How to take Tamsulosin

Posted , 15 users are following.

I have been prescribed Diffundox (Tamsulosin) for benign enlarged prostate syndrome.

I have been wary of taking it after reading about the s/x.

I have a few questions for which I would be grateful for some guidance. 

- The s/x that scares me is possible permanent erectile dysfunction. I see it says in the warnings that it is a true medical emergency if induced by the neds but - and I feel embarrassed and stupid asking this - what exactly constitutes erectile dysfunction? Total inability to get an erection? I had some problems before starting the meds and if anything it has somewhat improved that department, but I am not being complacent.

Also, is it safe to stop the meds suddenly, or not? The jury is still out as to whether they make that much difference that I want to take yet more drugs.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Chalkey, Instead of that, do CIC.  You won't regret it. You will feel like you are 20 years old again, when you didn't have to look for a restroom every hour or two.

  • Posted

    I took it for a while. It definitely helped with the BPH symptoms, but I also had very bad sinus congestion from it. When I stopped, I didn't ease off, just stopped.

  • Posted

    I don't know about ED but I think the most common side effect of tamulosin is retrograde ejaculation.  This bothers some people but not everyone.  Ask your doctor about his patients' experience with this drug.  He has probably prescribed it too many.

    • Posted

      Not only does your dick go floppy but the irises  in your eyes. It's called floppy iris syndrome and make any future cataract surgery more difficult.

      I once asked the nurse at our doctors surgery if Amiodarone was the most complained about drug. She said No, its Tamsulosin.  Yes, by men I said. She replied No, by their wives.  I thought it best not to ask if her husband was taking it.

       

  • Posted

    I am on Tamsulosin and my preferred versions are Diffundox or Contiflo - both are generics. One of the other generic versions I was given gave me headaches so got my GP to specify what I had no problem with.

    I cannot comment on erectile dysfunction.

    I did ask the GP about stopping and he said to just try taking every other day and see how I went. The trouble was that I virtually stopped urinating so went back on to having a pill every day. What made the real difference though was the surgeon who removed some stones in my bladder saying to take Finasteride - the transformation was immediate and I stopped going every 5 minutes and about 50% of the time don't have to get up in the night and for the other 50% only get up once. Before I was getting up 3,4 or 5 times.

    Good luck.

    • Posted

      peterfs,

      how long did it take for the finasteride to take effect?

       

  • Posted

    Whatever side effects you may have, they will stop when you stop taking the drug.

    ED goes from flacid erection to no erection at all, no matter what. But this is reversible, so don't

    worry. You can give it a try. There are many drugs in this family, don't hesitate to ask for another one

    if you have s/x . Be well. Z

     

  • Posted

    One day Cialis will help your flow and your erections. 
    • Posted

      derek,

      i just started cialis. how long have you been on. did you have any intital side effects like insomnia or blurred vision?

    • Posted

      I was taking Cialis prior to having laser surgery and did not have any problems  with it.
  • Posted

    What is cic? Anways i tamasulin and my sex life is fine. Id say its 95% normal. I can always perform but sometimes the orgasm isnt quite what it always was.
    • Posted

      cic is self-administering an intermittent single use catheter to ensure the bladder empties fully

      I do this at night to reduce the number of times I wake to pee.

      Others do it several times a day if they have flow problems.

      It can mean drugs like Tamsulosin can be stopped.

      I had dizziness when standing up from sitting with Tamsulosin and dry orgasms (only noticeable when masturbating, but OK during intercourse).

  • Posted

    Chalkey,

    I have not heard of permanent erectile dysfunction being caused by Tamsulosin. I have not even heard of temporary ED from Tamsulosin.  I have been taking it for 5 years now and have not experienced this as a problem.

    The only problems I have experienced are the sinus congestion,  and the light headedness. 

    There is also the floppy iris problem that interferes with cataract surgery which almost everyone will need if they live long enough.  The solution is to stop Tamsulosin for 8 weeks prior to cataract surgery.  For most people this is not possible unless some longer term solution for BPH is done, like one of the BPH surgeries, or CIC.

    Thomas

  • Posted

    Hi, while we all want avoid surgery be aware that drugs can be detrimental to surgery success and overall not a good option if at the end of the day some kind of operation will be needed for eg while your on drugs to avoid an operation the bladder starts to stop functioning properly due to the urine blockage along with the kidneys suffering from back pressure when trying to pee (so don't push)so sometimes an operation is best to save yourself from other issues, I had an enlarged median lobe blocking my bladder and tried all the natural supplements and drugs-tamulosin etc etc but eventually had to have an operation but left it too late and now have to retrain my bladder if possible, so its best to pinpoint the exact problem in your case then do truck loads of research and if necessary choose an operation that is least invasive at the right time.

  • Posted

    I would never take Tamsulosin. It made my feet and hands itch so bad I had to get up 2 or 3 times  in the middle of the night to soak them in ice water. I thought the med caused strong erections at night but that went away after a few weeks. Anyone else have those symptoms.

     

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