First attempt at finasteride

[jr1986]

So 4 days ago I decided to finally bite the bullet and take finasteride. 

Decided to start small and titrate up. 

Broke a 1mg tab into 6 pieces and took one after breakfast. Felt fine all day, had sex that evening and everything worked very well.

Day 2 took the same, experienced what I thought was ball ache and numbness but nothing major. 

Day 3 was the same. Decided to test eq on my own and struggled to get fully hard. I wasn't really alarmed, as I have suffered Ed in the past, I never really knew the reasons but I used to used 25mg viagra which worked well, but recently I've not used any and things have been working  fairly well.

Anyway, went to bed and I'd normally fall asleep fairly quickly but it took me about 4hours. Although I've had insomnia in the past I felt a bit weird, at times I felt I was asleep but was actually aware of my surroundings.

I'm not going to freak out just saying exactly what happened, I'm only on a tiny dose, so I'm either very sensitive or I'm imagining things.

Today I've decided to skip it. Thinking of going every second day.

Not sure if i should be pushing on or not. Any input welcome

Thanks for reading

 

[StillAlive]

Dude, if you have even the smallest worries about sex and don't want to marry a Viagra bottle, I'd say it comes down to your own personal priorities :

What do you value more? Your sexual performance or the preservation of your existing mid-scalp and crown hair? You really can't have both without some compromise. For me it was a no brainer as I was born of a horny donkey and a libido demon. 

[Ryan Daniel]

So you broke a 1mg pill into 6 pieces? (I don't know the math for that) and then you took 1 of the 6 pieces and the next 2 days you felt signs of side affects? 😳

Also, how do you break 1mg tablet? it is already so small 

[jr1986]

Used a Stanley knife blade, quite easy to cut a 1mg into small pieces. Then took 1 piece on sat, sun, and Monday. Have skipped today.

I know it's only a tiny dose but I can only report what I saw. I've also had no scalp pain in 3 days so that's a positive.

I will try again, every second day. I am a very slow diffuser so might not need much.

I have read anecdotal reports of people with very low body hair being more likely to suffer sides, perhaps their dht was already low. Whereas I've also read extremely hairy people can take it easier. I am in the former group. Perhaps should have got a test to see before starting

Edited August 23, 2022 by jr1986

[Vann]

There’s so many inconsistencies that you described that dilute any side effects being true. 
 

there’s a lot of psychological aspects you should address and consider before naming it in the drug. 
 

you have pre-existing conditions, therefore; all of it is finasteride fault. I know you not saying that directly but it seems like you’re avoiding it due to pre existing conditions which I understand. if you’re that worried why not get tested at your doctor. Since you already have concerns get them addressed and have a panel done for your hormones since you just started you can probably see where you stand.

also… idk about any side effects kicking in day 1 of fin, but they are temporary and will subside within time or if you discontinue. 
 

best of luck and happy (re)growing 

[Ryan Daniel]

1 hour ago, jr1986 said:

Used a Stanley knife blade, quite easy to cut a 1mg into small pieces. Then took 1 piece on sat, sun, and Monday. Have skipped today.

I know it's only a tiny dose but I can only report what I saw. I've also had no scalp pain in 3 days so that's a positive.

I will try again, every second day. I am a very slow diffuser so might not need much.

I have read anecdotal reports of people with very low body hair being more likely to suffer sides, perhaps their dht was already low. Whereas I've also read extremely hairy people can take it easier. I am in the former group. Perhaps should have got a test to see before starting

Well I have listened to reputable doctors say that when the doze is extremely low, you may find yourself taking the pill for absolutely no reason or outcome. 

1mg is already a low dosage, in my opinion it's all about when to take it. Either everyday, every 2nd day, 3 times a week, etc..

[GoliGoliGoli]

32 minutes ago, Ryan Daniel said:

Well I have listened to reputable doctors say that when the doze is extremely low, you may find yourself taking the pill for absolutely no reason or outcome. 

1mg is already a low dosage, in my opinion it's all about when to take it. Either everyday, every 2nd day, 3 times a week, etc..

There is a good bit of evidence that Fin has a "flat dose response". Basically, their is no change in how much your DHT is reduced (Scalp or serum) whether you take a 0.2mg amount or a 1mg amount. 

[Legend007]

If u already suffering from Ed before fin .. I suggest u not take finasteride .. 

