After having the Rezum procedure 8 weeks ago my Uro agreed that I could stop taking the Flomax. I have been peeing pretty good and I was just wondering how much Flomax contributed to my peeing ability and how much credit should be given to the Rezum procedure? Also how long after stopping the Flomax meds does it take for it to leave your system? I still have some side effects after 5 days but don't know if they're Flowmax related. This may be a complicated issue, but if anyone would share their experience it would be much appreciated.
hello.. I can not answer your questions but I'm thinking of having the Rezum procedure done. can you tell me anything about your experience with it pre OP and post..
Hey buddy ,
I was on Flomax years ago. Most of the time it take a week to get out of your body. It does depends on how long you have been on it.
Take care....Ken
James,
I have started and stopped my Flomax a couple of times. It takes about 5 days to completely clear out of your system, based on my experience. You should measure your urine output by peeing into a plastic beaker with ml measurements on the side (or other container) so you will have an objective measure of your flow - you count the number of seconds you pee and then note how much came out, and that way you can tell the rate of flow (ml/second). An unobstructed flow might be 20-30ml/second. Mine, on two Flomax per day, is only 5ml. I have a lot of retention going on. Sounds like you are past that issue. Hope you are able to sleep better as the flow rate increases and and you are able to clear your bladder more easily.
Tom
Thank you for responding. I have the plastic beaker but never timed my flow rate. I have measured the volume at around 100 ml - 125 ml. and it doesn't take very long to get that much out. I am going in for a follow up next month to measure retention. It is difficult to measure success as we are all different. For me this is an improvement since I had AUR for two months prior to Rezum and had a Foley in for almost three month total. I am hoping that the absence of Flowmax does not inhibit my improvement process and I am concerned about the possibility of AUR again. Currently I get 4 to five hours of continuous sleep before I have to void and that depends how much Gatorade I drink in the evening.
Hey Ken,
Thank you for your response. I have been taking the Flowmax for 3 1/2 months once a day. This doesn't seem very long compared to some of these posts I have been reading. Hard to say how effective it was since I also had a Foley put in the same day I started Flowmax. The Urgent Care Doc prescribed it after his nurse catheterized me.
I got off Flowmax 2-1/2 weeks ago and noticed almost immediately that my flow at night was not as strong as it was while taking it, however, my volume is between 250 and 350 with no PVR, so don't need it. Had Rezum on 12/14 and consider it a success.
Hey Roderick, Two months prior to having the Rezum procedure I had to hurry to the Urgent Care center with Acute Urinary Retention. It came on unexpected and by the time I waited to see the Doc it had been over nine hours since I peed. That was why I had the Rezum. I had to wait two months for insurance approval and scheduling so I wore a Foley for the two months. I had general anastesia and it was quick (less than 30 minutes) and painless but I was nervous anticipating the results. I went home wearing a Foley for two weeks. The first attempt to remove the Foley after two weeks was unsuccessful. I went home and peed ok for about four hours and then it blocked up and I had to rush back to be catheterized again. A week later I returned to have it removed again and I had four nurses insert a #24 Foley and irrigate my bladder for an hour. They showed me a large amount of bloody clot-like clumps as they flushed my bladder repeatedly and sent me home with the #24 which was somewhat uncomfortable. They said the larger size diameter would allow any additional clots to flush more easily. A week later I returned to have the #24 removed successfully. I am 2 months post Rezum now and have been peeing pretty much OK. My urgency, frequency, and control are improving. It seems like the bladder has to learn how to respond to the peeing urge and needs retraining after wearing a Foley for three months. At this point I am still recovering but am happy with the results so far. I wish I was better informed about the potential post procedure complications, but everyone is different. I think the excessive clots were parts of my prostrate that were "steam cleaned" and they were blocking my flow along with swelling that is normal after poking around in there. Sorry for the long winded post but I hope it helped you. Any other questions just ask. There is also a lot of information in this forum and I hope it helps. Much luck in moving forward.
very helpful.. thank you I think I'm more anxious about the catheter for 3 days after than the procedure so hearing your story makes me feel a little silly I have concerns.. thank you and wish you a full healthy recovery
what was your prostate size before the procedure and now a few months down the road?
Hey Timothy,
I stopped the Flowmax 5 days ago and haven't noticed any difference yet in flow or volume. That's why I was wondering if it was too soon to make a difference. My flow is decent at the beginning but slows down after about the first 100 ml. I usually void 125-150 ml and don't feel any PVR but my follow up is next month to measure PVR. Had Rezum on 1/31/19 and am pleased with the results thus far, but it's still too early for me to measure success. I am paranoid though due to my previous experience with AUR.
Thank you for getting back to me. Your going to have to just try it. Don't that the flomax for a 3 or 4 days and see how you do. If you have a problem you can always take it again.
Good luck......Ken
James,
Gatorade is loaded with electrolytes - lots of sodium, and that causes tissue swelling. Try water or something else. Look at the sodium content on the label. Gatorade is meant as an electrolyte replacement after exercise and sweating. Also, normal Gatorade is loaded with sugar. Again, look at the label.
Tom
Tom, Thank you for your reply. The Uro nurses sent me home after my Rezum procedure and told me to drink 16 oz. of water per hour to be alternated with Gatorade at the same rate. That's a lot of liquid if you ask me, but I complied with their directive. I guess they though I was dehydrated a bit, but with all that sugar I did feel energized. I have a few bottles left and occasionally have one.
Roderick,
It certainly is not silly to have concerns. We vary in age, size, health and other conditions that cause a difference in healing. The road to improvement can have some surprises as I am finding out. The catheter was not as bad as I thought it would be. Good luck to you as well.
OK - I understand you are just doing as the nurses suggested. Some people drink Gatorade as a regular beverage, and it's loaded with sodium and sugars, so it can cause some bloating and weight gain.
75g before, no tests done after, so don't know. That was one of my questions to the Dr, , but the answer was something like "Its not the size that matters, but where the tissue is removed that makes it work", so I'm assuming not much. I read somewhere 40%, but not sure I believe that.
Hey Tom,
I realize that Gatorade should not be included as a regular dietary supplement. At 72 years of age I am 6'-1" and 183 lbs. I am not concerned about weight gain but I hate to put garbage into the old body. I drink absolutely no soda pop and might have 2 beers per month when out for dinner. I do have a weakness for donuts though. Anyway, I would like to find a healthy beverage to drink regularly and all the nutritional labels I read are discouraging. Aside from natural juices, maybe water is the only option. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
I haven't had Rezum but I can tell you that if I stop Flomax/Tamsulosin it takes a couple of days probably and I notice - so my guess is about 2 days - after that there might be low levels but probably not enough to help you pee, If you have RE - if that is what you mean by "side effects" it might unfortunately be due to the Rezum. I think there is a 10% chance for that.
James,
I am also 6'1" and weight about 185, so almost identical to you. I drink filtered water, have a couple of blender drinks per day that include some soymilk, high protein powder, a piece of a banana, some honey. Have been doing that for many years. Drinks have varied over time. I also drink high protein supplements. My wife wants me to drink more pure water, and less soymilk. Stopped regular milk a few years ago. Also, no more soda or diet soda. I have to watch my sugar intake as my fasting glucose is slightly above 100. There are a lot of great tasting, zero calorie diet drinks - love em, but have to watch the sodium.
Tom