Any Medical Experts/Doctors?

[love2fly]

Hi

Following my prostate cancer diagnosis in April 2023 and Brachytherapy treatment in May 2023 I've been taking Uromax (AI: Tamsulisin Hydrochloride) which is classed as an Alpha Blocker.

For the first 10 months I took Uromax daily and now every second day.

My question is whether this medication or class of drug affects heart rate during exercise as when I feel like I'm close to my HR Max, I'm actually 10-15 beats below and I can't seem to reach my max HR.

It could be that I'm not quite as fit as before but that could even result in achieving max HR earlier.

Thanks in advance.

[ChrisF]

@V12man

 

@V18

[V18]

2 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

@V12man

 

@V18

Last I did internal medicine and general urology was 2020. Radiology now.

As a general rule, you won't get good personalised medical advice on a platform like this. Only broad sweep facts. Every opinion must be delivered with a thorough history and examination. Especially when it comes to cardiovascular meds. Not even AI would risk making recommendations. 😅

I'd advise go see a clinician with a sports medicine interest. There are quite a few. They are well versed in all the cardiovascular/prostate meds and their effects on exercise. 

Or as my tall English riding buddy would say if someone asks me a medical question: "go see a real doctor" 

[love2fly]

18 minutes ago, V18 said:

Last I did internal medicine and general urology was 2020. Radiology now.

As a general rule, you won't get good personalised medical advice on a platform like this. Only broad sweep facts. Every opinion must be delivered with a thorough history and examination. Especially when it comes to cardiovascular meds. Not even AI would risk making recommendations. 😅

I'd advise go see a clinician with a sports medicine interest. There are quite a few. They are well versed in all the cardiovascular/prostate meds and their effects on exercise. 

Or as my tall English riding buddy would say if someone asks me a medical question: "go see a real doctor" 

I asked my Urologist a few visits ago, broadly.....and he said it wouldn't affect heart rate but he's a bit tunnel-visioned iro the core issue at hand ...

Edited June 9 by love2fly

[ChrisF]

20 minutes ago, V18 said:

Last I did internal medicine and general urology was 2020. Radiology now.

As a general rule, you won't get good personalised medical advice on a platform like this. Only broad sweep facts. Every opinion must be delivered with a thorough history and examination. Especially when it comes to cardiovascular meds. Not even AI would risk making recommendations. 😅

I'd advise go see a clinician with a sports medicine interest. There are quite a few. They are well versed in all the cardiovascular/prostate meds and their effects on exercise. 

Or as my tall English riding buddy would say if someone asks me a medical question: "go see a real doctor" 

 

Lets hope this advise coming from a medical specialist hits home 👍

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, love2fly said:

I asked my Urologist a few visits ago, broadly.....and he said it wouldn't affect heart rate but he's a bit tunnel-visioned iro the core issue at hand ...

 

I have started taking written notes with me when I see my specialist.

 

In those last few minutes I really try to get the medical answers that impact my day to day life.

 

Not fool proof, but it certainly helps.

[V18]

3 minutes ago, love2fly said:

I asked my Urologist a few visits ago, broadly.....and he said it wouldn't affect heart rate but he's a bit tunnel-visioned iro the core issue at hand ...

I see. From chatting with sports medicine colleagues, there really isn't a substitute for their take on things. They really focus in on how exercise and medical conditions interplay. Things they research and advise surprises me in a dunning-krugeresque way. A booming subspecialty. 

[love2fly]

I guess the question in simplistic terms is whether Alpha Blockers can affect max HR during exercise. The prostate cancer etc are merely shared for context.

[V18]

I used to think it's as simple as plugging the blocked effect into the understanding of the autonomic nervous system physiology. And sometimes it is. But sometimes it isn't. For example, giving beta blockers to cocaine toxicity patients have a paradoxical effect. 

Oh well. The most common side effects (in broad strokes) for tamsulosin is postural(orthostatic) hypotension and and increased HR due to peripheral vasodilatation/reduced arteriolar contractility. But that's a level 1 answer. Not sure it applies to your case. 🤔

[Flowspeed]

3 hours ago, love2fly said:

Hi

Following my prostate cancer diagnosis in April 2023 and Brachytherapy treatment in May 2023 I've been taking Uromax (AI: Tamsulisin Hydrochloride) which is classed as an Alpha Blocker.

For the first 10 months I took Uromax daily and now every second day.

My question is whether this medication or class of drug affects heart rate during exercise as when I feel like I'm close to my HR Max, I'm actually 10-15 beats below and I can't seem to reach my max HR.