[jr1986]

Well I have continued with taking fin every second day, about 0.2mg each time. Tiny dose and things havnt been too bad untill today when I got hit with brain fog about an hour after taking it. Basically spent the whole day in a daze, felt exhausted along with it and I'm normally pretty energetic. Sort of snapped out of it in the last hour and Im sure some will say its all in my head or something else but not really experienced a day like this before. I was actually getting more confident about it this past few days as well

Not sure what to do now, taking less seems pointless, maybe 5ar inhibitors are not for me. 

[jr1986]

So thought I'd give another update if anyone is interested.

Last Thursday got hit pretty hard with brain fog. Not a pleasant feeling, it cleared somewhat the next day but I decided to skip 2 days and took 0.2mg yesterday morning. Once again I developed a hazy feeling, and even today I felt off. 

Since last Thursday when I got hit hard, I had very slight tinnitus which was only really noticeable in a quite room. Didn't even know this was a possible side effect but I found numerous anecdotes of it online. I hope its something that will clear if I stop.

Tonight I also noticed my seamen has become more wattery, not terrible but noticeable. The drug is clearly having an effect on my body even at a very small dose. I'm quite surprised actually.

Erection quality is fine, libido might be down a bit hard to say.

Scalp feels amazing, no more irritation. I actually think I'd respond very well to the drug over time.

I know fin can affect neurosteroids in the brain and cause problems such as brain fog. It's not really somthing I want to have to deal with or put my body through.

Since I seem to be sensitive to fin, I'll either have to lower the dose or I'm thinking of moving to topical.

Will keep you updated.

Edited September 5, 2022 by jr1986

[LookMaxx]

33 minutes ago, jr1986 said:

So thought I'd give another update if anyone is interested.

Last Thursday got hit pretty hard with brain fog. Not a pleasant feeling, it cleared somewhat the next day but I decided to skip 2 days and took 0.2mg yesterday morning. Once again I developed a hazy feeling, and even today I felt off. 

Since last Thursday when I got hit hard, I had very slight tinnitus which was only really noticeable in a quite room. Didn't even know this was a possible side effect but I found numerous anecdotes of it online. I hope its something that will clear if I stop.

Tonight I also noticed my seamen has become more wattery, not terrible but noticeable. The drug is clearly having an effect on my body even at a very small dose. I'm quite surprised actually.

Erection quality is fine, libido might be down a bit hard to say.

Scalp feels amazing, no more irritation. I actually think I'd respond very well to the drug over time.

I know fin can affect neurosteroids in the brain and cause problems such as brain fog. It's not really somthing I want to have to deal with or put my body through.

Since I seem to be sensitive to fin, I'll either have to lower the dose or I'm thinking of moving to topical.

Will keep you updated.

I think you should stop because clearly you’re having nocebo effects. You can try it again few years later without touching the internet.

 

[jr1986]

6 minutes ago, LookMaxx said:

I think you should stop because clearly you’re having nocebo effects. You can try it again few years later without touching the internet.

 

How is wattery seamen nocebo?

[LookMaxx]

7 hours ago, jr1986 said:

How is wattery seamen nocebo?

The fact you noticed it means you were on the lookout for it. 48 hours later on 0.2mg dose yeah that’s very quick. There’s semen stored you know unless you’re yanking it everyday in which case it will be watery still as not enough time to recover. 

You also experienced tinnitus which is such an odd symptom and you found other people having it too. 

It seems clearly you’re experiencing nocebo given the extreme fearmongering surrounding this drug. I mean the fact you’ve a thread dedicated to this means you’re on high alert. 
 

But you are free to believe whatever and do what you wish. I didn’t notice watery semen 1.4 years later when I read someone else getting it from fin, funny enough it became OK when I didn’t care. Ironically I am suffering from PFS now but when I am busy with other stuff, I am normal. 

Cheers

[jr1986]

1 hour ago, LookMaxx said:

The fact you noticed it means you were on the lookout for it. 48 hours later on 0.2mg dose yeah that’s very quick. There’s semen stored you know unless you’re yanking it everyday in which case it will be watery still as not enough time to recover. 

You also experienced tinnitus which is such an odd symptom and you found other people having it too. 

It seems clearly you’re experiencing nocebo given the extreme fearmongering surrounding this drug. I mean the fact you’ve a thread dedicated to this means you’re on high alert. 
 

But you are free to believe whatever and do what you wish. I didn’t notice watery semen 1.4 years later when I read someone else getting it from fin, funny enough it became OK when I didn’t care. Ironically I am suffering from PFS now but when I am busy with other stuff, I am normal. 

