Re: This Isn't Fair

[Guest guest]

Wow, what a story. Thank you for sharing all that, I sympathize with what you

are going

through. It must be really difficult.

Not to poke holes in your story here, but you complain of emotional numbness but

it is

clear that you are feeling quite a bit. You seem pretty emotional, and that's a

good thing.

You don't seem numb at all. Also, you say that you don't have any love/lust, but

you are

trying to get back together with your ex and so you must really have feelings

for her. It's

clear she means a lot to you.

This is a recent development for you, so have a little faith that after awhile

things will right

themselves again. Keep your head up and keep a positive attitude if you can,

there is really

no reason to think that you will be like this forever.

>

> New member here but wanted to fill you in on my traumatizing story. I

> was on 20mg of Paxil for around 6-7 years starting in 2000 when I was

> 18 for Social Anxiety Disorder. Suffice all the harsh criticism on

> the net, it worked wonders for me and I became an outgoing guy and it

> helped me tremendously in social situations, especially in college.

> As time passed, I continued taking Paxil as it was part of my daily

> routine, and then I met my girlfriend at the time. We truly hit it

> off the bat and were together for almost 3 years. During that time, I

> realized the negative side effects of Paxil †" particularly sexual

> dysfunction. I had little libido and no interest in sex and this

> affected our relationship tremendously. She would have to initiate

> half the time which wasn't fair. After some research, I figured out

> that Paxil was the cause of this since I wasn't sexually active prior

> to meeting my gf. I started withdrawing from the drug and it was one

> of the most difficult challenges I've ever faced. The brain zaps,

> mood swings, you know the drill. I also weaned off too fast going

> from 20mg/10mg in 2 weeks, to 10mg for 2 weeks, then 10mg EOD for 2

> weeks, the cold turkey. This was what my physician prescribed but I

> was not aware I should've withdrawn much slower. Anyway, I was

> finally Paxil-free in June and felt, well, alive. My emotions were no

> longer blunted, I had much more energy during the day, didn't sleep

> till 1pm, wasn't sweating all the time, etc. It was great †" but my

> libido was still low despite discontinuation.

>

> My gf and I broke up last September for mutual reasons and I was doing

> OK for awhile. Then in December, depression hit me like a ton of

> bricks. The breakup didn't hit me until then for some reason - guys

> have a delayed reaction I guess. I was also experiencing some subtle

> hair loss which made me even more depressed. Depression turned into

> anxiety and I kept thinking I wasn't going to meet anyone else if I

> kept losing hair (which wasn't even noticeable). I read about

> Propecia and after finding out all the nasty side effects and the

> PropeciaHelp.com website I decided against it. I had a prescription

> for it from my doctor and DID NOT FILL IT. I went to a laser hair

> therapy center where they actually analyze your scalp with microscopic

> equipment to determine if you're in fact balding †" which I was. He

> said to avoid Propecia but try Saw Palmetto 500mg twice daily since

> it's a mild DHT blocker and doesn't have the side effects of Fin. A

> few weeks later I was browsing the supplement aisle in my supermarket

> and found a bottle of SP. I was debating to buy it or not. I felt it

> was silly but because I kept checking my hair 10x a day in the mirror

> (I have BDD), I went ahead and bought it. It was a purchase I will

> regret for perhaps the rest of my life.

>

>

> I debated whether to return this stuff or not but people on hair loss

> forums kept saying its useless, a placebo, and not medically proven

> for hair loss. The label said 320mg and since that was less than

> 500mg I thought, " What the hell, it's even less than what I was told

> to get. " I would discontinue if I got sides. I was debating to

> return the bottle after a week of it sitting on my desk with the

> receipt underneath. I got so overly anxious with hair falling out in

> the shower with strands in my hair that I decided to start taking it.

> Within a week I noticed testicular pain and after 9 days ceased the

> supplement on 2/3/08. After stopping, this was when the trouble began.

>

>

> It's like I'm on Paxil x 500000000. Besides the horrific sexual side

> effects, it's blunted my emotions, killed my motivation, ruined my

> sleep, I'm suffering from brain fog, and the list goes on and on. I've

> never felt suicidal until this point - it's ruined my life. The

> emotions I had for my ex, for my hobbies, anything fun has been sucked

> out of me. I'm so mad at myself for ever touching this stuff,

> especially because I decided NOT to take Propecia because of all the

> horror stories I've read and now I'm one of those cases. How ironic.

>

> I've made appointments with several doctors and am very much on top of

> this but no one has been of much help. Just days before this happened,

> I came to the conclusion to get back together with my ex. I was going

> to surprise her on V-Day to reconcile but had to hold back because of

> my present physical/emotional state. How can I be in a relationship

> when I cannot perform sexually and/or feel love/romantic feelings? The

> difficult battle to come off Paxil has been negated in every way and

> it's my entire fault. I try not to blame myself since I didn't know

> this would happen but I feel so helpless. Just days before this s**t

> happened, I came to the conclusion to try to patch things up with the

> ex. The timing couldn't have been worse.

>

> I talked to my friend and she said there's no point waiting around

> despite my current state since we don't know when I'll recover, but

> she told me that I had those feelings, and even though I can't feel

> them now you had them and they exist. Basically, s**t or get off the

> pot because she won't be waiting around. A few weeks ago, I called my

> ex and poured my heart out. I didn't tell her what I was going through

> healthwise, but I told her how I made a mistake, took her for granted,

> I'm nothing without her, etc. Even though it sucked not having the

> emotions to back me up that were once again robbed from me, I still

> broke down (though not as easily as I could've before taking SP). We

> talked for a long time and she said she would let me know in a couple

> of days about getting back together. In all honesty, her and my

> family/friends are the only things keeping me going right now because

> life seems so bleak - especially with all the health issues I'm going

> through. Work and school have become a struggle with the brain fog and

> depression, and waking up each morning without improvement kills me.

> It cannot get much worse from this point, it just can't. I couldn't

> care less about hair loss after what I self-induced myself with, I

> just want my life back.

