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Enlarged prostate.

Posted , 22 users are following.

david7015
david7015

I have just been told that my prostate is enlarged, and my GP has prescribed me Finasteride. Is there anybody on this forum taking this medicine, and if so, how are you finding it?

1 like, 95 replies

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  • jimjames
    jimjames david7015

    Posted

    Hi David,

    If you go to "google news" and search under "Finasteride" you should come up with a few hits of a recent news article suggesting long term erectile dysfunction from Finasteride is a small percentage of people taking it. I personally haven't taken it but we have had some here who have who have complained about loss of libido and possibly erectile dysfunction, but not positive on the latter. I personally haven't taken it but from what I've read I would be reluctant. 

    Could you give us a brief history including your age and symptons? Do you know the size of your prostate? Do you know your PVR (amount of urine left over in bladder after you void)? Have you tried Tamsulsin (Flomax) or 5mg Daily Cialis for BPH?

    - Jim

    • david7015
      david7015 jimjames

      Posted

      Hi Jim,

      I had a TURP 5 years ago, after wearing a catheter for 5 months. They gave me Tamsulosan which made me like an 85 year old. I stopped taking it.

      For 5 years I have been clear, and then nearly 4 months ago I started taking vitamin supplements to keep the prostate healthy. After taking them for 6 weeks, I started peeing blood, like pouring a bottle of red down the loo. After 24 hours I went to the doc and he got me up the hospital fast. I gave them a sample, they did all the blood work and my PSA was 15.

      I stopped taking the vitamins and my pee was clear, took them again, peed blood, so I stopped taking altogether and been clear ever since. I must add that my flow has been normal throughout.

      Consequently I had to have scans of my bladder and kidneys, and also a CT scan. No cancer has been found but the prostate is enlarged again, and Finasteride has been recommended in order to shrink the prostate. I must add again, that I have had no symptoms of the prostate being enlarged at all, my pee is also clear.

    • jimjames
      jimjames david7015

      Posted

      Hi David,

      As you said, Finasteride shrinks the prostate, however that only makes sense if your prostate is still being obstructive like it apparently was before your TURP procedure. But if it's not obstructive now, I would re-think the Finasteride and/or get a second opinion. 

      Very interesting story about those supplements. Would you care to tell us what you took? I had a similar experience with Chinese herbs many years ago for a non-prostate related condition. I think people forget that supplements/herbs, etc, are really no different from many rx medications in that they can have side effects. 

      Did your doc admit you to the hospital or just take you there for some tests. Anything else show up besides blood in the urine and an elevated PSA? Were your kidneys OK? Has your PSA come down since you stopped the supplements?

      Stupid question, but have to ask. Did they confirm your red pee was blood? There are foods and supplements that can turn urine red.

      Jim

       

  • Jack2222
    Jack2222 david7015

    Posted

    Hi David

    I have tried all of the above the ony thing that changed my life for the best was PAE.

    Jack

    • richard11472
      richard11472 Jack2222

      Posted

      Can you describe how things changed with PAE. I am considering either that or FLA..

      RICK

    • jagdeesh
      jagdeesh Jack2222

      Posted

      Hi  Jack,   Great to  know  that  PAE  has  benefitted you .  Would help  several members  here in case  You could share  more details :  

      How long has it been  since your PAE procedure .

      What  is the Size of  your Prostrate---   After PAE;  and Pre- PAE /

      Where did you  undergo the (PAE) Procedure pls  --

      Your  Response would be  of considerable help to  several  of us on this FORUM pls .  Rgds

       

       

    • Jack2222
      Jack2222 jagdeesh

      Posted

      My prostate size was about 100 my PSA was 6.7, I was thinking about going to the bathroom all the time, and I couldnt enjoy daily activity like going to the the movies or going out with friends. I came across PAE procedure online and after not beeing able to continue living this way I decided to try the procedure at UM. After the procedure my prostate shrunk to 60 and my PSA is 2.7 it took about a year to finaly stop thinking about going to urinate all the time, but it worked with in the first few months. I now have no more urgency and PAE hopefully bought me time. I would do it again any time, it was painless. 

      Hope this helps

      Jack

    • richp21
      richp21 Jack2222

      Posted

      Great help. Thanks! I am scheduled for PAE in two weeks in VA.

      What/where is UM?

      Rich

    • jagdeesh
      jagdeesh Jack2222

      Posted

      Thanks Jack-- for prompt response .

      Where is UM ( as mentioned in your Reply)? The Reason  why one is asking is  because : 

      PAE is performed by  Interventional Radiologists ( not by a Urologist)-- as I understand .- and the rate of success is about  70% -- depending on the Skill- level of the Radiologist.  In case you could pls share details like : Name of Hospital/ location--  where you got PAE done  would be   certainly useful  to several members .  thks-- Jagdeesh 

    • Jack2222
      Jack2222 richp21

      Posted

      University Of Miami Dr Shivank Bhatia very good Doctor he has performed hundreds of procedures . 

      Jack

    • MichaelVM7
      MichaelVM7 richard11472

      Posted

      In reading about FLA and PAE, these seem very preferable to TURP and other surgical options, in terms of both side effects (potential) and recovery time.

      I'm trying to find doctors who do both procedures and what costs will be.

      Michael

  • derek76
    derek76 david7015

    Posted

    The definitive warning, I asked the nurse at my GP practice which drugs are the most complained about for side effects. She said Finasteride and Tamsulosin.That's by men I replied and she said no by their wifes.

    Finasteride can also make you grow breasts.

    • peter30970
      peter30970 derek76

      Posted

      Been on Finasteride for over a year and have developed C cup breasts with big puffy nipples. My doctor says it's rare to be that dramatic but the Tamsulosin and  Finasteride together with Solfenacin have helped the Prostate problems. I guess it's a small price to pay for relief.

       

    • peter30970
      peter30970 Nickc54

      Posted

      Hi Nick, pleased to say I haven't suffered an infection.

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