Tips for getting off Flomax (tamsulosin)?

Posted by cstrutt52 @cstrutt52, May 26, 2023

It's been 25 days since my second HDR session. I still take on capsule (0.4 mg) of tamsulosin every night. By the next evening, I am starting to see a slow stream. I don't want to be on this drug forever. Maybe start taking it every other day? Maybe later and later each day? Anyone with experience stopping the drug? Or is it just normal to starting seeing slower streams at night? I probably am starting to drink less as the evening progresses.

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shelby29 | @shelby29 | May 27, 2023

Great question...I'm wondering the same thing.

remington | @remington | May 27, 2023

In reply to @shelby29 "Great question...I'm wondering the same thing." + (show)

It's been 15 months since I finished radiation and I'm still using tamsulosin twice/day. To be honest I haven't thought about not using it. Might be time to experiment.

slick64 | @slick64 | May 27, 2023

I just started it 2 weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about all of the above. Coming off HBRT and hormones treatment and while it helps, I was told to take at night and I have to get up multiple times, wonder if I should switch to the morning. How long I’ll be on it, I don’t know.

cstrutt52 | @cstrutt52 | May 27, 2023

They generally tell you take it at night because a possible side effect is dizziness. Not a problem for me. The usual dosage instruction is to take if at least 30 minutes after a meal. There were four days when I thought I needed more. I took the double dose (after dr consult) and it worked pretty well. Even slept through the night. Now, after a month, I am down to my one trip a night (usually 2-3am) and one time slept through, which I haven't done in years.

Father of sticky rice | @fatherofstickyrice | Jun 3, 2023

In reply to @cstrutt52 "They generally tell you take it at night because a possible side effect is dizziness. Not..." + (show)

I've just started taking tamsulosin and it seems to be helping me to sleep better also. I started taking melatonin on the same day.

Father of sticky rice | @fatherofstickyrice | Jun 3, 2023

Why would you like to stop taking tamsulosin?

cstrutt52 | @cstrutt52 | Jun 3, 2023

I'm not having any problems with it. It's just that I don't want to be on a drug for the rest of my life, especially one that allows me to pee. I don't want to be traveling, or running out, etc. and find myself with an issue. I'm already taking one pill a day, though trying to get my doctor to let me off that one. I guess I'd rather deal with the problem with a more permanent solution if it is going to be a problem.

shelby29 | @shelby29 | Jun 4, 2023

In reply to @fatherofstickyrice "Why would you like to stop taking tamsulosin?" + (show)

I feel it is the cause of over 6 night time bathroom trips, but maybe I'm wrong.

Father of sticky rice | @fatherofstickyrice | Jun 4, 2023

I am 63. As with most any man my age, my prostrate is enlarged. My doctor prescribed tamsulosin for me so that I can empty my bladder more completely. In that way I should wake up fewer times at night. And, the time between when I go to sleep and when I wake up will be longer. It seems to be working. I highly value getting a good night's sleep. He also prescribed melatonin. In general, I would like to take fewer medications or none at all. I need ways to live without medications is a worthy goal. I am not sure that it is always possible.

waynen | @waynen | Jun 4, 2023

I started taking Flomax 5 days after I started proton beam therapy pain during urination. I tried going off about3 months after my treatment and the pain was still there. Kept using it for another year and tried it again and pain was gone. Haven't used it sense. Not sure if it's used for other reasons and might need long term use. For me, I believe it was for irritation of the muscles in the urethra from the radiation. Eventually the irritation went away. It's been over 5 years since my treatment and no discomfort. I get up 1 to 2 times a night.