My doctor wants me to start Finasteride for BPH but I am terrified and panicking.
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello folks,
I'm a 58 year old male who is physically fit, slim, eats well, does not drink or smoke and who spends much of the time working out. However, I have BPH and chronic urinary retention. Although I am not affected at night, I do suffer from urgency at times and frequency. I've had 3 blood tests and an ultrasound scan.
I have been taking Tamsulosin and Oxybutinin for years. My doctor now wants me to discontinue the Oxybutinin and replace it with Finasteride but the information regarding side effects is extremely frightening.
My sex life has been very limited due to various life circumstances and now I suffer from impotence but I don't know why. This in itself may be treatable but the addition of Finasteride will probably wreck any chance of having penetrative sex in the future permanently.
Other possible side effects include anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and as I have suffered 3 breakdowns in the past, I don't need for any of these to return.
So I need the Finasteride to shrink the prostate but the trade off is a terrible price to pay it seems and another breakdown seems inevitable.
Information online is mainly concerned with lower doses for hair loss. I have been prescribed 5mg tablets and the information regarding the drug and BPH is either terrifying or reassuring. It has been described as ''chemical castration'' but some other sources say only around 2% of men have the most sexually debilitating side effects. The leaflet accompanying the drug also lists all of the side effects although every possibility is always mentioned to cover all eventualities.
I would like to know about the experiences of other BPH sufferers who have taken Finasteride. Apart from the prostate relief itself, is it all bad?
Thanks
Jonathan
0 likes, 12 replies
kenneth1955 Jonathan00282
Posted
Jonathan
I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Do you know how big is your prostate.
The reason you are going through all of this is the medication. You have the typical side effects You need not to start Finasteride because you will get worse. You need to get something that have less side effects Have you tried Cialis 5 mg of Cialis will help you pee better and help with your other problem. Ask for some so you can try them.
To shrink the prostate you may have to change your diet. There are things you can eat that will help.
You may have to think about a procedure. At 58 I was put on Flomax and Rapaflo. I took them and it took away my orgasm and ejaculation. I told my doctor no way was I going to put up with this. 3 weeks later I had a Urolift. 4 clips. It worked great. No side effects. It is over 7 years and I'm still open.
Try to get different medication. You have to remember that doctors do not care about your sex life all they are trying to do is get you to pee better.
It is up to you whatever you do but the medication you are on is going to make it worse and if you stay on it it will become permanent.
Good blessKen
If you want to talk I'm here for you
Jonathan00282 kenneth1955
Posted
Thank you Ken,
I have stopped the Oxybutinin as advised and only take the Flomax at the moment until I get a second Doctor's opinion. I'm not prepared to start Finasteride following the short phone call recommendation I had with no further discussion. The doctor said I could just continue with Flomax (Tamsulosin here) on it's own OR add the Finasteride to it.
My prostate was described as ''bulky'' after a physical exam and apparently about half a litre of urine is remaining in my bladder so I don't want to risk kidney damage. I am still able to ejaculate with half a Viagra but it looks as though there's no alternative drug to Finasteride if surgery is to be avoided and that means sexual dysfunction. So I'm stuck.
I'm not urinating at night, the flow is strong and that just leaves the need to double void at times and the occasional urgency.
I have been in the habit of sitting for hours on the internet on a hard wooden chair and I experience urgency and more frequency after these long PC sessions so I'm avoiding the internet (and the sitting) for a few days. Actually, I've noticed that I didn't urinate so much yesterday and I've only been 3 times since the early hours of today (it's now 10:14) and I'm trying to drink more water.
I've been referred to Urology but won't be hearing from them for some weeks.
kenneth1955 Jonathan00282
Posted
Do what you have to do but do not do anything that would hurt you or take anything away. If you have no problem at night then it is not to bad So you did not have any test to see how big your prostate. I can't see a doctor telling a patient that his prostate is bulky. What school did he learn that in.
