Avodart reduces my bathroom visits

Here’s one of the crucial questions facing a blogger: “Does anyone besides me care about how often I pee?” Well, how will I know unless I blog about it? And, if you don’t care, stop reading.

I suspect, though, that quite a few men of a certain age will find my subject fascinating.

For 50% of men over the age of 50 are said to have an enlarged prostate (90% over 80). In my “Female doctors do it better” post I noted that a prostate exam is the only time you don’t want to hear from a female who is inspecting your genital area that you’re larger than average.

That happened to me about fifteen months ago. At that time I started taking Flomax, a prescription drug that relieves the symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), which include going often, going urgently, having a weak stream, and frequently waking up at night to go.

All of which described how my 57 year old urinary system was operating. For some inexplicable reason that casts serious doubt on the existence of an intelligent designer, in men the uretha comes out of the bladder and passes through the prostate (which adds fluids to the semen to nourish and protect sperm cells).

When the prostate enlarges due to the effects of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the urethra gets squeezed. And the above-mentioned symptoms appear.

I’d been getting up at least two times a night to go to the bathroom. Recalling my youthful days, that wasn’t at all the case. Sleeping all the way to morning was the rule, not the exception. Then there was the flow thing.

At the athletic club where I work out, I generally use a side by side set of urinals (discreetly separated by a divider). One day I sidled up to pee at the same time as a twenty-something dude. I was struck by the difference in sound between us. One of us was imitating a small waterfall, the other a trickle tube.

You can guess which I was. But now I’m on my way to becoming a gusher again. And a much less frequent visitor to the bathroom, thanks to Avodart.

(Note: I have no financial interest in GlaxoSmithKline, which makes this drug. However, I'd like one. I’m entirely open to accepting cash and/or a free supply of Avodart from GSK if the company wants to express its appreciation for this marvelously positive free blog advertising. Or a Mini-Cooper S convertible, which would entitle GSK to a whole series of Avodart posts and really make me feel younger.)

When I went for my annual physical about three and a half months ago, my doctor told me that my prostate was still “generous.” I didn’t press for details. She said that while Flomax treats symptoms, it doesn’t shrink the prostate. Avodart does, by lowering the level of DHT. I was told that Flomax and Avodart can be taken at the same time, and that Avodart can take six months or so to have an effect.

Well, it seems to be working for me after just a bit over three months. I’m usually getting up to go just once a night now. And the frequency of bathroom trips is considerably less during the day.

Yesterday I peed at the athletic club around 4:30 pm, then went to my Tai Chi class. At 6:15 I drank a large Starbucks latte before beginning my weekly grocery shopping. Got home and took the dog for a walk. Peed again at about 8:00 pm. That’s three and a half hours between bathroom visits, even with a large latte coursing through my bladder.

Much improved from before. So I’m happy with Avodart.

It’s fairly spendy, but insurance is paying half the cost of my prescription. I haven’t noticed any side effects. That’s good, but I would like to experience the side effect of having hair regrow on my bald spot. Avodart is expected to work like Propecia, since it reduces the conversion of testosterone to DHT, one of the causes of hair loss.

I’ll be keeping an eye on the back of my head. Along with paying less attention to toilets.

Comments

[Roger]

Brian,

The word, "Pee" is a crude form of wordage.

The proper term should be, "Tinkle."

When I need to relieve myself, I properly communicate, "I need to take a Tinkle."

Not bragging, however, this does show a high level of sophistication on my part.

[Brian]

Roger, at least "pee" is above "wee-wee," don't you think? But I'll agree that "tinkle" is more sophisticated than either.

In this post I struggled with finding appropriate verbiage. I fell back on "go to the bathroom" when it seemed that I'd overdone "pee."

Yet "urinate" struck me as too clinical, and "number one" too mathematical.

I discovered this excellent Wikipedia compendium of toilet slang too late:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Bad_Jokes_and_Other_Deleted_Nonsense/Toilet_Slang

Now I know about "point the pink pistol at the porcelain firing range" Certainly more vivid than a plain "pee."

[Roger]

Brian,

Thanks for the Wikipedia compendium of toilet slang. After an exhaustive analysis of the compendium and a thorough examination of the word, "Urination." I have decided to delete the "U" word from my daily communications to;

"pointing the Percy at the porcelain."

This is another classic example of my ability to change my usage of day-to-day standard words.

[rach]

Whatchya complaining about?? Try having a baby and see how many times you wake to go pee. And it doesn't stop after the baby. Not to mention the sneeze induced tinkles. Anyhow, careful on the lattes, they are dehydrating so would have an impact on your pee-out-put.

[Rick]

Brian, I am a 58 yr old male, and have been taking Flomax for 2 yrs. Now my doctor (and yes, female doctors definitely do it better) is switching me to Avodart, and there will be an overlap as you pointed out, until the Avodart kicks in later. Since my post is 6 months after yours, my question to you is: have you noticed any side effects from Avodart by now? I've noticed some occasional dizziness and nasal congestion from the Flomax and wonder what to expect from Avodart. A lot of men our age seem to be going this route, so i guess I'll go with the flow.
You may answer to my email if you want.

[Brian]

Rick, I'm still taking both: Flomax and Avodart. I haven't noticed any side effects from either. Some dizziness from Flomax only occurred the first time I took it. After that, I adjusted fine.

I'd say, go with both. I wish Avodart was cheaper, but that's the way our inefficient health care system works. On the plus side, I believe that Avodart has stimulated some hair growth in my bald spot.

I could be deluding myself, hoping to get more benefit bang for my Avodart bucks, but I really do think that this has been a beneficial side effect.

[Mike]

I am an athletic 73 year old and about to begin regimen of Avodart. I have been taking Flomax for some time and do experience light headedness. I am concerned about the effect of lower testosterone levels on my active life. Does it cause muscle weakness of any sort? Would be interested in hearing how it has affected others who work out regularly.

[Brian]

Mike, I'm no expert on this but a little Google research reveals that Avodart actually increases testosterone levels rather than reduce them.

This is what the Avodart official info. says (page 2):
http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_avodart.pdf

And it is also what this web page says:
http://www.mesomorphosis.com/steroid-profiles/avodart.htm

Makes sense. Avodart prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT, so that leaves more of it as testosterone.

[Holly]

Wow, learn something totally inapplicable to you everyday! I thought that (until college) The reason a man had to hold his part was because, if let go while piddling it would go crazy, like the wand at a car wash. Now as if to erase any doubt, I see that some coming out in a fixed stream is a great thing. Quoting Elaine on Seinfield:"How do you guys live with those things?" Great, now I have to go whizzz, should have skipped this blog.