It could be that I'm not quite as fit as before but that could even result in achieving max HR earlier.

Thanks in advance.

The Uromax (Tamsulosin) will not affect you heart rate. I is a selective Alpha blocker, which will only relax your prostate and bladder neck. Very rarely it can cause some low blood pressure if you get up too quickly (orthostatic hypotension).  A Beta blocker might affect the heart rate though.

It might be the fitness..

[love2fly]

Thanks to Flowspeed (great pun by coincidence😁) and V18 above.

[V12man]

12 hours ago, love2fly said:

I guess the question in simplistic terms is whether Alpha Blockers can affect max HR during exercise. The prostate cancer etc are merely shared for context.

They certainly can affect heart rates- and can cause reflex tachycardia (high heart rate - which is the opposite to your experience) even at rest - if I were you I would be cautious about pushing limits without a discussion with a cardiologist and possibly a full cardiac workup as a precaution.

I would suspect the mechanism is more complicated as it's an anti cholinergic - and thus may complicate blood pressure regulation and the reason for your inability to raise heart rates lies in that area - please don't take this as gospel and get a cardiac workup before going full gas.

Sorry to hear about your prostate cancer - that's piss poor news indeed - I hope you get that under control. (hat, coat door... with pun book in hand)

[DJuice]

@V12man nice to see you on BikeHub again.

What is the latest on the coffee side? Always enjoyed your post.

All the best.

[love2fly]

22 minutes ago, V12man said:

They certainly can affect heart rates- and can cause reflex tachycardia (high heart rate - which is the opposite to your experience) even at rest - if I were you I would be cautious about pushing limits without a discussion with a cardiologist and possibly a full cardiac workup as a precaution.

I would suspect the mechanism is more complicated as it's an anti cholinergic - and thus may complicate blood pressure regulation and the reason for your inability to raise heart rates lies in that area - please don't take this as gospel and get a cardiac workup before going full gas.

Sorry to hear about your prostate cancer - that's piss poor news indeed - I hope you get that under control. (hat, coat door... with pun book in hand)

Thanks. Looks like the cancer is in remission. PSA has been dropping nicely for a year with a recent "bounce" which can be expected. Next test in 5 months time will be more of a decider. 

I'm in agreement with what you say and in layman's terms was thinking that whatever causes the elevated heart rate might affect actual max HR and as it relates to perceived effort 

I have been keeping the efforts reasonable.

Initially I was taking Uromax daily and for the last few months every second day, and Urologist happy with this. (Previously I tried stopping it but after a few days had to restart). I've tried stopping taking it and am on day 3 and will see what happens 

The risk stopping Uromax isn't high as if I feel like it's getting more uncomfortable passing urine I can start up again. I might go to taking every 3 days etc etc

[Tim Brink]

Having been unpleasantly ill for nearly two years now, I can not fathom why people ask forums for medical advice.

"I have been diagnosed with skin cancer, anyone on here got more experience than the specialist who has studied for a decade, and practiced for even longer and actually knows the variety, voracity and potential treatments for the actual one we have been unlucky to be blessed with. I don't agree with their 20 years of knowing what's gong on, I want the Uber driver whose white cat also died of skin cancer to give me advice."

Mind blowing. If you aren't sure, get a second opinion from another medical professional, and listen, FFS. And don't keep going until you find a diagnosis you like. It doesn't work that way. 

<end of grumpy response. Have a lovely day, lovely people>

[love2fly]

10 minutes ago, Tim Brink said:

Having been unpleasantly ill for nearly two years now, I can not fathom why people ask forums for medical advice.

"I have been diagnosed with skin cancer, anyone on here got more experience than the specialist who has studied for a decade, and practiced for even longer and actually knows the variety, voracity and potential treatments for the actual one we have been unlucky to be blessed with. I don't agree with their 20 years of knowing what's gong on, I want the Uber driver whose white cat also died of skin cancer to give me advice."

Mind blowing. If you aren't sure, get a second opinion from another medical professional, and listen, FFS. And don't keep going until you find a diagnosis you like. It doesn't work that way. 

<end of grumpy response. Have a lovely day, lovely people>

Why don't you take your rant elsewhere....If you read the thread I did ask my Urologist who prescribed me, who is based at the Donny Gordon teaching facility and has lead my treatment, with an Oncologist and he said it shouldn't but was uncertain. In recognition that it's outside of his speciality I brought the query here in the belief that the Hub membership extends beyond yourself, and might actually include those with some knowledge, as has been the case.

Rant over and hoping youv'e joined that lovely day....☺️