I started taking cialis for BPH about 2 1/2 weeks ago and noticed a significant improvement in my symptoms about 5 days into it. Then all the sudden last night my symptoms came back with a vengance. I had been sleeping through the night and had a great stream, however last night I had an almost continual urge to urinate and didn't sleep much as a result.
I'm inclined to think it's a UTI, but am not sure if the meds just randomly stopped working.
Any ideas?
Would you not be better off asking a physician rather than posting your question to those who are unknown to you and who could possibly lead you in the wrong direction?
I agree that this is a question which merits consultation with daniel's urologist or PCP. That said, it is not a bad idea to bounce questions off others, on this site, who may have had similar issues, and could pass along the benefit of their experience.
I would never make an important medical decision based upon what I have been reading here, but I have gained great insight, most of which my own urologist had never bothered to discuss with me. My urologist is one of those very gifted surgeons who act as if the sun shone from every orifice in their body, and who give "recommendations" as if they were infallible and should never be questioned.
Thank heaven for my very dialogue-oreiented primary care physician, who has been frank in saying what he would do in my circumstance, as well as my allergist who has had bladder issues for years and gives the benefit of his unbiased experience. But, if it had not been for some of the comments I have read here, I wouldn't even have known enough to question some of the "infallible" directions being given to me by the urologist.
So, as lester suggests, do not fail to consult with your doctor, daniel, and simultaneously use this site to explore your increase of knowledge about symptoms and experience of others.
Why are you in this group if you don't want the experience of others in the same situation and unable to give advice if you are not qualified?
Hello Daniel
I have not tried the Cialis for my BPH. do you get it on prescription.
I have had Acute Retention twice and am almost certain that in each case it was a UTI rather than just BPH alone that brought it on.
But it is a chicken and egg question as AUR will very quickly lead to a UTI due to the urine stuck in your bladder!
You need to get to a doctor and have him test for UTI.
Good luck
Jeremy
It could be a UTI but cialis does not always work for ED and may not always work every time to help urination.
The alpha blocker type drugs seldom work the same every night,
I agree with what you say and you are fortunate to have doctors that will discuss their personal medical problems with patients. I have never met a doctor who would.
I assume you're talking about daily Cialis, as opposed to the larger intermittent dose?
I also took daily Cialis for awhile and it did improve my bph symptons for a month or so and then started to become less effective. However, in your case it's only been 21/2 weeks so I would think that's too soon for it to stop working. What dose are you taking?
A uti is always a possiblity so doing a urine culture can't hurt. It could also be just one of those nights, as bph symptons aren't always constant. So many things can affect frequency including diet and fluid intake.
I'd give it a few more days and see how things go, unless you happen to have some urine dipsticks handy, then do a first void test in the morning and see if it picks up anything.
Jim
I agree with Carry-On here, to never solely rely on anything you read on the internet, including here. I always double (or triple check) with other online sources plus run things by my doctor. That said, I've learned things here, and at other similar sites that your doctor probably isn't going to tell you or possibly even doesn't know. The more you independently educate yourself, the more you will be better able to help your doctor help you, assuming the doctor will allow some sort of collaboration, which unfortunately is often easier said than done, when they're looking at their watch to get you out the door.
Jim
I agree with derek73. If you don't care about reading about other's health problems and sharing your experience, find another website that is helpful to you and triggers positive reactions.
Where was the Cialis made?
Did you ejaculate recently? That can have that effect, but it should go away in a day or so.
Neal
Its a good idea to share your thoughts,that's why this site exits, but in your case I would definitely get to see a Dr., because it could be just the meds and you will need professional advice. Good luck with it
May the flow be with you....
When I asked the urology nurse at our local hospital about daily cialis she said we don't prescribe it it causes to many side effects!
I told her that at my local surgery the nurse said that Tamsulosin is the most complained about drug.
