Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Over the counter treatments

I was diagnosed with PC in 2005, did radiation treatments and seeds and my PSA is still undetectable.

That being said, I'm seriously looking for alternatives to the medications I will have to take for the rest of my life. Not because of cost but because of availability. Everything I take is by RX, so if I run out and can't see the doctor for a refill, life gets complicated. So I want an alternative to the Terazosin I'm taking that I can buy over the counter.

Also, ever since the treatments ended I've had to take antidepressants. Once I ran out and ended up in the ER. When I explained it to the ER Doctor he had no problem writing a script for me. I don't ever want to go through that again. So I want an alternative to the Venlafaxin I'm taking that I can buy over the counter.

I would really appreciate any help I can get. And if you have had first hand experience with alternative medications, that's even better.

Blessings,
Allan

Re: Over the counter treatments

Allan:
In the absence of other contributors I will toss my two cents into the ring for your consideration. You are probably further ahead by taking the medications prescribed by your physicians. Most doctors I have encountered have developed convenient procedures for renewing needed medications. Often times a staff member (e. g., a nurse or PA) is able to renew prescriptions or serve as an intermediary. Frequently this can be accomplished over the phone. by e-mail or Patient Portal If your current PCa practitioner cannot accommodate you in this regard consider looking elsewhere. The fact that two entirely different drugs are involved should not be much of a barrier.
Hope this helps in some small way.
Best wishes Don O.

Re: Over the counter treatments

Antidepressants are tricky. It depends on how they work, or what class they are in (SSRI is the current trend, and the ones where abrupt discontinuance can be a nightmare).

One especially bad SSRI is Effexor. Google it and read the withdrawal horror stories.

Unfortunately, Effexor is venlafaxine HCl, the one you don't want to drop cold turkey.


For those being treated with any high dosage SSRI, there is nothing that will act as a substitute to help you roll off the drug. If you know you'll be running out, use that last two week supply to ease the dosage down; you'll be glad you did. I'm not a doctor, but dropping to 50% for a week, then 25% for a week or so, then 12% for a week; at least it seems like a fair way to taper the dose down. You'll probably still have withdrawal symptoms, but not nearly as bad as going cold turkey.


For mild depression there are certain herbs that tend to help, search on line for natural anti-depressants; they are available in most health food stores, pharmacies, and well stocked grocery stores.

Re: Over the counter treatments

A correction, venlafaxine hcl is an SNRI, a 'newer' type of antidepressant than SSRI. And why it has a different adjustment/withdrawal 'mode' than other SSRI's and the reputation for being really difficult to adjust to and come down from.

Think electroshock therapy in pill form.

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