>

>

> I only took this stuff for 9 days, however, I was not aware that this

> was the extract version which meant it was extremely potent. It said

> 320mg on the label, but this actually meant 3200mg of the powder! I

> had no idea! You would think 320mg would be less than 500mg, but a

> simple mistake on my part has cost me my well-being. I thought I was

> taking a placebo if anything since it was less than 500mg. Now I've

> become something I purposely avoided, a Propecia user with possibly

> permanent side effects even though I never touched Finasteride. It has

> been two months and my body has been rapidly deteriorating. I've never

> been so down in my entire life, and depression is a side-effect from

> this crap. Here is my list of symptoms:

>

>

> Symptoms that have not resolved themselves/happened since 2/3/08:

>

> Erectile Dysfunction

> No daytime/spontaneous erections

> Zero Libido

> Genital numbness

> Testicular discomfort

> Dryer Skin

> Premature Facial Aging

> Bags under eyes

> Extreme dry eyes

> Multiple eye floaters

> Vision problems - problems focusing

> Constipation

> Brainfog

> Significant Weight loss

> Loss of appetite

> Muscular atrophy

> Muscle twitch above upper lip

> Severe Insomnia

> Emotional flatness/blunting of feelings

> No feeling of love/lust

> No positive feelings

> Constant groin pain

> Dizziness

> Severe lack of motivation

> Lack of interests/hobbies

> Colder body temperature

> Loss of body hair

> Extremely severe depression

> Anxiety attacks

> Dry scalp

> Brittle hair

> Cracking in right ear

> Hand tremors

> Suicidal thoughts

> Inability to concentrate

> Anti-social behavior

> Disconnection from the real world/people

> Muscular weakness

> Inability to gain muscle

> Loss of personality

> Depersonalization

> Massive crying spells

> Slower mental capacity

> Constant fatigue

> Harder to produce sweat

>

> Prior to this I was a healthy, muscular, energetic Paxil-free guy. The

> body that I worked so hard for in the gym for 5 years is rapidly

> deteriorating. I'd rather withdraw from Paxil 100 times than suffer

> from this. Doctors don't know what's wrong and I've spent so much time

> and money on this situation that I'm at my wits end. I've never, ever

> been suicidal before but I cannot continue living my life like this. I

> was put on Zoloft and I tried that for a week and it did nothing -

> wasn't smart either since I'm already suffering from sexual side

> effects. Now I'm on 150mg Wellbutrin SR twice daily and take Klonopin

> at night if necessary (Klonopin has been the only thing to calm me

> down but I'm watching it since I've read it's addictive). I feel like

> my life is over at the age of 26 because of some high-anxiety over

> subtle hair loss. I think if I was still on Paxil this may not have

> happened. The worst part is that I knew of the dangers of Propecia and

> avoided it yet still got burnt. Everyday has been a nightmare and I

> cannot tolerate it much longer. I have an appointment with a

> specialist who has treated cases like this in a couple of weeks so I'm

> trying to remain optimistic. Please, do not ever take 5AR inhibitors

> unless you have BPH or prostate problems. They're very dangerous and

> have destroyed many lives, perhaps even mine.

>

> Now just eight months later after a hellish Paxil WD, I have a new,

> harder battle to fight. Perfect. This just isn't fair and I don't

> deserve this. I rather have 2 torn ACLs than this. My life has been

> robbed from me despite being a good-natured person. I'm in the prime

> of my life, have a great job, getting my masters, and I feel like it's

> all been f**** because of this. I'm so lost and each day just gets

> harder and harder. I look back at me a year ago and I was on top of

> the world - great body, health, girlfriend, friends, social life.

> Now, all has been lost. I really don't know if I can live like this

> the rest of my life. I don't even know who I am anymore and watching

> body and mind fall apart in a matter of weeks has been extremely

> depressing and traumatizing. I really think staying on and/or going

> back on Paxil may have prevented this. Anyway, thought I would share

> this story with you guys since I unintentionally chemically castrated

> myself. This is no way to live.

>

> The most depressing part is that I was on Paxil for 6 years which

> decimated my libido and I discontinued that in June. I pretty much

> made somewhat of a recovery and now just months later I've

> potentially, permanently destroyed it.If I do not improve, I don't see

> a point in living. A mistake on my part shouldn't cost me my health -

> I just can't stop reliving that moment buying that s**t. That's what

> kills me the most - knowing the dangers of Propecia and taking

> something milder when it was in fact perhaps stronger. I just want

> this misery to end.

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if this means anything to you but try to hang in there.

This drug sounds like a nightmare. I looked it up on ask a patient

(where it has a rating of 2.6) and people there had stories very

similar to yours. I also saw on Wikipedia that The Swedish Medical

Products Agency was researching this drug for possibly causing

irreversible sexual side effects. I'm so sorry that this happened to

you and others, and at the same time so angry at the disaster that is

drug regulation in todays society. I hope you will get better.

[Guest guest]

Thanks... the problem was that I didn't even take Propecia! I thought

I was taking something milder but because the FDA doesn't regulate

herbal supplements who the hell knows what was in those capsules...

let alone the poor labeling and instructed dosage. I read the horror

stories of Propecia and that's why I never got it, yet I'm a story and

even have more if not worse symptoms. My libido was never the same

after Paxil but damnit I could still sexually function let alone

function on a daily basis at work/school. I don't know what went

wrong but all I keep hearing is permanent, irreversible, etc and it

brings me little to no hope. The timing was just awful - literally,

days before this happened I came to the conclusion to get back with my

ex, then BAM - s**t hit the fan. I just feel like a part of me has

died and I'm this freak of nature that has to live life without his

manhood possibly forever. I'm trying to hang in there but this is the

absolute worst and I really mean it when I say I rather have

testicular cancer since docs can diagnose and treat it. This has been

the most miserable experience of my entire life and waking each

morning without a morning erection makes the day that much harder.

I've never felt depression like this before and it's just too much -

I'm really running out of patience and to see your body fall apart

physically and mentally is just too disturbing.

>

> I don't know if this means anything to you but try to hang in there.

> This drug sounds like a nightmare. I looked it up on ask a patient

> (where it has a rating of 2.6) and people there had stories very

> similar to yours. I also saw on Wikipedia that The Swedish Medical

> Products Agency was researching this drug for possibly causing

> irreversible sexual side effects. I'm so sorry that this happened to

> you and others, and at the same time so angry at the disaster that is

> drug regulation in todays society. I hope you will get better.

>

[Guest guest]

hello there just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. read my introduction, its message 12079. i too feel that i have very little left in life. i can't seem to function at all at the moment, cannot work, am hardly sleeping, even though i feel like i would love to fall asleep and never wake up. i feel like i am living a nightmare, that i am jinxed. i took a drug that was supposed to make me feel better and all it has done has made things 1000 times worse. i got a few responses to my original post, most saying that i should try to remain positive, that things will get better in time, but i really have experienced such slight changes in my condition over the past 8 months that i really cannot see much light at the end of the tunnel. like you i keep seeing the words 'possibly permanent' and 'irreversible' everywhere and it totally freaks me out. i am literally a bundle of nerves at the moment and feeling at my lowest ever.

