I'm a 50-year old male, who was diagnosed with MS in 2000. I've had two major flare-ups (exacerbations), primarily related to balance, spasticity, optic neuritis, and lack of sensation from the waist down. I've not had any lasting nerve damage, other than slightly off-kilter balance, occasional optic disturbances in my left eye, and dampened sensations from my knees to my feet. I'm still ambulatory and work 40 hours a week. I'm on daily Copaxone, and have had doese of Prednesol (nasty stuff) and infusions of Solumederol. But, the combination of being a cresting 50 and having multiple sclerosis, I've developed urinary problems (i.e., extensive need to urinate, and leakage).
My neurologist recently put me on a Detrol LA for a week, then had me add Flomax. I noticed a slight improvement with the Detrol, but when I added the Flomax things urinary got dramatically better. But, shortly after starting the Flomax, I discovered that I did not produce any ejaculate! Not that sex is a big thing with me (staying upright while standing takes precidence), but it is still an important part of life (if only rarely). Needless to say, I found this to be disconcerting, and discovered (through onling research) that a decrease in semen production was a common side effect of Flomax. But, I kept on using this combination hoping things would improve with the semen. Needless to say, after approximately 3 weeks, I had the same experience, but this time followed by pain in my lower abdomen (during the end of orgasm sensations). I stopped, and when the urinary issues seemed to be more problematic again, I returned to the added Flomax, and immediately discovered the same lack of semen and abdominal pain (during the 2 months not taking Flomax, ejaculatory function returned to normal).
My question (after all that build up) is are any other men here on Flomax combined with Detrol LA? And, if so, has anyone had the same experiences that I previously explained? Finally, does the body seem to adapt to Flomax, and return to semen production (without abdominal pain after orgasm)?
I apoogize if my language seems quite blunt, but I'm extremely concerned (especially the abdominal pain after, even though short-lived). I will be presenting the same questions to my neurologist the next time I see him, but that won't be for 6 weeks.
I will appreciate any and all responses.
Thanks,
David