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I've never used bloods before, but I think there maybe a use for them when considering prohormones. Grab the alpha 4 and have the ultrahard on the side. You want both on hand so that you can adjust mid cycle if necessary.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Ok thanks CD. Just ordered 2 UltraHard and 2 AlphaFour.
I will start my AlphaFour cycle when I receive it. I have been on the protocol for 13 weeks now. Only lacking aspects are meditation and pumping which I will add when starting this cycle.
This is exciting. Will update here.
You used the link above for the discount, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
And yeah.....it does start to get exciting when you get results.
Yes I did! Thanks again for everything man. With 2 bottles of each, I should be good to go for my first cycles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
Looking forward to starting the cycle and keeping a log of my progress
Excellent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Another friday night spent lifting, running, cold shower and backloading. A part of me is really sad because I used to be drunk as shit every week at this hour. And a part of me likes the isolation. I feel like Batman in my cave working on myself before I show myself.
Is it normal that I have absolutely no desire to drink/smoke? I used to crave a joint or a 12pack beer every friday. I needed it. Now I don't even think about it. What explains it? PFS, health anxiety/trauma? I'm sure the protocol makes you appreciate health more so you may not crave it as much, but I would still like to have the desire to indulge when I recover.
Keep it up everyone
Thought I would do an update. This thread has been really negative at times so I gotta remember to highlight the positive when there is some.
If you followed my 1st cycle's log, you saw that the cycle did me some good. It took a solid 3 weeks postcycle to notice the permanent improvements, but they were there, and mostly mental. It's hard to describe it, but I just feel more like myself, more attached to the world (space-wise but also time-wise), less anxious about the condition, making more jokes, and looking forward to stuff more. I keep leveling up every month so I'm not ready to say I am 100% mentally like before, but this 1st cycle of Alpha Four got me close.
The tinnitus was present during cycle, lowered a bit after, and I recently had 2 days where it was really really low. Now it's back but I'm hopeful. Sexually, I had some spontaneous erections on cycle and a bit more libido, but it didn't stay postcycle. Now, I have no more ED, can sometimes get a chub from visual/thoughts, and have some wood half the time. The texture is still rubbery sometimes, libido is low and orgasm doesn't feel too special.
I see I made great progress when I look back. In May, going to see friends at the park was terrifying. Now it's just normal stuff. Working from home, the noise from the earphones would scratch my ears, and the T would distract me 24/7. Now I make calls easily, and work without thinking about the T too much. Small stuff.
Basically, this thing sucks but unlike before, I don't feel like I have a lifelong condition that makes me feel like an alien. I feel like I'm in the world, just not completely back to normal. And the progress I made tells me I can beat this thing 1 day.
Keep it up
Caught my first real cold since this mess. Stuffy nose, little cough and sore chest. Feels good not to feel like a robot
This is a good sign, from my experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
That's what I heard from other too. Might also be allergies because I'm sneezing like crazy, but at the same time my nose is too filled for it to be allergiesQuote:
Originally Posted by Maxout777
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Quick question for the vets.
I am now pretty sure my T is caused by Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I will be going to see an ENT to rule out any infection.
Meanwhile, I read that antihistamines have cured a lot of people with ETD tinnitus and I'd be willing to give it a try. Can it be dangerous in a PFS state or I'm good to go? Just wanna get a green light before doing something stupid
Usually on this board, and else where, we use"T" for testosterone. Based on the context I can tell you mean tinnitus, but it may confuse others if they don't know what Eustachian tubes are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I'll save you the trip to the Doctors. They aren't going to be able to do anything about it. It's one of those things that you may have to live with, or not. Regardless, I would personally be more focused on getting my dick working again, working with a nice libido pushing from behind. Ringing in your ears should really be last on the list....biologically speaking.
Antihistamines aren't great for T levels so I would personally avoid them. You're making strides....you just have to be more patient.
Yeah I get it, it's just that music is a huge part of my life so the ears problem's importance is magnified. And it bothers me day to day. ETD is caused by inflammation, so I don't know in which way PFS caused that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
Thanks, I will avoid antihistamines for now.
I feel the same about music. I'm probably just used to mine now. It's the one thing that never went away. I remember in the beginning I didn't know how I was going to live with it....especially at night when it was quiet and my head was just screaming....it never effected my ability to enjoy music thankfully.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Are you avoiding dietary allergens?
I was unable to enjoy music the first month but it came back thank god. However my hearing is still weirdly impaired (with tinnitus), so it affects my ability to mix my beats.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
I know nothing about dietary allergens, I will research it. Any one you would avoid in particular? I was considering cutting dairy, as I read it causes inflammation that is detrimental to ETD.