i must say that i don't think that the herbal supplements that you took are at the route of your problem, i doubt very much that they are like a herbal equivalent of propecia. i think that, like me it is the paxil which was the main cause of your problem. i guess that the main reason i am responding to your post is to tell you that you are not alone in the way that you feel, believe me. wantmylifeback85 wrote: Thanks... the problem was that I didn't even take Propecia! I

thoughtI was taking something milder but because the FDA doesn't regulateherbal supplements who the hell knows what was in those capsules...let alone the poor labeling and instructed dosage. I read the horrorstories of Propecia and that's why I never got it, yet I'm a story andeven have more if not worse symptoms. My libido was never the sameafter Paxil but damnit I could still sexually function let alonefunction on a daily basis at work/school. I don't know what wentwrong but all I keep hearing is permanent, irreversible, etc and itbrings me little to no hope. The timing was just awful - literally,days before this happened I came to the conclusion to get back with myex, then BAM - s**t hit the fan. I just feel like a part of me hasdied and I'm this freak of nature that has to live life without hismanhood possibly forever. I'm trying to hang in there but this is theabsolute worst and I really mean it when I say I

rather havetesticular cancer since docs can diagnose and treat it. This has beenthe most miserable experience of my entire life and waking eachmorning without a morning erection makes the day that much harder. I've never felt depression like this before and it's just too much -I'm really running out of patience and to see your body fall apartphysically and mentally is just too disturbing.>> I don't know if this means anything to you but try to hang in there.> This drug sounds like a nightmare. I looked it up on ask a patient> (where it has a rating of 2.6) and people there had stories very> similar to yours. I also saw on Wikipedia that The Swedish Medical> Products Agency was researching this drug for possibly causing> irreversible sexual side effects. I'm so

sorry that this happened to> you and others, and at the same time so angry at the disaster that is> drug regulation in todays society. I hope you will get better.>

Sent from Yahoo! Mail.

A Smarter Inbox.

[Guest guest]

Ok I have some questions. Firstly, how long after withdrawing from the paxil did you feel completely normal? I'm not denying your story, but after researching SP, I can't find anything that indicates any major danger in taking it. The problem is the fact that it doesen't really do anything. Like you said, it's placebo effect if anything. So I'm wondering how sure you are that it was SP and not paxil. I know when I went off ssri's, after a while I experienced a re-emergence of emotions, but after a while all of that waned, and I started to experience many of the symptoms you listed in your post.Subject:

This Isn't FairTo: SSRIsex Date: Saturday, March 29, 2008, 10:01 PM

New member here but wanted to fill you in on my traumatizing story. I

was on 20mg of Paxil for around 6-7 years starting in 2000 when I was

18 for Social Anxiety Disorder. Suffice all the harsh criticism on

the net, it worked wonders for me and I became an outgoing guy and it

helped me tremendously in social situations, especially in college.

As time passed, I continued taking Paxil as it was part of my daily

routine, and then I met my girlfriend at the time. We truly hit it

off the bat and were together for almost 3 years. During that time, I

realized the negative side effects of Paxil â€" particularly sexual

dysfunction. I had little libido and no interest in sex and this

affected our relationship tremendously. She would have to initiate

half the time which wasn't fair. After some research, I figured out

that Paxil was the cause of this since I wasn't sexually active prior

to meeting my gf. I started withdrawing from the drug and it was one

of the most difficult challenges I've ever faced. The brain zaps,

mood swings, you know the drill. I also weaned off too fast going

from 20mg/10mg in 2 weeks, to 10mg for 2 weeks, then 10mg EOD for 2

weeks, the cold turkey. This was what my physician prescribed but I

was not aware I should've withdrawn much slower. Anyway, I was

finally Paxil-free in June and felt, well, alive. My emotions were no

longer blunted, I had much more energy during the day, didn't sleep

till 1pm, wasn't sweating all the time, etc. It was great â€" but my

libido was still low despite discontinuation.

My gf and I broke up last September for mutual reasons and I was doing

OK for awhile. Then in December, depression hit me like a ton of

bricks. The breakup didn't hit me until then for some reason - guys

have a delayed reaction I guess. I was also experiencing some subtle

hair loss which made me even more depressed. Depression turned into

anxiety and I kept thinking I wasn't going to meet anyone else if I

kept losing hair (which wasn't even noticeable). I read about

Propecia and after finding out all the nasty side effects and the

PropeciaHelp. com website I decided against it. I had a prescription

for it from my doctor and DID NOT FILL IT. I went to a laser hair

therapy center where they actually analyze your scalp with microscopic

equipment to determine if you're in fact balding â€" which I was. He

said to avoid Propecia but try Saw Palmetto 500mg twice daily since

it's a mild DHT blocker and doesn't have the side effects of Fin. A

few weeks later I was browsing the supplement aisle in my supermarket

and found a bottle of SP. I was debating to buy it or not. I felt it

was silly but because I kept checking my hair 10x a day in the mirror

(I have BDD), I went ahead and bought it. It was a purchase I will

regret for perhaps the rest of my life.

I debated whether to return this stuff or not but people on hair loss

forums kept saying its useless, a placebo, and not medically proven

for hair loss. The label said 320mg and since that was less than

500mg I thought, "What the hell, it's even less than what I was told

to get." I would discontinue if I got sides. I was debating to

return the bottle after a week of it sitting on my desk with the

receipt underneath. I got so overly anxious with hair falling out in

the shower with strands in my hair that I decided to start taking it.

Within a week I noticed testicular pain and after 9 days ceased the

supplement on 2/3/08. After stopping, this was when the trouble began.

It's like I'm on Paxil x 500000000. Besides the horrific sexual side

effects, it's blunted my emotions, killed my motivation, ruined my

sleep, I'm suffering from brain fog, and the list goes on and on. I've

never felt suicidal until this point - it's ruined my life. The

emotions I had for my ex, for my hobbies, anything fun has been sucked

out of me. I'm so mad at myself for ever touching this stuff,

especially because I decided NOT to take Propecia because of all the

horror stories I've read and now I'm one of those cases. How ironic.

I've made appointments with several doctors and am very much on top of

this but no one has been of much help. Just days before this happened,

I came to the conclusion to get back together with my ex. I was going

to surprise her on V-Day to reconcile but had to hold back because of

my present physical/emotional state. How can I be in a relationship

when I cannot perform sexually and/or feel love/romantic feelings? The

difficult battle to come off Paxil has been negated in every way and

it's my entire fault. I try not to blame myself since I didn't know

this would happen but I feel so helpless. Just days before this s**t

happened, I came to the conclusion to try to patch things up with the

ex. The timing couldn't have been worse.

I talked to my friend and she said there's no point waiting around

despite my current state since we don't know when I'll recover, but

she told me that I had those feelings, and even though I can't feel

them now you had them and they exist. Basically, s**t or get off the

pot because she won't be waiting around. A few weeks ago, I called my

ex and poured my heart out. I didn't tell her what I was going through

healthwise, but I told her how I made a mistake, took her for granted,

I'm nothing without her, etc. Even though it sucked not having the

emotions to back me up that were once again robbed from me, I still

broke down (though not as easily as I could've before taking SP). We

talked for a long time and she said she would let me know in a couple

of days about getting back together. In all honesty, her and my

family/friends are the only things keeping me going right now because

life seems so bleak - especially with all the health issues I'm going

through. Work and school have become a struggle with the brain fog and

depression, and waking up each morning without improvement kills me.