Be careful seating for a long time will make you go to the bathroom more because if it is inflamed it will feel like you are sitting on a ball. If you take a hot bath for about 20 minutes it will help the inflammation
Please keep us in the loop. I don't you to be talk into anything you will regret
Take care Ken
Jonathan00282 kenneth1955
Edited
Hi Ken,
I have had the rectal exam more than once and it was the last one that prompted the doctor to describe my prostate as ''bulky''. However, after the first ultrasound scan and the Finasteride prescription, I got a second opinion from another doctor who has seen me more times in the past. She has said that it's good that I am not disturbed at night and that I have no incontinence and that my urine flow is strong. That just leaves the BPH and the occasional urgency which is common.
Since coming off from the Oxybutinin and remaining on the Tamsulosin only, things have eased somewhat. Therefore, she recommended that I should not take Finasteride until I've had a second ultrasound scan. I also had a 4th blood test on the same day which was on the 23rd of July. I've had no comeback from that so I assume that that's still OK.
If the next scan shows some improvement then I think the Finasteride can wait a while longer on the Tamsulosin only. If there's still a problem, I should discuss it with a urologist when my referral is acted upon which may be in October.
She didn't think I was retaining too much urine as to be a major concern at this stage so I'm content with this outcome although she did say that Finasteride can/does affect testosterone production. I was also concerned about the possible side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts which I'm no stranger to but for now, I can relax a little.
It pays to get a second opinion. I hope you are well. Thanks for taking an interest. Regards.
Jonathan
kenneth1955 Jonathan00282
Posted
Hey Buddy
Glad you are doing a little better. Do what you can to stay away from any surgery.
I hope the side effects are not bad from the Finasteride. It effect men different
Just try to relax when you can. God bless,,,Ken
rt87438 Jonathan00282
Posted
Hi Jonathon,
I am 68 with BPH for the past 2-3 years. My PSA went up to 9 and Dr put me on Dutasturide, similar to Finasteride, and Flomax. Over the first year of taking it my PSA went down to 5 and my prostate shrunk as well and my symptoms improved.
Yes, there are potential side effects to these drugs but keep in mind only some people experience the worst side effects. Its not definite that you will.
For me, the smaller prostate and reduction in PSA is worth whatever side effects might come from the drug. Being able to urinate is kind of important!!
Now for the sex issue. I have not experience any lack of desire at all.
There are some occasional erection issues, but I dont really know if its from the med or my age or the larger prostate. In my readings I have found that Cialis is helpful and that it might even be helpful in a non-sexual way as well in that it increases the blood flow to that area. I have read some Dr's prescribe the 5mg Cialis to help with BPH.
I did not ask my Dr to prescribe it, but I take a 5mg dose sometimes for 4-5 days in a row and then maybe every other day or every few days or whatever I feel. It builds up a little in your system so after a short time you dont need it every day but if sex is planned or expected I would take it every day for 4-5 days before that. Sometimes I wont take it for a week or so and I can feel a difference.
The Cialis makes a big difference for ability to perform.
I have not experienced any of those side effects you mentioned. One side effect that I read can be caused by the med is sleeplessness. I do have that problem. I fall asleep without any problem but when I wake up to go to the bathroom if its later that 3am I have a very difficult time falling back asleep. If its earlier like 1-2am I can go back to sleep. I go to bed between 9-9:30 pm so I'm not really lacking too much and I have the freedom to take an afternoon nap if wanted though I seldom do. I have actually gotten accustomed to getting up then and it isn't as bad as it might sound.
Oh, one more side effect which is a big deal to many men, you may not ejaculate anything. You can still orgasm though. Its weird at first but not horrible. I have found if I stop the FLomax for 2 days before sex I can ejaculate a small amount and it gives you that normal feeling as opposed to nothing coming out. I know this is a huge deal for some men.
But thats it, no other effects that I am aware of. Of course I would prefer no meds, but it works so I deal with it. BAsed on my experience I would rec the drugs to anyone I knew. Its worth trying as you may not have any serious side effects and you can always stop if you dont like whats happening because the effects will go away once you get it out of your system but then your problems will return.
Of course this info is just my opinions and others may have other thoughts.
Best wishes, its frustrating I know.
Hope this is helpful, Terry
Jonathan00282 rt87438
Posted
Thankyou for replying.
