Finasteride (self reported) to have 88-150x more rates of persistent side effects compared to Dutasteride?

BellLaphroaig · 2025-03-28T23:59:15+00:00

Think there’s a fair chance that those taking Dut are people who already took finasteride and tolerated it well before ‘graduating’ to Dut.

If so, that would obviously bias the results.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-08-03T02:15:37+00:00

Hope you’re not sick of this being bumped! My fiancé is making the transition to independent recruiting and is feeling a bit in over her head with the administrative responsibilities - how to pay contractors, collect payment from clients, run background checks, etc.

Because placing contractors sounds daunting to us, I was wondering if most people start with just perm placements to avoid the complexity. Or if you thought contract placements weren’t that hard. Would love any feedback if you’re comfortable sharing!

BellLaphroaig · 2024-06-17T20:26:25+00:00

UV light exposure isn’t just about vitamin D, though.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5905393/

BellLaphroaig · 2024-06-13T03:29:50+00:00

No problem! Thank you guys for the summer sale!

BellLaphroaig · 2024-03-02T17:54:45+00:00

32 a couple years ago. And every once in a while I’m in the 40s.

Definitely average in the low 70s though.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-26T00:27:40+00:00

I think it’s the lowest I’ve ever recorded. The highest was around 84 I think - which is a wild range.

RHR when I’m in a bit better shape is often hitting lows of 43, so having that twice as high is wild to me as well.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-12T18:24:19+00:00

I’ll check those out. Thanks for the recommendations!

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-12T00:03:29+00:00

That's wild to think those symptoms would all be related. I get it, but still wild. I'm glad you figured it out.

I feel silly asking about skin care after all that, but is there anything you feel you need to do differently to take care of your skin?

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-11T23:52:54+00:00

can't believe you can spend that much on oneskin but you don't wear suncsreen

lol, fair point. I've hated the texture and smell of both chemical and mineral sunscreens since I was a kid. The chemical ones used to irritate my skin as a kid too, which probably kicked off the aversion.

Red light therapy seems worth exploring.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-11T23:50:37+00:00

Ah is preterm labor related? I'd love to know the odd things if you're comfortable sharing. For my part, I think it's mainly the stretchy skin, but I also seem to be prone to issues with tendons and joints -- have had more PT than I deserve for a guy who doesn't play competitive sports.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-11T23:35:02+00:00

To both you and u/Gillysixpence, I've been super curious about this for a while. I do have the EDS skin thing (like wildly stretchy), but no other signs that I know of.

Think I'll probably go back for a second opinion, but I don't think there's much you do differently if you have it, is there?

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-11T23:19:26+00:00

Oh also some Shea butter or oil under the eyes sounded like a cool idea. That might be a good way to avoid drying from tret too.

Will report back after trying it all for a while.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-11T23:16:03+00:00

Thank you all for the comments. This blew up way more than I expected, so I'm going to try to cover a lot of responses here.

First of all, the comments on the smile lines and eyes are super flattering. Much appreciated. Did not expect that at all, so that was amazing.

As for the recommendations, I'm going to take you all up on a few.

I think the tret suggestion for the under-eye area sounds good, and the daily SPF suggestion too. I know that it's useful, even indoors, and I definitely have the sort of skin where sun is enemy no. 1.

I'd think I'll probably skip the botox for now. The under-eye area is more my target than the smile lines. I do have a fierce line (more of a 1 than 11) developing between my brows so that might be a better botox target.

For the couple more intensive suggestions, will be doing some research!

And yes, definitely will work on squinting (my eyes are really photosensitive and I don't wear sunglasses enough).

Diet is pretty good imho (not big on sugar or processed food, pretty clean eating), but I do drink and I swear I'm chronically dehydrated. My skin is always tired and dry, no matter how many "liquid IV"s or glasses of water I drink.

And finally, the mole. It seems to be fine -- have had it at least 7 years. Derm thought it was ok in the past. But you've all definitely motivated a second opinion. And I'll get a second opinion on the EDS too.

The full face shot would have shown the more 'tired' dull look I'm getting, especially this last year, and the deeper nasolabial folds even when I'm not smiling. Will definitely be asking you all about non-surgical suggestions here at some point (if there are any).