It cannot get much worse from this point, it just can't. I couldn't

care less about hair loss after what I self-induced myself with, I

just want my life back.

I only took this stuff for 9 days, however, I was not aware that this

was the extract version which meant it was extremely potent. It said

320mg on the label, but this actually meant 3200mg of the powder! I

had no idea! You would think 320mg would be less than 500mg, but a

simple mistake on my part has cost me my well-being. I thought I was

taking a placebo if anything since it was less than 500mg. Now I've

become something I purposely avoided, a Propecia user with possibly

permanent side effects even though I never touched Finasteride. It has

been two months and my body has been rapidly deteriorating. I've never

been so down in my entire life, and depression is a side-effect from

this crap. Here is my list of symptoms:

Symptoms that have not resolved themselves/happened since 2/3/08:

Erectile Dysfunction

No daytime/spontaneous erections

Zero Libido

Genital numbness

Testicular discomfort

Dryer Skin

Premature Facial Aging

Bags under eyes

Extreme dry eyes

Multiple eye floaters

Vision problems - problems focusing

Constipation

Brainfog

Significant Weight loss

Loss of appetite

Muscular atrophy

Muscle twitch above upper lip

Severe Insomnia

Emotional flatness/blunting of feelings

No feeling of love/lust

No positive feelings

Constant groin pain

Dizziness

Severe lack of motivation

Lack of interests/hobbies

Colder body temperature

Loss of body hair

Extremely severe depression

Anxiety attacks

Dry scalp

Brittle hair

Cracking in right ear

Hand tremors

Suicidal thoughts

Inability to concentrate

Anti-social behavior

Disconnection from the real world/people

Muscular weakness

Inability to gain muscle

Loss of personality

Depersonalization

Massive crying spells

Slower mental capacity

Constant fatigue

Harder to produce sweat

Prior to this I was a healthy, muscular, energetic Paxil-free guy. The

body that I worked so hard for in the gym for 5 years is rapidly

deteriorating. I'd rather withdraw from Paxil 100 times than suffer

from this. Doctors don't know what's wrong and I've spent so much time

and money on this situation that I'm at my wits end. I've never, ever

been suicidal before but I cannot continue living my life like this. I

was put on Zoloft and I tried that for a week and it did nothing -

wasn't smart either since I'm already suffering from sexual side

effects. Now I'm on 150mg Wellbutrin SR twice daily and take Klonopin

at night if necessary (Klonopin has been the only thing to calm me

down but I'm watching it since I've read it's addictive). I feel like

my life is over at the age of 26 because of some high-anxiety over

subtle hair loss. I think if I was still on Paxil this may not have

happened. The worst part is that I knew of the dangers of Propecia and

avoided it yet still got burnt. Everyday has been a nightmare and I

cannot tolerate it much longer. I have an appointment with a

specialist who has treated cases like this in a couple of weeks so I'm

trying to remain optimistic. Please, do not ever take 5AR inhibitors

unless you have BPH or prostate problems. They're very dangerous and

have destroyed many lives, perhaps even mine.

Now just eight months later after a hellish Paxil WD, I have a new,

harder battle to fight. Perfect. This just isn't fair and I don't

deserve this. I rather have 2 torn ACLs than this. My life has been

robbed from me despite being a good-natured person. I'm in the prime

of my life, have a great job, getting my masters, and I feel like it's

all been f**** because of this. I'm so lost and each day just gets

harder and harder. I look back at me a year ago and I was on top of

the world - great body, health, girlfriend, friends, social life.

Now, all has been lost. I really don't know if I can live like this

the rest of my life. I don't even know who I am anymore and watching

body and mind fall apart in a matter of weeks has been extremely

depressing and traumatizing. I really think staying on and/or going

back on Paxil may have prevented this. Anyway, thought I would share

this story with you guys since I unintentionally chemically castrated

myself. This is no way to live.

The most depressing part is that I was on Paxil for 6 years which

decimated my libido and I discontinued that in June. I pretty much

made somewhat of a recovery and now just months later I've

potentially, permanently destroyed it.If I do not improve, I don't see

a point in living. A mistake on my part shouldn't cost me my health -

I just can't stop reliving that moment buying that s**t. That's what

kills me the most - knowing the dangers of Propecia and taking

something milder when it was in fact perhaps stronger. I just want

this misery to end.

Special deal for Yahoo! users friends - No Cost. Get a month of Blockbuster Total Access now

[Guest guest]

I was Paxil-free by the end of June. The only sexual side effects

with Paxil was low libido/no interest in sex and loss of ejaculate

pressure. I felt great off of it the entire summer because I had more

energy, lost fat, wasn't tired all the time, wasn't sleeping till 1pm,

excessively yawning, passing out, etc. The sexual effects in relation

to libido and pressure still lingered though, though I did not

experience ANY of what I'm experiencing now.

I'm saying Saw Palmetto had some sort of effect on me because I've

never felt this level of depression before, alongside all the other

side effects. I was taking a very high dose - 320mg extract = 3200mg

berry. I was looking for 500mg of the berry, which is pretty much a

placebo but when I took the first dosage of 320mg I had testicular

pain. Because I thought I was taking a low dosage (not aware I was

taking 3200mg) I continued for a week then stopped since my face got

extremely oily and I lost morningwood as well as a drop in libido. It

was upon quitting that everything got really bad. The penile tissue

changes, veins, loss of all erections, libido simply were not there

prior to SP.

I do recall when I was sleeping a few days after stopping that I had a

shocking sensation in my brain which was kind of scary. I haven't

been the same since. SP inhibits 5AR Type 1 and Type 2 while Fin only

inhibits Type 2. Type 1 is found in the brain and this is what scares

me the most. It is also found in the sweat glands/skin and my face

and scalp/hair, which used to be very oily, is now dryer and produces

very little oil. I really think SP caused all these problems and I

sent my DHT levels out the window which explains the muscle loss

despite maintaining my regular gym routines. DHT is an important

androgen and basically what makes a man a man - erectile function,

muscle development, libido, etc. Again, I had no idea I was taking

such a high dosage so I try not to beat myself up over it when I

thought I was taking a placebo, but this could've been avoided -

especially since I was ready to return it. Man I wish I did. People

have remarked how much weight I've lost in a matter of months and my

watch is really loose on my arm when it fit just fine in January. I'm

scared to death of the hormonal imbalances I've caused in my body from

just 9 days of an OTC supplement that's widely used and is generally

regarded as " safe " . Maybe I was prone to this with even the smallest

of dosage of an anti-DHT drug, I don't know. Perhaps the Paxil

contributed to this and SP was a trigger?