Dan. I'm not a physician, but I'll toss in my two cents worth. I think that 5 days on Cialis is simply too short of a time to actually see improvement in your urination regiment. I was on Avodart for 4 years, and I know when I first began taking it, they told me it usually takes several weeks to "kick in". Once I was on it daily, my urination got better (slowly). I have had times where my urination pattern was fine
for weeks or even months, and then, without warning I had a "bad night" where I was up most of the night. Standing over the toilet trying my best to pee, and nothing. 15 minutes later some urination occurs. I just think it's part of the BPH thing, and I wouldn't put too much weight into one bad night. If this becomes a habitual matter (nightly or 5 nights a week), then a discussion with your urologist is in order. Be carefull of caffienated drinks anytime past 5pm, same holds true with teas, coffee. I usually cut way back on my liquid intake after dinnertime. Same with alcohol. The key word here is moderation (sadly). Stay away from cold water (ice cubes), that always riled things up for me.
My guess for you is that you had a good, quiet, string of evenings where you were feeling good. One bad night is going to happen. Cut back on your fluid intake after dinnertime and see what happens.
In my case, I dealt with pretty severe symptoms for years, and 2 weeks ago I bit the bullet and had a Terp done. They told me that I'd be up 4-5 times per night for the next 2-3 months while I recover (true). My flow is dramatically improved, very painfiul urination, but slowly improving, some residual bleeding, normal.
Keep an eye on this stuff. Make sure you see your urologist as needed, and make sure his exam includes a DRI. Make sure they draw blood and give you a PSA reading. I had PSA's in the 20's. Taking Avodart faithfully got my PSA's below 5. Make sure you keep a close eye on all this. No reason for panic, but do not ignore symptoms, especially if they are getting worse. If you do not have faith in your urologist, or he's blowing you off, find a new doc. The smartest thing I could have done. If you're in the Phoenix, AZ area I can recommend a really good one.
Best of Luck, Tim
Hi,
Don't rely on everything you read here and don't rely on everything that doctors say either! It is valuable to know what other sufferers have experienced in helping you to come to an overall view.
My experience of BPH over a few years is that you are liable to get little mini infections that last a day or two or a few days and then everything returns to normal and you have a good run for a few weeks, and then perhaps it repeats. In the short term don't panic or worry too much. See how it goes and you may well find that things will settle down again. The next time it happens that you have a bad night or a run of bad nights you will not worry as much knowing that next week it will be gone again. Of course, you are always aware of the prostate in the background even on good days, but you live with it and find a way to deal with it.
I have found this forum invaluable over the years in educating myself as to what procedures are available, other people's experience of them and from there you can do further research of your own, but never underestimate the value of what others have to say.
Wishing you all the best.
Robert.
Actually, Daily Cialis takes only about five days to fully kick in, as the drug builds up gradually. I saw improvement starting on day 2. It's similar to Tamsulosin in that respect, in that it works in part by relaxing the muscles. Avodart is a totally different animal and does take longer to start working.
So, back to the OP, Daniel's story, it makes sense that his symptons started improving 5 days after he started daily Cialis.
Jim
I too agree with Carry-on. It is wise to consult your Radiologist or Urologist, but there is a pool of wisdom here that can be plumbed. The two groups of specialists have divergent views and we poor sods often need a knowledgable third party to help interpret the advice.
I would be asking for a MRI and have the Urologist use it for recommended treatment. I had a MRI as part of a pre-operative process for a PAE in Sydney, only to find two things: 1) I need a MRI guided biopsy (no chance of infection) to see if I have cancer of the prostate that a low PSA and anal probes do not indicate; and 2) I have a bladers tone that is causing the nocturia, urgency and stinging when urinating.
Urologist
I saw the urologist this morning who I saw in 2002 when I had a small kidney stone blasted. He advised that based on the MRI, there is an 80% chance of some cancer, even though based on his anal probe he stated that it didn't feel like cancer. I will have a MRI guided biopsy (no chance of infection) on 14 January at Como Hospital. Based on the results he will advise what treatment is recommended.
The surprise was that the reason for the urgency and stinging is not because of the prostate but because I have a one inch calcification (stone) at the bottom of the bladder which he will blast when we know what is happening in terms of treatment for the prostate.
Can I ask how they do an MRI guided biopsy when you are in a tunnel ?
The tunnel is only used to do the MRI in the first place. I had that done a month ago.
For the biopsy, the urologist puts the image disc into a computer and uses that image to guide the needle into the prostate at the right spot(s). It means they do NOT have to do the biopsy through the anus and thereby run the risk of infection.