Coming off Proscar after 10+ years ...excited yet scared.Where to begin?

Hello All

I've been lurking on the sight now for a couple of months and reallly like what I'm reading here. After reading about the poison that is finasteride here and on other sites I've decided to try another approach. My experience with finasteride was positive when it came to hair loss(I have only very mild thinning on the crown , same since I started 10 years ago) but recently I have noticed a decline in libido. I think I have experienced the forgetfulness and brain fog associated with fin use. I never drew a correlation between the two before. Very scary stuff. Now this could be related to other things but In recent months I have totally cleaned up my diet,got rid of my microwave and incorporated a much healthier lifestyle overall especially after reading some of the information on here.
After seeing a nutritionist last week she was convinced that I have a heavy metal issue.It makes sense in relation to some of my health issues (prostiatitus ,frequent urination,low flow,forgetfulness,insomnia).I think after what I've read here that clearing this issue up will go a long way to help me out.
I hold the position that outside of rare genetic abnormalities/diseases the body doesn't do anything without a reason including going bald.I think that once I'm healthy that I should be able to retain the hair that I have.

CS I really appreciate all the information you are providing here.

I have a couple of questions:
1) Is there anything you would add to the top 6 in regards to coming off fin?
2) Dulse has 330% of the rda for iodine. Can I load up on this stuff or should I be taking the real deal?

I have more thoughts and concerns but I think this is good for now.

thanks

BG

BG - Based on how finasteride works, supplementing with pregenolone may help offset some of the problems associated with it, at least with regard to neurosteroid protection. In other regards, acetyl l-carnitine will also help compensate somewhat. There are other issues, but those are the basics.

If you come off of finasteride (a great idea), you might consider temporarily using a topical such as Super Zix-II while your body adjusts. Or you may taper off your dose gradually.

Dulse isn't really enough iodine (330% RDA) is will pretty small compared to optimal levels.

Would instead recommend using several drops of Iosol (1.8 mg per drop).

what are the benefits to using pregenolone cream?

BG wrote:Hello All

I've been lurking on the sight now for a couple of months and reallly like what I'm reading here. After reading about the poison that is finasteride here and on other sites I've decided to try another approach. My experience with finasteride was positive when it came to hair loss(I have only very mild thinning on the crown , same since I started 10 years ago) but recently I have noticed a decline in libido. I think I have experienced the forgetfulness and brain fog associated with fin use. I never drew a correlation between the two before. Very scary stuff. Now this could be related to other things but In recent months I have totally cleaned up my diet,got rid of my microwave and incorporated a much healthier lifestyle overall especially after reading some of the information on here.
After seeing a nutritionist last week she was convinced that I have a heavy metal issue.It makes sense in relation to some of my health issues (prostiatitus ,frequent urination,low flow,forgetfulness,insomnia).I think after what I've read here that clearing this issue up will go a long way to help me out.
I hold the position that outside of rare genetic abnormalities/diseases the body doesn't do anything without a reason including going bald.I think that once I'm healthy that I should be able to retain the hair that I have.

CS I really appreciate all the information you are providing here.

I have a couple of questions:
1) Is there anything you would add to the top 6 in regards to coming off fin?
2) Dulse has 330% of the rda for iodine. Can I load up on this stuff or should I be taking the real deal?

I have more thoughts and concerns but I think this is good for now.

thanks

BG

BG --

When I first joined this forum, I quit fin & minox. My experience included shedding, followed by a halt in hair loss. I've taken the top 6, in addition to other supplements. My hair looks better now than it ever did while on fin. My face also looks better now that I'm off minox.

If you're going to quit finasteride, I recommend taking Iodine to deal with drug-related bromide accumulation.

Also, if you've experienced side effects, I'd look for supplements to deal with them. Maca worked well for me, as did Chasteberry.

That's a good point by LA-Night about the iodine.

blackjack - Allopregnanolone is suppressed by finasteride because it is synthesized from 5-alpha reductase. Having this deficit can induce depression and anxiety.

Here's an older article about neurosteroids:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/07/040713082347.htm

LA-Night wrote:

BG wrote:Hello All

I've been lurking on the sight now for a couple of months and reallly like what I'm reading here. After reading about the poison that is finasteride here and on other sites I've decided to try another approach. My experience with finasteride was positive when it came to hair loss(I have only very mild thinning on the crown , same since I started 10 years ago) but recently I have noticed a decline in libido. I think I have experienced the forgetfulness and brain fog associated with fin use. I never drew a correlation between the two before. Very scary stuff. Now this could be related to other things but In recent months I have totally cleaned up my diet,got rid of my microwave and incorporated a much healthier lifestyle overall especially after reading some of the information on here.
After seeing a nutritionist last week she was convinced that I have a heavy metal issue.It makes sense in relation to some of my health issues (prostiatitus ,frequent urination,low flow,forgetfulness,insomnia).I think after what I've read here that clearing this issue up will go a long way to help me out.
I hold the position that outside of rare genetic abnormalities/diseases the body doesn't do anything without a reason including going bald.I think that once I'm healthy that I should be able to retain the hair that I have.

