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BPH since I was 36 years old

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KCinToronto
KCinToronto

My first post gentlemen so please be patient with me. I am now 53 years and other than this prosate problem a very healthy man.

For about 17 years I was taking a generic flomax (tamsulosin) that seemed to help the urination at night, but my sex drive and my semen volume was been lacking most of the time. I'm recently divorced so back in the game and would really like to enjoy sex again. What caused me to search for alternative methods or drugs is that the generic brand of flomax I was getting wa no longer available and the pharmacies here (Canada) stted using a Sandoz brand. My symptoms worseed very quicky and I am urinating 4 times a night. My doctor agreed to get me off that and to try a generic brand of Alfuzosin, and after only 3 weeks my symptoms are even worse. Sex drive is not existent and my orgasms have no ejaculation at all. I assume retrogade is happening here.

I requested him to try me on Doxazosin as I have read good things.He did not seem to like the blood pressure effect although I do not suffer from any blood pressure problems. He feels I am not ready for The Alpha 5 reductase inhibitors and stated I really won't like their side effect.

Does anyone have any opinions of their favorite drugs and maybe had similar experiences on Flomax and Alfuzosin?

how about any natural remedies. I find saw palmetto waste of money and recently started taking Beta Sitoterol, nothing to report here.

I appreciate any help and or advice.

Kevin 

0 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

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  • ramblin
    ramblin KCinToronto

    Posted

    I have been on a supplement regimen that is working. 1000mg L-arginine six times per day, pycnogenol 100 mg 3 times per day. Pygeum root 100 mg twice per day; 300 mg nettle root twice per day. I started this after viagra stopped working. It took six weeks on this to restore my function, but now I am fine (sexually). And no prescription!
    • mike588
      mike588 ramblin

      Posted

      That is really interesting Ramblin, how did you come up with the dosage? Also I assume this is for erectile disfunction, not BPH ? I suggested Cialis for BPH though it helps for ED as well apparently.
    • ramblin
      ramblin mike588

      Posted

      I studied some clinical studies of the supplements, and yes, this was for erectile dysfunction. I had a PAE for BPH last year, but the IR was only able to do one side and the benefits evaporated after about 9 months. The ED has been a problem for several years, well before BPH. I am now also taking alfuzosin for BPH, which helps but is not a panacea. By the way, my insurance does not cover any ED medication, and a one month supply of Cialis is about $300. The supplement regimen costs about $100 per month, and is effective, at least for me.
    • mike588
      mike588 ramblin

      Posted

      I am in a similar boat to you, had PAE but probably median lobe was the issue. I am taking Prazosin, I wonder if that is the same thing as alfuzosin? I get Cialis from a Canadian pharmacy, a real pharmacy with real people to talk to. Generic Tadalafil costs about $160 for 3 months. There's a new Canadian generic as well, costs more I forget how much. Never had ED the Cialis is for BPH. What dosage of alfuzosin, does it make you feel sluggish etc. ?

    • arlington
      arlington mike588

      Posted

      Mike.  Can you tell us what dosage of cialis you're taking?   How many times a day?  Do you notice it helping your symptoms much?

       

    • mike588
      mike588 arlington

      Posted

      5mg once a day - important not to take it too close to a meal as it will not absorb properly with fat.

      When I first started taking it it helped more, that was like 3 years ago. Now I am taking Prozasin as well but I believe the Cialis is still helping. If you take it together with something like Finasteride it can counter the effects of lowering libido. I'm not sure what the long term effects are, trying to get off drugs altogether. Cialis itself did not have any side effects for me, at least that I noticed. You should talk to your physician before taking anything everyone is different.

    • KCinToronto
      KCinToronto ramblin

      Posted

      This is interesting. Other than L-Arginine I've never heard of the others for erectile problems. I wonder why you split the dose of L-Ariginine that often. Pygeum and Nettle Root come up for the prostate often, same dose as you show too.

      I stopped the alfuzosin last night and went back on my Flomax.  was having the worst orgasms I've experienced and it did nothing for helping me sleep through the night.

  • Dawnay
    Dawnay KCinToronto

    Posted

    HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) works great for BPH, no cutting, no pain, no hospital time and I think insurance covers it in Canada.  Insurance won't pay in the USA for HIFU for cancer, but it might pay for BPH..... worth asking about.  I know the Cleveland Clinic in Canada treats men using HIFU and there are many other places.

    • KCinToronto
      KCinToronto Dawnay

      Posted

      Thanks Dawnay. Ill do some research on the surgeries. I'm not a fan of the potential sexual side effects though. None of the side effects. LOL

    • Dawnay
      Dawnay KCinToronto

      Posted

      HIFU is not a surgery, it's ultra sound on high.... and yes, if you hear of a sexual side effect it was because the doctor had no experience or teaching at all.

    • KCinToronto
      KCinToronto Dawnay

      Posted

      A quick search and I can only find information for this procedure for prostate cancer. Not much for BPH. And links you can send would be appreciated. 

      I did read 70% of men maintain erectile function. I'm not liking those odds.

      Did you have it done for BPH Dawnay?  

  • roy88359
    roy88359 KCinToronto

    Posted

    Of the medications you mention I can only comment on Doxasomin. I was put on this as a preliminary step to self-catheterization Initially 1mg per day and I did not notice any side effects but when this was doubled after a couple of weeks the side effects were quite dramatic: My blood pressure dropped and I felt exhausted after ths slightest effort. At that time I was on BP medication-5mg Cilazopril per day-so my GP reduced this to 2.5mg and after a day or so I felt OK. After a couple of weeks the Doxasomin was increased to 4mg. I was quite apprehensive given my earlier reaction but in fact I seemed to have adjusted to the higher dose without major effects.

    Unfortunately the subsequent attempt at self-cathing was disastrous. At the training session serious damage was caused to two urethal obstructions and a major infection occurred which required hospital treatment and eventually, a TURP operation which went well.

    Hope this helps.

    • KCinToronto
      KCinToronto roy88359

      Posted

      I'm so sorry for what you went through. I was pretty upset with my docor after doing quite a bit of drug research Doxazosin was what I wanted to try and he convinced me to try Alfuzosin. I hate that one. Maybe since my blood pressure is normal, but he never even took my blood pressure. Welcome to government paid healthcare. LOL

  • zdzislaw
    zdzislaw KCinToronto

    Posted

    I am sorry to tell you that I have taken all the drugs you mention, including herbs like saw palmetto and it didn't  help, not any of them. Once it started going downhill, it continued. But I have also a prostate cancer (not treated, not especially aggressive). Anyway, changing drugs won.t help. 

    • KCinToronto
      KCinToronto zdzislaw

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I'm afraid we may have two different diagnosis. I find the Ratio brand generic Flomax to be very helpful and my sex drive and function is liveable. I will be trying Hytrin to see if it is better for me. I'll find out about the herbs, but I've known forever that saw palmetto is useless even though my urologist says it is the only recommended natural supplement he recommends. (Cause he knows it does not work)

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