Decongestants for Men with BPH

Rich.  I think you are ok with Flonase.  It is not a decongestant.  Flonase has something in it to stop inflammation.  They are testing decongestants now for retro because it causes the bladder neck to close and also the sphincters muscles.  But with anything you have to be careful.  Ken       

Hi Ken,

   This is from the Flonase FAQ, emphasis mine:

Because of the way it works, it may take several days for FLONASE® products to reach maximum effect. That’s why it’s best to use FLONASE® products once a day, every day, during allergy season. FLONASE® products not only relieve sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes**, but also relieve nasal congestion.

Be careful with Flonase over the long term. If you read the small print it cautions against prolonged use as you could get permanent tissue swelling as well as develop a resistance to the Flonase so you need to use more of it. Again, I find that benign solutions like the nasal strips and a personal steamer helps. Also I find a saline nose spray you can get at the drug store helps as well as daily cleaning of the nasal passages using a gravity drip pot helps. All these are available at the drug store and are cheap and easy to use and do not involve drugs. They have helped me a lot over the years. Good luck.

Yes I know I did read that.  Just be careful  Ken

Did anyone see my posts?? Just trying to help with things that worked for me.

Thank you Howard  I will keep them in mind  Ken 

Flonase is a steroid (corticosteroid) which should never be used for chronic prolonged problems. Like any steroid it eventually upsets the hormonal balance and can intensify the very problem it is used to fix. I got addicted to nasal steroids years ago to fix my nasal congestion from Flomax and it wasn't pretty getting over the problems they created. Just trying to help here. Take care. Howard

"danger" of corticosteroid is overblown. There was a study by Mayo clinic that investigated long term use of prednisone  for managing some of the autoimmune symptoms ( PMR) and it found out that there is no noticeable increase in any illness with prednisone compared with general population  of same age apart from slight increase in cataract incidents. Corticosteroid are replacement for natural hormone cortisol, which is produced by adrenal gland, so as long as the dose is low ( less then 7mg) there are virtually no negative consequences.

 

First I would like to know who sponsored the study at the Mayo clinic - was it the drug manufacturer or some related interest which is often the case.

Secondly, I go more by personal experience. When we take any type of steroid that is naturally produced by the body, this action then discourages the adrenal system from producing this hormone so when we stop taking the drug we can enter adrenal insufficiency which can be very dangerous.

This happened to me with Flonase despite the warnings from my druggist not to overuse it for chronic problems caused by Flomax. The withdrawl from it was a terrible experience I would not wish on anyone.

Also years ago before I started taking Avodart which has its own hormonal problems, I was taking low-dose prednisone (5mg) daily for my BPH. It really helped for a few months but then I had to start increasing the dose to get the same effect. When I finally stopped it I went into adrenal insufficiency which I still suffer from to this day.

Since those days I found benign easy solutions for my nasal congestion from Flomax ( I have since switched to xatral) which works well with no side effects. I was just trying to help this fellow with his posted problem since I went through the same issues.

ALL steroids are bad over the long term since they alter the functioning of our hormonal system so if there are other solutions they should be tried first.

I will unfollow this discussion now and wish everyone good luck. Howard

Howard you have help many on here.  I was on Flomax before I had my Urolift done.  Stopped it after a month did not like the side effects.  It never bothered me in that way.  But we all have to watch the side effect of all med's because we can get attitude to any pills.  I have a grand daughter that she has a very bad skin problem.  The doctor gave her a cream with 1 % steroids.  They have use it on here for 4 years it works and don't work.  My daughter had to stop the cream because it was not doing her any good.  My grand daughter had to go through withdrawal she is only 6 years old.  She has a appointment this Tuesday is going to have a 5 hour test to see what she is allergic to.  Take care Howard.  Ken 

I thought that this forum is for exchange of the information, so that we all learn from each other... Anyhow here is the answer to your comments...

1- I doubt that there was any financial reason why Mayo Clinic did this study because prednisone has been in use for more then 50 years, so all patents are expired.

2. As far as using steroids, I am currently on them for autoimmune system problem (PMR) for several years, so I do have personal experience. I don't know who prescribed you prednisone,  but I am surprised that you were not worn about abruptly quitting medication after longer use. It is known side effect that if the dose of prednisone is higher then physiological dose (~7-8mg), then body is smart enough to detect additional hormones in the system and shut adrenals down.  This is why they use gradual taper system for steroids reduction.  Stopping abruptly can be a life threatening  and person can go in systemic shock.  

I have been on prednisone for 3 years, and started at 15mg, but reduced over time very gradually to current dose of 3mg.

All steroids are bad - is a BS. Without prednisone I would be in a wheel chair and incapable to take care of myself.  For me prednisone is a wonder drug that gave me my lifestyle back. (There is NO alternative treatment for PMR.) Not only I can do things because of corticosteroid, I have recovered completely and currently am training for triathlon.