CS I really appreciate all the information you are providing here.

I have a couple of questions:
1) Is there anything you would add to the top 6 in regards to coming off fin?
2) Dulse has 330% of the rda for iodine. Can I load up on this stuff or should I be taking the real deal?

I have more thoughts and concerns but I think this is good for now.

thanks

BG

BG --

When I first joined this forum, I quit fin & minox. My experience included shedding, followed by a halt in hair loss. I've taken the top 6, in addition to other supplements. My hair looks better now than it ever did while on fin. My face also looks better now that I'm off minox.

If you're going to quit finasteride, I recommend taking Iodine to deal with drug-related bromide accumulation.

Also, if you've experienced side effects, I'd look for supplements to deal with them. Maca worked well for me, as did Chasteberry.

How long were you on fin? I have tried to quit several times but each time I stop I lose more ground. I go through long shedding periods. The only thing that seems to help is getting back on the drug. How long were you off fin before you started to grow back what was lost, and did it grow back thicker or thinner?
I didn’t know that fin contains bromide. Were you taking Iodine while on fin, did it help?

HairSeeker --

I was on fin/minox for 5 years.

It took 6 months to regrow what I lost during my intense post-finasteride shed. But my hair is way thicker now. I regrew what I lost.

I wasn't on iodine while I was on fin. It wasn't until I dropped fin that I realized how messed up my body was.

When I dropped fin, I decided to make radical dietary changes. I also had to make a commitment to taking so many natural supplements. Thankfully, it's paid off.

I'm now utterly convinced that healing your body will heal your hair, and that diet plays a huge role in hair loss.

LA-Night wrote:HairSeeker --

I was on fin/minox for 5 years.

It took 6 months to regrow what I lost during my intense post-finasteride shed. But my hair is way thicker now. I regrew what I lost.

I wasn't on iodine while I was on fin. It wasn't until I dropped fin that I realized how messed up my body was.

When I dropped fin, I decided to make radical dietary changes. I also had to make a commitment to taking so many natural supplements. Thankfully, it's paid off.

I'm now utterly convinced that healing your body will heal your hair, and that diet plays a huge role in hair loss.

That is very encouraging news! I hope you don’t mind a few more question? You said that you grew back the lost hair after about six months. Does this apply to all areas of your scalp, even your hairline? What are you taking now? Anything topical?
I started on fin and Xandrox in 2000 and stopped Xandrox in mid 08 because I thought it had lost its effectiveness. That was my first shed. Then I stopped fin because of sides several times, which caused more sheds. Going back to fin brings back some of the hair I’ve lost, but the quality is not the same. It’s thinner and weaker. Would you say the quality of your hair quality is better now that you are off fin?
I agree with your health theory. I’ve been trying to get back on track for several years now. Too much partying over the last two decades.

HairSeeker --

The hair that regrew after 6 months applies to all areas of my scalp, including my hairline.

Right now I'm taking a host of supplements: the same extensive regimen as CS, plus other supps like Maca, L-Lysine, etc.

The most important moves I made after dropping fin? Cleaning up my diet (for my metabolic type & family history of diabetes, that meant more protein, less sugar/carbs), taking iodine daily to combat bromide, taking supplements to repair my exhausted adrenal glands, and doing a heavy metal cleanse. I've had to methodically reverse years of dietary negligence & drug (fin) abuse.

After dropping fin, I wanted to start from scratch so I shaved my head. That's when I started using emu oil on my hairline & it helped. Now that my hair is longer, I only use DMSO topically.

Fortunately, my hair looks better now than when I was on fin -- it's way thicker. I'm 25 & people are coming up to me asking what I've done differently. My hair looks better now than when I was 19, no joke. My hair color has also changed from light brown to dark brown, bordering on black.

But I urge those who want to drop as powerful a drug as finasteride to first make a plan of attack that will sustain them long-term. There are no quick-fixes in this game -- only patience and a stubborn willingness to experiment.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

CS-I have a bottle of iodine from the health food store. Anything wrong with just using that? Also pregnenolone is not available over the counter here(toronto) is there anything else I can use in the meantime? Maca?

LA - I can totally relate to the minox uglies. I was like WTF is going on with my face? Its been less than a week off the stuff and I'm pretty sure there's a difference. I read on one of your posts you had a detox flu? I think I experienced that this week as well. I was feeling as good as ever from cutting out some stuff in my diet and doing some juicing.I also fasted this past Sunday. But yesterday BAM! I was steamrolled and I don't get sick very often but this was out of nowhere and in the middle of June I think it's more than coincidence. Whats the deal with DMSO?

