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Comparing Flowmax to Rapaflo side effects.

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Posted 4/28/2010 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on either Rapaflo or Flowmax for a several months now. I'm dealing with the side effects but was wondering if anyone has any advice for reducing the side effects. Such as when to take the meds. I take it about 30 minutes after supper, for me it's 7:30pm. I tried taking it at bedtime, but had an infection (don't know what for sure) at about the same time that messed up my progress. I've got a script for Flowmax and have been taking it the longest. I was given some Rapaflo samples and I tried it for about 10 days. Then switched back to Flowmax.

I think Flowmax effects me more with runny nose and other cold like symptoms. I do feel a little light headed as well. It almost eliminates the feeling that you gotta go, but I do have minor urgency issues.

I think Rapaflo clogs my sinuses rather than cause a runny nose. More difficult to get free breathing under control. I think it does a better job of controlling the retention, and urgency issues.

I'm on the fence, but may ask for a Rapaflo script.

Curious though. Neither of these has caused dry ejaculations with me, but is that likely to chance with taking it for longer periods? Or is it just not as common as I thought.

Take care! Jim

Posted 4/28/2010 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Jim:

I took Flomax for 3 months after my brachytherapy.  I usually took my dose right after breakfast in the morning with no runny nose or dizziness that some men get.  I never had dry ejacs but did have some reduced ejaculate (I still do).  But, since brachy usually results in reduced ejaculate I don't know if there was any effect from the Flomax.

Tudpock

Posted 4/28/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply Tud.
Posted 4/12/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
You're supposed to take Rapaflo with a meal. I've found that if I don't do that, it doesn't work very well. I was taking it at dinner, but switched to breakfast because I think it was interacting with my evening cocktail and causing me to become drowsy after dinner.
Posted 7/2/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
The full 8 mg capsule of Rapaflo gave me intolerable nasal congestion and infection. Amazon sells empty capsules to which I pour half of the Rapaflo capsules, reducing my dose to about 4 mg. The nose thing is better, ejaculation is possible, although retrograde. Some days I think the Rapaflo is a definite help, other days not. No or very little dizziness though, and that is good!

I have a bunch of Flomax in the house. It does seem to help the urine flow but at the cost of not being able to achieve orgasm at all.

The family doctor suggests trying Cialis 2.5 mg per day or 5 mg per day . . . .

______
PSA under 1.0
14-core biopsy neg for PC
BPH w/ obstruction
age 65, 197 lbs
Posted 7/2/2013 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Jim,

I've taken both and found 1 Rapaflo far superior to 2 Flomax. It cleared up the urgency and frequency completely and immediately. I did get reverse ejaculation from it while I used it for a short time, however, but my ejaculation is minimal post-treatment anyway. I think the SE profile is very individual. Samples are a great way of trying out other alpha-blockers like Uroxatral, Hytrin, Cardura, or Minipress.

Are you taking Proscar or Avodart too? I know they take a while to shrink the prostate significantly, but they will over time, and they afford the added advantages of slowing down, stopping or possibly even reversing low risk PCa in some cases. They also re-set the PSA baseline so that it becomes a more accurate gauge of PCa progression. IMHO, unless there is a contraindication, it should be taken by every man on AS who also has BPH.

Cialis was approved last year for LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms), so if prescribed for that (rather than ED), insurance should cover it. The additional advantage of taking it is it may protect blood vessels during radiotherapy, if you decide to go that route.

- Allen
Posted 7/2/2013 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, I was on Rapaflo after my LDR Brachy, and I too had the SE's of sinus congestion and runny nose. I took it right before bedtime so as to try to "sleep my way" through it. It also contributed to dry ejacts, of course along with the BT. After I stopped using it (didn't need it any longer) the SE's went away immediately, although I still have significantly reduced fluid in ejact. The thing I liked about Rapaflo other than the obvious it worked very, very well for me - is that I could experiment going to every other day, and/or trying to discontinue - and if I felt I still needed it I went back to daily use and it was immediately effected. Not sure if Flomax reacts that way as well or not - never used it so I can't weigh in on it's use.

Best to you.
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