concerned about finasteride..

[mjatte]

I am unsure of weather or not to continue taking 1mg finasteride; over the last couple weeks I've spent many hours on the internet reading all of the horror stories, and they are really starting to get to me..

I have experienced a significant drop in libido, and a marked decrease in the quality of my erections. I think I could still have sex, and am able to masturbate but it is worrisome that I no longer have morning erections nor am I nearly as aroused by sexual thoughts as I was just a month ago. At this point the sexual effects I think are tolerable for the sake of my hair, but if they get any worse or are permanent, I'm in trouble..

I should mention I'm also on an ssri (citalopram) for anxiety which I need and it helps me a lot, but the primary sexual side effects I experience with that is taking longer to orgasm, which isn't a huge deal, but the ssri may be making the finasteride effects worse, I don't know.. I notice that the finasteride seems to diminish many of the pleasant and happy feelings I get from the ssri.

Also, I have experienced a major drop in the subjective effect of alcohol. Its hard to explain but it feels like something is missing from my buzz. I still act drunk, but I am missing a lot of the feeling of euphoria and relaxation.

I know its only been about 3 weeks, but my hair seems to be doing great. It feels healthier to the touch, and its hard to tell, but my shedding appears to be slowing down. I was experiencing diffuse thinning that seemed to be accelerating quickly. That's why I jumped on finasteride, but now I'm worried that finasteride is going to destroy my life..

I don't plan on stopping yet, but I heard that some side effects can get better as you take the drug longer?? any truth to that? I'm also still evaluating how bad my side effects actually are, (to make sure they aren't all in my head), or should I be very scared because I notice any effects at all?? I don't know what to do, I really like my hair, and don't want to go bald...

 

[Diffuser44]

I am unsure of weather or not to continue taking 1mg finasteride; over the last couple weeks I've spent many hours on the internet reading all of the horror stories, and they are really starting to get to me..

I have experienced a significant drop in libido, and a marked decrease in the quality of my erections. I think I could still have sex, and am able to masturbate but it is worrisome that I no longer have morning erections nor am I nearly as aroused by sexual thoughts as I was just a month ago. At this point the sexual effects I think are tolerable for the sake of my hair, but if they get any worse or are permanent, I'm in trouble..

I should mention I'm also on an ssri (citalopram) for anxiety which I need and it helps me a lot, but the primary sexual side effects I experience with that is taking longer to orgasm, which isn't a huge deal, but the ssri may be making the finasteride effects worse, I don't know.. I notice that the finasteride seems to diminish many of the pleasant and happy feelings I get from the ssri.

Also, I have experienced a major drop in the subjective effect of alcohol. Its hard to explain but it feels like something is missing from my buzz. I still act drunk, but I am missing a lot of the feeling of euphoria and relaxation.

I know its only been about 3 weeks, but my hair seems to be doing great. It feels healthier to the touch, and its hard to tell, but my shedding appears to be slowing down. I was experiencing diffuse thinning that seemed to be accelerating quickly. That's why I jumped on finasteride, but now I'm worried that finasteride is going to destroy my life..

I don't plan on stopping yet, but I heard that some side effects can get better as you take the drug longer?? any truth to that? I'm also still evaluating how bad my side effects actually are, (to make sure they aren't all in my head), or should I be very scared because I notice any effects at all?? I don't know what to do, I really like my hair, and don't want to go bald...

I recommend consulting the doctor you got your prescription from. If you're a hypochondriac like me it might be the infamous nocebo effect. You must have read the horror stories before choosing to start finasteride. I had
to quit upon reading them because I could no longer psychologically take it cause my hypochondriac
effects and anxiety scared me off of the drug after 7.5 years. I would continue you it two more weeks. Don't come onto the hair loss forum. Don't google or read anything hair loss related. Get sunlight and keep your mind on other things. Then make an appointment with your doctor and follow up with your sides.

- - - Updated - - -

I personally am volunteering in the post finasteride syndrome studies because I had a healthy experience both on and off finasteride. They don't get too many men like me to do their research on. I am also following up with my general practitioner who has been prescribing this drug since it came out. I will be going over the possibilities of Pfs. His opinions on the matters. Neurological effects of the drug. Whether or not he thinks it would be safe for me to retake it. And possibly going over hormone levels. In my annual physicals my body always appears to be healthy.