Flomax long-term?

[Atdabeach]

I've been on Flomax (tamsulosin) since my positive biopsy in June 2022. In that time, I've had 2 years of ADT and 44 sessions of proton radiation, and am now done with treatments and all other drugs for the time being. It was initially prescribed at 2x/day, which was helpful during and after radiation treatments. Since then, I've cut back to once daily, which seems sufficient.

Currently, I have Covid, and have stopped my Flomax for 10 days, as advised, while taking Paxlovid. This has reminded me that my life is much more comfortable with Flomax, as without it I have some urgency and a chronically weak stream. Is there a downside to staying on it long-term? Is my difficulty urinating a long-term side effect of PCa, radiation treatments, or both?

[Tall_Allen]

Radiation is the likely culprit.

[Explorer08]

I took Tamsulosin for quite awhile but it eventually caused bradycardia. I’m now on Myrbetriq.

[V10fanatic]

I've been on Rapaflo for nearly 6 years with no known issues. I've tried to taper off it numerous times, but numerous radiation treatments have left me a customer for life it appears.

[Mascouche]

When trying to taper off from FloMax, some patients experience a return of urinary symptoms like slower stream or increased nighttime urination. That is what I experienced and my oncologist explained to me that this can happen for a little bit.

So rather than starting FloMax again, I toughed it out and luckily, things went back to normal for me within two weeks or so after stopping FloMax.

However I only took FloMax for around 18 months. I don't know how long the backswing period is for those who have taken it for several years.