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Tadalifil/cialis leg aches/ incontinence

User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 06:50

Morning all,

I am 7 weeks post ralp and have been on 5mg daily of tadalifil/cialis for about a week now.

I'm experiencing leg aches which make it hard to sleep. Anyone else had this? Does it go away or do you end up stopping the drug.

I have bought a pump but only tried it once and it didn't go so well. I will persevere with it though as this could be a better option without the drugs?

So far the tadalifil has produced a half decent semi!

Also I was really pleased at the 6 week mark  with incontinence as my leaking was massively reduced but the last couple of days it seems to have come back. Does this happen? I have been quite tired.  I was wondering if there was any link with taking the tadalifil and incontinence getting worse.

Thanks, Mike

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 13:22

There are two types of side effects from the PDE5 inhibitors (Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Avanafil).

Firstly, PDE5 is used in other places in the body that use similar smooth muscle to the penis, and they are also impacted. The side effects caused by this are common to all the PDE5 inhibitors, but you can still find one works better than another for the desired effect, rather than the undesired side effect.

Secondly, none of them are only PDE5 inhibitors, they all also inhibit some other PDEs, of which there are around 22 types numbered 1-11 with some subtypes too. However, which other PDEs they also inhibit varies for each one, so these cause different side effects.

Acid reflux unfortunately falls into the first category, so all the PDE5 inhibitors can cause it. Your esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter are smooth muscle which use PDE5 to contract, so PDE5 inhibitors reduce their effectiveness at contracting and can cause stomach acid to leak back into the esophagus. Acid reflux isn't good for your esophagus and can cause esophageal cancer over a long period. This side effect usually only happens in people who tend to get acid reflux anyway. You could try a lower dose of Tadalafil. Both the main doses 5mg and 20mg are made in half doses for the purpose of reducing unacceptable side effects, 2.5mg and 10mg.

The muscle pain mentioned earlier is in the second category and is because Tadalafil is also a potent PDE11 inhibitor, and PDE11 is used in lots of places in the body. Actually, it's remarkable Tadalafil is a usable drug due to this, whereas it's actually the most effective of all the PDE5 inhibitors. Muscles use PDE11, and this is why you can get muscle pain. Sometimes a lower dose avoids this side effect while still being sufficiently effective for the desired effects - this is particularly the case with Tadalafil.

Edited by member 26 May 2025 at 13:27  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 20:18

Hi Mike. It's very much early days regarding erections. The dose of Tadalafil you are on is really a rehab dose rather than an event dose. The fact that you are getting a semi at this stage is promising though. The most common  side effect with this drug can be acid reflux. I'm not aware of leg aches being a typical side effect, nor incontinence. I always found that continence recovery was not linear. It was quite often three steps forward then two back. I imagine you are just experiencing a blip in the recovery. Keep using the pump as it's great for rehab regardless of whether you are going to use it for erections. Personally I never managed to master the constriction rings so I just used it for rehab.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 20:49
I agree with Chris, you are so keen to see an improvement in continence that "good day" can deceive you into thinking things are OK - usually it is just a high point along a very jagged recovery graph. But over time the highs will get higher, and the lows not nearly as low.

The primary use of tadalafil is to ensure the blood flow to your penis is enough to ensure the tissue remains healthy, and the pump does the same and also ensures the bits that need to stretch during an erection can still do so. So both are worth persisting with.

In both cases it will be several months before you get a real impression of how good your recovery is, 7 weeks feels like a long time but considering the trauma your body has been through there is a lot of recovery still to come.

I have never heard of leg problems related to tadalafil. I don't know how active you are, it may simply be a reaction to a forced period of relative inactivity. When I have suffered musculoskeletal aches in the night (probably attributable to age!) I have found a couple of ibuprofen at bed time stops them happening.

User
Posted 02 May 2025 at 11:15

Hi Pablozzz, 

I’m just behind you at 5 weeks post op. 

I was out on Tadalafil after the catheter removal appointment at 2 weeks post op.

If I recall correctly the CNS was very clear with her instructions to stop the Tadalafil if I ever got leg pains.

You might want to check back in on this. 

 

 

User
Posted 02 May 2025 at 11:28

I'm 3 weeks post surgery and started Tadalafil 3 days ago, mild leg aches started overnight. I've not been told to stop if this happens so will monitor but I also found this on the internet...

 

Yes, leg aches can be a side effect of Tadalafil (Cialis). It's a common side effect, along with back pain and muscle aches. The muscle pain is usually mild and resolves within a few hours, or a couple of days at most. 

