Migraine, Sensitivity to Light, & Brain Fog, Unsure If From finasteride -- Need Your Opinions

[Donny J]

FYI: I used to have another login, but cannot recall the username/email, so I just re-joined now..

Background:
I've been taking finasteride (5/8 mg per day) for almost 3 years now. When I started, I experienced brain fog after 3 weeks of use. After quitting for a few days, the fog went away. I used it again for 3 weeks and the fog came back, etc... I decided to re-work my dosage to find what worked for me (it was apparent that there was a "build-up" of sorts that accumulated after the 3 week mark and was causing my sides). I ended up changing it to 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Then to simplify things, I started taking it mon-fri, and excluding sat/sun. I have been doing this regimen for a couple years now and it's been working great.

The Problem:
Starting in the beginning of May of this year, I began to experience brain fog throughout the work day. It seemed like work-related stress would trigger it, and it would only rear it's head towards the end of the day. This brain fog, however, wasn't the same as I've experienced in the past -- it came on quickly, and after removing myself from work, it would diminish just as fast, sometimes only lasting an hour or so (whereas from the finasteride, it would be persistent all day long). I became worried that the finasteride may still be to blame, so I stopped taking the finasteride for a month. After being off the finasteride for 3 weeks, the brain fog continued, and I experienced my first ever (I'm 29 years old) migraine. Minutes just prior to the migraine, I experienced the brain fog -- I never even get headaches, but then this migraine came out of nowhere. The migraine was debilitating and left me on my *** for 8 days straight.

After that point, I've had sensitivity to bright lights (fluorescent lights in particular), an increase in urination, and on-again/off-again brain fog.

I've been to my physician several times now, as well as a headache specialist in Internal Medicine. Both of them have pointed to stress as being the reason for my migraine as well as the brain fog. I tend to disagree. They also both thought that because my conditions only worsened when off the finasteride for a month, that the finasteride may more than likely not be the cause, and so, I began taking the finasteride again.

I've since gotten a CT scan to rule out anything serious. I've also been going to a chiropractor daily. My condition has only appeared to be getting worse (I've had brain fog for the past 5 days straight, with no letting up).

Why I think it's NOT the finasteride:
-conditions worsened when off
-been on the same regimen for nearly 3 years now
-light sensitivity doesn't appear to have been reported in other folk's cases
-migraines doesn't appear to have been reported in other folk's cases
-the fog feels different in that it had only been momentarily at times
-I recall simultaneously experiencing watery semen when also experiencing finasteride-driven brain fog in the past. I don't have that today.

why I think it IS the finasteride:
-brain fog symptom
-horror stories I've read on the internet


Starting today, I began taking Butterbur (Internal Medicine physician suggested), Magnesium, Ginkgo Biloba, & Niacin. Any suggestions/oppositions to this? I also just followed-up with my headache specialist, asking if we can run any blood tests to rule out things such as mold/fungus, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, a parasite, Candida, etc...

What are your thoughts? I've been off the finasteride again for 4 days and plan to remain off for a couple weeks again, but I'm also not sure if it's to blame...

If it's NOT the finasteride, then I have a few thoughts on what it could be, but i'm not sure if i'm just thinking hopeful or if i'm just overly stretching:
-I turned on my air conditioning around the same time this started. Something in the vents (mold/fungus) causing this?
-my toilet flooded over and seeped under the bathroom wall into the carpet padding in my bedroom back in January. I spent nearly an entire week cleaning, but I'm wondering if there's bacteria/mold from it and it's only now rearing its ugly head now that the weather is warming? I've pulled back the carpet several times since (last week, most recent), and I don't see any mold...
-allergy-driven? I mention because my allergies are usually fairly bad, and this started once it began to get nicer out.
-stress? I've had stress described to me as being, "like a glacier, in that it can build over time, creates low pressure, but eventually enough that causes a break in the landscape"... it's possible that work-related stress has finally "broke" me.


