Kidney stones and Flomax

[Kaes]

Anyone ever get them and take this stuff? I have a couple. Nothing large or awful, but doc prescribed Flomax and I'm hesitant because I've heard bad things over the years. Thoughts?
Thanks
Kaes

 

[Vince Carter]

It helps if you divulge what you heard that you think is bad

 

[Kaes]

Over the years, I've heard people complain of libido and ejaculatory issues, which I understand are no big deal in the short run, but I wondered if perhaps there were long-term effects of using this particular drug. Thanks.

 

[mooseman109]

I have passed over a dozen stones over the years. Darn things are tough. I do dental cavities with no numbing medicines and cut moles off myself and have stitched myself. But those darn stones put me down hard.
I take 10mg of dialaudid, a torqdol, a flexeril and a flomax. I have not taken them for an extended period. They give me real bad cotton mouth. They do seem to help open things up for the stone to pass less painfully. Mine have all been in the 2-5 mm size.

 

[Vince]

Have you read the studies using MAGNESIUM and VITAMIN B6 to prevent recurrence of kidney stones? There were some older studies that were very successful at kidney stone recurrence on that protocol.

It works for the most common type of kidney stone.

 

[Kaes]

Vince and Mooseman, thanks for the input. Helpful and interesting. I have not heard of the studies you mention, Vince, but I do take magnesium pretty regularly. I guess I should throw B6 back into the mix. I used to take it religiously. Again, thanks, guys.

 

[broker]

I have been using flomax for over a year with no side effects. Its a pretty safe and benign medication. It relaxes the prostate and bladder neck. I think its a great medication.
Rapaflo is supposed to be even better. You could get reduced ejaculation volume but its not a big deal at all. Its definitely not permament.

 

[Matthew1975]

Flomax (tamsulosin) is prescribed by ER LIP's all the time when a patient has a kidney stone. It helps you pass the stone, it doesn't have to be a lifelong medication, so chances are any side effects that concern you are not likely to occur, or would stop when you stop the medication. I've taken care of many patients who have recurring kidney stones and have successfully used Flomax in the past to help pass their previous stones.

You may be thinking of medications like Avodart and Proscar/Propecia (dutasteride and finasteride) which are actually powerful anti-androgenic medications and, in my opinion, should come with a black box warning. Propecia does terrible things to men who feel too young to be bald, yet have no idea what they are really taking. Avodart and Proscar/Propecia are not even supposed to be touched by a woman who could even be remotely pregnant because of the irreversible, teratogenic effects they will have on a male fetus.

Women are prescribed Flomax all the time to help with kidney stones, or to help with urine flow.

Biggest thing to be careful with is Flomax can drop your blood pressure. So, when you stand up from bed or a chair, stand up slowly, and pause for 10-15 seconds to make sure you don't become lightheaded. If you do, simply sit back down until it passes. Also, if you take blood pressure medication, be really careful. (I'm sure your pharmacist and/or doctor went over this stuff already).

 

[Kaes]

Matthew and Broker,
Thanks for the input. And yeah, Matthew, I WAS thinking of finasteride. My BP is borderline high anyway...and I have seen no drop. I kinda wish I would...Anyway, thanks again, guys!

 

[Matthew1975]

Matthew and Broker,
Thanks for the input. And yeah, Matthew, I WAS thinking of finasteride. My BP is borderline high anyway...and I have seen no drop. I kinda wish I would...Anyway, thanks again, guys!

Quite welcome!

 

[busgalloway]

I've been using flomax for a month but haven't noticed anything negative except the first 24 hours on it I got extremely congested. After that it's been totally fine.

 

[broker]

I use flomax and get no side effects. If anyone has prostate issues, they NEED to use something or else you will cause irreversible damage to your bladder or kidneys. If i is very minor you can watch and wait i suppose but if you notice your are starting to strain when urinating, you need to jump on meds.

 

[OMI100]

I have been on Flowmax and a few others.
Tried Cialis.
I was on 5 mg Cialis but let the script run out.
Seemed to help.
I have had stones in the past.
I had a BIG one that resulted in having to get Lithotripsy (sp?).
I have a post on that fun experience
Lithotripsy - what is it and how does it work (kidney stones)
About 8 weeks ago had lower back pain.
Thought it was a pulled muscle from exercising.
About a week ago I decided to see the URO as condition switched from an issue to not an issue.
Another CT or MRI scan.
3 - 4 mm stone moving south
I apparently passed it as pain has gone now and no blood when I pee
This latest one was bearable, but the 11 mm one just about took me to my knees
Asked the URO to give me a new script for 5 mg Cialis.
Insurance "Prior Approval Crap" now, so waiting to see if it gets approved again
If not, I may have to try the older stuff again

 

[mooseman109]

So Orrin, do dye think that Cialis helped to keep stones from forming or making them pass easier?

 

[OMI100]

Helped in the peeing area Passing stones is all about the size and type. Anything that helps open the route up is a good thing So far I have had 2 stones that caught my attention The one before the 11mm episode got me a night in the hospital. At some point I passed it and all was good. The 11mm one was NOT going to pass due to size. I have had episodes in the past where I passed smaller ones. Felt like a lower back infection till the stone passed

 

[mooseman109]

Helped in the peeing area Passing stones is all about the size and type. Anything that helps open the route up is a good thing So far I have had 2 stones that caught my attention The one before the 11mm episode got me a night in the hospital. At some point I passed it and all was good. The 11mm one was NOT going to pass due to size. I have had episodes in the past where I passed smaller ones. Felt like a lower back infection till the stone passed

Yeah roger on passing them. I travel with flomax, flexeril, toradol and dilaudid. Usual cocktail is 8mg dialudid, one toradol, one flomax and one flexeril amd as much fluid as i can get in nefore that all knocks me out. I have done 12 now, i think biggest was 6-8mm. Couple have put me down hard. Others lower back pain like you said.

 

[OMI100]

6 - 8 mm OUCH!!!!!!