This is the word from my eye surgeon when I had my cataracts done; eye drops are instilled to dilate the eye prior to the procedure. If you have been on Flomax the eye dilates normally, but as soon as an instrument touches it, the eye constricts immediately. My doctor said they just have to use a different technique which involves using a tiny retractor in the eye so they have the right field to work in. If they know you are on Flomax, they are ready with the right procedure, and it should go fine. Doesn't matter how long you are off the medication, still needs the alternative technique.
Disclaimer: we asked the question because my husband is on flomax, and was needing the info in case he needs the procedure done in the future. Flomax not one of the things I take!!!
Liz
George & Liz
Ole (the cat)
1987 27' Mallard Class C
yes thanks, my Dr. also mentioned the dilation factor which I forgot to mention. don't really understand why being off it for a while wouldn't "fix" that factor however. If the results of flomax were "permanent" for constriction, why do I have to take it every day?
bumpy
5thwheeleroldman wrote: Maybe consider the TUNA procedure. I'm on Flomax (not working very well) and trying to get off, so I had them do a TUNA 4 days ago. Won't know for about 3months if it really solves the problem, hope so.
TUNA is a radio frequency treatment that heats up the prostate so that a major part of it gradually dies and is absorbed by your body over a few months. They stick something a little smaller than a pencil up your penis (lots of fun) and treat 7 spots over a total time of about 14 minutes. Hurts like Hell for that 14 minutes, then they put a catheter in, then you go home, drive yourself if you have to, but better if your wife drives you. A very sleepless night the first night, take the catheter out the second day, feel pretty good after that first night. Your urination is worse than before for several days (I guess), but gradually gets better. Supposedly like a young man within 3 months. Almost no danger of impotence or incontinence.
Good luck.
Heard of it. Had the one described at my link, in mid-2006. Because I had already experienced the kind of infection my prostate can host w/Type-2 Diabetes catering, we decided against any avoidable needling or the classic roto-rooter procedure. Personal observations: there are some prescription pills to take the evening before & the day-of. I did that, & didn't feel any different, but my Urologist's Nurse seemed concerned I might fall. The only real discomfort was getting the catheter put in, but that might be in the eye of the (well... never mind) Then there is this other probe so the computer can regulate the RF energy the prostate gets via some tiny emitter inside the catheter. It goes the only place logical for such a thing, but it doesn't hurt--just a metaphoric pain in the (never mind). There are no nerve-endings in the prostate to sense being slow-cooked at 122ºF for 45 minutes on that RF. So it doesn't hurt. A Nurse trained in managing the procedure stays within line-of-sight in case the patient is in any distress.
In my case it was during a reasonably GOOD episode of ST:\DS9. When it was done, in my case a non-latex catheter was indicated & none could be found. This was a GOOD thing, because in the first few hours I was home, I did P a few clots that would have clogged it, and local medicine has no useful grasp of the concept of a clot stopping-up a catheter (voice of experience). There wasn't any catheter to clog, I kept right on pushing fluids, and the Good Lord's design took care of the rest.
Far's any medication (I even list my vitamins)--keep your Pharmacist in the loop and make sure your Doctor(s) know. It's good to take notes while any Doc is listing the meds that might cause a problem, too. I wish everyone following this thread--good outcomes.A non needle RF therapy for BPH
There are a couple of alternate products to flomax now, don't know if they have the same problem however. my friend who has a service type of health insurance had flomax taken off the preferred list so has to switch unless they can justify the use of flomax.
bumpy
Offline
