Finasteride - quick response needed

[lessofarockstar]

Hi guys.
Looks like the place for some good information.
I have a problem that I hope to get a quick response to.
Here's my story short:

I was on propecia (finasteride) for hairloss for a little while and had to stop approximately 1 week ago because I felt i was getting gyno. Now the symptoms are still here, maybe even worse. I know this might be minor stuff to some of you guys, but I am seriously freaking out. It is at the point where it is noticeable on one side.
I saw my doctor yesterday and he confirmed that i have gyno. But he told me to wait it out and if it gets too bad i could get surgery.
But i have been searching around the net, and I have seen many people claiming that nolvadex or arimidex might stop gyno if it is still in it's early stages. marybe even reverse it.
I talked to my doctor again today and I am seeing him tomorrow to discuss this. What should I ask for? Nolvadex or arimidex or something else?
And has anybody got some links to some good studies that I can convince him with?

I really really hope somebody has a quick answer for me.
Thank you.
L

[spaceace]

Have your GP send you to an endocrinologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology, immediately.  

Get all your hormones checked.  The endocrinologist will probably wait a few months to let your hormones stabilize themselves and see if your condition reverses itself during that time.  After a few months if you still have gynecomastia the endocrinologist will hopefully prescribe something appropriate for the condition.

[lessofarockstar]

thanks,
So is it a good idea to wait it out? I mean I have read on a lot of bodybuilding forums that it is best to kill gyno off before it gets permanent. (- And I know that people who shoot anabolic steroids might not be the best source of info but still..? not that finasteride is a much smarter decision though)

Anyway are my odds of getting rid of gyno not better if I get tamoxifen or something like that now instead of waiting for it to get bigger and possibly even more irreversible?

[spaceace]

I suggest that if you do self medicate with Nolva, that you wait at least till you do your first complete hormone blood test.  This way you can compare pre and post treatment.  Make sure your GP gets a copy - have him request it.  Post it here as well.  

I think you are also registered on the propeciasideeffects forum, as well.  If so, read post #8325 regarding Nolvadex.

[lessofarockstar]

Yep. I checked the post out. Thanks

I am seeing my GP tomorrow and I'll hear what he has to say.

[Hypo-is-here]

If you have taken finasteride your gynecomastia will stem from a reduction in the potent male hormone dihydrotestoterone (DHT) as that is what finasteride and/Proscar and Propecia lower.

This mean that your issue relates to a lack of androgens not an imbalance or excess of estrogens.

Therefore you need to see an endocrinologist who can measure dihydrotestosterone with a view to medicating Andractim (DHT gel).

Anti estrogens are NOT the answer in your situation.

I hope that helps.

[lessofarockstar]

hmmm... maybe I was rushing things a bit. I just hope I won't have to wait too long for an endocrinologist appointment.
Feels like it almost too late already. Is it possible that gyno from finasteride resolves on it's own? And what would be the course of action if it did? (DHT returning and wiping out the estradiol?)

Thanks for all your help so far.

[spaceace]

You should get an appointment right away as your case is an urgent issue.  Make sure you get it right away.

DHT will most likely return to previous levels over several months.  Even if this is the case, your gynecomastia may or may not resolve itself.  It's worth getting an initial level of all your hormones checked now and then again in a months time and then perhaps once more a few weeks later.  Waiting a few months to see if your hormones return to normal and your gynecomastia disappears is a good idea.  If your condition still persists after a few months, see if your endocrinologist thinks medication will help.

Were you taking any other 5ar-inhibitors, like dutasteride, or antiandrogens like spironolactone?  How much finasteride were your taking?

[lessofarockstar]

I didn't take anything but finasteride. And the crazy thing was that I was microdosing at 0.25 mg, so I really didnt expect this to happen. But I guess it at least confirmed my theory about 1 mg of finasteride for hair loss is way too high a dose.

[spaceace]

Check your PM

[Hypo-is-here]

I didn't take anything but finasteride. And the crazy thing was that I was microdosing at 0.25 mg, so I really didnt expect this to happen. But I guess it at least confirmed my theory about 1 mg of finasteride for hair loss is way too high a dose.

