Last year my gynecologist started me on Flomax because I feel the need to urinate frequently.\u00a0 She first gave me Detrol, but that caused severe dry mouth.\u00a0 The Flomax has worked great and I don\u2019t have to \u201clocate the bathroom first\u201d whenever I go out.\u00a0 However, since starting it I\u2019ve had sinus congestion that won\u2019t go away.\u00a0 Are they related?<\/p>\n
The short answer is \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0 Flomax is one of a number of drugs called an alpha blocker.\u00a0 Other drugs in the same category are Uroxatral, Doxazosin, Rapaflo and Terazosin.<\/p>\n
Alpha refers to one side of the Yin\/Yang dynamic of the autonomic(sympathetic) nervous system.\u00a0 The complimentary component is Beta.\u00a0 Most parts of our bodies are under control of the alpha\/beta system including smooth muscles.<\/p>\n
Many women with urinary frequency and many men with the same problem due to enlargement of the prostate benefit by relaxing the smooth muscles in the bladder\/prostate area.\u00a0 Alpha stimulation constricts smooth muscles, thus an \u201calpha blocker\u201d allows them to relax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for you, smooth muscles are also formed in blood vessels. When Flomax relaxes the smooth muscle in the blood vessels in your nose\/sinus area, the blood vessels dilate.\u00a0 This \u201ctumescence\u201d is what causes the sinus congestion.\u00a0 In some people it can also cause a runny nose, post nasal drip, cough, headache and even a tendency to sinusitis.<\/p>\n
Alpha blockers have also been used to treat high blood pressure.\u00a0 They accomplish this by the vessel-dilating mechanism, thus lowering hydraulic pressure.<\/p>\n
Since you didn\u2019t tolerate the other family of bladder medicines (Detrol family), you might ask your gynecologist about either Botox or DDAVP (works via a pituitary hormone).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last year my gynecologist started me on Flomax because I feel the need to urinate frequently.\u00a0 She first gave me Detrol, but that caused severe dry mouth.\u00a0 The Flomax has worked great and I don\u2019t have to \u201clocate the bathroom first\u201d whenever I go out.\u00a0 However, since starting it I\u2019ve had sinus congestion that won\u2019t go away.\u00a0 Are they related? The short answer is \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0 Flomax is one of a number of drugs called an alpha blocker.\u00a0 Other drugs in…<\/p>\n