Also included in my regimen:
-Nioxin 3 days a week
-Nizoral 3 days a week
-Rogaine foam, 2x a day, daily
-fish oil
-complex vit B
-biotin

^none of this has recently changed


Any/all thoughts are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Quantum Cat]

how would you describe your brain fog? People tend to have different definitions of what brain fog is

 

[Donny J]

how would you describe your brain fog? People tend to have different definitions of what brain fog is

Difficult to describe, but I would define it as being in a complete haze. Almost a half dream-like experience. Things don't seem entirely real, nothing is "clear", it's difficult to complete every day tasks, and for lack of a better term, I feel like I'm "dumb".

 

[Quantum Cat]

that's what I experienced for a day or two when I first started using finasteride - felt like being spaced out or disassociated, so I assume it was 'brain fog' (not sure what the technical medical term is - or if there even is one) It went away, I assume, when my body adjusted to the new DHT level.

Reason I asked is because some people claim they have 'brain fog' when in fact they're just lethargic, tired or depressed, which isn't the same thing, and they blame it on the finasteride.

you seem to be doing the smart thing by talking to Doctors and getting tests done. The only way you'll know for sure if the finasteride is causing it is to stop taking it for an extended period

 

[Donny J]

that's what I experienced for a day or two when I first started using finasteride - felt like being spaced out or disassociated, so I assume it was 'brain fog' (not sure what the technical medical term is - or if there even is one) It went away, I assume, when my body adjusted to the new DHT level.

Reason I asked is because some people claim they have 'brain fog' when in fact they're just lethargic, tired or depressed, which isn't the same thing, and they blame it on the finasteride.

you seem to be doing the smart thing by talking to Doctors and getting tests done. The only way you'll know for sure if the finasteride is causing it is to stop taking it for an extended period

Thanks, Quantum. What would you (or anyone else listening) consider as being an "extended period"? I ask, because as I mentioned, I was off for a month, and the symptoms only got worse during that time. I was attempting to walk that fine line of removing myself from the finasteride for an extended time, without losing all my gained/retained hair in the process ...i'm still not sure after how long of being off the finasteride the hair will just begin to fall in clumps??

 

[Quantum Cat]

after about a week off finasteride your DHT levels will be back to around normal so I guess that means your hair will be at risk from balding again.

But male pattern baldness isn't predictable and can act at different rates and severities since its ultimately determined by genetics. So it's not a given that you'll suddenly start balding immediately.

 

[Mattb]

that's what I experienced for a day or two when I first started using finasteride - felt like being spaced out or disassociated, so I assume it was 'brain fog' (not sure what the technical medical term is - or if there even is one) It went away, I assume, when my body adjusted to the new DHT level.

Reason I asked is because some people claim they have 'brain fog' when in fact they're just lethargic, tired or depressed, which isn't the same thing, and they blame it on the finasteride.

you seem to be doing the smart thing by talking to Doctors and getting tests done. The only way you'll know for sure if the finasteride is causing it is to stop taking it for an extended period

Any relief from this?

 

[Merica]

What your experiencing are sensations of severe anxiety. Depersonolation, headaches, balance, zoned out on and on. Your headaches are likely front forehead region and you may have a sensation of something sitting on top of your scalp...all anxiety. The anxiety is a result of the 5ar being killed from the finasteride. 5ar is a necessary enzyme for several conversions to take place specifically the calming feel good neurotransmitters and neurosteroids that keep the primitive part of the brain called the amygdala from going hyper. I have all the same sides but I used dutasteride and it jacked me up. I had all that I said confirmed by Dr Alan Jacobs neuroendocrinologist in New York that deals with post finasteride cases. Usually people who have had a history of anxiety are pre disposed to have problems. I would suggest getting off entirely I did and I'm a Norwood 0. I started using only things proven to work and it has i have a thick full head of hair and not using drugs. Good luck brother, check my regimen, it's a little expensive and time consuming but worth every penny and minute . Btw Dr Jacobs said 99.99 percent recover so don't worry, besides because it's anxiety so worrying only makes it worse.