I personally tried both prednisone and anti-histamines. Prednisione gave me a little bit of relief short term but gave me bad sides so I stopped. Anti-histamine personally made me tired but that's it, didn't do shit though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I would look into an elimination diet. Weather it is lectins, FODMAP, oxalates or something else some food definitely triggers inflammation personally. If I could get rid of it all I'm sure it would heal in no time.
Dude....it's on TMO. The two main ones are gluten and dairy, but there are others as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Of course I am following TMO CD. Haven't had gluten since starting the protocol at the end of February, and I still eat dairy as TMO allowed it. Just had no idea what the term meant.
Read about it, I will try to cut dairy, eggs, shellfish, and nuts.
I see. Good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Okay....well then I agree with Maxim.....You should try the elimination diet to see if it's anything you're putting in your system.
My wisdom tooth have been hurting like hell in the last few days. I was due to have them removed for a couple years but I always waited. I will be going to the dentist this week.
Is a general anasthesia bad in a PFS state? Hell, I remember reading a couple of people that got their PFS better with an anasthesia lol
You have to have it done regardless, so don't stress over it. It's not going to wreck all of your gains.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Wow congrats you found my real name ^^Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
Well I'm going under surgery in a week to remove a gyno I had since my teens. I'll tell you how it went, if I don't come back here it means I died in the process... Just kidding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I know that it is not necessarily the best timing but I have to move along I've been waiting years for this.
I ask because I have the option to simply get a local anasthesia. I was conscious for my first 2 removals and I absolutely hated it and told myself I would get the general anasthesia for the 2 upper teeths.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
I've been busting your balls for weeks about tinnitus, and I found interesting stuff that might benefit other people down the line.
First, I learned that estrogen has neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties, and that low estrogen is linked to tinnitus:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...1111/coa.12879
And estrogen plays a role in how the brain interprets and extracts audio information:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...1111/coa.12879
My estrogen has been tested way too low in March and June, so this is interesting stuff. Might explain my tinnitus, and sound sensitivity. The problem is, prohormones will lower my estrogen. However, I think the protocol will globally equilibrate my hormones over time.
I am also exploring the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction side, as I have many symptoms (ear crackling, sound sensitivity, tinnitus). I am cutting dairy for 1 month to see if it reduces inflammation, and I have doing ETD stretching exercises and drinking Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water twice a day.
Overall it is definitely lower than in May, but still too annoying. I am so dedicated to kill this, I'll become the Jimmy Neutron of tinnitus.
Had an appointment with a doctor regarding my ears. Completely useless. Told me that fin doesn't cause tinnitus or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Said that my ETD is probably allergy related and prescribed a antihistamine nasal spray.
Also refused to give me permission for new bloodwork, because my bloodtests in June were "fine".
Everytime I go to the doctor I feel like I'm so alone with this shit. Good thing I got you guys to be honest.
I really hope the protocol and time will end up fixing my ears.
Suicidal thoughts are back. Don't wanna make my family panic so I'm writing here. I thought I was past that point. The ringing in my head is too loud I can't function. In the last 8 months I must've had 5 days where the volume was low. I don't recognize myself and I feel asexual.
At least I know what to do. Cold showers and breathing. I can't give up
If you didn’t do anything to cause this downswing just know it’s part of the process. A lot of my most sudden and violent downswings were right before my best upswings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Put on the blinders, use the pain to keep you focused and go extra savage on the protocol. You’ll come out of it!
Hi. I definitely relate to this, as little the pain and symptoms are, it can really take your attention 24/7 and stress you out.
The thing is we don't know for sure what cause ETD, so doctors will usually prescribe the holy corticosteroids or anti-histaminic, which work in short term, at best. Be wary of the nasal spray as you could experience a rebound effect which doesn't help at all. When I used it it only made my nose even more full. Do you feel like your sinus are clogged (like you can't inspire fully) along with impaired smelling ? Because in my case my PFS induced rhinitis is likely the cause of my ears problems.
ETD definitely can be hormone related since post-natal and menopausal women sometimes develop this too. But in the end what triggers inflammation most of the time lies in the gut, and we know Fin modulate the microbiome so yeah looking for intolerances and taking care of the gut might be a good thing to do, some people have success when stopping carbs, dairies etc. I might look into antibiotics at some point if doesn't get better.
Yesterday I stumbled upon this video, the guy says that red light therapy cured his ETD -> Heal Your Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | This method cured me in 8 days | Personal Experience - YouTube
And as scammy the device looks at first, it actually makes sense! I noticed a few days ago, that when I was laying on my side in my hammock under the sun, I had relief of symptoms pretty quickly. And it worked every time. There are actually a few studies on LLLT benefits and some people use it for other painful conditions as well.
He's also saying to take cold showers and drink plenty of water. On a side note you may want to stop supplements for a few days to see if you feel better. There is always room for unexpected interactions.
