Hope you’re doing well brother
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Hey fellas,
I can’t access my original account. I’ve tried every password I can think of but I can’t get access. I used a temporary email so can’t do the account recovery. Happy to verify it’s me however, I have access to the email address which I supplied in a comment on 19th Feb 2021, so feel free to email me on there for confirmation.
Have doing doing well guys. Just been avoiding forums and staying off the internet. We get so desperate when we lose our health and constantly being engaged in researching our condition, being stuck on forums, etc is extremely unhealthy in my eyes. Just been off the computer, practicing mindfulness, spending time out in nature, with friends, reading books, etc, etc.
I wish I could bring positive news regarding my condition, but to be open and honest, the TRT has been quite underwhelming thus far. No major changes, still zero libido, no improvement in erections, etc… However, I will be sticking with the protocol. I’ve spoken to a few individuals with PFS who said it took them 6+ months to see major progress. So just going to be consistent, patient, and trust the process. May also experiment at higher TRT doses as well. I’m sticking with high doses in an effort to upregulate the androgen receptors. This is also what has worked with others I’ve talked to with PFS.
I’m also titrating my Thyroid dose up slowly over time. I want to get my TSH to between 0.5-1 with free T4 at the very high end of the reference range. Currently on 125mcg Levothyroxine and will increase slowly. I want see if I can get away with T4 monotherapy before I introduce any T3.
Addressing my gut microbiome has been huge for me. I was dealing with digestive issues, always runny stools, never solid, etc. After a specific diet and probiotic protocol tailored to my gut microbiome bacterial profile, I have seen major changes with my stools. Doing 1-2 perfect solid stools per day now, first time I’ve done solid stools in years!
Energy & stamina is up for sure. But by no means 100% recovery yet. Still zero libido. Just going to be patient.
I had a consult with LeoandLongevity who has given me some tips for my neurological symptoms. I don’t know if it’s neurosteroids as Leo suspects, or PTSD as my psychologist suspects. If anything works, I’ll be sure to comment back and provide an update.
I plan to go back to following Health Recovery on Youtubes advice. It was when I followed his videos was when I made the most progress in my recovery.
I’ve said it before, but sleep is truly the number 1 when it comes to progress and improvement. Without good high quality sleep every night, in my eyes it’s impossible to recover.
Keep us updated @jamilkh, really hope you bounce back from this brother, stay positive man you will get there and we are here for you if needed.
Cheers
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Things I’m currently doing for my sleep man:
- CBT. This is the gold standard for treating insomnia. Either see a psychologist or do an online CBT sleep course.
- Meditation & Mindfulness.
- Waking up at the same time every single morning consistently. Try to also have a consistent time going to sleep, but waking up at the same time every morning is the most important.
- Sunlight & light exercise first thing in the morning.
- Avoiding computers, TV, simulation and blue light before bed.
- Do not spend time in your bed throughout the day. The bed is for sleeping only.
- Clean room of all dust and use nasal dilators to improve breathing.
- If you can’t sleep, don’t toss and turn, get out of bed and go to a different room until you feel sleepy. You want to associate your bed with falling asleep fast.
- I’m avoiding sleeping pills as I don’t want to become dependent, but I occasionally take PS-100 and Ashwagandha Sensoril.
Sleep is #1, so is eliminating stress (from my experience at least).
Hope it helps
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Thanks for the update brother. Unfortunate that you haven’t made any progress libido wise, but I know you’re doing alot better mentally. I do believe as you said that it can take some time before you notice the effects of TRT, and I do believe you just need to find the right protocol to fit the change caused at the androgen receptor site. Wishing you all the best my friend. An update from myself I’ve been working half days because its summer season in Norway. I have taken regular walks to the beach and getting alot of sun. Today, I woke up with a red rash all over my face, legs, back, ears etc which looked kind off like an allergic reaction/melasma. I did a little reading and it could be progesterone/estrogen related. My tinnitus today is drastically lower than it has been. I was actually able to enjoy a night out today without any anxiety whatsoever. This has taken me 20 months. I will keep updating, doing everything in my power to bounce back from this.
Are you able to get a hold of BPC-157 in your country? I’ve heard really good things regarding BPC-157 and successful treatment of tinnitus. Perhaps running a cycle or two could help? Hopefully treating the tinnitus will also help with your sleep, which in-turn will improve testosterone levels. Maybe call up some compounding pharmacies and see what they can do, or import from a online source. This peptide is not only useful for injury recovery, but it also has a profound healing effect on the brain. Something maybe to consider.
I hope you get well soon mate. Keep in touch.
Thanks for the update. I’m in the post-drug condition boat too (PSSD) and have had a hard time getting the hormones right. I had some promising initial improvements before I started flip-flopping levels + introduced steroids and worsened myself.
I’m hoping to get back on a steady protocol and try to get “dialed in” again.
Hey mate, update. I’ve been doing really well recently. Seeing big strides and improvements. Gone back to university to do my masters. Having no issues putting in 10-12 hour days studying. I can honestly say I am getting closer and closer to normality.
Still don’t have the stamina like I used to. Still can’t push myself with exercise, the chronic fatigue / adrenal fatigue symptoms still remain, but are no where near as bad as they used to be. Also I still have ZERO and I mean literally zero sex drive at all. That sexual urge / instinct is completely gone.
What I’m currently taking:
- TRT 250mg/wk with masteron 50mg/wk,
- Fluoxetine (full strength SSRI, for PTSD and neurological issues),
- Thyroid, I’m taking a lot of thyroid like 40mcg T3 and 80mcg T4. TSH is at 0.8, free T3 high end of range, reverse T3 low end of the range.
