Does Flomax help even without a prostate?

Posted by natem @natem, Oct 18, 2023

I had around 39(?) radiation treatments last year for a BCR. I've already had an RP in 2013, but after last year's radiation treatments, it's seems like I have a weak stream sometimes and trouble emptying. Is this a reason to use Flomax? Does Flomax help even without a Prostate?

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@natem
That's why I started on it but it didn't help. Doctor said I could double it but if one didn't help I figured (probably wrongly so) two wouldn't either. I didn't have any residual urine so I quit.
Less money for big pharma and fewer perks for prescribers.
I'd ask your doctor to test for residual urine.
Take care,
Jake

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I started Flomax after my 3rd (out of 5) radiation treatment and within a day, my urine flow was better. For me, it was helpful. I stopped it after a few weeks. My RO had said to me, from day one, that my before radiation urine flow would not be stronger after radiation. She was right. My urine flow after stopping Flomax was about the same as before the radiation.

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The point to note in Natem's query is whether Flomax would be useful after RP (total resection of the prostate), where there is no (enlarged) prostate at all present to stem the flow. Flomax treats BPH and works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder. But if there is no prostate at all, does Flomax help to relax the muscles of the bladder to make it easier to pee?

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@natem, I corrected the typo in the title of this discussion. @samidh recapped your question well. Your question is whether tamsulosin (Flomax) is still helpful even after a radical prostatectomy to remove the prostate. I found this research paper that partially answers the question:
- Impact of tamsulosin on urinary retention following early catheter removal after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23906190/

Have you asked your urologist this question? It looks like others would like to hear the answer too.

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@colleenyoung

@natem, I corrected the typo in the title of this discussion. @samidh recapped your question well. Your question is whether tamsulosin (Flomax) is still helpful even after a radical prostatectomy to remove the prostate. I found this research paper that partially answers the question:
- Impact of tamsulosin on urinary retention following early catheter removal after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23906190/

Have you asked your urologist this question? It looks like others would like to hear the answer too.

Jump to this post

Thank you very much!

No I haven't, but I will now.

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@natem

Thank you very much!

No I haven't, but I will now.

Jump to this post

Please let us know what you learn.

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