After radiation....

[Suds4me]

during my appointment for my Lupron shot , I asked my doctor if I would stop or get off my Dutasteride and Tamsulosin and he toLed me no. Why would he keep me on the medication any longer now that I’m on Lupron and finished with my radiation?

[Tall_Allen]

Tamsulosin might help you pee better while your urethra is inflamed from the radiation. It is usually only needed temporarily. You might try stopping it to see how your peeing is doing. I have no idea why you'd still be taking dutasteride while on Lupron - it's like a drop of water in the ocean.

[Don_1213]

I think it depends on how you're peeing... I'm on 2x Tamsulosin taken at bedtime. I had IG/IMRT/ARC 45 treatments + Lupron (at 13 months now, will end at 18 months.)

I've tried taking 1 Tamsulosin at bedtime, and nights when I do - I'm up to pee multiple times (4-5), if I take the 2X Tamsulosin - I'm up once (usually 2.5-3 hours after I go to sleep) and that's it. Some nights I don't have a need to get up at all.

Certainly, you can experiment with the dosage or use of either drug - they aren't PCA mission-critical, they're there to help you with urinary issues. If you have no urinary issues now (urgent need, excessive dribbling after, waking at night) - then it might be interesting skipping one and seeing what happens. I can't speak to Dutasteride, but with Tamsulosin cutting back on the 1 pill (vs 2) which is taken just before I go to sleep has an almost immediate effect on THAT NIGHT - so it's very evident that the drug and dosage makes a difference.

I think since we've both had radiation treatments - it's worth asking your MD the question "Since the prostate is still there - just cooked - does the pressure on the urethra lessen once the prostate is cooked?"

It's probably already evident - nothing I've said above should be confused with real medical advice - it's mostly musings from a Lupron riddled brain..

[Hidden in reply to Don_1213]

You seem clear to me Don ..

[Don_1213 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! And last night was a not-getting-up-to-pee night! YEA!

[Hidden in reply to Don_1213]

A breakthrough

[Hidden]

I have been on 4.0 mg twice a day since April 8, 2003. One does not do the trick. No side effects, just let the smooth muscles to pee away. Why would you want to stop?

GD

[mikiesan]

Ran out of Tamsulosin and ended up with a catheter for a month and a half. DO NOT abruptly stop taking Tamsulosin without your Doctors ok.