For what it worth I ordered the LLLT device he used. If it can help me manage the symptoms until I recover I'll take it!
Thanks Brooks, these messages are huge to put things in perspective when I'm doing bad. Indeed I didn't change shit, so let's hope for an upcoming upswing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooks
No I have no clogged sinuses. Only crackling ears, tinnitus in left ear and hyperacusis. The hyperacusis stops when I yawn (if I yawn when the metro arrives, the sound sensitivity stops).Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximilien
I agree it's not much but it takes a lot of my focus. I found a book called Rock Steady that talks about forgetting tinnitus through neuroplasticity and ignoring it. I will read it and update this thread lol
I agree I read a lot of stuff about the gut. I think protocol will fix that. Meanwhile I might take a probiotic and kefir
Hey man, I've been there too. I have freaked my parents out, multiple times. Go hug your mom. You will get better, it does have an end.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I experience insane pulsatile tinnitus in both my ears at random, where all of a sudden I'm temporarily deaf, and then a really loud ringing begins. Sometimes it lasts for 30 seconds, sometimes it lasts for 3 hours. It almost always marks the beginning of a downswing. I'm fortunate in this regard, as it's never stuck around any longer than that. The length of time between these episodes continually increases, and the downswings that follow are shorter and less intense. I'm sure you've tried everything, but I have always found that belly breathing and pushing it out of my mind significantly reduces the tinnitus and shortens it's duration. Keep that up. I don't want to come across condescending, but how many times a day do you plug a finger in your ear to check how the ringing is going? If you do, don't. It will only reinforce your condition and the aspect of stress that is contributing to it. I've come to truly appreciate the power of background stress, the kind that tricks you into thinking you have a handle on it, when in reality, the very act of giving it any consideration at all is the only thing that it needs to hinder your progress. I learned this with my HRV and resting HR. After fin, my HRV tanked to almost zero and stayed there for a long time. My resting HR jumped from 40 to 65 (these aren't exact, I'd have to go look at my log) and stayed there. I bought a whoop and an aura ring and tracked it every day. It only continued to get worse, and it was demoralizing, depressing, and it was always there. Eventually I said fuck it, its fucked and I'm done. I threw the whoop and aura in the trash and moved on to something else. Within two weeks, both returned to normal. My resting HR is back in the 40s, and I don't know what my HRV is but I don't care to check and I know it's probably back to what it was before fin. I can feel it in the mornings when I wake up. My heart isn't a fast and steady coke heart anymore; it's a variable, heavy horse heart. I wasn't doing anything differently except for not tracking it.
Anyways, this isn't my arena. It's not something I have to deal with everyday, so "pushing it out of your mind" is not an easy task, I know. If I can give you anything, its support and the reassurance that you will overcome this. All the best.
Thanks Ratchet, I really really appreciate that you took the time to respond like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratchet_V2
I don't plug a finger to verify the noise. In fact, if I do, I don't hear tinnitus (but rather just the typical conshell noise). This leads me to believe that I may not have tinnitus itself, but rather impareid hearing, perhaps from eustachian tube dysfunction or hyperacusis. I definitely used to have tinnitus (high pitch ringing). Now I simply have a big low sound in my left ear, with a slight high pitch ringing.
Perhaps its a positive sign that the noise and volume has changed since May. I really cross my fingers.
I don't know why I keep focusing on the tinnitus. I think it's because normal tinnitus is considered "permanent", so I tell myself it won't go away, even if mine is medication induced and can go away.
Hey looking for some vet advice.
It has now been 6 weeks since my last cycle (5 weeks of AlphaFour).I want to start a new cycle this Sunday, for 8 weeks. Should I do AlphaFour again, UltraHard, or a combination of both?
I don't have bloodtests to prove low E (my doctor refused...). I am simply worried that UH would tank my E and make me miserable. And for GABA improvements, I understood that Androsterone helps the most, which AlphaFour has more of.
I have 2 bottles of UltraHard, and 3,5 bottles of Alpha Four. Just looking for the best way to use those bottles for the next year.
Slept an hour less than usual and the ringing has intensified. I wish I talked about it less here, but there is something seriously wrong with my hearing and the uncertainty that it might stay scares the hell out of me. 9 months is a long time to endure intense ringing. But it got lower on multiple occasions so I keep faith.