BG

I also made the decision to get off pharmaceuticals recently. No scalp itch or shedding yet, but it's only been a few weeks.

I would recommend for you to do a heavy metal detox and clean up your diet for a few months first. Following that adopt the IH top 6, along with iodine and any other supplements you want, and then stop the proscar.

LA-Night wrote:HairSeeker --

The hair that regrew after 6 months applies to all areas of my scalp, including my hairline.

Right now I'm taking a host of supplements: the same extensive regimen as CS, plus other supps like Maca, L-Lysine, etc.

The most important moves I made after dropping fin? Cleaning up my diet (for my metabolic type & family history of diabetes, that meant more protein, less sugar/carbs), taking iodine daily to combat bromide, taking supplements to repair my exhausted adrenal glands, and doing a heavy metal cleanse. I've had to methodically reverse years of dietary negligence & drug (fin) abuse.

After dropping fin, I wanted to start from scratch so I shaved my head. That's when I started using emu oil on my hairline & it helped. Now that my hair is longer, I only use DMSO topically.

Fortunately, my hair looks better now than when I was on fin -- it's way thicker. I'm 25 & people are coming up to me asking what I've done differently. My hair looks better now than when I was 19, no joke. My hair color has also changed from light brown to dark brown, bordering on black.

But I urge those who want to drop as powerful a drug as finasteride to first make a plan of attack that will sustain them long-term. There are no quick-fixes in this game -- only patience and a stubborn willingness to experiment.

This is very good news. Hairline re-growth is difficult.

I have been on the top on and off for about a year now. My problem is sticking to a regimen if I don’t see immediate results. Unfortunately hair grows very slowly and turning around years of neglect is even slower. You sound remarkably disciplined for 25. I’ve tried Maca but again did not notice an immediate benefit. Never tried L-Lysine, but will look into it.
I agree about the diet. This is by far the most important aspect of any good health regimen. We are what we eat. I suppose I was a combination of pizza, burgers and Mexican food, lol. Oh, and let’s not forget wine, tequila and sake.

I cut all sugar, processed foods and cut out about 90% of white flour and rice over a year ago. I am on my way to a very clean diet.

My father suffered from diabetes and eventually passed away from heart attack. So, I share your family history.

I wish you continued success with your regimen.

I recently came off finasteride after many years on the drug. It worked very well for my hair but in the last few years I started accumulating side effects that I am pretty sure are at least partially attributable to finasteride (stopped dreaming, got severe brain fog that comes/goes for weeks at a time, general decline in attention span, lost nocturnal/morning erections). Further, the accumulating research that finasteride somehow alters brain chemistry is scary. It wasn't an easy decision but I decided that hair is a lot less important then when I was young and the risks of being in finasteride for an entire lifetime are just too great.

Perhaps my situation will help prepare you a bit...not many people were on the drug as long as we were. My experience has been interesting to say the least.

So far I would say the following:
1) My hair is falling out quickly (despite a very healthy lifestyle and good supplement/topical regimen, etc). My guess is that I will lose 50-75% of my thickness in the first 12 months I am off finasteride. If you are serious about quitting, I would mentally prepare yourself to go bald. If you are not mentally prepared you will likely go back on - I have seen this exact scenario countless times (check the "coming off Dut" thread on this site).
2) My testosterone fell by almost half after I quit. I can only hope it naturally recovers (be absolutely sure to have T, DHT, E2, etc. tested before you quit). This will be an important baseline to have should something go wrong.
3) I tapered off but I don't think it mattered. I didn't notice any changes until my dose literally went to 0.
4) Morning/nocturnal erections have returned. They are more important for sexual confidence than I thought - they are nice to have.
5) My cognitive issues are still very much present. I dont know if I've done permanent damage or if they will fade with time. If you continue to have brain fog issues you should check the doctors list on www.propeciahelp.com - there is a good neuroendocrinologist helping quite a few guys.
6) My body feels as though it is riding a hormonal roller coaster. My testicles have varied in size by 25% day-by-day, I've had hot flashes, lethargy, etc. There are days I feel great and days I feel terrible. I think things take some time to normalize if you've been on the drug for a long time (particularly if you started young).

All in all, get your hormones tested, convince yourself hair doesn't matter (it really doesn't), live healthy, and stay positive.

Good luck!

I should also add that you should get real help for the mental issues. A heavy metal issue seems pretty unlikely unless you have some odd diet or lifestyle. Bring your doctor printouts of guys talking about brain fog / forgetfulness / depression, etc. Bring them the studies about finasteride and depression/neurosteroids. These are real side effects that are happening to lots of guys. But your doctor will probably refuse to admit it until it shows up on the Merck label one day. In the best case scenario brain fog is just a temporary hormonal imbalance we have created. In the worst case scenario we have somehow damaged our brains after many years of being deficient certain DHT metabolites or neurosteroids. As of right now, the medical community hasn't even begun to consider these possibilities.