BPH and Medication

Welcome Brilliad,,

sorry to read of your trouble. You'll find this forum full of guys with a wealth of experience who are willing to share their experience and expertise along with support and advice.

I was on Tamsulosin for some years on and off (montly on) and never experieced any dizzy spells or headaches.

Whilst you may think you are emptying your bladder, you may well not be. I too thought I was emptying, but several checks over the years showed increasing urine retention - from 300-600 mL to eventually 1.2L.

The problem with this high retention was that it caused a 'backwash' into the ureter (the pipe from the kidney to the bladder), which as well as reducing my kidney's effectiveness (I only have one), increased my blood pressure. The upshot was I had a catheter fitted to see if that improved these things - they did. So then they recommended, and I did, a prostate rebore (my PSA was OK too) 'cos that was the cause of the high retention. Since then I've had great flow - tho' still get up once a night. However, during the day I only need to go every 3-5 hours rather than the 1-2 hours previously.

So perhaps you need to have your doc give you an ultrasound scope of your bladder - that'll show how much retention you're having. Better, but more troublesome (read painful) is having a catheter inserted and see how much drains out even after you think you've emptied your bladder.

Hello Brilliard,  There are alternative ( and cheaper ! ) meds to Tamsulosin  ( Flomaxtra  here in Australia ) but it is considered the most effective and,  the least likely to cause low blood pressure.  Your symptoms place you within the between 1 in 10 to 1 in a 100 unlucky patients who suffer side effect noticeable to the degree you are currently experiencing.  Commiserations.

The Drug Literature recommends,  not arising immediately upon waking.  So I guess that means staging it;  from prone to sitting for a minute and then slowly up. By then,  you'd be properly awake and adjusted.  Not desirable,  but at least you're not a heap on the floor.

Don't know if its been a long enough trial yet,  for your system to adjust and hopefully allow for things to improve?

It would seem only you can know whether going back to your GP this early,  talking it over and potentially being put back on something less effective ( which too will have its own side effects ),  is the preferable option.

My experience with it was and is chequered.  In me it causes primarily,  systemic body fluid retention ( oedema ),  which I resent.  But then when I abandon it and can hardly void,  it is my Dear Friend Tamsulin !

Good luck,

Dudley 

 

Hi, I'm on Tamsulosin 400 same as yourself if you read the leaflet it say' that  one in ten people may experience dizziness ( the reason is because it lowers the blood pressure ) if this happens sit or lie down until it passes, you will get used to the medication after a few days when your body gets used the medication. after two weeks your Doctor can up the dosage to 800 if he thinks it is needed.

If you are still concerned after three or four days then talk it over with your Doctor.

I've been told that when Tamsulosin was used for BPH surgery was cut by 85%.

kind regards

Howard.

PS. I hope that helps.

dudley to derek76

To pee ,  or not to pee :  that is the question ~

Dudley to Derek 

Whether 'tis more injurious for us to suffer

The side effects of Pharmaceutical profiteering

Or to take unproven balms against a pee of troubles

And by eschewing them to die

And end the balls-ache of a thousand cocks

 

Dudley to Derek 

Whether 'tis more injurious for us to suffer

The side effects of Pharmaceutical profiteering

Or to take unproven balms against a pee of troubles

And by eschewing them to die

And end the balls-ache of a thousand cocks