Hello!

I've decided to finally make one of these recovery journals. I try not to focus on my symptoms too much, however, since I'm a bit of a unique case, I've decided to make one anyways to detail my journey on this protocol.

I got PFS back in July 2019 on 5% Kirkland Minoxidil. I started Minoxidil in Jan 2019 and noticed in June 2019 it was giving me skin problems and also slightly turning me mentally INSANE. I noticed in the week after stopping minoxidil cold-turkey, I returned to my normal self, my skin had a glow again, and I was no longer trying to start fights with everyone. (including the trash bin when it wouldn't close properly) Even my mom took note of this, hell, everyone around me noticed I was back to my normal self for that one week, and honestly, it felt amazing. Nostalgic, almost, after having struggled with health issues for almost 3 years. However, after 5 days of stopping minoxidil I noticed the symptoms creeping back, and eventually I woke up one day and had full blown PFS. The anger problems were back. My skin was dry and peeling again. And I had a whole list of sexual and physical issues which were newly developed.

I'm not going to list my symptoms, because they're the same as everyone else's. Minoxidil is a topical antiandrogen pharmaceutical I applied on my head for 6 months, it should be no surprise that I have PFS. Name a PFS symptom, I have it.

After browsing PropeciaHelp for almost a year, and trying several different therapeutic efforts to no avail, I stumbled upon the TotalMaleOptimization website via a link from CDNuts' 2013 thread. I already knew some of the information, such as avoiding xenoestrogens, but I had yet to apply it to my lifestyle holistically in the way that it's laid out on the website. In October 2020, I started the protocol (lightly) and have gradually added in the supplements and grown accustomed to the breathing exercises, cold showers, meditation, and everything else the protocol demands of me. Around February 2021 is when I started doing the protocol at 100%, and February 15th I started my first UltraHard cycle.

I have a checklist in my phone that lists most of the parts of the protocol, and I check them off as I complete them.

Diet
Exercise
Daily Supplements
Herbs/UltraHard
Xenoestrogens
Sleep

Cold Shower
Meditation
Breathing (2x a day 3 rounds of wim hof)
Sun Exposure
Masturbation
Skin Brushing

That's 12 parts of the protocol, with "sun exposure" including both the "boys" and the body, and breathing having to be done twice a day to get checked off. There is no pumping because quite frankly, my mom would kill me. But maybe I'll add that once I go off to college. "Masturbation" gets checked off if I DON'T masturbate.

I look forward to updating this semi-weekly as I detail my journey. Hopefully writing down my experiences will help some people.

As of 3/5/21, I'm halfway through my UltraHard cycle, having a bit of a downturn, although on 3/3/21 I was amazing. It seems a bit inconsistent in improving my sides. Maybe I'll have to wait for my second cycle to see any persistent benefits, but regardless, I'm going to keep at it. I've also started wearing only 100% cotton clothing because I read up that polyester clothing contains BPA and Parabens which get released into your skin as your body temperature heats up. Plus, cotton clothing looks and feels better anyways.