Other's experiences with Alpha Blockers

[Oldcolonial]

Recently I started taking 0.4 mg tamsulosin (Flomax) to treat symtoms associated with BPH. I am about a week into it. I have not seen too much in the way of improvement w.r.t. bph but my doc told me I should give it at least 14 days

Right away I have noticed that my at my cruising speed and perceived effort my heart rate is much higher than it was before. For instance, my typical cruising speed is 23-24 strokes per minute at around 2:02-2:03 / 500M for a 30 min piece. This would typically put me at 65-75% of my HRR throughout most of the piece with maybe a bit of drift a bit higher right near the end. On the meds, it found myself well past 75% 5 minutes into the piece. I saw a similar result on while I was running. I have not done any workouts where I have "pushed it" yet as I figured I would try to get used to life on the meds first.
I am hoping that over time I will find some adaptation to the meds and not see too much of a decrease in my top end performance. I have no specific competitive goals but do like to find the edge of my capabilities from time to time.

I am interested in hearing from others who may have had similar initial experiences as well as hearing if and how their experience has changed after some time taking the meds.

About me;
53 years old, 6'2", 177#. I run, row and do some cross fit type work for general fitness. I started rowing about 4 years ago as part of a plan put together by my PT to recover from a complete quadriceps tear/separation. I ran cross country and track in college as well as having done some road racing. I am generally healthy (aside from the bph) with low to normal blood pressure and chemistry without medications.

[Rowan McSheen]

I have to take the same pill, although in my case the issue is the bladder muscle rather than BPH. I was on them for a while, had an operation and came off them, and then went back on because the op was only partially successful.

I don't recall any effects on performance when starting to take tamsulosin, but I was starting over again after the symptoms had made it almost impossible to do anything.

Several years on and I can't see any impact. In running races this year I've been turning in times similar to those of years past before I started taking tamsulosin. I don't know what I would be capable of were I not on the pills and there are other factors such as quality of training. But it's probably reasonable to assume that since the pills are a muscle relaxant they could be dragging me down a bit.

Ultimately, if I have to trade a couple of minutes on my 10K time so I can piss properly then I'll live with that.

I'm 56, btw.

[Edward4492]

Getting just a tad off topic, but I had severe BPH about ten years ago; won't go into all the details. Ended up getting a green light laser surgery that was in every sense of the word life changing. Used to get up 4 or 5 times a night to pee, now sleep right through. If you want details shoot me a PM.

[Oldcolonial]

Thank you for the feedback. Its good to hear of a good result with a surgical intervention.

[Parky]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm so regular with my bladder emptying at 0700 daily. Bowels empty daily at 0800.

When I get up at 0900 I have a shower.

[Oldcolonial]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm so regular with my bladder emptying at 0700 daily. Bowels empty daily at 0800.

When I get up at 0900 I have a shower.

Envious indeed. I don't think I have had an empty bladder in years. 17 stone + 8 lbs, definitely a big boy, especially at 71 years of age.

[prairiefire]

Of all the antihypertensives, in this case flomax (terazosin), which have dual uses with BPH, the incidence of adverse side effects with exercise are minimal.


"Vasodilators. Alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs. Prazosin, terazosin, and doxazosin do not suppress cardiac output or exercise capacity and are excellent choices for athletes and other active patients. Prazosin decreases mean arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance at rest and with dynamic work." This quote from one of my medical journals of a few years ago.

I also use floras and have noted no untoward side effects form it in terms of exercise performance. It looks like those on calcium channel blockers and ARBS for high blood pressure are spared some of the problems associated with beta blockers.

Bottom line is that flomax should be a low risk proposition while exercising.

[Oldcolonial]

Thank for the info prairiefire. I have noticed that the initial decrease in performance seems to have been recovered. Unfortunately, the meds have been generally useless in dealing with urinary symptoms so I guess I am back for more tests and the discussion of other options.

[prairiefire]

Oldcolonial - I agree about the efficacy of flomax and cialis for that matter. I think, in my case, it's only slightly helping the symptoms and I plan to go to Mayos in a year and have the green light laser surgery. After considering a TURP and other options, I really like the studies and results of the laser approach - down time and least ancillary unintended damage!