Rstyle

Kind of an unusual question but...........
Finally at the age with the usual problem of an enlarged prostate. Urologist gave me a prescription for Flomax.
One of the side effects is dizziness and possible sudden decrease in blood pressure. I cycle every other day ( and also scuba dive occasionally ). When I asked the urologist he said that after a few days people get used to the medication and the side effects go away. I know thousands of people take them.
Do any of the “aging” cyclists have had issues with cycling and the prostate meds. Could definitely not ride for a week until I get used to the medication but.....................worried about the side effects while riding ( or diving - or driving)

deacon mark

I took if for a few years before I had Greenlight Laser Surgery last year to cutaway area of prostate to urinate better. Flomax had zero effect on my riding or running for that matter no side effects on those activities. I will say the Greenlight Surgery made my life much better and my cycling a lot faster...………..I did not have to stop to pee 3 times an hour as might happen and now can ride 50-60 miles without needing to pee.

Retro Grouch 

I don't know.

I've been taking a generic (Tamsulosin) medication for awhile. Dizziness is listed as one of the side affects. I have never felt particularly dizzy, but I have stopped riding two wheel bicycles after a series of low speed or no speed falls.

I was scheduled for "Urolift" surgery in April but I decided to put it off because the Urologists assistant told me the recovery would affect cycling for several weeks. I decided to wait till December. Not having to pee frequently sounds good to me.

OldTryGuy

IMO, being cautious until side effects stabilize is smart thinking. Life on the road is dangerous enough when 100% healthy so why add anything to the risk. Personally, I haven't had your concerned reactions to Flomax or any of the drugs I have taken and currently am taking for my PCa issues. (Prostate Cancer)

Plenty of info on Rx paperwork here --- https://www.drugs.com/flomax.html

Homebrew01

Moved from 50+

Rstyle

Thanks for the replies. I will take the Fosamax for a week before getting on the bike.
My urologists says my symptoms are not significant enough for green light or urolift and
should try meds first. Had some hesitation due to the dizziness and hypotension issue

I run a slightly elevated PSA followed now for 3 yrs ( 4.2-4.6). I ve had MRI’s and a bunch of other blood tests. My brother had Prostate Cancer so I think at some point I will have it. It is the only reason I have not been aggressive about pursuing some type of procedure for the enlarged prostate. I figure at some point I may be getting a prostatectomy. Have not had biopsy due to negative MRI and fancy blood tests that do not show elevated risk at this time.

avmech

Beats me, my urologist gave me Cialis 5 mg (yes it is used for enlarged prostates too, with added benefits LOL), Flomax did nothing for me.
Could make a joke about myself here..............something about having a built in kickstand if I fall or something......but I won’t

PSA of 0.6, but have big lumps. Biopsy, ultrasounds, MRI, bladder and kidneys checked as I always have blood in my urine, all are A OK. Doc thinks the prostate restriction is causing the blood, almost gone with the meds. Also had the 4K Score test, all good there too. No signs of cancer

Artmo 

I took Flomax(Tamsulosin) for a short time after radiation therapy for Prostate cancer and I certainly had some worrying almost fainting side effects while driving, so I stopped taking it after about a week. The occasional fainting sensation did not go away, after a week, so I stopped driving until I felt it was out of my system. A friend had a similar experience with this stuff.

LesG

Proscar is something not mentioned for benign prostate enlargement. 10 years ago or so there was some controversy about it in the medical community about taking it and prostate cancer. The problem, according to my "read" is that it didn't/doesn't cause cancer but hides it and hides a particularly aggressive type. Mainly it hides it by giving you a low PSA reading. A more recent study (last year or two) indicated proscar wasn't any worse or better with regards to prostate cancer. A couple of other downsides is that it takes up to 6 months to work. Also if you're a blood donor, you need to stop taking it 30 days ahead of time. The main upside is that it actually helps to shrink the prostate and a side bonus is possible regrowth of hair.

The above said, I've been taking it for several months. I've noticed no side affects. The "flow" is significantly better but it took about 3 to 4 months to get there. Supposedly if I stop taking it the benefits could last up to around a year. Since, what I've read says (mentioned above), if you donate blood you need to stop taking it 30 days ahead of time. Combine that with it possibly giving you a false low PSA while taking it, I'm going to stop taking it 30 days before my next checkup around October. I have to discuss that with my Dr. but my reasoning (right or wrong) is if I stop taking it 30 days ahead of time, based upon being able to donate blood after that, then it would be out of my system and I'd get a true or at least truer PSA reading. That is conjecture on my part and, again, something I need to talk with the Dr. about when the time comes. My PSA has always been low to start with.

Rstyle

Well....concerned about side effect of impotence with .proscar and retrograde ejaculation with Flomax.......but when you have to pee, you have to pee.........and neither one affects cycling.

I have hopes for prostate embolization. Very promising studies but not enough time to determine long term effect. Theoretically, ( my opinion), in addition to destroying large parts of the gland, shrinking it and relieving BPH, you would think that decreasing the volume of prostatic tissue you would decrease the chances of an individual developing cancer

donheff

I took Flomax for years without a problem and then had a couple of serious fainting episodes while riding. Both times were after I dismounted so I wasn’t injured. My doc switched me to Avodart which doesn’t have similar BP issues. I dropped that as well after a TURP.

LesG

I should have mentioned / added no impotence issue on Proscar or any other issues for that matter... I've got hair but thinner than long ago, however that's one side effect of proscar I wouldn't mind experiencing but haven't seen!

I've first read about prostate embolization about a year ago. That one stands out and holds promise of a real viable alternative treatment. It's minimally invasive, non surgical and out patient (from what I've read). Like you I'd like to see some long term results of it though.

Speedskater

I had taken Flomax for years, then during cataract surgery, the doctor talked about how Flomax slowed down the pupil dilation. So I stopped the Flomax before the second eye surgery and most of my external eye problems disappeared.

Artmo 

I haven’t required eye surgery, but my ophthalmologist told me that Flomax could cause those problems.

birskell

I am in a similar situation with BPH. I am 54 and have had 2 incidents 6 months apart where I couldn't pee in the morning and had to have a catheter for a week. After first incident they put me on .4 mg Flowmax and now I'm at .8 the max dosage. My urologist said based on my profile in 10 years I will certainly have had surgery and more incidents. I am worried about my age and continued problems. Have you had any side effects?

deacon mark

The only real side effect is retrograde ejaculation. Means zero to me at this point in my life. I lost my bride of 32 years after her long battle with breast cancer 7 months ago. So as a deacon in Church now I am a celibate.

Based on what you you report I would be seeing a urologist about green light surgery. Low risk done at times as outpatient or 23 hour stay. I was not able to empty bladder and going 15 to 18 times a day. I was 56 had it 18 months ago. Much better wow. See what they say.

ctnadovich

I had a Urolift last December. My recovery was about a week. I can now pee a lot better than before. Also, I've ridden about 250 miles on my bike with no issues whatsoever.

Roadshark

Still OK? I had a Urolift implanted several months ago but didn’t think to quiz the doc on bike seats. I fear squashing those little metal things.

thanks!