In a bad, bad situation... Finasteride & Anemia

[mr.patches]

It's been 4 months since I've been using finasteride. Everything was great, a couple of lows but everything seemed to be resolved. The terrible ball pains and occasional chest "feel" eventually went away thank goodness. But then things got strange.

It all started one day (on the 3 month mark) that I shaved my armpits. One week later I had all out of the sudden an abscess, something I have ever experienced in my life. It also got infected and it looked almost exactly like this though a little worse:

After proper treatment (antibiotics, creams, pills) and drainage (gosh that was disgusting) I thought I made it through a bad phase of my life. A week later I got sick, really sick like for 3 days. Then another week later I got sick again, like a flu that made me feel weak. After that, I was mentally numb. Was tired all of the time and was very unfocused. I knew something was wrong but I decided to ignore it.

I shaved the pubs as I usually do and bam! Same crap happened, another abscess though not as bad as the other one but now I got pissed, like what the f** is happening. The very next two days after I discovered the abscess I had food allergy (probably for the first time in my life) and I run off to the hospital.

I got tested of everything and after several examinations finally the answer: I have anemia. I was/still am shocked as I live pretty much a healthy life. I'm in good shape, work out all the time, I eat extremely well, don't do drugs and I just never had problems with my immune system or anything like that. My hemogram has always been perfect until now.

After discussing it with my doctor I eventually told him the only treatment I'm taking is finasteride and then he explained that finasteride can lower significant hemoglobin levels in some men. After the horrific news I looked on the internet and found this which I think is the most accurate source for it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10233450

The doctor was very objective he explained I could lower the dose meanwhile but the best thing was to quit. I'm really freaked out and don't know what to do. I could try and take finasteride while I am on treatment for the anemia but, isn't it reckless to keep taking this stuff? I feel I can cause more severe damages if I take it but I don't want to risk further loss of hair as well.

I really need help here guys, I'll be looking forward for any suggestion.

patches

 

[ssjpotato]

I think that, as much as it sucks, if your doctor recommends you quit taking the drug maybe you should.

In my opinion, you should treat the anemia and then decide what you should do after that, dude. Focus on getting your health back, your general health and well being is more important than hair or at least it should be.

good luck.

 

[Raz]

What's your dosage of finasteride? If 1mg/1.25mg a day, maybe consider dropping it to 0.5/0.625 a day for starters?

On a sidenote, I am also anemic, but on finasteride. It's chronic but the hemoglobin levels are probably not as bad as in your case. I am doing fine on finasteride.

Tough spot for sure, though.

 

[mr.patches]

What's your dosage of finasteride? If 1mg/1.25mg a day, maybe consider dropping it to 0.5/0.625 a day for starters?

On a sidenote, I am also anemic, but on finasteride. It's chronic but the hemoglobin levels are probably not as bad as in your case. I am doing fine on finasteride.

Tough spot for sure, though.

So are you on treatment for the anemia? How much finasteride do you take and for how long now? I'm 1 mg a day and if I reduce the dose it would be 0.5 mg, lower than that I might as well just quit.

I think that, as much as it sucks, if your doctor recommends you quit taking the drug maybe you should.

In my opinion, you should treat the anemia and then decide what you should do after that, dude. Focus on getting your health back, your general health and well being is more important than hair or at least it should be.

good luck.

I hear you man. But then I'll be miserable for seeing all of the progress (though minimal at the moment) going literally down the drain. I know I should worry more for my health, but my hair is so important, especially at this time of my life. I've been building hope for 4 months now and it actually has become part of my wellness, my mental health and mood was improved incredibly since I hopped on treatment. Damn this hair loss thing is really ruining everything for me.

 

[Raz]

So are you on treatment for the anemia? How much finasteride do you take and for how long now? I'm 1 mg a day and if I reduce the dose it would be 0.5 mg, lower than that I might as well just quit.

Yeah, I've been treating anemia for several years now. I don't think I've felt worse since getting on finasteride, barring the initial shakiness with everything. (One's body adjusting to the drug, potential imagined sides, etc.).

I've been on Finasteride for 16 months~ now, at 1.25mg a day. For me, there's no other way: I want my hair. If I were to get some super-serious sides, I would quit the drug, but even with the initial anemia, I wasn't even worried about getting on finasteride (or about the sexual sides). As it turns out, things have been just fine.

In your case, though, seems like your hemoglobin levels were hit way harder, so I am not sure. I'm not gonna suggest being reckless with your health, but for me, losing my hair is such a huge hit in my looks, confidence and image that I'm having no regrets being on finasteride. So far so good.

 

[maher]

Its a no-brainer: you quit finasteride. To become anemic in only 3months, i dont think even a lower dose would be OK.

PS: ever heard of trimming...

 

[mr.patches]

Yeah, I've been treating anemia for several years now. I don't think I've felt worse since getting on finasteride, barring the initial shakiness with everything. (One's body adjusting to the drug, potential imagined sides, etc.).

I've been on Finasteride for 16 months~ now, at 1.25mg a day. For me, there's no other way: I want my hair. If I were to get some super-serious sides, I would quit the drug, but even with the initial anemia, I wasn't even worried about getting on finasteride (or about the sexual sides). As it turns out, things have been just fine.

In your case, though, seems like your hemoglobin levels were hit way harder, so I am not sure. I'm not gonna suggest being reckless with your health, but for me, losing my hair is such a huge hit in my looks, confidence and image that I'm having no regrets being on finasteride. So far so good.

I think I will lower the dose and start with the treatment for the anemia for the meantime. Losing my hair would also be such a hit for me, I can't even imagine how scary would it be to watch my hair falling again. Finasteride was working just fine but it seems my blood is not wired for it, it sucks. I'll try to be positive for now, thanks for sharing man.

Its a no-brainer: you quit finasteride. To become anemic in only 3months, i don't think even a lower dose would be OK.

PS: ever heard of trimming...

Yeah I'd still have to put the sack and beard to the razor though, lol

 

[man.on.fire]

I came across this thread after being diagnosed with anemia. I started taking 1mg Finasteride in December, 2018. I would like to know what ever happened with Mr. Patches or if anyone else has any input. Thanks.