I tried to stop taking 4mg doxazosin (for BPH) 2 times, the first time in July to see if it was the cause of my RE (yes it was), the second time just now to replace it with 5mg daily Cialis. Both time on the 3rd day, I experienced the following symptoms, probably from muscle spasm:
1. Tightness at the lower abdomen, probably the bladder.
2. Constant urge to urinate small amount.
3. Stomache cramps leading to urges to poop.
4. Very weak flow.
I probably will have to restart doxazosin back soon because of them. Has anyone experienced this as well ? Is there any way to get around it ? Thanks.
Hank
Hi Hank,
Much as I love acronyms myself I cannot uncover the meaning of RE so not much help here.
I myself am on 12mg of Doxazosin per day to alleviate my BPH and also reduce my hypertension. I had to gradually titrate up to this dosage over a number of weeks so I suspect that you should withdraw slowly rather than go cold turkey .
However, be careful if you combine Cialis and Doxazosin (as I do) as it can cause hypotension.
I got Retrograde Ejaculation when on Tamsulosin. My BPH is not very pronounced and my urologist said my urinary frequency and urgency was more likely caused by bladder neck problems, specifically irritation. He recommended I give up tea and coffee (including decaf). Gradually over a few months my symptoms have improved. I still have a problem with incomplete voiding which has caused me urine infections, but doing without the Tamsulosin seems to be a success.
I switched from tamsulosin to cialis and had some urinary problems (mostly flow issues)until the cialis got into my sysyem. I'm happy I made the switch though. I don't remember having symptoms similar to yours during the switch. It took about a week to make the transition.
Pepsin have you ever had the size of your prostate checked?
Hank,
You might want to try Tamsulosin, if you take it just before you go to sleep by that time you might not experience RE assuming you have sex just before that.
The urge to poop is because your brain is sending signals for you to empty the bladder and apparently the nerves are close to the nerves to trigger the bladder, in any case I am not a doc but I know it's related somehow to that because the Urologist told me in so many words. The frequency is all part of the same problem, your bladder is too full and since you pee small amounts as soon as it gets full again you need to go.
I suggest you learn how to do self catheterization ASAP to protect your bladder and help you sleep. And look at some kind of surgery.
Regards,
Michael
I stopped using doxazosin about a year ago. Only doing cic, and my bladder empties out completely and I feel better partially because doxasosin, used to make me feel a little dizzy. Now, no drugs at all, just cic.
How often do you do CIC ? Do you ever get UTIs ?
Mike, I usually do it twice in a day. In the morning and later afternoon. In between those cic's, I go and urinate, but I can't empty my bladder completely. That's where the cic's are useful, at least I can empty my bladder completely two times a day. No stale urine in the bladder. So far no uti's. I use hydrogen peroxide, to wipe the tip of the penis, instead of alcohol. This is just my opinion, but i think too much alcohol could be bad for the body, for long term and frequent use. Hydrogen peroxide, is much safer, is my opinion. Good luck.
Dennis, why not do it at night before you go to sleep ? Why not soap and water to wash parts? Do you use pre-lubricated catheters?
Thanks jackal,
I was dissapointed that the Cialis did not replace the doxazosin as smoothly as I wish. I cannot take both due to hypotension. May have to withdraw more slowly as you suggested. RE is for retro ejaculation.
Hank
Thanks Pepasan. Are you sure it's the coffee and tea ? Are you taking anything at all ? Hank
Thanks unckle, I will give cialis a week.
Thanks Mike, your explanation makes a lot of sense. Maybe my bladder was too full when I was off doxazosin and the Cialis has not kicked in yet ? I already do CIC before bed. Maybe I need to do it more often during the transition period.
Surgery ? Not yet. I am doing OK with doxazosin so the worst case is going back to it.
I am just experimenting with Cialis to see if I can improve my situation, whether solving the RE problem or improve my retention which is not too bad with doxazosin.
Hank
Thanks dennis. Did you have any problems quitting doxazosin like I have now ? I already do CIC before bed. The doxazosin helps my natural voiding during the day. I used to do CIC 4 times a day before until my bladder rehabbed somewhat.
Hank
How often do you have urine infections due to incomplete voiding ? You may consider self cathing once a day to empty your bladder. How much is your retention volume ? Hank
I do self-cath occasionally, but not as a routine. There was an 18 month gap between recent and previous infections, so I thought all that had been behind me. At present I'm on a prophylactic (1 a day) dose of Nitrofurantoin as prescribed by my urologist. With luck this will clear things for at least another 18 months or so!
Hank,
Cialis might help, but eventually it seems less effective - my guess is if it doesn't kick in within 5 days it won't be the solution, but you CAN take cialis together with flomax and I suggest you try that before you go back to doxazosin. Apparently they work on different sections of the prostate I don't know how though. You have to be careful, because you might think you are doing OK but if you keep straining to pee you can damage the bladder, which is probably what I did.
Mike,
How damaged is your bladder ? I already damaged mine by years of too much liquid and holding it in so it's pretty stretched hence my retention. I will give Cialis a week. If it doesn't help, I'll just go back to Doxazosin. I would think that flomax is similar and I don't have flomax now. A little RE is not the end of the world. 😁
Hank
Try switching to Alfusozin. It rarely causes RE and often works as well as the other Alpha Blockers