Are any other prostate cancer suffers using Tamsulosin? I find it helps me pee easily and without pain following my radiotherapy. Has anyone experienced any long term problems they associate with this drug? I wonder if it also has a laxative effect?
I don't use tamsulosin now, but I have previously used it.
Started using it in Aug.2023, following an incident of acute urinary retention requiring short term (10 days) catheterisation.
Stopped using it in Mar.2024, following a procedure (Aquablation) to address the BPH issue which caused my urinary issues, including retention. Post-procedure analysis of the removed tissue identified the presence of Gleason 3+3, which put me on the cancer track.
Almost immediately after starting on tamsulosin, I experienced full (100% bone dry) retrograde ejaculation. This is a common experience. On the positive side, tamsulosin helped to some extent (I'd guess 15% or so) with my urine flow.
After a few months, the ejaculation pattern changed to a mix of intermittent retrograde and antegrade (normal), although with low / very low volume of ejaculate. With full RE, the quality of the sensation was a definite notch down from normal.
After the procedure itself, and ceasing tamsulosin, I landed in a bit of a grey zone, where ejaculation is mostly not completely dry, but the volume of ejaculate is minimal, i.e. only a few ml. However the overall sensation is good, and for me close enough to normal to be a satisfactory experience, so I have no complaints.
I suspect that this status is a result of the procedure (claimed incidence rate is 10%, although I suspect more), rather then being due to having taken tamsulosin for about 8 months.
Tamsulosin had no laxative or other known effect on me.
I have been using Tamsulosin for about 15 months now, so not exactly long term, but may help give you an answer. I was given it part way through my RT treatment to help with peeing overnight (slow starting & bladder not fully emptying so lots of interrupted sleep.
Initially I was taking it every night, but after a short while found that the benefits lasted long enough to only need to take it every 3rd night. As I have a propensity to kidney stones, I have to drink water through the evening as well as throughout the day & also top up during the night, so my GP has continued with the tablets.
How long ago did you finish RT, as the pain when peeing could be because you aren't in fact drinking enough water (seems counterintuitive I know).
I haven't noticed any laxative effect from using them.