- Low Dose Naltrexone. Supposed to be good for chronic fatigue, my doctor prescribed it.
- Melatonin, both IR and XR for sleep. Really helps me sleep. I find I need around 9-10 hours sleep, otherwise I feel awful.
I would say I’m by far the best I’ve been since I crashed 3 years ago and I only continue to improve.
I’m taking so many things and doing so much, I don’t know what’s doing what. I’m considering doing a PCT over the holidays, I’m not sure I want to stay on TRT forever, especially if it’s not having a significant impact.
I understand people have been damaged from SSRIs, and I tried everything In my power to avoid having to go on one, but I finally decided to bite the bullet, and I don’t regret it, Fluoxetine has done wonders for my mental health and I’m certain it’s helping immensely.
Been staying off forums, avoiding anything health related, just focusing on my hobbies, spending time in nature, with friends & family, and studying my masters, and I’m doing really well. Only took 3 years.
Would love to hear an update from you. I really hope you see the same improvement soon friend. Stay strong
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That’s huge dude, glad on your behalf. I haven’t made any significant improvements to be completely honest. What I do notice though is that some times I will get warm sensations in different limbs of my body. Very weird. I’ve started producing more ear wax aswell. I’m trying to pay attention to small things for me that’s improvement in itself. On a few occations while talking to somebody for example I’ll get a few seconds of some cognitive change where I feel kinda normal? It’s really hard to explain. My sleep is hit and miss. Periods of good sleep and bad sleep. Also need 9-10 hours to even have a chance to function somewhat. I assume you’re taking UGL stuff and not prescription? Why masteron by the way?
What’s his reasoning for this re: fatigue? Not heard it used for that
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It’s used commonly used in the CFS / ME and fibromyalgia communities. I don’t know the mechanisim of action. From my experience, it greatly improved my sleep quality, when I first started with LDN I would get the most insane vivid dreams I’ve ever had in my life. Just google “LDN chronic fatigue” I think there’s some studies and heaps of articles. I’m taking only 4.5mg/d of Naltrexone which is the maximum efficacious dose for chronic fatigue I believe. I think alcoholics take up to like 50mg+.
No idea if the LDN is helping or not. I was simultaneously adding in T3, prozac, masteron, etc etc, was just sick of the chronic fatigue, so I decided to hit it hard. No idea what’s doing what.
@jamilkh Keep up the fight mate. I promise you this is temporary. Make sure you’re seeing a therapist or psychologist regularly, having someone judgment free to talk with has really helped my situation. I try to see a psychologist as frequently as I can afford it.
I have TRT prescribed, so pharma TRT, just through a clinic that I found via word of mouth. Masteron is UGL - masteron is a DHT derivative like Proviron, justification for adding it in was for the androgenicity boost, was hoping it would help with the libido side of things. Obviously the SSRI isn’t helping with the libido component, but I’ve only seen positives from the Prozac so I’m going to stick with it.
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I’m on high dose trt and SSRIs as well and I’m better than I was pre crash. This stuff is fixable
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Awesome to hear mate. What dose TRT are you on? I still don’t get any morning erections, no random erections, etc, that primal sex drive instinct is totally gone as well, I know the SSRI won’t help, but it has been like this ever since I took Finasteride almost 3 years ago. I’m considering experimenting at higher than 250mg/wk.
I was very scared to start the SSRI, but it’s honestly helped me so much with the neurological issues that come with PFS. Have only had many benefits thus far…
Keep at it mate
I am currently keeping my free t at trough Just a little bit outside the upper end of the scale. I have high shbg so I take 260mg/week and some hcg.
I think free t is like 32 on the scale, I can’t recall the precise numbers.
2 posts were split to a new topic: Symptoms 6 Yrs After Finasteride. 8 Wks on TRT Bloodwork. PCT Advice?
Hey guys, tuning in to give an update, been some time. I’ve gotten back to the gym been working out consistently for close to a month. I’m able to complete workouts without crashing after now. My strength and endurance is increasing, and I feel better after every workout. Symptoms that remain for me are sexual and cognitivte, mainly no sexdrive and anhedonia. I’ve decided that if these symptoms do not resort by 20th of june, so 7 months from now, that I will start experimenting with TRT. My last bloodtest I had a totalt T of 607ng/dl and SHBG of 41, which gives me a free T of 11ng/dl.
Hope you’re doing better! @Jordan500
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Great to hear mate. Keep at it. I wanted to give an update as well.
I am currently the best I’ve been physically and mentally for a long time. Even pre-crash. I feel excellent, energy levels are suburb, I’m exercising 5x per week, running 10km no worries, weight training, going to festivals & nightclubs with friends, studying my masters, and more… my life is back on track.
Sexual function is good, but libido & that instinctual primal sex drive is still non existent.
Current protocol. I’m not claiming to have a cure this is just what’s worked for me.
- Fluoxetine / Prozac: 60mg/d
- Testosterone Enanthate: 200mg/wk
- Low Dose Naltrexone: 4.5mg/d
- Levothyroxine: 100mcg/d
- Regular psychotherapy for trauma, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
I am moving on with my life and putting this nightmare behind me, so very unlikely to return to this forum.
This shit is fixable, stay positive and never give up.
Cheers
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Good to hear man and understandable. The better I feel the less I want to visit the forum. We got this 
@jordan50 any updates mate?
Hi jordan How are you? Are you healed from this hell?