The problem is that from a hormone perspective we all have our own personal chemistry set.  Each of us has differing levels of hormones and they and they have many complex interactions and symbiotic relationships.

Lowering dihdrotestosterone with products like Propecia and Proscar (finasteride based) in some men will not cause gynecomastia, whereas it will in others.

[lessofarockstar]

OK... So I went to my doctor for the third time.
He absolutely refuses to perscribe me tamoxifen or the like. He even called some specialist while I was there and he said the same thing.

I am so depressed and confused right now. I got a few questions that I would like to hear if anybody has answers for.

The pain seems to be getting slightly worse. Does pain indicate rapid growth?

I could probably get tamoxifen without a perscription. Some people seem to think that self medicating could be a good idea. Should I try this?

Has anybody here gotten gynecomastia from finasteride, and in case you did, how did it work out. (Did you stop fin as soon as you felt it or when you actually saw it? When did the pain stop? Has it resolved without surgery? etc)

thanks

[dublin13]

I could probably get tamoxifen without a perscription. Some people seem to think that self medicating could be a good idea. Should I try this? No, there is probably a reason 2 doctors would NOT prescribe it to you.  I seriously doubt they're just being dikkheads.

Has anybody here gotten gynecomastia from finasteride, and in case you did, how did it work out.  Yes. I was on Fin for 7 months...now off for 2.  Well, I now have fatty areolas...if that's what you mean.

 (Did you stop fin as soon as you felt it or when you actually saw it?  When did the pain stop? Has it resolved without surgery? etc)

I should have quit Fin right away, b/c my nipples were constantly feeling chapped and they itched.  I didn't quit until I actually saw growth...I am in good shape, so luckily I was able to spot it kind of early.  Oh, to go back 6 months ago.  Other than the chaffing I mentioned, I never really felt any pain.  Currently I feel no pain at all.  Quit touching them, you're probably just irritating yourself.

 Not only has my hairloss increased, now that I can't use FIn, but I am also the recipient of a brand new pair of breasts.  Things are really looking up for me.

thanks

[Hypo-is-here]

OK... So I went to my doctor for the third time.
He absolutely refuses to perscribe me tamoxifen or the like. He even called some specialist while I was there and he said the same thing.

I am so depressed and confused right now. I got a few questions that I would like to hear if anybody has answers for.

The pain seems to be getting slightly worse. Does pain indicate rapid growth?

I could probably get tamoxifen without a perscription. Some people seem to think that self medicating could be a good idea. Should I try this?

Has anybody here gotten gynecomastia from finasteride, and in case you did, how did it work out. (Did you stop fin as soon as you felt it or when you actually saw it? When did the pain stop? Has it resolved without surgery? etc)

thanks

You need to see an endocrinologist who specializes in reproductive issues who is forward thinking and knows what he or she is talking about.

Finasteride is absolutely known to reduce the potent male hormone dihydrotestosterone, that is what is why it is used in larger quantities to treat prostate cancer.

If your doctor does not even test for DHT then how can then know what is going on?

Answer- they can't.

There are many men across the world who have suffered gynecomastia and or hypogondism as a result of these products.  I know of dozens that have come through this website alone over the last two years.

The question you are asking is all too common on these boards.

For more info on these issues see below;

http://www.propeciasideeffects.com/

P.S

Tamoxifen blocks the actions of estradiol, it is medicated/prescribed for men who have an excess of estradiol/other estrogens.

If your gynecomastia developed due to the use of the product you mentioned then your issue is NOT excess estradiol or other estrogens, but a lowered level of dihydrotestosterone.  

If you have your dihydrotestosterone level ested and it is shown to be low or low normal, then a good hormone specialist can/would raise this level by prescribing Andractim dihydrotestosterone gel.

[FormerPropeciaUser]

Dude,

I hear your pain, propecia sux... to some degree you just have to accept this side effect as reality. Not what anyone wants to hear...Been a year since I stopped taking Finasteride, and I still have gyne. Gotta work on your inner confidence - just in case none of the solutions work for you.....

FYI - I am trying andactrim and I've seen some results, but there are limited.