Tips for getting off Flomax (tamsulosin)?

I was diagnosed with low-grade, localized prostate cancer in 2012 and went on active surveillance. In 2016, I was prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin). I continued taking Tamsulosin during my 9 years on active surveillance, throughout my 28 proton radiation treatments (19 April-28 May 2021), and then for one year following treatments.

Once I was confident that the proton radiation treatments were successful, I began to slowly wean myself off of the Tamsulosin.

What had been a pill a day for all those years, I wanted to closely monitor the effect of slowly reducing the dosage and monitoring the effect rather than stopping completely all at once. So, for a month, I reduce the dosage to 6 days/week. Experiencing no adverse issues, then reduced down to a pill 5 days/week for a month…. then down to a pill 4 days/week for a month….3 days/week for a month….2 days/week for a month….1 days/week for a month….and then none.

I still have a stash of Tamsulosin in my medicine cabinet (perhaps expired by now, I don’t know). But, by reducing the dosage slowly month-by-month, I could closely monitor any adverse effects related to the change. If at any point I had experienced a problem, I would’ve stopped the experiment and sought another option. So far, everything has worked well.

I am trying the hyperbaric oxygen therapy right now, and had high hopes for success! I am on tamsulosin twice daily and have troubles day and night

I thought I had it bad. Nine years is a long time. I'm 3 years post brachytherapy, and 3.5 years post radiation. My issue is the constant blood in my stool from the non-healing scarring from radiation in my lower intestine. I do occasionally have some pain during urination. Tamsulosin 2 days on and 1 day off works best for me. Weening myself off the drug was a no-go a year ago. I certainly would like to stop. Nothing to eat or drink after 7pm will usually get me 5 - 6 hours of sleep without having to visit the john. Now, the 2 ibuprofen with my evening beverage may help with the sleep, too. I'm seeing another urologist next week. I'll post again if he gives me some new ideas on the scarring. Hang in there.

I was prescribed it a month and half before my RARP as I was having trouble peeing. Well, I could empty if I worked at it anyway.

Stopped taking after 2 weeks due to dizziness. My doc had me cut back to every other day for a week and then stop completely. I had no retention issues by the time my surgery rolled around and afterwards, retention wasn't an issue at all (insert "duh")

Good luck on your Dr. visit!

@q95oldies definitely similar. After 3 days, I went back to taking Flomax, one capsule, and my issues also were resolved. I'm meeting my Dr. in a short while and will get his take on how long he thinks I need to keep taking the drug. The only annoying side effect for me is that it affects my nasal breathing which, along with a deviated septum, can be bothersome while trying to sleep. When I took 2 capsules, I couldn't breath well though my nose at all...weird I know.

And, I don't know if there is a connection to ADT. I stopped Orgovyx a few weeks ago, but, still have side effects, notably hot flashes that may be lessening.

I started Flomax near the end of my radiation, last May. I was taking 2 capsules shortly after dinner each night. Last Fall I decided to cut out one! Had full retention in 2-3 days. I returned to 2 per night, no more issues.
On eligard too, not sure if that has any bearing.

I completed radiation treatments on 5th January this year, so nearly a month ago. I had been taking Flomax, one capsule, plus 2-3 Advil along with a Pepcid daily. My Dr. advised stopping the Advil first and that happened two weeks ago. My urine flow got to nearly normal two days back and I decided to stop Flomax. Difficult urination, urgency and minor pain returned. I'm thinking that I'll give it another day as these symptoms are all manageable and I'm thrilled to be taking no drugs. (I also had 4 months of Orgovyx). I appreciate reading all these experiences which, while not identical, shed light on when to stop or not stop drugs. I tend to be '6 sigma' avoiding drug taking, but I believe that when there is no good alternative, I have to take them.

Has anyone had any experience with CBD for post-radiation symptoms? It was very effective for me when I had PHN, which is Post Herpetic Neuralgia, caused by shingles. CBD was equally effective as gabapentin and has far less scary side effects.

Oh I'm so envious. Its been 9 years since I had Proton therapy for my mild prostate cancer treatment, and I still have a basket full of issues. 1) can't get a full erection or even keep the 80% I can get; 2) can't ejaculate; 3) takes a long, long time to get to a mild orgasm; 4) painful urination most of the time; 5) have to pee about every hour to an hour and a half; 6) get up at least six time a night to pee due to the pain waking me up when my bladder fills with just 3-4 oz; 7) bladder wall has nonhealing scarring from the radiation which causes the pain; 8) and I sometimes have loss of rectum sphincter control (several "accidents" have happened over the years).
I have been to 5 different Urologist over this time; tried Hyperbaric therapy twice; several drugs; so far no solutions.
Like I said, I'm so envious.

For years I had taken Tamsolusin in hopes that I would not get up as often at night. Recently I concluded that even though I was taking Tamsolusin I was getting up at night as often as I was before I started taking it. Thus, I quit taking it and there have been no adverse results. Sometimes I get up every 2 hours once in awhile I don't get up for 4 hours. I expect I am off it permanently and that's okay with my physician.