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Posted 8/10/2019 2:54 PM (GMT -5)
Hi guys, I had IMRT in 2014 with minor urinary SE's so far, just slower stream and occasional urgency. about 2 months ago I had a sudden onset of much increased urgency, now having to pee 3-4 times at night compared to 0-1 times before. Also more daytime urgency and slight dripping. I'm unsure if this is late onset SE's of my treatment, or age(73) related Over Active Bladder issues, or both. But I am surprised how quickly it came on.

My uro prescribed generic Flomax, 1 cap/day, and after a couple of weeks that significantly improved all my symptoms. He also recommended some dietary changes (reduce caffeine, citrus, chocolate) and I did all those. Then I stopped the Flomax and after a couple of weeks and all the symptoms returned as before.

I'm wondering if Flomax is considered a medication for life or just for a shorter term? I don't like the Flomax SE's but I may not have a choice in the matter. I am slightly overweight (15lbs) and not very active (sit a lot), so that could be related too.

Anyway, appreciate any advice about my situation and whether I could improve things without Flomax, like diet, excercise, kagels, or should I just resign myself to a medication.

-Randy
Posted 8/10/2019 4:45 PM (GMT -5)
Randy -- I suspect it's a temporary condition from your radiation treatment. I recently experienced (again) the same. my doctor recommended I try saw palmetto. within two days of starting saw palmetto all symptoms were gone and for the first time in many years I was only getting up once at night to piss.

about a week ago I added pygeum to the mix. too early to say if it's having any effect tho.
Posted 8/10/2019 7:43 PM (GMT -5)
Randy: Read the Flomax directions and pay attention to the potential SEs. I had BT back in 2014 with far more SEs from Flomax than RT. Hope your p-trips subside.
Posted 8/11/2019 5:58 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you for the replies.

I just bought pygeum and saw palmetto capsules, and am giving it a try now. I'm hoping this is just a temporary condition as I do want to avoid the side effects of the Flomax. I'll report back in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the encouragement. -Randy
Posted 8/11/2019 6:14 PM (GMT -5)
Randy what side effects are you experiencing? I've used it since my BT without any.
Posted 8/11/2019 8:49 PM (GMT -5)
I tried Flomax recently, and lasted about ten days. I have a very low pulse rate, often around 45, that I have had for decades. Flomax relieved some bph issues, but dropped my pulse even lower, and I was afraid of blacking out, or worse.

So, no more Flomax for me.
Posted 8/12/2019 12:59 PM (GMT -5)

Buddy Blank said...
Randy what side effects are you experiencing? I've used it since my BT without any.

Buddy,
One SE is sexual, zero ejaculate (from the little I had left after RT), and pronounced difficulty in coming.

The other SE is similar to what ASAdvocate observed, low blood pressure. I have always had normal but borderline low BP, while on Flomax I had to be careful when standing up as I would feel faint or dizzy when the BP dropped. The body might have adapted to the BP issue in time, IDK.

When I stopped the Flomax the SE's went away.
Posted 8/12/2019 2:22 PM (GMT -5)
Randy - I get the same SEs as you and the other guys here. And I too have always had low blood pressure, so the dizziness on standing up is pronounced and disturbing. As are the ejaculation issues. But for me it's worth it as the stuff is definitely helping.

I'd tried pygeum and beta-sistoserol, no effect. Also Myrbetriq, Rapaflo and Trospium: ditto.

I'm dealing. Hope you can get past the bad stuff!
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