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Went off Flomax

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Posted 9/24/2012 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
When I was at my one year post seed implant meeting with the radiologist I asked about staying on Flomax and he said to try going off and see if I thought I needed it. He said he did not think I would. I was also encouraged by Over the pond to do so, as her husband went off and did not have any problems. I was reluctant to do so because of the trouble I had after my hernia operation last November. Anyway, I went off of it 10 days ago and have not noticed any difference, except that I don't think I'm as stuffy. I was not a big deal taking it, but it reminded me of the PC everyday (and it was an expense...not a big one, but an expense none the less).
Posted 9/24/2012 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like great news... I always thought Flomax was a temp fix for guys with an enlarged prostate and that getting to source of that was the real solution.
Posted 9/24/2012 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
G6 - Congratulations on another step forward and beat down of the Beast!!!!!
Posted 9/24/2012 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go Gleason! Excellent news.
x
Posted 9/24/2012 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
good news, gleason - glad you decided to go for it, sometimes one can find comfort in certain meds, and being reluctent to stop taking/using them is well understood. It's like why take the chance of messing up a good thing. hope you continue to do well without it.

david
Posted 9/24/2012 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
That is so true, Purg. I just did not want to have the problems I had after the hernia operation (which was probably from the anesthesia).
Posted 9/24/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
G6, congrats on achieving another milestone. I was lucky enough only to be on for 3 months but did not have the hernia issue to deal with. I think it was more of a crutch with me as I was afraid of not being able to go and ending up in the ER with an emergency cath.

Anyway, now your only reminder will be your visits to HW to help new guys who are unfortunate enough to have our disease. I am really glad that you and other brachytherapy folks have stayed around here...it was lonely in the old days with Justjulie and me!

Take care,

Jim
Posted 9/24/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Jim,
You are so right about the ‘crutch’ as I know with Jeff one of his main concerns was getting caught short at work. He is a plasterer, does a lot of site work and, at times, there may be just one easily accessible porta-loo for the guys to share – I am sure it was more the worry of ‘needing to go now’ and not being able to if said loo was occupied that kept him on Flomax for so long.
Posted 9/25/2012 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
What exactly is the issue with being so anxious to get off the Flomax medication- are there specific side-effects or long -term concerns with this drug?

It has given me the ability to sleep for four hours without having to get up and urinate-also significantly reduces the severe burning that I continue to have on urination- never occurred to me to try and get off it- actually prescribed by my gp- I do not have any side-effects( that I am aware of) and my doctor did not express any concerns about long-term usage-I take .4 mg. at bedtime-
Posted 9/25/2012 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
MJ, I didn't have any SE's from Flomax either but there are several potential side effects such as abnormal ejac, dizziness and stuffy nose.  For me, I just don't like to take any meds unless absolutely necessary.  Since I was able to have normal urinary functions w/o it, I quit taking it...it was that simple.

Re your burning and frequency, do you know that the Flomax is helping it...i.e. have you stopped the Flomax to see the effect?  Also, have you seen a uro in addition to your GP re those SE's?  They sound more UTI-like to me than long term post brachy effects...

Jim

Posted 9/25/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Jim:

Was tested for UTI-negative - even put me on Cipro for a while - no improvement in burning or reduction in frequency of night-time visits to the washroom-

Flomax worked really well- in fact you may have advised me of the waiting period before it worked in a previous thread-

Guess I could go off for a while and see what happens- I am always concerned about side-effects of medications - especially those that may be hidden-
Posted 9/25/2012 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Flomax never was of help to me, but if it works for you and helpd yor QOL keep taking it until you dont need it any longer.

Michael

Posted 9/25/2012 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
G6,

You mentioned several weeks ago that you were thinking about going off of Flowmax (Tamsulosin). I decided to experiment last week myself and went to every other day. So far I have noticed no problems. I'm going to keep this up for several more weeks and if there is no change, I'm going to also stop. Will let you know what happens. Regards,

Joe

Posted 9/25/2012 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I still have noticed not difference as far as urinating. I sleep through the night and go the same amount I did during the day as I did when I was taking it (which is the same as before all this PC stuff started).

I have noticed that I am a bit less stuffy, but I really wanted to get off of it because 1) it reminded me of the PC every day when I took it (and it was the only reminder of that), 2) I don't like taking anything that I don't need to take, 3) I'm cheap and it saves me a bit of $$

Joe, some (Terks nurse Jean) recommend that you wean yourself off of it like you are doing. Terk said to just stop taking it (which is what I did) and see what happens. Good luck to you and let us know how you make out.

I think it is prescribed to many men who have to get up during the night or who have other urinary problems, not just to PC patients and it helps them. If it helps you, by all means, take it. I did not have any frequency/urgency problems before all this started. If it helps, I don't think it's a big deal to take it, but if it doesn't make a difference, why take it?
Posted 9/26/2012 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Guys,

One side effect of Flowmax is it reduces your blood pressure, I think they call it an Alpha Blocker.  So if you stop taking Flowmax and you are taking other BP medication you should watch your BP because it may increase.

I am on a number of BP tablets and my GP always takes Flowmax ( It is called Flomaxtra here, it is still Tamsulosin) into account as one of the tablets for my BP reduction.

Again you shouldn't stop taking it suddenly, but slowly ease yourself off.

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