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Cialis with Short term HT

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Posted 2/20/2013 1:04 PM (GMT -5)
I'm almost two months into a 6 month regiment of HT, 50 mg Casodex, Avodart and Trelstar. I was reading that it is helpful to take a drug like Cialis to keep in shape, so to speak, keeping "my little friend" from muscle atrophy. Zero libido, so not for sex but to keep things in working order, hoping I'll be using it again some day for more than urinating 30 times a day

I mentioned that to the nurse after today's radiation session. She first recommended taking 5 mg of Cialis every day or maybe at least 3 times a week. Looking at the script now, it reads simply 30 -60 minutes prior to activity.

Just wondering, does it help, is it necessary if HT is only 6 months? Anyone using it for this purpose?
Posted 2/20/2013 2:21 PM (GMT -5)
I have been taking Cialis all along. When I asked the uro if I should stop it during HT, he said no. His opinion is that the value remains even while on HT.

I take 5mg every day. Because I buy 20mg pills and cut them up, my "instructions" look much like yours. They have to include dosage information in order for the pharmacist to fill it, but this is one of those cases where you do what the doc tells you, knowing up front that the instructions are a template. (My insurance pays 8 pills a month, dose or type not considered).

Posted 2/20/2013 3:41 PM (GMT -5)
I'm using it for that reason and I'm taking 5 mg daily. My oncologist told me it would help keep everything in good working order. Particularly, he said it would help with nocturnal erections.

Frankly, I didn't see much action there, but I also have been sleeping terribly due to my HT. Two days ago, I tried a new drug for hot flashes and I more or less slept through the night. And lo and behold...I had morning wood. I'm not sure if that was the Cialis working or the fact that I finally had a good night's sleep.

PS I'm 3 months into a 12-months stint on HT
Posted 2/20/2013 3:47 PM (GMT -5)
Michael, what is the "new drug" for hot flashes? I'm up to ask for anything these days. Have not had a full night's sleep in months.
Posted 2/20/2013 3:57 PM (GMT -5)
Well, it's actually an old drug, but it was new to me. The brand name is Neurotonin, but it's available as a generic (gabapentin). I was actually planning on posting its own thread about this, but I've only taken it two days and I wanted to give it more time to see how it goes before I did so.

My oncologist told me it would help with the hot flashes and also help me sleep, which just sounded too good to be true, so I was pretty skeptical. I researched it and found its FDA approval is as an anti-convulsant, but many Rx websites said it also had potential in treating hot flashes. Like you, I was desperate and finally decided to take it. I was supposed to take two capsules (300 mg each) each night before bed. I only took one capsule, but I had two good night's sleep (not perfect, but a big improvement) and my hot flashes were way down--I had just a couple instead of every 30 minutes or so.

Keep in mind that this is based on only two nights.
Posted 2/20/2013 4:01 PM (GMT -5)
Im in the same boat 142...my insurance only covers me for 6 viagra pills a month but my doc gives me the 100MG and I cut them in half.
Posted 2/20/2013 4:18 PM (GMT -5)
I've been on HT for 21 month (only 3 more to go). I started with Viagra but have been taking Cialis 5mg daily for the last 6 mo. All for the same reason and I would hope that it works for long term recovery. I think it will but to tell you the truth, just getting my T back will make me happy!

Ken
Posted 2/20/2013 8:26 PM (GMT -5)
For hot flashes they put me on an estrogen patch called Vivelle. Change out the patch every Mon & Thursday. So far I haven't had any hot flashes but I also haven't been on HT very long.

Too many drugs combined to know what's doing what to which part.

As for Gabapentin, I was taking that after my outbreak of shingles. Have to wonder how these drugs are used for so many different purposes. Sometimes pharma re-brands old drugs for new and invented uses$$$$$$$$$$

I didn't consider how long and drawn out this type of treatment would be, only half way through the Dart
Posted 2/20/2013 8:33 PM (GMT -5)
If you've been on HT for two months and haven't had any hot flashes yet, you're either an exception of the estrogen patch is working. I'm very interested to know how that goes for you, so please keep us posted.

