Has anyone just stopped taking this med? If so what were the results? How long were you taking it before stopping?
I am 61 and have taking tamulosin for just over 4 years and finasteride for a year. I decided to stop taking tamulosin every day after I read a report about a trial done in turkey where a group only took it on alternate days. The results showed that taking it on alternate days did not affect overall effect but reduced some of the side effects associated with Tamulosin. I tried taking it an alternate days but after a week it was clear that I still needed it daily. I struggled on some mornings to urinate as I usually did after taking it. I suppose it may depend on how dependant your need is . I have therefore continued taking it daily and accepting the side effects. Good luck.
Yes, I stopped a few times, 'cos I don't like taking meds and I thought tamsulosin may have been bad for my hypertension.
Generally the results were that I gradually went back to finding it harder to pee and had to go more often. The first time I managed to go 2.5 yrs before I went back on again for 6 months. Then about 15 months before I returned to tamsulosin, sometimes sporadically.
All this may have contributed to my having high retention (eventually 1.2 L!) - which has been cured by having a HoLEP prostectomy about 18 months ago.
I took it for around 3 or 4 years before my 2 procedures. The thing I noticed about this drug was it really messed up my sex life. I couldn't have a climax while on this med. Finally got off of it. Thank God.
This just shows had drugs have very variable effects. I never had any trouble sex-wise with tamsulosin.
The lessen is that everything the docs tell us is based on averages, which may not apply in our individual case.
The nurse at my doctors surgery says that it is her most complained about drug. I said by men? She replied by their wife’s as well:-)
I stopped it after about five months as it was not helping much and was causing eye problems as well a reducing ejaculation.
I do not understand why so many keep on taking the two usual drugs for years on end when there are now a choice of procedures to deal with BPH.
Hi, James,
I took Tamsulosin for just one week! The first two days were O.K. Urine flow increased as expected, but then all hell broke loose. It somehow affected me mentally and I ended up as though I was high on drugs. I did my best to keep a log of what was happening but I wrote unintelligible gibberish!
The most plausible explanation of what happened was that it had interacted adversely with other medications. It prompted one of my doctors to enter the comment in my medical records: DO NOT PRESCRIBE TAMSULOSIN.
Please get back to me if you need further explanation.
Alan
James,
I was taking tamsulosin daily but always felt dizzy, so I cut down to every other day. Made a big difference. I know the drug stays in my system for many days because I went off it once and it took almost a week before I felt normal again. So, the drug has a "half life".
When I run out of my current prescription I am going to try going off it completely as an experiment. Each of us is different so you might as well find the minimum dose that works for you.
Tom
In answer to your question James, I was on Tamsulosin for several years and suffered no serious side effects other than a reduction in ejaculate, a slight lowering of BP and pinpoint pupils. When I came of the medication following a HoLEP procedure, I suffered no side effects other than a very slight increase in BP however, my pupils remained pinpoint and may be permanent, This particular side effect affects one in 10,000 men and does not cause me any problems but may cause a problem for those having eye surgery, so best to mention you are or have been on Tamsulosin when having a consutation with an Opthalmic surgeon.
I'm 66, and took Tamsulosin about a year, along with Flomax. I had the Urolift in early Dec. I had a coloscopy in Jan and was told to stop all meds for the procedure, and just never went back on. Noticed no changes in pee-function, and felt the return of my old "sense of well-being," plus a return of what's left of my "sex drive," in a good way. :-) Since I sometimes work on roofs and in trees, I am glad to no longer experience the mild dizziness that sometimes came with those pills.
Hi James,
I had the PAE procedure done on the 22nd Feb 2016 and the results have been
excellent.
My flow rate has returned to pre enlarged Prostate days.
I had been on Tamulosin one a day for approx 6 months pre PAE
which enabled me to have a reasonable flow rate.
I have now stopped taking Tamulosin about a week ago without any reduction in current flow rates and no side effects.
Let me know if i can provide you with any further info. I am 69 years old.
Kind Regards
Richard
I stopped once and I was barely going before I started taking again.
I am 59 and have been on Tamsulosin for several years with no negative side effects. I only received relief--as I was supposed to. I had a Urolift 4 weeks ago and yesterday was told by my urologist to stop the Tamsulosin. So, today was my first day off Tamsulosin. We will see...
Tamsulosin can cause problems if you ever need cataract surgery due to floppy iris syndrome.
Have you tried one a day Cialis?
I did and after thirty days I developed a severe case of GERD and had to stop it.
Unfortunately that is quite a common side effect but had it been effective?
Yes it was effective.
Was on Flomax for years then the generic Tamulosin...probably ten years or more. Had the Urolift and doc said I didnt need it anymore....so went off it. Good to be off...swelling in my thoat reduced....able to ejaculate again....what we didn't account for was Tamulosin does help reduce blood pressure and without it my blood pressure went up. Had to take an additional blood pressure med to get it back down. SO WATCH YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE WHEN YOU COME OFF IT. Been off 8 months now and no problems...the urolift does it better.
After taking Tamsulosin for many years I was able to get off of it for about 6 months but then had to go back on it as my ability to pee was reduced to dribbles. On Tamsulosin I was able to pee with effort but with incomplete bladder evacuation. Up many times during the night to pee. I also was dizzy while taking Tamsulosin and additionally experienced retrograde ejaculation. If all that was not bad enough Tamsulosin interfered with my ability to run or exercise intensely near maximum effort. Very unsatisfying. Three weeks ago I obtained the Urolift and one week post implant I was peeing well and again stopped Tamsulosin. I have been without Tamsulosin for two weeks now and am peeing without effort. No dizziness and no retrograde ejaculation. Running all out no problem. I am a very happy camper.
HI Cartoonman
Could you tell me how your experience with urolift ?