side effects as Finasteride, (note similarity in names) but much less incidence of and intensity than Finasteride according to my live medical sources. Also side effects if manifested, most likely soon subside. As Dutasteride gradually accumulates in my system over 6 months for full strength it "should" compensate for the losses of the Finasteride as it leaves the system over 6 months, this according to one of my medical sources.
This might be considered as an alternative to Finasteride should you unfortunately manifest some of it's more serious side effects. Other fellows in these forums have also used Dutasteride successfully for hair problems. Had I linked all the side effects I would not perhaps have let them progress so far. But as my radiologist said, "Balance the medical gains versus the side effects." Obviously. In my case quality of life was and still is suffering. I was seeing no subsidance of symptoms, but rather an increase in intensity in side effects. But I did regain a healthy prostate and healthy head of hair.
>>> I went into the Finasteride free of bias with only a brief non retaining glance at the low incidents of possible side effects, only recently linking them and seem to find I am not alone.
***Another item: I had considered taking Arimidex to combat the side effects of Finasteride while remaining on it. I had read it resolved all the side effects of Finasteride, but my Doctor would not prescribe nor recommend it due to possible bone density loss side effect.
>>>OTHER ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU HAD, (and I as well)
From my medical team)
** Yes, Finasteride will function to convert DHT across the board from small to large dosages.
*** Yes, stronger dosages are more effective. Not clear on quality of results or speed of results. Will pursue this further.
****Yes AND No--mixed reviews on taking testosterone boosters and male enhancers, to counter act sexual dysfunction as related to Finasteride. Not specific to the reasons why in either case. I suppose this has to with the ingredients of the male enhancers. I will research this further if possible. There may not be enough proven studies/research in this area... surely some country somewhere. French or Swiss, Swedish labs? What about dietary male supplements as I am taking, or testosterone encouraging foods that are beneficial to the entire human organism? I didn't have time to pose all of my specific questions to that particular Doctor as to his limited time with each patient, and the point of my visit was to decide the final disposition/replacement of the Finasteride. And the alternatives took the bulk of my appointment. He didn't have a patient Email site. I bring up prostate as it is an important male health issue as well as hair loss as regarding men's mental health
.>>> Finasteride is a deterrent for prostate cancer, and a treatment for benign, but bothersome prostate enlargement and as an alternative to surgery.
***I hope all things are well you and you making progress with your hair. As I said Finasteride was successful for me in the hair and the prostate department.
***Apologies for the length of this essay, but all pertinent information.