BPH

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3speednut
Posts: 73
Joined: 6 Apr 2015, 7:32pm

BPH

Post by 3speednut »

Anyone have experience of benign prostate hypoplasia (prostate enlargement) in particular the use of finasteride 5mg and contiflo xl 400mg, been using the contiflo for 5 months and seems to do nothing, but now have been given finasteride as well this one inhibits the production of testosterone and don't like the sound of that , will it have a marked affect on energy levels and increased tiredness ect, any help with this will be much appreciated.
rmurphy195
Posts: 2199
Joined: 20 May 2011, 11:23am
Location: South Birmingham

Re: BPH

Post by rmurphy195 »

3speednut wrote: 18 Nov 2021, 9:17pm Anyone have experience of benign prostate hypoplasia (prostate enlargement) in particular the use of finasteride 5mg and contiflo xl 400mg, been using the contiflo for 5 months and seems to do nothing, but now have been given finasteride as well this one inhibits the production of testosterone and don't like the sound of that , will it have a marked affect on energy levels and increased tiredness ect, any help with this will be much appreciated.
I've been on these for about 9 years. TBH I don't seem to be bothered by energy levels or tiredness beyond my norm (once I'd got used to them took 2 or 3 of weeks as I recollect), but then I've always been sure to exercise every day and still am, even an hour or so walking. If I miss the tabs then I sure know about it, without going into details! Complicated in my case by other issues requiring the need to hydrate muchly.

Biggest issue was postural hypotension (the "Feeling Dizzy" thing when you stand up) to the extent that my GP changed to Tamsulosin which improved matters no end, although I do very occasionally get it. Something to do with relaxing a sphincter which normally maintains blood pressure to your head when you sit or stand up, so the pressure drops momentarily under these circumstances . Helped to bugger-up my efforts to get a flying licence way back then even though it was on the CAA approved list. Ho hum.

If you do get severe postural hypotension speak to your GP, especially if, for example, you normally ride on the drops and feel light-headed when you stop and sit up.

I hope this helps - Richard.
Brompton, Condor Heritage, creaky joints and thinning white (formerly grey) hair
""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
Jdsk
Posts: 24478
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: BPH

Post by Jdsk »

3speednut wrote: 18 Nov 2021, 9:17pm Anyone have experience of benign prostate hypoplasia (prostate enlargement) in particular the use of finasteride 5mg and contiflo xl 400mg, been using the contiflo for 5 months and seems to do nothing, but now have been given finasteride as well this one inhibits the production of testosterone and don't like the sound of that , will it have a marked affect on energy levels and increased tiredness ect, any help with this will be much appreciated.
Finasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the latter being a much more active male sex hormone. (This doesn't affect your concern over possible adverse effects but it might explain what you find when you read about it.)

The NHS advice includes how often the adverse effects occur:
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/

The best systematic review that I know is the one published in Cochrane in 2010:
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/do ... .pub3/full

It describes the adverse effects as "rare".

Jonathan
3speednut
Posts: 73
Joined: 6 Apr 2015, 7:32pm

Re: BPH

Post by 3speednut »

Thanks for your very informative replys, all info gratefully received.
Hate the idea of being permanently on pills, but will do so if the alternative is urinary problems or surgery.
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TrevA
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Location: Nottingham

Re: BPH

Post by TrevA »

I had BPH about 4 years ago. Mine had got to the stage where it was interfering with urination, so I was having to have a catheter permanently fitted. I was given some Tamsulosin tablets to manage the condition, but they didn’t seem to do anything. An experimental removal of the catheter resulted in urinary retention. After about 4 months of wearing the catheter, I was booked in and had TURP surgery to cure the BPH. I’ve been fine ever since, don’t even need to get up for a pee during the night now.

Whilst I was fitted with the catheter, I found that I couldn’t cycle, as the pedalling action put too much tension on the catheter.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
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francovendee
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Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am

Re: BPH

Post by francovendee »

I've been taking tablets for this for some time. The first two types made no improvement. I now take Alfuzosine and it's improved matters. It's not perfect and nightly visits to the loo are still needed but at least I can pee.
I'm very reluctant to have surgery for this due to possible side effects so quite willing to put up with broken sleep.
I looked up the side effects of the drug and one was it worked like Viagra! Can't say I've noticed. :D
3speednut
Posts: 73
Joined: 6 Apr 2015, 7:32pm

Re: BPH

Post by 3speednut »

Agree about the side effects from any operation.
Things seem to have settled down a bit now, I did have some viagra side affects initially with the pills I have but that's stopped now :shock:
rmurphy195
Posts: 2199
Joined: 20 May 2011, 11:23am
Location: South Birmingham

Re: BPH

Post by rmurphy195 »

I've been on Tamsulosin and Finasteride for almost 10 years now. They do the job most of the 99% of the time, no ill efects as far as I am aware, except for postural hypotension occasionally (the feeling dizzy when you stand up thing) which is less with Tamsulosin than the original drug, Alfuzosin I think it was.

A quick test for postural hypotension, if you want to try it - lie on your back for a minute or two with your hands behind your head, then sit up - if you rey out, thats due (probably!) to postural hypotension. Temporary low bloood pressure to the brain 'cos a sphincter somewhere that should contract to maintain blood presure remains relaxed due to the medication.
Brompton, Condor Heritage, creaky joints and thinning white (formerly grey) hair
""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
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