Cheers

I'm over 2 weeks on it before noticing wattery semen

[LookMaxx]

19 minutes ago, jr1986 said:

I'm over 2 weeks on it before noticing wattery semen

Then it’s not a nocebo and you should stop especially if you’ve such a myriad range of symptoms from such a small dose meaning you’re very sensitive to the drug

[jr1986]

1 hour ago, LookMaxx said:

Then it’s not a nocebo and you should stop especially if you’ve such a myriad range of symptoms from such a small dose meaning you’re very sensitive to the drug

Attempting to find a dose that works, or going to look at topical fin. 

[LookMaxx]

22 minutes ago, jr1986 said:

Attempting to find a dose that works, or going to look at topical fin. 

Yeah topical might work especially if you’re not diffuse thinner 

[Grant Giller]

Topical is super easy to make yourself! I make mine at home for about $20 a month: 

 

[jr1986]

45 minutes ago, Grant Giller said:

Topical is super easy to make yourself! I make mine at home for about $20 a month: 

 

Thanks. I'm looking at making it up with distilled water, ethanol and propylene glycol, which I think is in minoxidil. Not ready to start minoxidil yet though.

I did actually test dissolving fin in 50:50 alcohol and water and they vanished pretty fast, I only cut them in half and added.

Is that your video? You reckon it's a good way of inhibiting scalp dht?

 

Thanks again 

 

[GoliGoliGoli]

1 hour ago, jr1986 said:

Thanks. I'm looking at making it up with distilled water, ethanol and propylene glycol, which I think is in minoxidil. Not ready to start minoxidil yet though.

I did actually test dissolving fin in 50:50 alcohol and water and they vanished pretty fast, I only cut them in half and added.

Is that your video? You reckon it's a good way of inhibiting scalp dht?

 

Thanks again 

 

Why arent you ready to start Min yet? 

[jr1986]

2 minutes ago, GoliGoliGoli said:

Why arent you ready to start Min yet? 

My hair isn't that bad. Didnt want to get dependent on it thats all. 

I think I'd respond well to fin alone if I could take it. Not giving up yet, but if I do I'll look at minoxidil.

 

 

[GoliGoliGoli]

Just now, jr1986 said:

My hair isn't that bad. Didnt want to get dependent on it thats all. 

I think I'd respond well to fin alone if I could take it. Not giving up yet, but if I do I'll look at minoxidil.

 

 

I held out on using Min for a long time. But I will say I've been on it consistently for maybe 3-4 months now and have had pretty tremendous results on my hairline. Like I'm moving down Norwood levels on the hairline. On the crown where I'm already pretty damn bald has seen less progress. 

[jr1986]

1 minute ago, GoliGoliGoli said:

I held out on using Min for a long time. But I will say I've been on it consistently for maybe 3-4 months now and have had pretty tremendous results on my hairline. Like I'm moving down Norwood levels on the hairline. On the crown where I'm already pretty damn bald has seen less progress. 

Nice one. Are you on finasteride as well?

[GoliGoliGoli]

3 minutes ago, jr1986 said:

Nice one. Are you on finasteride as well?

Nope, I've come to the conclusion that Fin isn't something I want to use. 

I will say with Min, I do notice a bit of bloating in my face though. I suspect most people who think Min "ages" them are probably right, but it doesn't have to do with preventing collagen synthesis as some people claim Min does. I think it just cases blood to rush to your head and your face bloats and you look a bit older. I haven't used it since Friday though and the bloat seems to go away in a few days. 

TBH my plan with Min is to use it for a year or two then go to only applying it a few times a week. I think that way you can retain the growth you've gotten over the first year or two without having to apply it every day. 

[jr1986]

2 minutes ago, GoliGoliGoli said:

Nope, I've come to the conclusion that Fin isn't something I want to use. 

I will say with Min, I do notice a bit of bloating in my face though. I suspect most people who think Min "ages" them are probably right, but it doesn't have to do with preventing collagen synthesis as some people claim Min does. I think it just cases blood to rush to your head and your face bloats and you look a bit older. I haven't used it since Friday though and the bloat seems to go away in a few days. 

TBH my plan with Min is to use it for a year or two then go to only applying it a few times a week. I think that way you can retain the growth you've gotten over the first year or two without having to apply it every day. 

I really didn't want to use it, but I thought given im older and slowish rate of los, a low dose might not be too bad. I certainly don't view dht as a trash hormone like some. 

I'm a bit surprised to be one of the "3%" that got sides. If I can't make it work orally or topically I'll just have to banish it from my thoughts.