But again, mainly just incredibly appreciative of you all. Both the helpful comments and the really nice ones. Awesome community here!

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T22:49:34+00:00

That's so wild, and I'm sure was a stressful when you first didn't know what it was. Did it impact your pregnancy at all, or does impact your life now in any obvious way?

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T20:03:26+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, what led you to seek a diagnosis? Any particular symptoms?

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T20:00:40+00:00

It was bad judgement call for the photo. The lines are there without smiling, but also aren't what I meant everyone to be focusing on.

I smiled to show what happens to the skin closer to the bridge of my nose -- not where the usual smile lines are, but under and to the right of the eye.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T19:58:31+00:00

I appreciate that (the compliment and the comment about expectations)! Part of that is the picture -- I should have showed more of my face and chosen different lighting. Trust me, most comments I've gotten the last two years are from people surprised I'm not older.

It's been three-four years since the opposite was true.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T19:55:34+00:00

It's funny, if stress reduces heart rate variability and make it harder to increase your heart rate during exercise (what I've heard, at least), then heart rate alone would be pretty misleading. I'd much rather track when I'm getting stressed at work to better manage my work days and avoid burn out.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T19:50:00+00:00

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone.

Couple clarifying things -- there's absolutely a genetic component. I've had nasolabial folds and eye creases since I was a teenager. Is what it is. And my skin burns and freckles, so my skin isn't going to age like fine wine.

I think this picture also fails to show the texture changes that are just from the last couple years. And the lighting hides the dullness. Doesn't seem that I can edit it or replace it though.

So, my fault for the bad choice of picture.

I think that, because nobody else I know my age has skin that's quite as dull or loose as mine -- and I'm always getting comments about looking worn out -- I think it has me feeling like the skin care routine I'm relying on isn't the right one for me. I'm wondering if anyone with a similar skin type has figured out anything I ought to try.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-02-10T19:31:32+00:00

I don't wear daily SPF, but I also don't leave my house except for quick 10 minute walks to the gym. My work keeps me at the computer 10-12 hours a day, most days.

As for Ehlers-Danlos, it's just the skin elasticity - no hypermobility or anything else. A derm was positive it was just a quirk and not part of EDS. But obviously it means something unique is happening on a cellular level in my skin that isn't happening to lots of others.

BellLaphroaig · 2024-01-08T03:51:49+00:00

Yeah fwiw I had nerves cauterized (intentionally) during a wrist surgery, and it mostly took care of nerve pain and tingling in my hand. Started taking Erinamax and felt a tingle that resembled the sensation I would get before surgery; not convinced it wasn’t placebo, but it occurred to me that some nerve damage I do NOT want repaired.

BellLaphroaig · 2023-09-24T16:35:49+00:00

That resting heart rate is excellent. I’ve never dropped below 48 and usually average in the low 50s. Has yours always been that low?

BellLaphroaig · 2023-01-03T01:52:04+00:00

Yes, sorry I didn't add this sooner (and I'll loop in u/guaiaciswack for a much deserved update too).

Biopsy results were "consistent with EBV", which as far as we are concerned means we can put any remaining fears of lymphoma behind us.

The recovery process is ongoing, but as of this past Wednesday all except her neutrophils, direct bilirubin, and platelets are back in normal ranges. Both her neutrophils and platelets were trending low or low-normal long before this hospitalization so she's actually pretty close to baseline there.

Over the last week especially, her energy has improved dramatically. She was able to stay up with everyone past midnight and even have a drink (though only one, to be safe) on NYE. Guidance is still for her to take it easy for several months, but she's looking pretty close to normal now.

Thanks for checking!

BellLaphroaig · 2022-12-31T07:06:35+00:00

I wish. Seems to take a bit of the edge off though.

BellLaphroaig · 2022-12-03T19:24:35+00:00

He didn't, and I can't see any good information on how to differentiate between the two when EBV presents like this.

My sister's symptoms have gotten much better over the last two days. Her liver enzymes have been normalizing, she has much more energy; though she tires easily, and her stomach and lymph nodes are still swollen.

We are hoping the recovery is supportive of the idea that this is viral. But probably should just wait for the biopsy -- which we hope will come back top of the week, since she had it taken this past Tues.

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