Granted, I was depressed before this but this is bottom of the

barrel-like. I mean I took Zoloft 25mg/50mg for a week in February as

a way to deal with my traumatic situation, but that probably did more

harm than good but didn't notice a difference mentally. I've been on

Wellbutrin but it seems to have caused this cranial pressure in my

head I can't describe. I got drunk Saturday night with some friends

while and had full-blown insomnia that night - head spinning, weird

spasm on the right side of my head/brain. Still feel like crap 24

hours later, so I probably won't be drinking excessively anytime soon

while on Wellbutrin.

I haven't reached deep sleep since starting SP and I'm so exhausted

during the day. Again, no one really knows what's going on but as of

now my blood tests point to secondary hypogonadism = not good. All of

these symptoms happened while on/stopping SP, so I blame it on that if

anything. Paxil DID cause permanent damage to my libido and ejaculate

pressure, but this is a whole new ballgame and I just want my life

back. I'm seeing a hormone specialist next week who has treated cases

similar to this so I hope he can give me some sort of good news - I

can't imagine living the rest of my life as an impotent, depressed man

watching his body deteriorate, especially at the age of 26. It's

especially troubling when doctors have no idea what's wrong but you're

so in tune with your body that you know something is not right.

[Guest guest]

I have every idea of how much you want to be normal again. I know where you are right now, I am there too. I couldn't empathise more, I truly feel your pain. Since I am pretty much where you are, I don't have any great advice in terms of coping. All I can say is to keep posting. Be grateful that at least you can cry. I can't. Cry for yourself and pray to God. Cry for all of us, and pray for all of us.

Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

[Guest guest]

I can't stop breaking down. My face, which used to have a nice,

youthful oily complexion is now dry and wrinkly and has lost its

masculine features, facial fat, etc. I feel dumb when trying to do

my work for grad school, and I hate not being able to sleep the way I

used to. My muscle, which was a source of self-esteem, keeps wasting

away while I still workout regularly. I'm so scared to death of what

I've done to myself in just 9 days of taking this stuff. I really

feel like I'm going crazy. I've never contemplated suicide before

but I seriously cannot live like this.... I'm holding out until next

Wednesday when I see the doctor but I see no point in living if this

is the way I'm going the be the rest of my life. I don't think I was

even going bald; it just freaked me out because I was in a depressed

state. Now my scalp and hair are dry and brittle when it used to be

oily and thick. I took something not even proven for hair loss and

it's destroyed me.

Again, the worst part is that I read the side effects of Propecia and

decided against it, but I really feel what I took was perhaps more

dangerous and potent. I didn't put 2 and 2 together and I wouldn't

be posting on here had I not taken that stuff. If only I could turn

back time - I would already be having sex, enjoying life, etc. I had

such a great Sunday with my ex... Her and my family/friends are the

only things keeping me going - I could not bear to hurt them if I

took my own life. I don't know why I'm being punished for this - I

made a mistake but it shouldn't cause my whole body to fall apart,

especially in 9 days. I'm barely holding it together. With 2 months

of no improvement I'm really getting scared and depressed. I was a

normal guy before this, depressed but able to function.... and an

herbal supplement has perhaps ruined me. Just going to the bathroom

to urinate and touching my numb, shrunken penis brings me to tears.

I was well-endowed before this. Walking around and seeing eye

floaters that weren't there 2 months ago kills me. Waking up early

every morning and not being able to sleep is frustrating. Having a

bathroom full of medications (including Viagra) makes me livid.

I beat Paxil... I was able to overcome the hellish withdrawal after

so many years of use. Why do I have to deal with this? Why????

Life seems so bleak and a $5 bottle I bought at the supermarket is

the cause. I just want to live again, love again. I promised to be

more intimate with my ex since Paxil inhibited that and now this

happens. I can't even get an erection!!! The timing could not be

worse. This is such a nightmare and suicide should not be a daily

thought in my mind. You have no idea how much I want to wake up

being me again, normal and not this monster I've become. It's just

too much.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to mention something. It is possible that it was the

paxil...maybe. I was on effexor and the severe genital numbness only

happened two weeks after I quit the stuff. It is only a suggestion,

because i have not seen this happen to anybody else here that I'm

aware of.

>

> I can't stop breaking down. My face, which used to have a nice,

> youthful oily complexion is now dry and wrinkly and has lost its

> masculine features, facial fat, etc. I feel dumb when trying to

do

> my work for grad school, and I hate not being able to sleep the

way I

> used to. My muscle, which was a source of self-esteem, keeps

wasting

> away while I still workout regularly. I'm so scared to death of

what

> I've done to myself in just 9 days of taking this stuff. I really

> feel like I'm going crazy. I've never contemplated suicide before

> but I seriously cannot live like this.... I'm holding out until

next

> Wednesday when I see the doctor but I see no point in living if

this

> is the way I'm going the be the rest of my life. I don't think I

was

> even going bald; it just freaked me out because I was in a

depressed

> state. Now my scalp and hair are dry and brittle when it used to

be

> oily and thick. I took something not even proven for hair loss

and

> it's destroyed me.

>

> Again, the worst part is that I read the side effects of Propecia

and

> decided against it, but I really feel what I took was perhaps more

> dangerous and potent. I didn't put 2 and 2 together and I

wouldn't

> be posting on here had I not taken that stuff. If only I could

turn

> back time - I would already be having sex, enjoying life, etc. I

had

> such a great Sunday with my ex... Her and my family/friends are

the

> only things keeping me going - I could not bear to hurt them if I

> took my own life. I don't know why I'm being punished for this -

I

> made a mistake but it shouldn't cause my whole body to fall apart,

> especially in 9 days. I'm barely holding it together. With 2

months

> of no improvement I'm really getting scared and depressed. I was

a

> normal guy before this, depressed but able to function.... and an

> herbal supplement has perhaps ruined me. Just going to the

bathroom

> to urinate and touching my numb, shrunken penis brings me to

tears.

> I was well-endowed before this. Walking around and seeing eye

> floaters that weren't there 2 months ago kills me. Waking up

early

> every morning and not being able to sleep is frustrating. Having

a

> bathroom full of medications (including Viagra) makes me livid.

>

> I beat Paxil... I was able to overcome the hellish withdrawal

after

> so many years of use. Why do I have to deal with this? Why????

> Life seems so bleak and a $5 bottle I bought at the supermarket is

> the cause. I just want to live again, love again. I promised to

be

> more intimate with my ex since Paxil inhibited that and now this

> happens. I can't even get an erection!!! The timing could not be

> worse. This is such a nightmare and suicide should not be a daily

> thought in my mind. You have no idea how much I want to wake up

> being me again, normal and not this monster I've become. It's

just

> too much.

