Post-finasteride syndrome, post-Accutane syndrome, post-SSRI sufferers

[steamfitter]

I did a search on this, couldn't seem to find a thread, so I would like to start one...

Who else has ended up here by suffering from Post-finasteride syndrome or post-accutane syndrome? The symptoms from these two conditions are very similar, and I have read posts from people here who have mentioned both at times. What has your journey been like dealing with ED? Have you been able to fix things with pills or injections? How long have they worked for?

In case you don't know about PFS, or PAS:
https://www.propeciahelp.com/post-finasteride-syndrome/
https://www.propeciahelp.com/accutane-s ... tretinoin/

My story: I am currently 38, and first began suffering from post-accutane syndrome in late 2017. The main symptom of which was ED (as well as lower libido, and hair loss). The ED plateaued somewhat for a few years. I was very reluctant to try PDe5 drugs, because I did not want to depend on them. My dick still did work sometimes, just not like before. In 2021, I began trying cialis 10 mg. The results were good, but like I had feared, I instantly became dependent on it (my dick when not on cialis was worse than it was before I started it).

It seems like my ED just keeps getting worse. I took the pfizer covid vaccine... my ED seemed to get worse. Despite getting the vaccine, I got covid recently. My ED has gotten worse still. I do not know what to do at this point. I am otherwise in great shape physically, I eat very healthy, exercise regularly. I have started talking to a Urologist, and he has just been telling me to just up the dose of cialis. I am not even getting nocturnal erections at this point, and it really worries me.

[AllHailTed]

I did a search on this, couldn't seem to find a thread, so I would like to start one...

Who else has ended up here by suffering from Post-finasteride syndrome or post-accutane syndrome? The symptoms from these two conditions are very similar, and I have read posts from people here who have mentioned both at times. What has your journey been like dealing with ED? Have you been able to fix things with pills or injections? How long have they worked for?

In case you don't know about PFS, or PAS:
https://www.propeciahelp.com/post-finasteride-syndrome/
https://www.propeciahelp.com/accutane-s ... tretinoin/

My story: I am currently 38, and first began suffering from post-accutane syndrome in late 2017. The main symptom of which was ED (as well as lower libido, and hair loss). The ED plateaued somewhat for a few years. I was very reluctant to try PDe5 drugs, because I did not want to depend on them. My dick still did work sometimes, just not like before. In 2021, I began trying cialis 10 mg. The results were good, but like I had feared, I instantly became dependent on it (my dick when not on cialis was worse than it was before I started it).

It seems like my ED just keeps getting worse. I took the pfizer covid vaccine... my ED seemed to get worse. Despite getting the vaccine, I got covid recently. My ED has gotten worse still. I do not know what to do at this point. I am otherwise in great shape physically, I eat very healthy, exercise regularly. I have started talking to a Urologist, and he has just been telling me to just up the dose of cialis. I am not even getting nocturnal erections at this point, and it really worries me.

Not exactly the same but I have Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction. The symptoms are similar to PFS (ED, low libido, loss of morning and spontaneous erections). My sensation hasn't been quite the same since PSSD started either. I've been using cialis for the past 4 years, I take 5mg 2 days out of 3 and would say it works for me about 95% of the time, as long as I'm with a partner who I feel relaxed around. I think I will need an implant at some point in the future but I want to delay getting one for as long as I can.

It doesn't sound like your uro is taking you seriously. Have you tried bringing the topic of implantation up with him?

[steamfitter]

Not exactly the same but I have Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction. The symptoms are similar to PFS (ED, low libido, loss of morning and spontaneous erections). My sensation hasn't been quite the same since PSSD started either. I've been using cialis for the past 4 years, I take 5mg 2 days out of 3 and would say it works for me about 95% of the time, as long as I'm with a partner who I feel relaxed around. I think I will need an implant at some point in the future but I want to delay getting one for as long as I can.

It doesn't sound like your uro is taking you seriously. Have you tried bringing the topic of implantation up with him?

You're right, I probably should've added post-SSRI syndrome to the title. I don't know as much about post-SSRI, but I have read it is similar.

