Would Blood Donation Reduce Propecia’s Effectiveness?
First, a question regarding the mechanism of Propecia…would a frequent blood donor or a person who requires regular phlebotomy (such as for hemochromatosis) have any worries about reducing the effectiveness of Propecia? Given the slow-working nature of the drug, I wonder if blood loss would equate to a detrimental reduction of the drug in the system.
Also, a quick thought for the Propecia haters out there…if you’re an open person and willing to discuss your hair loss, talk to your follically challenged friends- I was amazed at the number of friends I have who have been using Propecia for years. You’re never going to know if you don’t ask- it’s not typically something a person advertises. Also, while I acknowledge the real side effects that are possible, I tend to believe that a lot of the horror stories are a psychosomatic effect from the anxiety of facing possible ED and other scary (but rare, and reversible) side effects. After the testimonials of friends, as well as all of the great information you so generously supply, I will be giving it a try, so long as the blood donation is not an issue.
If you have hemochromatisis, your doctor should have a say in any drug you take. There would be no impact from the frequent bleeding you need, but I would rather that you get an opinion from your doctor. Also, as far as I’m aware, those that take finasteride (Propecia) are not eligible for donating blood.
Thanks for your other comments, as advice from friends is often more effective and more informational than when I say those things.
I agree that science is preferred over anecdotes. As a neurologist I am confused by the statement that pudendal nerve damage from finesteride is “common (and) tangible” and I have not been able to find a single case study – whether reversible or irreversible – that has been published in the scientific/medical literature.
Hans – I am confused why you think I distorted the OP’s comments. He stated “I tend to believe that a lot of the horror stories are a psychosomatic effect from the anxiety of facing possible ED and other scary (but rare, and reversible) side effects”. This is simply ignoring the facts. Psychosomatic stresses can not possibly explain the maladies that are suffered by PFS victims. I have explained why this is in the previous post.
Seattle MD – This type of study you want does not exist in the medical literature but can be found in specific case studies of PFS patients. There are only two articles thus far that have been published about PFS. Post-finasteride-syndrome, as you probably know, is a very underresearched conditiont. Many people assume these men are suffering from psychosomatic illnesses, but if you were to look into their medical history, you will find many men show problems of physiological abnormalities, myself included.
” A little word of advice to the above posters…skip the LSAT. You’d never make it past the argumentation section.”
LOL. Didn’t you see that terrific old movie with John Houseman, The Paper Chase, about first year Harvard Law School? I love the line by Professor Kingsfield, “NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING IN MY CLASSROOM!!” Well, pal, never assume anything on this board either.
I took the LSAT in ’84 and have been a lawyer since ’88. But who cares, really?
Interesting stuff, Steven. That line was actually thrown in there because I have been helping some students prepare for the LSAT and the situation could have easily been on the LR section.
“Which of the following best describes the flaw in the argument?”
Correct answer: The author attacks the scientific merit of the claim when no scientific claim has been made.
It seemed like a classical straw man (or red herring, depending on how you view it) argument. Hmmm…I won’t make any assumptions but if I had to place a bet I’d say trial/defense lawyer?