 

[Mattb]

What your experiencing are sensations of severe anxiety. Depersonolation, headaches, balance, zoned out on and on. Your headaches are likely front forehead region and you may have a sensation of something sitting on top of your scalp...all anxiety. The anxiety is a result of the 5ar being killed from the finasteride. 5ar is a necessary enzyme for several conversions to take place specifically the calming feel good neurotransmitters and neurosteroids that keep the primitive part of the brain called the amygdala from going hyper. I have all the same sides but I used dutasteride and it jacked me up. I had all that I said confirmed by Dr Alan Jacobs neuroendocrinologist in New York that deals with post finasteride cases. Usually people who have had a history of anxiety are pre disposed to have problems. I would suggest getting off entirely I did and I'm a Norwood 0. I started using only things proven to work and it has i have a thick full head of hair and not using drugs. Good luck brother, check my regimen, it's a little expensive and time consuming but worth every penny and minute . Btw Dr Jacobs said 99.99 percent recover so don't worry, besides because it's anxiety so worrying only makes it worse.

Thanks for your response. We’re you depersonalized as? I feel disoriented etc. it’s been three weeks so I’m a bit worried. Thanks for the help.

 

[Merica]

Yep depersonalization, disorientation, depression, chills all over the scalp called "brain shivers", unsteadiness on your feet...all anxiety. It can't hurt you but it can freak you out. Research anxiety symptoms you'll find everything your experiencing is a symptom of anxiety. Now what to do about it, well mulling pondering and worrying is the worst thing you can do it actually makes it longer and worse. Ask for an Ativan script if you see your gp, it helps. Do some reading on anxiety I suggest hope and help for your nerves from Dr Clair Weeks but there's many good ones out there. Lastly just be patient and give it time. Your brain has to settle back down and your hormones need to balance again, they will. Hope this helps.

 

[Mattb]

Yep depersonalization, disorientation, depression, chills all over the scalp called "brain shivers", unsteadiness on your feet...all anxiety. It can't hurt you but it can freak you out. Research anxiety symptoms you'll find everything your experiencing is a symptom of anxiety. Now what to do about it, well mulling pondering and worrying is the worst thing you can do it actually makes it longer and worse. Ask for an Ativan script if you see your gp, it helps. Do some reading on anxiety I suggest hope and help for your nerves from Dr Clair Weeks but there's many good ones out there. Lastly just be patient and give it time. Your brain has to settle back down and your hormones need to balance again, they will. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much this gives me hope. Many people claim this is permanent brain damage, and the way it feels I could believe it. I have no normal symptoms of anexity, in fact I feel calm. And the fact that this is 24/7 also makes it hard to think it’s anexity - but I’m still hopeful.

 

[Merica]

I noticed that too, my body feels calm no trembling hands or palpitations or sweats. This is all above the neck and between the ears lol. Dr Jacobs describes it as severe anxiety brought on by the imalance of neurosteroids due to the 5ar depletion. Anxiety can have some intense and scary sensations but it's not permanent or irreversible. In the short term you may want to try some meditation. I know it's hard but to the extent your able just try and stop thinking about it and get back to your life, you'll slowly see the symptoms lifting.

 

[Mattb]

I noticed that too, my body feels calm no trembling hands or palpitations or sweats. This is all above the neck and between the ears lol. Dr Jacobs describes it as severe anxiety brought on by the imalance of neurosteroids due to the 5ar depletion. Anxiety can have some intense and scary sensations but it's not permanent or irreversible. In the short term you may want to try some meditation. I know it's hard but to the extent your able just try and stop thinking about it and get back to your life, you'll slowly see the symptoms lifting.

Thanks! Only symptom I feel below the head is twitches in my left leg before sleeping and my left hand feels “light.” Otherwise just a really cognitively strange feeling in my head. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Merica]

No worries good luck brother and check my regimen...you'll keep your hair with no drugs or sides

 

[Mattb]

No worries good luck brother and check my regimen...you'll keep your hair with no drugs or sides

Thank you! Will worry about hair once I beat this - not now.

 

[Merica]

Hey brother how u doin

 

[kenkroo]

Hey brother how u doin

Is there any way I can ask you some questions regarding this finasteride induced anxiety? I’m currently dealing with it for 3 years now.

 

[veneno]

Is there any way I can ask you some questions regarding this finasteride induced anxiety? I’m currently dealing with it for 3 years now.

how much time you've been on finasteride

 

[kenkroo]

how much time you've been on finasteride

First one month, then stopped cold turkey, started again month-ish later, one pill later full sides back again, discontinued use but the ‘anxiety’ which felt in the forehead, the dissociated derealized feeling hasnt left ever since.