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To put some positivity here, here is a list of my solved symptoms vs. What I still struggle with:
SOLVED STUFF
Soft muscles
Burning muscles (when in same position for long)
ED
Genital numbness/rubbery penile skin
Saggy scrotum
Penile pain
Painful ejaculation
No hairs on calves
No sweating/dry skin
Insomnia
Bad digestion
Anhedonia
Brainfog
Panic attacks
General anxiety
Word stuttering
Suicidal thoughts
REMAINING STUFF
Low libido
Tinnitus
Premature ejaculation/weird penile sensitivity
Anorgasmia
Erect and flaccid size loss
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This PFS downswing doubt is the worst.. I can objectively see the list getting shorter but I'm still worried the tinnitus will stay, or that my libido (and life) will never truly be like before
Good list, man. It's important to remember how far we've come, especially when in a DS. Of course, we tend to think the worst when feeling like crap. I'm gonna start doing a list like that when I start getting negative. Do important to stay focused on. the positive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
When to acupuncture to hopefully lower my tinnitus. 2 hours later it is now higher than before the consultation. Read online that sometimes its gets louder before going down. Also read it simply made some people's ringing louder.
This is hard to take mentally but I have to push forward.
FYI, I read that it's normal after acupuncture to have worsening symptoms, fatigue and emotional release. It's signs the treatment is working
The dental cleaning spiked my tinnitus and sound sensitivity, and the vitamin B crash the next day made it a living hell.
Some of you might think I'm an overreacter but things are really bad right now. The sound sensitivity is so bad that I cannot go outside, and I need to wear plugs when showering or cooking. Hearing my own voice hurts. I don't know in which proportions the dentist and the crash contributed, but here I am.
The crash also made anxious, which doesn't help me deal with the situation. My sleep is no as good, I'm anxious, muscles are weak, I feel mentally off, dick is rubber and libido is gone. That would be a walk in the park if my ears allowed me to minimally function.
I don't want to demotivate people here because the protocol was working amazing. It's my mistake, my ears were weakened and I was dumb to accept a supersonic cleaning. And for the B crash, I just had to idea so I forgive myself. I know the protocol can fix this crash easy, but I don't know if my ears are fixable.
I'm tuning out of here until life becomes minimally bearable. I will continue the protocol. I genuinely hope I'll be back, thanks to everyone that helped me
My man - I’m not going to sugar coat this, you need to get your mental fortitude squared away above all. Tinnitus MAY be something you deal with in some fashion for the rest of your life. I have. I understand the GABA connection, etc. that a lot of people claim can cure it, but I’ve seen little of that be successful in my experience. I’ve had tinnitus for most of my adult life. They’re ringing now. Doesn’t phase me. Honestly the only time I notice it is going to sleep at first and first thing in the morning if I’m out in nature. Life goes on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
This obsession over tinnitus is not healthy. Focus on why you can control and continue doing it. Don’t mix things trying to “cure” tinnitus. When I was in a downswing, during PFS, my tinnitus was AWFUL. But you’ve gotta just dig deep and move past it. Worrying if a teeth cleaning ruined you for life is not the answer man. B vitamins will not ruin you for life.
Above all, if you think that we think you’re overreacting in this regard, and you’re really THIS bad due to your ears - you need to get checked out by an ENT doc. If you literally cannot go outside without being in pain, due to your ears - you need to get to an ENT doctor, immediately. This would be an absolute first due to PFS and/or related to PFS I’ve encountered. Tinnitus, yes - disabling ear pain/sensitivity, no.
Hey Max thanks for reaching out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxout777
Indeed this obsession is toxic and I have a hard time with it. Over 9 months the ringing got better and recently I only heard it at night and morning, just like you. But now it's back like it used to be, ringing 24/7 over everything.
I really am this bad off regarding the sensitivity. I had some slight sensitivity with PFS (like car stereos or the metro), but since the dentist and the B, it's unlivable. For sure the dentist made it worse, but I really hope that it's the B that made it crazy. Because I can fix PFS stuff just like I did. Since the crash affected me on multiple fronts, I pray that tinnitus and sensitivity are among them.
I'm seing an ENT on Saturday, it's the earliest I could get. There is not much they can do for hyperacusis; the majority of people get better over 1-2 years.
I am also looking at my jaw issues because TMJ can cause hyperacusis. I will receive a custom nightguard in 1 week.
Hey, just wanted to give an update, because people were nice to me when I felt completely hopeless.
For the most part, I have recovered from the second crash. No more anxiety/derealization, sleep is good, dick is less rubbery, and tinnitus has calmed down. Libido still lower.
The hyperacusis has calmed down too, but I still need to use earplugs to go to the grocery store or to take showers. The ENT told me that it's normal for a loud sound like dental cleaning to cause a huge spike in hyperacusis, even if it was initially caused by finasteride. It should go away in a few months.
The crash was horrible, but the hyperacusis spike is probably the craziest thing I encountered in my PFS journey. For a couple days, my own voice or just pouring a glass of water was way too painful and I needed plugs. Although I'm not exactly like pre-2ndcrash, I'm super grateful to be where I am.
Thank you to everyone that encouraged me through this crash. I completely lost my head and needed help. I am really grateful for that
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Took about 8 days to feel better