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah, as much as I want to believe it's the Paxil, I haven't taken

that stuff since last June. It doesn't explain the muscle wastage,

weakness, dry eyes, body changes, and all the other androgen-related

problems I'm having. I'm sure Paxil did lower my Test and Free T, but

I was fine otherwise prior to taking Saw Palmetto. Honestly, I'll be

happy if I'm just 50% of what I was because this is no way to live.

This issue will come up with my gf sooner or later and I haven't the

damnest of how to explain it, especially since Paxil affected our

intimacy (hence my discontinuation, plus I overcame my social anxiety)

- this is much, much worse. I promised I would try to be more

intimate and then, ironically, fate deals me this hand. I can't just

let go of the fact that I AVOIDED Propecia yet, due to my ignorance,

was taking such a high dosage of SP when I thought I was taking a very

low one. Had I known that I was taking the equivalent of 3200mg of

berry I wouldn't have obviously bought it as I was looking for 500mg.

That's what kills me the most and I can't keep reliving the moment I

bought this junk. Life has been hell since. If I hear one more

person say " Wow, you lost weight " I'm going to lose it... 6 years of

muscle training gone in a matter of weeks. I'm curious how low my DHT

must be for all these problems to happen. It's the worst feeling when

you think you're taking a placebo and it turns out to be your worst

nightmare. Just opening my medicine cabinet and seeing Wellbutrin,

Klonopin, Viagra, and Ambien from 9 days of an herbal supplement

frickin kills me. I sworn off SSRIs after Paxil but yet had I still

been on it I wouldn't have been so anxious about subtle hair loss and

this may have been prevented. I felt the healthiest I've been when I

got off it though, thus my reluctance to get back on antidepressants.

What's done is done though and I just hope I can recover.

[Guest guest]

Have you had a full hormonal profile done, including DHT and a

complete estrogen panel? That might be the first step in trying to

figure out what's going on.

Vornan

>

> Yeah, as much as I want to believe it's the Paxil, I haven't taken

> that stuff since last June. It doesn't explain the muscle wastage,

> weakness, dry eyes, body changes, and all the other androgen-

related

> problems I'm having. I'm sure Paxil did lower my Test and Free T,

but

> I was fine otherwise prior to taking Saw Palmetto. Honestly, I'll

be

> happy if I'm just 50% of what I was because this is no way to live.

> This issue will come up with my gf sooner or later and I haven't the

> damnest of how to explain it, especially since Paxil affected our

> intimacy (hence my discontinuation, plus I overcame my social

anxiety)

> - this is much, much worse. I promised I would try to be more

> intimate and then, ironically, fate deals me this hand. I can't

just

> let go of the fact that I AVOIDED Propecia yet, due to my ignorance,

> was taking such a high dosage of SP when I thought I was taking a

very

> low one. Had I known that I was taking the equivalent of 3200mg of

> berry I wouldn't have obviously bought it as I was looking for

500mg.

> That's what kills me the most and I can't keep reliving the moment

I

> bought this junk. Life has been hell since. If I hear one more

> person say " Wow, you lost weight " I'm going to lose it... 6 years of

> muscle training gone in a matter of weeks. I'm curious how low my

DHT

> must be for all these problems to happen. It's the worst feeling

when

> you think you're taking a placebo and it turns out to be your worst

> nightmare. Just opening my medicine cabinet and seeing Wellbutrin,

> Klonopin, Viagra, and Ambien from 9 days of an herbal supplement

> frickin kills me. I sworn off SSRIs after Paxil but yet had I still

> been on it I wouldn't have been so anxious about subtle hair loss

and

> this may have been prevented. I felt the healthiest I've been when

I

> got off it though, thus my reluctance to get back on

antidepressants.

> What's done is done though and I just hope I can recover.

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I had bloodwork done back in late February:

DHEA 187 ng/DL (180-1250)

DHEA Sulfate 356 mcg/dL (110-510)

Prolactin, Serum 4.8 ng/dl (2.0-18.0)

LH, Serum 1.9 mIU/mL (1.5-9.3)

FSH, Serum 1.2 mIU/mL (1.6-8.0)

Cortisol (AM) 19.9 mog/dL (4.0-22.0)

T3, Total 113 mn/DL (60-181)

T4 Free 1.18 ng/dL (0.8 †" 1.8)

TSH 0.93 mIU/L (0.40 †" 4.50)

Estradiol 32 pg/ML (13 †" 54)

PSA 0.5 (0.0-4.0)

Progesterone 76 ng/dL (32-307)

Androstenedione 97 ng/dL (50-220)

Testosterone Total 419 ng/dL (250-1100)

Testosterone % Free 1.35% (1.50-2.20)

Testosterone, Free 56.6 pg/mL (35.0 -155.0)

SHBG 40 (7-49 nmol/L)

DHT 43 (25-75 ng/dL)

Free T and FSH were below range and LH was low which points to

secondary hypogonadism. Testosterone was 419 but was 428 before SP so

not much of a difference there. I performed a 24 hour urine analysis

a few days ago and will now be doing the Clomid test for a week, then

getting bloodwork done after that to see if my HTPA is responding.

What a mess I've got myself into.

[Guest guest]

Yes, as you point out, your FSH is out of range and your LH is also

very low. Your DHEA and free T look low too for someone your age.

So it looks like you have some hypothalamic or pituitary suppression

going on.

You are doing the right thing by having the clomid test. Who is

treating you?

>

> Yes, I had bloodwork done back in late February:

>

> DHEA 187 ng/DL (180-1250)

> DHEA Sulfate 356 mcg/dL (110-510)

> Prolactin, Serum 4.8 ng/dl (2.0-18.0)

> LH, Serum 1.9 mIU/mL (1.5-9.3)

> FSH, Serum 1.2 mIU/mL (1.6-8.0)

> Cortisol (AM) 19.9 mog/dL (4.0-22.0)

> T3, Total 113 mn/DL (60-181)

> T4 Free 1.18 ng/dL (0.8 †" 1.8)

> TSH 0.93 mIU/L (0.40 †" 4.50)

> Estradiol 32 pg/ML (13 †" 54)

> PSA 0.5 (0.0-4.0)

> Progesterone 76 ng/dL (32-307)

> Androstenedione 97 ng/dL (50-220)

> Testosterone Total 419 ng/dL (250-1100)

> Testosterone % Free 1.35% (1.50-2.20)

> Testosterone, Free 56.6 pg/mL (35.0 -155.0)

> SHBG 40 (7-49 nmol/L)

> DHT 43 (25-75 ng/dL)

>

> Free T and FSH were below range and LH was low which points to

> secondary hypogonadism. Testosterone was 419 but was 428 before SP

so

> not much of a difference there. I performed a 24 hour urine

analysis

> a few days ago and will now be doing the Clomid test for a week,

then

> getting bloodwork done after that to see if my HTPA is responding.

> What a mess I've got myself into.

