BPH.: I've had BPH for about 10 years, I... - Men's Health Forum

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BPH.

Tracker52 profile image
8 Replies

I've had BPH for about 10 years, I'm now in my 60's. I've taken one 400mg capsule of Tamsulosin per day after breakfast for the past 7 years. It does relieve the symptoms a bit during the day and apart from water-thin semen or even dry climax. There are no other bad side effects. However I have to get out of bed 3 times in the night for a pee and this has gone on for ages. I've put up with it but a month ago I suddenly got a crippling pain in my lower left abdomen and it shot right to the end of my penus. I was in agony and had to lay down on my bed. After about half an hour the pain went as quick as it came. It hasen't happened again since (yet!) But I believe it must be related to my condition. I don't think any of the available medications are much cop really but I've seen good reports on a surgical procedure called greenlight XPS, which is minimally invasive. I know its now approved by the NHS and done in some hospitals. What surprised me is that it can cost £1000's even done by the NHS (?) Which I can't afford. Any advice would be welcome.

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Tracker52
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Tracker52 profile image
Tracker52

Thanks for your reply. I'd never heard of proscar but I now see its just an alternative to Tamsulosin with similar results. I suppose I could increase my dose to 800mg per day but don't know what the effects of that would likely be. There are testimonies to the success of greenlight laser treatment. I've just seen one by an actual patient on a YouTube video. He says the symptoms have cleared completely and his bladder function is now normal. After a 2 week wait, I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. I might be wrong but I have the feeling I'm going to be fobbed off with more unsatisfactory meds.

DaveRochester profile image
DaveRochester in reply to Tracker52

My advice to every man is avoid proscar and propecia (finasteride) unless you have been made aware of the catastrophic side effects of this medication. Google Post Finasteride Syndrome Foundation.

judy001 profile image
judy001

I'm so sorry for the situation you are in. I know a herbal medicine called diuretic anti-inflammatory pill may help you a lot. You can give it a try if you have no good treatment options. Hope it helps.

TommyD41 profile image
TommyD41

For what it's worth in your decision making:

I was diagnosed with BPH (with retention) in 2003. I'm on Proscar (finasteride) every morning, plus Flomax (tamsulosin) at bedtime. It is common to use both drugs. The most significant and unfortunate side effect is retrograde ejaculate, in which semen goes to the bladder for clearance, and orgasms are dry. I also have done self catheterization every 3 days for 14 years to reduce retention and to allow the bladder to shrink back to normal.

I also had Green Light Laser Prostate Ablation in 2008 (covered by my insurance, since the US doesn't have anything like your NHS). The laser is used to cut away a portion of the prostate that may be pressing on the urethra. It was day surgery, but I stayed in the surgical suite overnight for monitoring. I was on a catheter overnight, and the urine was black for several hours because of temporary bleeding. There was some pain overnight, but it was well controlled with Percocet.

One more point - do NOT increase the dose of tamsulosin without a doctor's approval, which is unlikely, and he/she may suggest moving it to evenings to reduce your overnight urges.

I hope this helps, and that you can get relief soon.

Tracker52 profile image
Tracker52 in reply to TommyD41

Thanks for that Tommy. The doc says I should NOT increase the dose of Tamsulosin but has put me on 5mg of finistride in addition per day. Which he says I can take at the same time if I want to. Finistide is supposed to shrink the prostate, so if that works. I'd expect to empty my bladder easier and more fully and so not have to go to the toilet so often. I'd prefer to take the Tamsulosin in the mornings as daytime relief is more important to me

I can get things done without much discomfort. I've never had any problems getting a 'boner' as you call it in the states despite BHP but there ain't much juice. lol. Your greenlight op must have been expensive across the pond.

Tracker52 profile image
Tracker52 in reply to Tracker52

Or it would be for anybody not insured I should have said.

TommyD41 profile image
TommyD41 in reply to Tracker52

The finasteride should be working in a short time, maybe even a few days. Keep us posted, please, on how well it helps.

As to the green light laser surgery, I don't recall the cost, but with insurance I paid only a few hundred dollars.

kamalraj profile image
kamalraj

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