I have stopped the Oxybutinin as advised and only take the Flomax at the moment until I get a second Doctor's opinion. I'm not prepared to start Finasteride following the short phone call recommendation I had with no further discussion.
My prostate was described as ''bulky'' after a physical exam and apparently about half a litre of urine is remaining in my bladder so I don't want to risk kidney damage. I am still able to ejaculate with half a Viagra.
I'm not urinating at night, the flow is strong and that just leaves the need to double void at times and the occasional urgency.
I have been in the habit of sitting for hours on the internet on a hard wooden chair and I experience urgency and more frequency after these long PC sessions so I'm avoiding the internet (and the sitting) for a few days. Actually, I've noticed that I didn't urinate so much yesterday and I've only been 3 times since the early hours of today (it's now 10:01) and I'm trying to drink more water.
I've been referred to Urology but won't be hearing from them for some weeks.
rt87438 Jonathan00282
Posted
I have found that taking anti-inflammatory meds help. I have taken 800mg Ibuprofin in the evening and it helps with inflammation and easier urinating at night.
hank1953 rt87438
Posted
How long have you been taking 800 mg ibuprofen? I've read that long-term usage of ibuprofen can be bad for your heart. Hank
TKM Jonathan00282
Posted
Jonathan,
I took Avodart for 14 months. It is similar to Finasteride. It seemed to reduce my libido and ability to get erections, and the effect lasted for at least a year after stopping it. It may not be the same for everyone, but that was my experience.
You could try Flomax (Tamsulosin) which relaxes the prostate and bladder neck making it easier to urinate. Flomax does not affect hormones and has no sexual side effects, except it can cause retrograde ejaculation, which for me lasted about 12 hours. So if I timed it right it had no effect on my sex life. When I stop Flomax I go totally back to normal within a day or two.
The other things you can try are some of the less invasive procedures, Rezum, PAE (Prostate Artery Embolization), Urolift, FLA (Focal Laser Ablation), epTURP (Ejaculation Preserving TURP). You can also try self catheterization which requires no surgery or drugs, and preserves all sexual functions. Ask a Urologist to show you how to self catheterize and write a prescription for catheters.
Thomas
Jonathan00282 TKM
Posted
Thankyou for replying.
I have stopped the Oxybutinin as advised and only take the Flomax at the moment until I get a second Doctor's opinion. I'm not prepared to start Finasteride following the short phone call recommendation I had with no further discussion.
My prostate was described as ''bulky'' after a physical exam and apparently about half a litre of urine is remaining in my bladder so I don't want to risk kidney damage. I am still able to ejaculate with half a Viagra.
I'm not urinating at night, the flow is strong and that just leaves the need to double void at times and the occasional urgency.
I have been in the habit of sitting for hours on the internet on a hard wooden chair and I experience urgency and more frequency after these long PC sessions so I'm avoiding the internet (and the sitting) for a few days. Actually, I've noticed that I didn't urinate so much yesterday and I've only been 3 times since the early hours of today (it's now 10:01) and I'm trying to drink more water.
I've been referred to Urology but won't be hearing from them for some weeks.
Allondon Jonathan00282
Posted
I was also terrified by the side-effects of Finasteride. However, in several months I got into retention and was put on Tamsulosin and Finasteride. It brought a temporarily relief, but side-effects became noticeable, among them loss of libido, dry ejaculations, relaxed muscles, stuffed nose etc. - hard to say which medication caused which, but some persist even after I had stopped taking them. Midway Finasteride was replaced by Dutasteride, however the difference was not noticeable (Dutasteride may be a bit faster to act).
Looking back, I regret not starting the medications earlier as this may have prevented (or delayed) getting into retention.
You did not mention the size of your prostate, but being 58 and retaining about 500ml of urine you should not rely on medications long-term. Learn to self-catheterise (this also sounded mission impossible but is actually doable), otherwise retention may be damaging. Start thinking about a more radical procedure to bring a long-term relief. Cialis 5mg/day may be an option to explore, though medications alone are unlikely to keep you functional through the rest of your life.
Get prepared to self-catheterise - this may save you. It may even be worth to do this daily to empty your bladder and protect the kidneys. You need an MRI to estimate the size and shape of your prostate and exclude any tumours.