>

[Guest guest]

Dr Shippen - seeing him next Wednesday. My local endo thought

everything checked out fine (?!) and every other doctor I've been to

has been of no help (several GPs, urologist, etc). I read Shippen's

book and found out about him over at the PropeciaHelp website. I've

been on top of things since bad stuff started happening and I'm not

going to let this ruin my life at the age of 26. I've got too much

going for me to have it all get destroyed by a frickin herbal

supplement. In all honesty, I should've taken something to RAISE my

libido rather than (unintentionally) destroy after my Paxil use. At

any rate, I'm shying away from anything except a multivitamin and fish

oil until I see Shippen and see what he says.

[Guest guest]

Shippen knows what he's doing. He doesn't know how to cure typical

PSSD yet, but nobody does.

But in your case, it appears as though you don't actually have PSSD,

but rather the saw palmeto has given you a case of secondary

hypogonadism...and he should be able to fix that.

Please let us know how things go with your visit.

V

>

> Dr Shippen - seeing him next Wednesday. My local endo thought

> everything checked out fine (?!) and every other doctor I've been to

> has been of no help (several GPs, urologist, etc). I read Shippen's

> book and found out about him over at the PropeciaHelp website. I've

> been on top of things since bad stuff started happening and I'm not

> going to let this ruin my life at the age of 26. I've got too much

> going for me to have it all get destroyed by a frickin herbal

> supplement. In all honesty, I should've taken something to RAISE my

> libido rather than (unintentionally) destroy after my Paxil use. At

> any rate, I'm shying away from anything except a multivitamin and fish

> oil until I see Shippen and see what he says.

>

[Guest guest]

i too know exactly what you are going through, am in exactly the same place right now. i just feel i can't live like this anymore, feel like i am jinxed. i took a drug for a few years due to anxiety and depression and now after 8 months of stopping it i am feeling 1000 times worse. i still have the anxiety and depression but it is amplified by the problem of pssd and the not knowing if it will ever get better. i have never felt so low in all my life! frank Varuna1907@... wrote: I have every idea of how much you want to be normal again. I know where you are right now, I am there too. I couldn't empathise more, I truly feel your pain. Since I am pretty much where you are, I don't have any great advice in terms of coping. All I can say is to keep posting. Be grateful that at least you can cry. I can't. Cry for yourself and pray to God. Cry for all of us, and pray for all of us. Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

Yahoo! for Good helps you make a difference

[Guest guest]

Well I had slight PSSD in terms of lowered libido and ejaculate

pressure, but yeah, Saw Palmetto induced the rest of these problems.

I'm losing muscle so fast that it's hard just to walk to work without

pain in my legs and I feel so fatigued. Again, I AVOIDED PROPECIA!!!!

Had I known I was taking so much SP I would've never taken it - that is

why this is so frustrating. Reading horror stories of people using

Propecia, having a script for it, and NOT FILLING IT! Then I see SP in

the supplement aisle but because of the poor labeling thought it was

320mg... NOT 3200mg! That's why I find it hard to get up each morning

because I thought I was smart about avoiding Fin but still ended up

with horrible if not even worse sides that have not resolved themselves.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm going to throw something out here for you to think about. It

might help.

Your symptoms are the classic symptoms of hypothyroid. My own theory

is that the SSRI's affect the entire endocrine system which regulates

hormone levels, including thyroid levels. My husband had your

symptoms and others (incredible joint pain, etc.). When the doctor

finally tested his thyroid it was so drastically low that the doctor

called him at home to tell him to get into the pharmacy right away

and get a prescription filled.

Since the herb you took is also supposed to affect hormones on a more

minor level - DHT in particular - it could be that it was just the

last push that caused your endocrine system and thyroid to crash.

I would advise when you see your doctor that you ask for a thyroid

test -- TSH, Free T3 and T4. It's worth checking.

For more info and personal research you can check the site:

stopthethyroidmadness.com . It has some good info.

>

> I can't stop breaking down. My face, which used to have a nice,

> youthful oily complexion is now dry and wrinkly and has lost its

> masculine features, facial fat, etc. I feel dumb when trying to do

> my work for grad school, and I hate not being able to sleep the way

I

> used to. My muscle, which was a source of self-esteem, keeps

wasting

> away while I still workout regularly. I'm so scared to death of

what

> I've done to myself in just 9 days of taking this stuff. I really

> feel like I'm going crazy. I've never contemplated suicide before

> but I seriously cannot live like this.... I'm holding out until

next

> Wednesday when I see the doctor but I see no point in living if

this

> is the way I'm going the be the rest of my life. I don't think I

was

> even going bald; it just freaked me out because I was in a

depressed

> state. Now my scalp and hair are dry and brittle when it used to

be

> oily and thick. I took something not even proven for hair loss and

> it's destroyed me.

>

> Again, the worst part is that I read the side effects of Propecia

and

> decided against it, but I really feel what I took was perhaps more

> dangerous and potent. I didn't put 2 and 2 together and I wouldn't

> be posting on here had I not taken that stuff. If only I could

turn

> back time - I would already be having sex, enjoying life, etc. I

had

> such a great Sunday with my ex... Her and my family/friends are the

> only things keeping me going - I could not bear to hurt them if I

> took my own life. I don't know why I'm being punished for this - I

> made a mistake but it shouldn't cause my whole body to fall apart,

> especially in 9 days. I'm barely holding it together. With 2

months

> of no improvement I'm really getting scared and depressed. I was a

> normal guy before this, depressed but able to function.... and an

> herbal supplement has perhaps ruined me. Just going to the

bathroom

> to urinate and touching my numb, shrunken penis brings me to

tears.

> I was well-endowed before this. Walking around and seeing eye

> floaters that weren't there 2 months ago kills me. Waking up early

> every morning and not being able to sleep is frustrating. Having a

> bathroom full of medications (including Viagra) makes me livid.

>

> I beat Paxil... I was able to overcome the hellish withdrawal after

> so many years of use. Why do I have to deal with this? Why????

> Life seems so bleak and a $5 bottle I bought at the supermarket is

> the cause. I just want to live again, love again. I promised to

be

> more intimate with my ex since Paxil inhibited that and now this

> happens. I can't even get an erection!!! The timing could not be

> worse. This is such a nightmare and suicide should not be a daily

> thought in my mind. You have no idea how much I want to wake up

> being me again, normal and not this monster I've become. It's just

> too much.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I see you have had your thyroid tested. Please ignore my previous

post.

Good luck with your next appointment.

