Questions about Saw Palmetto

Posted , 7 users are following.

I have seen Saw Palmetto mentioned few times here in this forum.  How do I find out the effects of this supplement, dosage, interactions ( if any) with flomax, and whatever other relevant information ?

Background: Age 69, I am on flomax ( and similar medication) for last 5 years. Prostate size is about 75gr, with odd shape that pushes into bladder. My main complain is weak stream. I used to get up 3-4 times at night, but after changing few things about lifestyle and time I take flomax, I only get up 1-2 times per night, so not big issue.

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9 Replies

  • Posted

    I took Saw Palmetto (SP) in the standardised extract form (the best form to take it, in my opinion), for over 8 years in conjunction with Flomax and experienced no interactions between two two at all.

    Although the androgen blocking effect of the SP did slow the enlargement of my prostate quite considerably over that period and in conjunction with the Flomax, my symptoms were reduced to some extent for a number of those years however, there was no way of stopping the inevitable growth of my prostate and when it reached 100cc in size I underwent a HoLEP procedure which resolved all my BPH symptoms immediately.

    Good luck with your choices whatever they may be.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your comments Rogcal. That is what I am looking for ... delaying drastic measure ( surgery) until it is absolutely the last choice. Could you tell me what dosage you were using per day? What was the starting dose and if you had to increase it over time?

       

    • Posted

      I don't know in which country you reside Nick however, the daily dosage I started and remained on for the whole time I took SP was 320mg. As this dosage is regarded as the optimum to achieve an effective level of androgen blocking, increasing the dosage above 320mg would be unnecessary.

      I forgot to say in my earlier post that when the effectiveness of SP declined over the years, my urologist suggested I take Dutasteride alongside SP in an attempt to further slow the rate of growth but this had little effect other than to halve my PSA results which is a known factor with this particular medication but interestingly SP does not halve the same effect on PSA results.

      I can only emphasis the need to purchase the standardised extract form of SP that comes in gel capsules and manufactured by a company that has proven quality control mechanisms in place.

      If you reside in the UK and would like me to advise you on the product I used let me know and I'll send you a private message with the details, as I have no wish to upset the moderators of this forum by naming a product on a public forum. 

      One last bit of information that you may or maynot be aware of but as you are on Flomax you need to be aware of it.  Tamsulosin the active ingredient in Flomax can cause "floppy iris syndrome", a condition that is caused by the effect that the medication has on the muscle controlling the iris.  In my case it manifested itself when my pupils began to become smaller and was first noticed by my optician, who when asking about my medical history and medication I took soon came up with the cause, Tamsulosin.  It only affects a small number of users of Tamsulosin and can be problematic if eye surgery becomes necessary but other than that it causes me no problems whatsoever other than some people asking if I take recreational drugs because they've observed my pinpoint pupils. 

    • Posted

      I'm in the UK and started on capsules from a herbalist but the changed to a tincture that I found to be more effective but expensive. I found the name of the maker by reading their label as they poured it out for me. I then ordered it in litres directly from the Herbal Apothecary in Whitby at more than 50% less.

       

    • Posted

      I live in Japan, and the capsules I got are from US. On the label it indicates "SP Whole Berry" and each capsule contains 540mg.  Being new to this, I have no clue how that compares to what you suggest is daily dose of 320mg ( not sure if they are referring to the same substance). 

      I have read about Tamsulosin, but what is the person to do, when there are few options as far as medication goes. I have switched to alternative meds couple of time, since they all lose effectiveness after couple of years. Rather then increase the dosage, I opted to alternate meds ( can't recall the name at the moment). That is the main reason I am looking at SP. 

      Would you please email me what company and what product did you use? I am not sure if I can get the same product, but at least I will have something to compare with.

    • Posted

      I have used Permixon 160mg (Serona repens) on-line, taking 4 tabs a day. I chose this as the French use SP a lot & presume they have a good idea of an effective product.  

      Now, I'm not sure how effective it is, but I think over a period, of say, 3 months it probably helps. I'm going to start anothe 6 month course & monitor it very carefully. I do take Tamsulosin 400microgram daily without which I would find urinating extremely difficult.

       

  • Posted

    Just to add more info... I will have 3rd MRI at the end of March. Last 2 ( 5 years ago and 2 years ago ) had shown virtually no change in size of the prostate ( 43-45mm diameter).  The reason I had second MRI is that I was diagnosed with immune system problem (PMR), and my PSA went from ~9 to 20+. To manage symptoms of PMR, I take steroids (prednisone, which turns into cortisol). I am not sure if it is PMR or steroids that caused big increase in PSA.  My prostate symptoms got worse at the time. Since then PSA has settled down a bit, but it is still in 14-18 range. However, symptoms are not as severe as the numbers suggest.
  • Posted

    Have taken S.W. for four years. It is very slow acting but has done no harm like other meds have done to my labido.I changed lifestyle also. No liquids two hrs before bed, get up about 2 times. Working on retraining my bladder andnot rushing to the bath room at first urge.I have an enlarged prostate with slowish stream.Side affects of most medicl procedures turn me off. I;ve taken the timeto read up on side  problems after that doctors don;t tell you about. Thank God for web sites like this.
    • Posted

      Hi Richard, are you saying that you took  SP instead of usual meds ( like flomax)? or in addition to them?

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