Brain Fog, Concentration, Sexual Side Effects... Help!

[Persol89]

Hi Guys,

I am new on here and I have been looking through the archives and threads within the forum in order to determine my condition and to figure out a potential solution... except I have no idea where to start. I am a 28 year old male, 5'10", 165 lbs, and I had taken Accutane when I was in highschool (I was 16 years old) for one cycle before stopping prematurely because of suicidal thoughts and depression. I had taken cymbalta and subsequently cipralex in order to combat the depression I was experiencing for about 4-5 years of my life before permanently stopping these medications all together. After seeing a psychiatrist about my condition, they had prescribed me vyvanse which I have taken only for 4 months before stopping to take any other medication because I wanted to go all natural. Around the same time I started the vyvanse for A.D.H.D, I was taking finasteride (actually proscar and splitting it into quarters so the actual dose per day exceeded 1 mg), and took it for about 6 months before I started to experience persistent sexual side effects which subsequently made me stop finasteride. I have been off finasteride for approximately 5 months now and symptoms are not subsiding. Upon entering a relationship which prompted me to quit finasteride 5 months ago, I noticed that I had developed very little libido, and started to feel a brain fog that I still experience to this day, expect it is becoming more overwhelming.

I have gotten a testosterone test done and my levels are apparently fine. I do not think I have any thyroid issues as I am rather skinny and cannot seem to gain much weight despite eating more than I normally do. The symptoms that I feel from most prevalent to least are:

1) Brain fog​

2) Pressure in head​

3) Headache​

4) Concentration​

5) eyes jotting around text​

6) mental processing issues​

7) processing light​

8) motivation​

9) anxiety/depression​

10) lack of self confidence​

11) troubles falling asleep​

I work out 2-3 times a week, started going heavy on my legs once a week and have never been stronger in this regard. I am a smoker (4-8 cigarettes a day which I know I need to quit promptly and I am working towards that now), and I smoke marijuana once or twice at night to help me fall asleep. I know a lot of you seem very health conscious and I was afraid to seek help given that I am a shameful smoker, but I am completely lost and I do not know what is wrong with me. Can any of the moderators point me in the right direction? @gbolduev @Cdsnuts @Canari @joekool @TubZy

 

[joekool]

Welcome aboard... you definitely have quite a list there... I'll try to help on some topics and hopefully we'll find some ideas...

In terms of testosterone levels which you state are fine, that's one of the biggest issues with PFS (Post Finasteride Syndrome) where the blood levels appear normal but we certainly don't feel normal... much of what we've determined is in relation to receptors being downgraded... one fix to this is a fast... going several days without any food, just water... CDsnuts refers to it as 'Cleaning up the mess you made' and it really does help receptors.

Additionally, 5'10" at 165lbs isn't very skinny... but when you say 'you don't think you have thyroid issues'... it can be both directions... hypo or hyper... so the inability to gain weight doesn't rule out an issue... it could be hyperthyroidism meaning you're burning more than most people... also, I can speak from experience, when you say eating more... try writing down how many calories, protein, carbs, fat you eat in a day. A lot of people don't reach 2500 calories but you might need 3500 or more per day (if gaining weight/muscle was a goal). 6 or 7 meals at 600 calories each is what you likely need (This is totally opposite of the fast so you'll have to pick a goal and setup a plan)

Brain fog and concentration also can be helped by L-Tyrosine, which also is involved with thyroid... it's a safe amino acid that shouldn't cause any issues... 1G a day I found helped me.

Going to the gym is helpful for DHT levels, so is creatine and sorghum flour. You can find recipes with that. It helps 5AR activity... if you're doing legs, make sure you squat... this releases a ton of hormones at the time of lifting plus for the remainder of the week... very helpful for adding muscle.

And yes, quit smoking... everything... MJ increases estrogen which we don't want... cigs are just plain bad... it'll be a good 1st step in the right direction ... but all this takes time... I'm 1+ year from when I crashed and definitely have major improvements... so it's possible ...

 

[Canari]

I do not think I have any thyroid issues as I am rather skinny and cannot seem to gain much weight

As Joekool said, you cannot rule it out. You can also have potassium issues, as this puts thyroid in the cell. The hair test gives you the informations you need. It will also tell you about your adrenals state, and toxic metals, an the important ratio zinc/copper.

I am a smoker (4-8 cigarettes a day which I know I need to quit promptly

Maybe not so urgent... you do not need to add stress, so no pressure with it!
I advise you to change for rolled ones with pure tobacco without aditives, not the sh** they sell with 20% chemicals. I also got informations about organic tobacco making a real change....
Then, tobacco can balance a low thyroid! In that case it helps.
Then, nicotine goes on acetylcholine receptors, there is a topic about acethylcholine here....

