Looking for the best alternatives to Alpha Blockers

[ChgoGuy]

I've come to the best conclusion that Alpha Blockers are not in my best interest, due to the side effect related to painful erections lasting for hours. I never had this problem until I started taking Tamsulosin, which began within days of starting it. Now my Dr. recommended Alfozosin, which has the same side effect. I've had people tell me to try it and see what happens, however I already have the painful erections whether I am on the Alpha Blockers or not. Taking an Alpha Blocker, and discontinuing it does not stop this side effect. It sticks, or at least it stuck with me. I don't see the point in taking a medication that caused it, as it could just make the problem worse. I don't want to end up in an ER every night or end up with Priapism, although I feel that I have it. It's bad enough this side effect has been laughed off by every doctor and Urologist I've seen.

I'm looking to get some better flow. At times it's sluggish. But I'm not sure if it's because my flow is bad, or because the constant urge makes me believe I have to go, when there is no urine to void. I think I am trying to force urine out that isn't there, which not only comes out more of a dribble, but I'm concerned this is also aggravating the pelvic muscles making matters worse and causing urge issues. Nonetheless - what can I do to get good flow while voiding? I've done Saw Palmetto, Beta Sitosterol and other combinations of natural and herbal supplements, and not really convinced they do anything. My number 1 concern is usually urge related issues, so when I need to void, I want to feel confident I will not end up wearing my urine by dribbling, especially when not home. I'm always open to something new, and everything I've read is a mixed bag when it comes to relief, or it's just nonsense. Would I be better off with just the stretches and exercises? That too I have mixed feelings about how well it's helping. I picked up a Therawand recently and am trying to figure it out. I know there are people who suffered for a lot longer than I have, but it's coming up on year number 3 for me, and I'm looking to beat this ASAP. I refuse to let this fester and control me any longer. The problem is that none of the medications I have taken have done me much good. They have caused more problems than what they solved IMHO. So what alternatives should I be looking at to Alpha Blockers for better voiding flow?

[webslave]

My advice is to do what I do: sit while urinating. This allows for better flow and allows you to urinate long enough to completely empty the bladder. Don't rush. A restricted flow is more or less normal as you age. Just be patient with it. Only young men urinate like race horses. You have a little BPH is all.

Autopsy studies have observed BPH in 8%, 50%, and 80% in the 4th, 6th, and 9th decades of life, respectively

Also note: https://ucpps.men/foru ... 349#p23349

[ChgoGuy]

The Urologists I've seen have all seemed to indicate that my prostate size is fine. I'm totally confused by all of this, because nothing they tell me makes sense. As I'm sure you may have noticed by now, I stress that urge is a bigger complaint for me than the pain sometimes. Will using a Therawand eventually help with the urge issues that plague me? I couldn't even make it into work today after being off all last week. I really need to get control over it. My PT says that it will calm down the pelvic muscles. But I get all this anxiety telling me that nothing has helped so far, so how will a Therawand be any different? I've read your Bio Webslave, and I hope I don't become a pain in your @$$, but I see similarities in how your job early on was a problem for you. I have always had high stresses at work. You are somewhat of an inspiration for me. I just hope I can accomplish what you have accomplished. I have missed out on so much in almost 3 yrs that was important to me. But the urge part is what's really beating me up. Btw - I do in fact sit while urinating sometimes.

[webslave]

Well if you combine a little BPH, which most men have by your age, even though a uro will not report a giant prostate on palpation, with some inflammation from stress (as outlined in our page on pelvic myoneuropathy), and perhaps a bit of bladder inflammation thrown in (stress can inflame bladders too, as experiments with cats show), then you're all set for problems. You need to follow all the pointers we discuss here, including the very important psychological and stress avoidance aspects. The Therawand will only be one facet, but all anchors must be lifted before the boat will move.

[ChgoGuy]

The psychological aspect is the most difficult part, because certain family members have caused the most stresses, along with the job. I can't quit my job, and although I have separated myself from so much of the family drama that has caused the most grief, there is the guilt and the stress that comes along with shutting those people out, especially when its one of my children and their spouse, and one of my parents.

This is where I am at the moment. I am going to titrate down from the Myrbetriq, and see how much will change as far as urge once I am off. I am off the Elavil, because it somewhat helped but I was having a hard time passing the urine at times, and I already have issues with that. I laid off the Prosta Strong and am doing 500mg X 2 times a day of Quercetin. I take supplements of high quality Aloe Vera capsules suggested from one of the IC Forums, because I thought there was a possibility that I was having bladder irritation of the IC type. I take 400mg of Etodolac for pain, which helps, but by no means is a life saver for me. As I mentioned before, there is the Priapism side effect that comes along with the Alpha Blockers, and I truly believe that the erections at night are also irritating the pelvic floor, considering urinating is what makes it go away, and I have to push to make myself urinate. My Doctor suggested Cymbalta, but there is the concern for Priapism and urination hesitancy that concerns me with that, along with the constipation that causes flare ups. So its been very hard without the help of many of the drugs in the arsenal because I literally have been affected by almost all. Early on I was taking Diazepam, but it not only made me a zombie, I can't be on that stuff at work.

So what I have to work on, is dealing with the psychological stress, hitting the trigger points, and trying to figure out which pointers will work for me. I have to be honest. There seems to be too much to digest, relating to all the other stuff. Because it appears there has been a lot of trial and error over the years by people in this forum, and not everything seems to work for everybody. What are the best pointers you can give Webslave from your own experience? Considering that you are better, do you still continue doing certain things to keep yourself on the same track? I need to read "Headache in the Pelvis" again. I was overwhelmed the first time I read it. Maybe because I was more frightened back then and couldn't really comprehend what was really going on. Many years ago, I had my first flare up that only lasted a very short time, then disappeared for many years. My grandmother suggested that I read this book, and I can't remember the name, but there were suggestions how Candida was thought to cause many of these problems. Any thoughts on that?

[webslave]

I still avoid stress, so that's my chief strategy. Try Carl's list too, including saunas.
https://ucpps.men/foru ... f=5&t=6475

There are about 50 things you can do to get better, many ways to relax and de-stress, stretches, exercises, breathing exercises, medications, books, music, it goes on and on. Just calm down and read as much as you can. The forum is full of pointers.

[ChgoGuy]

I think I've mentioned before that I don't sleep much in the past 20 yrs after an accident at work. So that doesn't help me much. Music is definitely a passion of mine and a huge stress reliever.

Again... Thanks!