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Effexor (venlafaxine extended release) and BPH symptoms

Posted , 4 users are following.

james87669
james87669

I recently began taking this med for depression/anxiety issues and found that my BPH symptoms "improved"-- stronger stream, less waking to pee at night, and better orgasams but on the negative side I began to show signs of a urinary tract infection. Because of that I chose to stop the med and wiithin fortyeight hours all those symptoms returned to the point of having to self Cath at 2a:m

So has anyone else on this site have a similar experience? BTW I have been taking tamsulosin for about a year and a half.

3 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • howard53545
    howard53545 james87669

    Posted

    Have you tried reducing the doses?
    • james87669
      james87669 howard53545

      Posted

      No, I called my Doctor and said that I could not continue with this med due to other negative side effects. This was a new med for me and I was in the process of ramping up the dose ( I was at week three of four ).
  • ChuckP
    ChuckP james87669

    Posted

    Iam curious as to "why" a depression drug would be able to take control of your prostate and bladder to  give you a "stronger stream" and "especially  to have less waking at night"???   Hope others will join in as Iam looking for a solution to my problem as well.  I have already had a "PAE" and a "UROLIFT" with no luck at all.
    • james87669
      james87669 ChuckP

      Posted

      My feelings exactly Chuck. I Googled "Effexor and UTI"  and got some results that seems to coroborate my outcome as some on that drug had urinary tract problems.
    • james87669
      james87669 ChuckP

      Posted

      I have given up on the "quick" fixes. While some on this forum have had good results how long they last is anybody's guess. As for me I am going to have a TURP or (Simple) Open Prostatectomy on March 22. Which one will be decided by my Doctor when all the numbers are known .
  • ChuckP
    ChuckP james87669

    Posted

    James;  Have you found that the "Effexor" makes you lethargic and sometimes feel like a Zombie????   Years and years ago I was on something but I forget the name of the depression drug but I absolutely "Hated" the way it made me feel.
    • james87669
      james87669 ChuckP

      Posted

      This has been a life long problem for me (now 71) and I think I have tried them all with limited success. Yes, sum have horrible side effects and some are just okay. Hoping science can come up with something that will provide relief without all the negative side effects as the cure can be worse than the disease.
    • craig84609
      craig84609 james87669

      Posted

      Agreed, sometimes the treatments are terrible. I prefer to do natural remedies as much as possible. I am going to try Saw Palmento with my usual cranberry treatments.
  • james87669
    james87669

    Posted

    To clarify my post--- the symptoms that returned were the usual negative BPH symptoms and I was back in the Bathroom at 2a:m to self Cath. Hope that makes it clear.
  • alan86734
    alan86734 james87669

    Posted

    Hi, James,

    I have applied unintended drug interaction to my advantage, but not with the drugs you mention. This is referred to as "drug potentiation". However, one has to be extremely careful since such interactions can be counter productive resulting in adverse effects. Consult with pharmaceutical expertise before putting into practice!

    In my case the two drugs were prednizone and Sigulair (US terminology) taken to control a respiratory issue. The combination allowed me to reduce the dosage of prednizone from 15 mg down to 5 mg.

    Best of luck! Alan.

  • craig84609
    craig84609 james87669

    Posted

    It probably has a strong relaxation effect on the prostate. Why it would cause an infection is beyond me. you could take it with a high dose of cranberry extract. This has helped me for Prostititus. Not sure why but I went from wanting to go to the ER last weekend to canceling my doctors appointment three days later. All because of cranberry extract, go figure. I figured it was worth a try and it helped a lot. I am not totally better but I would say 60% better. In your case can't hurt to try it.
  • mel77
    mel77 james87669

    Posted

    Hi James:

    I am on this anti-depressant and I don't know whether it caused me any problems as I don't get UTI.  When you have chronic pain you have depression.  It doesn't help with a stronger stream and I think it stopped my orgasams as well.  I have been on this anti-depressant for at least 20 years.  It does help with coping more with my pain which is important.  I know one thing though I do have ED meaning no erection and no relief.  Doesn't mean I don't have the feelings though. 

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