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Posted 8/30/2013 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
 Hey Guys, I start on Flomax Monday, the day before my first SBRT treatment.  My RO nurse has told me twice to be aware that Flomax can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure and to take it easy until I get used to it.  I've never read about anyone having issues with Flomax here before.  Anything I should know or look out for?

Thanks,

Mike

Posted 8/30/2013 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike.  While I can't speak for Flomax I know I've seen this topic come up before so others will weigh in soon I'm sure.  From what I understand back when I was doing my learning, Flomax can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure which may cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially after taking the first dose.  Same thing if the dose increases or say you would go to 2x/day from 1x.  Typically you'll be told to not drive or do any hazardous activities until you get used to the potential side effects as they relate to you.

I was prescribed Rapaflo instead, which from what I understand is a little newer offering than Flomax but still in the family of alpha blockers.

Posted 8/30/2013 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,
Of course everyone reacts differently to meds but Jeff had no problems with Flomax and he was taking 2 per day for a very short period of time whilst his post brachy SE’s were at their worst.
The only thing he noticed was reduced physical strength (he does a very physically demanding job) but nothing debilitating, more annoying really.
You’ll be just fine.
Susan
x
Posted 8/30/2013 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Flomax blurred my vision 10 to 20%...but I tuffed it out.
Posted 8/30/2013 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
It's mostly when standing up, getting out of bed, etc. Are you taking Viagra prophylactically as well? It can have the same effect.
Posted 8/30/2013 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Flomax in the form of Jalyn (Flomax and Avodart) and have not had any side effects.  
Posted 8/30/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks folks, sounds like what the nurse was warning me of. I should be ok, we'll see.

Tall Allen, nope no Viagra prescriped.
Posted 8/30/2013 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Flomax for 1 1/2 years and have not had any side effects.  
Posted 8/30/2013 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Mike, I have heard that as a warning before. I was on Flomax for 3 months with no SE's so I guess it's the luck of the draw...

Jim
Posted 8/30/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Mike, please do update your SBRT journey log as some of us are interested in this rather "new" treatment. I recall also some cold-like symptoms from using Flomax in the past. It was mostly sniffles. The uro said he never heard of such so I told him I checked the list of side effects and it was right there in black and white. Are you doing 5 straight days or 5 treatments every other day? Best wishes.
Posted 8/30/2013 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hey gardenz, I did update my log, but it's farther down the page. (Thread title, "my SBRT journey begins today")  I'm doing 5 treatments every other day with a weekend in between. This coming Tues, and Thursday. Then Mon, Wed, Friday the following week. Thanks for the well wishes.

Mike
Posted 8/30/2013 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,
Warning! about 3 years ago after being diagnosed and before treatment a urologist placed me on doxazosin and it was working fine until I ran out to the garage and wound up looking at the sky..My pcp said I couldn't tolerate the drug and placed me on .4mg daily of tamsulosin which relieved most of my urinary symptoms..I ran out one time and thought I would have to make a trip to the ER..Well, the drug was obtained in time so it wasn't necessary..I have found that a double dose works best for me--1 in the am and at night.. I got the pcp to agree with my approach.
3 months ago I jumped out of bed for some reason and wound up on my hands and knees with half vision in my right eye. An carotid ultrasound and EKG could not verify that I had a stroke and my vision is pretty much resolved.
I now take it very easy in the am and have to be fully awake before I walk for any distance, etc..It takes me about 30 minutes before I do anything physical..Yeap, I had "high anxiety" when both events happened!--LOL
Bill nono
Posted 9/7/2013 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
1 a day for years with no problems.
Had to go to 1 cap twice daily and started having some dizziness, vision disturbance, and retrograde ejaculation about 20% of the time.
Finally, that quit doing the job.
Doc switched me to Rapaflo once daily.
I had no dizziness, no vision disturbance...... but had complete retrograde 100% of the time.
It worked no better for my urine flow than flomax.
So, I stopped the rapaflo and went back to flomax at just once a day.

I'm having to cath regularly anyway, so why suffer the side effects?
Posted 9/10/2013 3:38 AM (GMT 0)

I am in the reverse situation, my blood pressure has been high and I am on BP medication to keep it down. However, I was on Flowmaxtra ( tamsulosin) for my urinary with the bonus of helping lower my BP. I am now weaning off Flowmaxtra because it is not needed for my urinary but my BP is increasing so we are now re tweaking my BP medication to compensate.

Tamsulosin can have the effect of making you dizzy or faint if you get up from a chair or out of bed quickly and walk straight away. I think your heart doesn't pump the blood to your head quickly enough and you can pass out for a few seconds.

This has happened to me a couple of times, my BP was very low for a while after on both occasions. My Systolic dropped to 94 , diastolic was 53 and my heart rate was 53.

I think it is really only an issue when you are on lots of other BP medication, in particular betablockers.

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