>

> Yes, I had bloodwork done back in late February:

>

> DHEA 187 ng/DL (180-1250)

> DHEA Sulfate 356 mcg/dL (110-510)

> Prolactin, Serum 4.8 ng/dl (2.0-18.0)

> LH, Serum 1.9 mIU/mL (1.5-9.3)

> FSH, Serum 1.2 mIU/mL (1.6-8.0)

> Cortisol (AM) 19.9 mog/dL (4.0-22.0)

> T3, Total 113 mn/DL (60-181)

> T4 Free 1.18 ng/dL (0.8 †" 1.8)

> TSH 0.93 mIU/L (0.40 †" 4.50)

> Estradiol 32 pg/ML (13 †" 54)

> PSA 0.5 (0.0-4.0)

> Progesterone 76 ng/dL (32-307)

> Androstenedione 97 ng/dL (50-220)

> Testosterone Total 419 ng/dL (250-1100)

> Testosterone % Free 1.35% (1.50-2.20)

> Testosterone, Free 56.6 pg/mL (35.0 -155.0)

> SHBG 40 (7-49 nmol/L)

> DHT 43 (25-75 ng/dL)

>

> Free T and FSH were below range and LH was low which points to

> secondary hypogonadism. Testosterone was 419 but was 428 before SP

so

> not much of a difference there. I performed a 24 hour urine

analysis

> a few days ago and will now be doing the Clomid test for a week,

then

> getting bloodwork done after that to see if my HTPA is responding.

> What a mess I've got myself into.

>

[Guest guest]

I would you suggest to try cognitive behavioral therapy. That therapy

is ascording to researh the most effective form of psychotherapy and

can be applied without medication.

>

> i too know exactly what you are going through, am in exactly the

same place right now. i just feel i can't live like this anymore, feel

like i am jinxed. i took a drug for a few years due to anxiety and

depression and now after 8 months of stopping it i am feeling 1000

times worse. i still have the anxiety and depression but it is

amplified by the problem of pssd and the not knowing if it will ever

get better. i have never felt so low in all my life!

[Guest guest]

I've been reading your post and threads with great interest and compassion. Glad you came to this site because Vornan and others it seems are excellent resources to discuss your issues with. I'm sure this has already been done--but just checking---did a Nutritionist consult with your Physician on this? The other thing I've noticed is that, though you say you've hit rock bottom, you're expressing yourself extremely well, articulate and focused in written form. Its obvious you're actively involved in getting yourself well with the help of professionals. I know you'll get out of this----once a handle is defined on how your conditions are treated. You can at least know that you're doing ALL YOU CAN by getting the best medical treatment and coming to a forum like this where you can get further help/advice. I

don't have the knowledge of others here re: your situation, but Vornan and others can and will help/support you through this. You are NOT alone. I open every thread on your subject and also am a medical professional. I'll ask my colleagues today about your situation and see what they come up with. wantmylifeback85 wrote: Well I had slight PSSD in terms of lowered libido and ejaculate pressure, but yeah, Saw Palmetto induced the rest of these problems. I'm

losing muscle so fast that it's hard just to walk to work without pain in my legs and I feel so fatigued. Again, I AVOIDED PROPECIA!!!! Had I known I was taking so much SP I would've never taken it - that is why this is so frustrating. Reading horror stories of people using Propecia, having a script for it, and NOT FILLING IT! Then I see SP in the supplement aisle but because of the poor labeling thought it was 320mg... NOT 3200mg! That's why I find it hard to get up each morning because I thought I was smart about avoiding Fin but still ended up with horrible if not even worse sides that have not resolved themselves.

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

[Guest guest]

I'm actually going to be seeing a new therapist this Friday as the

current one I've been seeing for 6 months has obviously not helped.

I've been on a downward spiral seeing her and have not made signficant

improvement. I'm looking forward to the new psychologist as she's been

praised in the area by many individuals/patients. She might be in for

a doozy dealing with me though - thanks to Saw Palmetto.

[Guest guest]

Mark,

Thank you for the kind words. I'm trying to obtain my MBA part-time

at night while working during the day, and juggling a personal

relationship that's been recently reignited... so you could imagine

how stressful this has been. I've NEVER reached a level of

depression like this before and I can't stand it. I had the world in

my hand and I feel like I blew it in just nine days.

No, a nutritionist did not consult my physician - are you asking

prior to or after the Saw Palmetto use? It was dumb on my part but I

did not know I was taking such a high dosage. You would think

something dangerous such as SP wouldn't be sold OTC but it's an

herbal supplement and not FDA regulated. At any rate, I found a

urologist in NYC that seems to be very thorough and hopefully he can

help me as well since the one I saw in my area was of no help.

Thanks again for asking your colleagues about this issue. It's like

my entire body/system is crashing and there's nothing I can do to

stop it. It's so depressing when just a few months ago I was in the

best shape of my life and I feel like I'm wasting away, physically

and mentally. I just want this chapter of my life to be over as soon

as possible so I can continue LIVING, because right now I feel dead

inside.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your well thought input to this forum. You are a medical

professional. That's great.

It might have extra impact on the public opinion if you would start a

weblog or website about PSSD, especially having this medical

profession. Such a weblog could be small though. Then it is not time

consuming.

We would be glad to welcome many of your collegues on this forum.

>

> I've been reading your post and threads with great interest and

compassion. Glad you came to this site because Vornan and others it

seems are excellent resources to discuss your issues with.

>

> I'm sure this has already been done--but just checking---did a

Nutritionist consult with your Physician on this?

>

> The other thing I've noticed is that, though you say you've hit

rock bottom, you're expressing yourself extremely well, articulate and

focused in written form. Its obvious you're actively involved in

getting yourself well with the help of professionals.

>

> I know you'll get out of this----once a handle is defined on how

your conditions are treated. You can at least know that you're doing

ALL YOU CAN by getting the best medical treatment and coming to a

forum like this where you can get further help/advice.

>

> I don't have the knowledge of others here re: your situation, but

Vornan and others can and will help/support you through this. You are

NOT alone. I open every thread on your subject and also am a medical

professional. I'll ask my colleagues today about your situation and

see what they come up with.

>

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Just curious - What have you done to publicize PSSD? Have you

started a website or blog? Have you written to the FDA or other

regulatory authorities?

Vornan

> >

> > I've been reading your post and threads with great interest and

> compassion. Glad you came to this site because Vornan and others it

> seems are excellent resources to discuss your issues with.

> >

> > I'm sure this has already been done--but just checking---did a

> Nutritionist consult with your Physician on this?

> >

> > The other thing I've noticed is that, though you say you've hit

> rock bottom, you're expressing yourself extremely well, articulate

and

> focused in written form. Its obvious you're actively involved in

> getting yourself well with the help of professionals.

> >

> > I know you'll get out of this----once a handle is defined on how

> your conditions are treated. You can at least know that you're

doing

> ALL YOU CAN by getting the best medical treatment and coming to a

> forum like this where you can get further help/advice.

> >

> > I don't have the knowledge of others here re: your situation,

but

> Vornan and others can and will help/support you through this. You

are

> NOT alone. I open every thread on your subject and also am a

medical

> professional. I'll ask my colleagues today about your situation and

> see what they come up with.

> >

>