If you are part of the people who can fast, slow oxidizers as said by the hair test or some home self test that can help you figure out, topic here too... then you can use fasting for your cortisol levels and receptors, and this is often fu**** up in post use syndroms.

6 or 7 meals at 600 calories each is what you likely need (This is totally opposite of the fast so you'll have to pick a goal and setup a plan)

Not so opposite, when you eat you eatk and then you fast at another momemt hahah!
If you have digestive issues, or cortisol issues, sometimes it is better to eat more in less meals, for me Peat diet with a lot of meals were not opportune at all.

I smoke marijuana once or twice at night to help me fall asleep.

No shame, welcome how you are! Many people use it to sleep... You can try to sleep with slow brething, buteyko style, or the exercise I elaborated with a pause after exhale and yawns. works well. Then do some long deep inhale and exhale to get more oxygen in the morning. We also have forum about breathing.

MJ increases estrogen which we don't want...

good motivation to use breathing technique!

I wanted to go all natural.

CDsnut program!
Perseverance in good habits, proper analysis to choose the right protocol, and do not be in a hurry though you would like to recover quick. watched milk never boils.... but keep it on the fire!
Best of luck!

 

[TubZy]

Hey man, as a start you can look here Summary of PFS, PSSD & Post Accutane Experimental Treatments (as of 12/16)

 

[JasonSky]

I'm a fellow pfs sufferer myself, and I once had problems with brain fog/ sleep apnea/ etc. And what really helped clear practically all of my mental sides was doing a water fast. I did a three day water-fast consuming just water and a bit of salt to keep electrolytes up. After the first water fast I completed about two months ago, the difference was very noticable before and after. I completed a second water fast about two weeks ago or so, but practically all mental sides were gone by then so I didn't notice too much of a change since most of the benefits came from the first prob. http://siimland.com/3-day-fast-benefits/ - Here is an article that goes over the basic mechanisms of water-fasting with some links to more academic sources.

I'm just trying to get back my libido at this point mostly.

 

[Persol89]

Hey Guys, I know it has been a while since I messaged on here. Just wanted to say I am feeling almost 90% better after using the Chi's recovery suggestions. I am not out of the woods yet, but I am very happy with my results so far. I will be honest, I hadn't followed the routine to a "T"- but like with everything else, one needs to get back on the horse, have a positive outlook on life and not be afraid of failure. One thing that was integral to my gradual (yet, not full) recovery is that I met someone who truly loves me, someone who helped me quit marijuana and my other dependencies such as smoking cigarettes. Although, truthfully I vaped to wean myself off of smoking. Some of you may be thinking "how can a girl give this smuck the motivation to quit his highly addictive habits?" Well I truly did not want to fail and had the encouragement and love from my companion which really allowed me to focus on me (i.e exercising as she was big into this and going to bed at a decent hour without technology by my bedside). As I said before it was a gradual process and understood it was ok to walk before I could run. I will try to come on here more often, great people and great support... Hope you all have been well too. Feel free to tell me about your recovery and story or send me a pm.

God bless.

 

[RebelWithACause]

Good job man.

 

[Admiral]

What were Chi's methods again?

 

[Walker]

Good job, man. Good to see another win from holistic approaches.

 

[bruschi11]

Hey Guys, I know it has been a while since I messaged on here. Just wanted to say I am feeling almost 90% better after using the Chi's recovery suggestions. I am not out of the woods yet, but I am very happy with my results so far. I will be honest, I hadn't followed the routine to a "T"- but like with everything else, one needs to get back on the horse, have a positive outlook on life and not be afraid of failure. One thing that was integral to my gradual (yet, not full) recovery is that I met someone who truly loves me, someone who helped me quit marijuana and my other dependencies such as smoking cigarettes. Although, truthfully I vaped to wean myself off of smoking. Some of you may be thinking "how can a girl give this smuck the motivation to quit his highly addictive habits?" Well I truly did not want to fail and had the encouragement and love from my companion which really allowed me to focus on me (i.e exercising as she was big into this and going to bed at a decent hour without technology by my bedside). As I said before it was a gradual process and understood it was ok to walk before I could run. I will try to come on here more often, great people and great support... Hope you all have been well too. Feel free to tell me about your recovery and story or send me a pm.

God bless.

Another gut, health type recovery story.

Congrats man for going against the grain and choosing your own path. You've accomplished something truly incredible and you should be proud of it. Keep going- get to one hundred percent!

 

[bruschi11]

What were Chi's methods again?

If you haven't read his story- post by post the whole way through as if you were reading a book- you're doing a huge disservice to yourself if you have pfs.

I've read a lot the last two and half years now. This was better than any book I've read. Hint, its a gut, diet, lifestyle, exercise type recovery.

Chi's Member Story & Progress