Pinexel Progress
Following a recent visit to the local urology clinic in Dunfermline I have been prescribed Pinexel PR to, hopefully, treat my urinary problems. I have commenced the course of treatment on Saturday 19th March 2016. This is a branded pharmaceutical, Tamsulosin hydrochloride.
The “PR” in Pinexel PR stands for Prolonged-Release which I guess means it is intended to disperse gradually and evenly throughout the day.
It is clearly designed to stress me to the maximum degree, as the first thing I did was to read the accompanying notes that informed me Pinexel was a drug to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia {BPH) or a benign growth or tumour of the prostate gland.
Not that I am a hypochondriac but, my urologist had explained that he would suggest my GP prescribe a drug to aid muscle function around the bladder. I was not expecting a drug to treat a prostate growth.
Possible Side-Effects of Tamsulosin:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fall in blood pressure, palpitations
- Rhinitis, sneezing or stuffy nose
- Nausea
- Rash or itchy skin
- Abnormal Ejaculation
My urologist mentioned some of the possible side effects but the one he seemed to stress was the dizziness when rising, Fortunately, I can report that I have experienced none of these possible side effects.
But, further research reveals that, perhaps, my urologist was speaking knowledgeably. An article on Wikipedia, linked at the foot of this page, suggests that Pinexel may have muscle relaxation benefits and is often used to aid the passage of kidney stones.
Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is NOT cancer. Apparently, it is just old age. I do not call myself the Old Man with MS, on Twitter, for nothing. Checkout the WebMD article linked in the footnote section.
Brand Names for Tamsulosin include:
- Pinexel
- Flomax
- Urisurge
- Flomaxtra
- Contiflo
- Bestflo
- Urimax
- Pradif
- Harnal
- Omnic
In the first few days of taking the prescribed dose of tamsulosin, I did notice an improvement in the flow-rate when passing urine. I also noted a reduction in the neurological pains I had been getting as my bladder fills.
Wary of jumping to conclusions and also very aware of the placebo effect, I kept up the treatment without, as far as possible, any expectations or preconceptions.
Tamsulosin Prostate Reduction
I have been watching a documentary about the ways in which the brain works and, amongst many other things, it discusses the unconscious or subconscious mind. Now, the placebo effect is very much a function of the subconscious mind and despite my deliberate effort to avoid drug outcome expectations, the placebo effect can still have enormous effects on your well-being, making any true analysis of drug effects very difficult.
Well, this morning, I took my eighteenth Pinexel tablet which should mean I am eighteen days into the treatment. The truth is, that it is my nineteenth day as a managed to miss a day last weekend. Very naughty I know, but it shouldn’t alter the outcome too much. I am now halfway through the prescribed course of treatment.
Am I seeing any benefit from the Pinexel?
I think I am, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Before I began taking the Pinexel tablets, I was in almost constant pain, whereas now, I have definite pain-free periods. My urine flow is better, giving the feeling that I am emptying my bladder more effectively, hence the pain-free periods.
AND, perhaps most importantly, I am getting a better night’s sleep. The groin pains had really been stopping me from sleeping well.
On the downside, I feel that the brain fog is more pronounced and my thinking is less clear.
Does this constitute an improvement? Yes, I would say it does, but I shall carry on and see what continuing the medication does for me.
They say that a picture paints a thousand words; well I found an image of an enlarged prostate gland and it show the severely constricted or pinched urethra. This, for me, illustrates beautifully why the urine flow is impeded and also why I should be experiencing the pains that I do.
The image came from the Medifit Biologicals post on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia which I include in acknowledgement of the image.
Reading the Medifit Biologicals post on BPH is interesting and worrying at the same time. The restricted urine flow and subsequent inability to evacuate the bladder can lead to atrophy of the bladder smooth muscle. This would only exacerbate the situation.
It would appear that the prostate continues to grow in most men and can start to give problems when the men reach their 50s. That would certainly fit my situation, as at the time of writing, I am 57 years of age.
At this stage, I don’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed that the pain i have suffered for the last number of years could have been remedied at the time. It also may mean that I have been incorrectly blaming MS for all my ails, when in fact it is an inevitable part of getting older.
What might this all mean?
If the Tamsulosin, Pinexel, is improving my bladder control, is it because it is improving the function of the bladder smooth muscle or is it because it is reducing the enlarged prostate gland? Or is it a combination of both, given that they are likely to be interrelated?
Either way, I suspect that if any improvement is to be maintained then it is probable that I will be taking Tamsulosin or Pinexel for a long time, possibly for the rest of my life.
Having visited my GP, the above statement would appear to be true. She has issued me with a new prescription to continue with the Pinexel for the time being and confirmed that many patients do indeed stay on these tamsulosin capsules for life.
I set another hypothetical scenario for my GP. If the prostate is enlarged, could it be pressing against the colon causing the rectal pains I experience? Not the brightest thing I could have done. The outcome was a rectal exam to determine the extent of my prostate growth and the inspection of my haemorrhoid which i have had since my late teens and has caused me little trouble.
Yes my prostate is enlarged, but not unduly significantly. My GP admitted it might be possible that it could cause the rectal pains/problems but thought it a little unlikely.
External Links
Tamsulosin – Wikipedia Page
BPH is not cancer – see WebMD