When I researched gabapentin, it seemed to have several off label applications, such as the hot flashes. I don't recall seeing shingles as one, but apparently it is. I'm not sure if anyone is making much money off it, however, since it's now a generic and its most profitable days are behind it. For my part, it seems to be working, but I'm reluctant to take something whose main use is as an anti-convulsant for any length of time. I hate the hot flashes, but I don't want to kill a mosquito with a baseball bat.
Posted 2/21/2013 8:10 AM (GMT -5)
I just started my one a day Cialis for some more sustainability and I can definitly vouch for it's effectivness, although somewhat early. 
Posted 2/21/2013 1:30 PM (GMT -5)
Gabapentin is supposed to help with lingering nerve related pain after the shingles virus has inflamed and/or damaged nerves, which can last months or years, I luckily no longer needed it after a month. No way to know if it made any difference?

As for the Cialis, I just learned it is approved for symptoms of BPH. I suspect the 5mg daily dose is for that purpose, and not raging erections. I'm more concerned with relief from the urinary symptoms I am experiencing. I am already on Tamulosin, Rappaflow and I have the option to add Cialis to see if it helps..next stop green light laser, hopefully won't get to that
Posted 2/21/2013 2:20 PM (GMT -5)
Cialis is approved for BPH (and that new approval is how they are keeping it from going generic as soon as we would like to see).

But my 5mg per day routine is based on the fact that, unlike Levitra/Staxyn/Viagra, Cialis stays in your system. The daily 5mg builds up to provide a constant level of more than 5mg (don't have the details of the exact levels), but without the worst of the side effects I got from a 20mg pill. So if you really need a full 20mg for erectile function, the 5mg daily will only get you close.

 

Posted 2/22/2013 7:39 AM (GMT -5)
I'm into my fourth day and I've experienced my worst muscle aching ever. I've always had problems with leg aches but this is at a point where I cannot sleep. Can I skip a few days of my daily dosage and still keep the other advantages of Cialis?

Side effects said...
The most common side effects with CIALIS are: headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. These side effects usually go away after a few hours. Men who get back pain and muscle aches usually get it 12 to 24 hours after taking CIALIS. Back pain and muscle aches usually go away within 2 days.

Posted 2/22/2013 12:11 PM (GMT -5)
Fox,

5mg per day?

You could try cutting the 5mg in half if you are getting that size as the original pill. They do have a 2.5 dose for daily use as well.

Talk to your doc, but my thought would be to go to every other day or go to 2.5mg for a first check.

I had enough trouble with it that I had to stop during the week while I was doing RT (you can't move on the table, and the back pain was "just enough" to make me want to shift), but I would take a 10 on Fri & Sat nights to keep up some sort of continuity.

Also, if you are taking it at night, try shifting to first thing in the morning.

Posted 2/22/2013 12:32 PM (GMT -5)

142 said...
Fox,


5mg per day?

You could try cutting the 5mg in half if you are getting that size as the original pill. They do have a 2.5 dose for daily use as well.



Talk to your doc, but my thought would be to go to every other day or go to 2.5mg for a first check.



I had enough trouble with it that I had to stop during the week while I was doing RT (you can't move on the table, and the back pain was "just enough" to make me want to shift), but I would take a 10 on Fri & Sat nights to keep up some sort of continuity.



Also, if you are taking it at night, try shifting to first thing in the morning.

Good question....I have to check that when I get home and I may take the every second day approach and see how it works. I can handle the slight back pain, but leg pains are bad enough to keep me awake all night......thanks!
Posted 2/23/2013 2:39 PM (GMT -5)

142 said...
Fox,


5mg per day?

You could try cutting the 5mg in half if you are getting that size as the original pill. They do have a 2.5 dose for daily use as well.



Talk to your doc, but my thought would be to go to every other day or go to 2.5mg for a first check.



I had enough trouble with it that I had to stop during the week while I was doing RT (you can't move on the table, and the back pain was "just enough" to make me want to shift), but I would take a 10 on Fri & Sat nights to keep up some sort of continuity.



Also, if you are taking it at night, try shifting to first thing in the morning.

Yes it is 5 mg per day and I had to stop all together as I had my two worse days since I've been on any treatment......the sever pains in my legs and my back were just too much!
Posted 2/23/2013 4:23 PM (GMT -5)
Really sorry to hear that, FoxRun. Particularly since it sounded like it was having its intended effect. Are there any workarounds?
Posted 2/23/2013 4:26 PM (GMT -5)

Michael_T said...
Really sorry to hear that, FoxRun. Particularly since it sounded like it was having its intended effect. Are there any workarounds?

I'll resume taking them again, but first I'm going to get involved in an exercise program.
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