My urologist doesn't fully get what I am dealing with yet, I think he believes I have run of the mill ED that is part aging, part psychogenic (couldn't be further from the truth). I have not discussed implants. I would like to use pills as long as I can, I agree about delaying implants if you can.

[AllHailTed]

You're right, I probably should've added post-SSRI syndrome to the title. I don't know as much about post-SSRI, but I have read it is similar.

My urologist doesn't fully get what I am dealing with yet, I think he believes I have run of the mill ED that is part aging, part psychogenic (couldn't be further from the truth). I have not discussed implants. I would like to use pills as long as I can, I agree about delaying implants if you can.

Finding the right uro can make a world of difference. I was pooh-pooh'd by doctors telling me it was all in my head for years until I found one who recognised PSSD and tried in earnest to help me. Have you tried other PDE5 inhibitors?

[steamfitter]

You're right, I probably should've added post-SSRI syndrome to the title. I don't know as much about post-SSRI, but I have read it is similar.

My urologist doesn't fully get what I am dealing with yet, I think he believes I have run of the mill ED that is part aging, part psychogenic (couldn't be further from the truth). I have not discussed implants. I would like to use pills as long as I can, I agree about delaying implants if you can.

Finding the right uro can make a world of difference. I was pooh-pooh'd by doctors telling me it was all in my head for years until I found one who recognised PSSD and tried in earnest to help me. Have you tried other PDE5 inhibitors?

Not yet. I often take supplements though (garlic oil, l-arginine), and they enhance the efficacy of cialis I've been taking.

[tonyareias]

There’s a PSSD forum. Try to find an solution for you.

Sometimes I take SSRI and don’t have PSSD but have an unstable erection (from years ago after first SSRI dosing). There’s good days and bad days, good moments and bad moments.

A minutes ago I almost fall in sleep and get a hard erection for 5-7mins without stimulation. Yesterday have some issues to get an erection during intercourse.

Its all in our head.

[steamfitter]

There’s a PSSD forum. Try to find an solution for you.

Sometimes I take SSRI and don’t have PSSD but have an unstable erection (from years ago after first SSRI dosing). There’s good days and bad days, good moments and bad moments.

A minutes ago I almost fall in sleep and get a hard erection for 5-7mins without stimulation. Yesterday have some issues to get an erection during intercourse.

Its all in our head.

I won't speak on post-SSRI syndrome because I am not dealing with that, but I Post-finasteride syndrome, and post-Accutane syndrome specifically are not "in our head". These are drugs that change the way you body processes hormones, by definition. Not something you can think your way out of.

The only "solutions" I have read about are completely anecdotal, and center around extreme diets like keto or raw vegan, usually pushed by someone selling an e-book. I eat a modified paleo diet, it doesn't help. This is about all the advice I've found on forums. I've come to accept that my body is permanently damaged, and I'm best to focus on treating the specific symptoms.

[AllHailTed]

There’s a PSSD forum. Try to find an solution for you.

Sometimes I take SSRI and don’t have PSSD but have an unstable erection (from years ago after first SSRI dosing). There’s good days and bad days, good moments and bad moments.

A minutes ago I almost fall in sleep and get a hard erection for 5-7mins without stimulation. Yesterday have some issues to get an erection during intercourse.

Its all in our head.

PSSD is absolutely not "all in our head" my dude. Some people have complete and I mean complete genital numbness due to it

[tonyareias]

Yes, correct.

[Markc2008]

I have pssd or post ssri syndrome. It is definitely real and I have been battling it for three years since stopping the meds. I’m starting to think it is permanent. I have tried everything from wellebutrin to reinstating and slowly tapering to testosterone therapy and everything in between. I have pretty numb genitals that don’t feel pleasure like they are supposed to, low libido, lack of proper arousal to sexual stimuli, Ed and flaccid shrinkage or what most refer to as hard flaccid. This along with brain fog and dull emotions. It’s hell. I try to keep a positive attitude and live my life with my wife. I get by with sex on either pde5 pills or injections currently. The pills are unreliable but the injections seem to work.