 

Elaboration:

Tadalafil affects smooth muscle relaxation, which can lead to discomfort in the lower back or legs. Some studies have shown that muscle pain due to Cialis can affect the lower back, buttock, and thigh muscles. If you experience leg aches, they should subside after the medication has been taken, or upon discontinuation. If the aches persist or are severe, it's recommended to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

 

Key Points:

  • Common Side Effect: Leg aches are a relatively common side effect of Tadalafil. 

     

  • Mild and Temporary: The pain is usually mild and resolves within a day or two. 

     

  • Consult a Doctor: If the pain is severe, prolonged, or bothersome, consult with a healthcare professional. 

User
Posted 18 May 2025 at 15:46

Hi fernie 

Leg aches dissappeared after about a week or so I think.

I've actually stopped taking it for 3 weeks as I felt like it was making my incontinence worse and I'm on holiday at the moment and wanted to enjoy the time. Will start again soon.

As for erections don't be worried in the short term as I think this is a long process. Having said that after about a week/ten days I definitely noticed a change and was able to get a semi but nothing useable. Tell him not to stress about it as that definitely does not help and see how it goes month by month.

Having come off the drug for this period there is definitely less movement down there and I'm using a pump to help.

Fingers crossed!!

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 20:54

Hi Glen

Welcome and thanks for posting!

Glad your op has gone well and you are recovering.

Seems to be a long process and different for each person. I am just about to restart tadalafil after a 3 week break so will see if there are more improvements over time.

Not nice having the acid side effects you are having, in fact that is the only side effect my surgeon warned me about!

 

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User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 20:18

Hi Mike. It's very much early days regarding erections. The dose of Tadalafil you are on is really a rehab dose rather than an event dose. The fact that you are getting a semi at this stage is promising though. The most common  side effect with this drug can be acid reflux. I'm not aware of leg aches being a typical side effect, nor incontinence. I always found that continence recovery was not linear. It was quite often three steps forward then two back. I imagine you are just experiencing a blip in the recovery. Keep using the pump as it's great for rehab regardless of whether you are going to use it for erections. Personally I never managed to master the constriction rings so I just used it for rehab.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 20:30
Thanks Chris, it's reassuring that it's not necessarily a linear recovery of continence, its horrible and worrying taking a step back once things improve! Improving continence is my priority at the moment and erections can wait.

I will try the pump again and I think I would only use it for rehab too.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2025 at 20:49
I agree with Chris, you are so keen to see an improvement in continence that "good day" can deceive you into thinking things are OK - usually it is just a high point along a very jagged recovery graph. But over time the highs will get higher, and the lows not nearly as low.

The primary use of tadalafil is to ensure the blood flow to your penis is enough to ensure the tissue remains healthy, and the pump does the same and also ensures the bits that need to stretch during an erection can still do so. So both are worth persisting with.

In both cases it will be several months before you get a real impression of how good your recovery is, 7 weeks feels like a long time but considering the trauma your body has been through there is a lot of recovery still to come.

I have never heard of leg problems related to tadalafil. I don't know how active you are, it may simply be a reaction to a forced period of relative inactivity. When I have suffered musculoskeletal aches in the night (probably attributable to age!) I have found a couple of ibuprofen at bed time stops them happening.

User
Posted 01 May 2025 at 05:56
Thanks for your reply J-B

Well I had 5 plus days of next to no leaking and then it came back with a flood everytime I walked and small leaks around the house. I suppose I was so overjoyed with the good days that it was really depressing and worrying to go back again. Seems like I am the same as everyone else though and need to stay patient and calm!

I have started gentle running again so at first thought it was that but it feels different and I looked up side effects and leg/ muscular aches are listed. Hope it reduces on its own with time!

Thank you

User
Posted 02 May 2025 at 11:15

Hi Pablozzz, 

I’m just behind you at 5 weeks post op. 

I was out on Tadalafil after the catheter removal appointment at 2 weeks post op.

If I recall correctly the CNS was very clear with her instructions to stop the Tadalafil if I ever got leg pains.

You might want to check back in on this. 

 

 

User
Posted 02 May 2025 at 11:28

I'm 3 weeks post surgery and started Tadalafil 3 days ago, mild leg aches started overnight. I've not been told to stop if this happens so will monitor but I also found this on the internet...

 

Yes, leg aches can be a side effect of Tadalafil (Cialis). It's a common side effect, along with back pain and muscle aches. The muscle pain is usually mild and resolves within a few hours, or a couple of days at most. 

 

Elaboration:

Tadalafil affects smooth muscle relaxation, which can lead to discomfort in the lower back or legs. Some studies have shown that muscle pain due to Cialis can affect the lower back, buttock, and thigh muscles. If you experience leg aches, they should subside after the medication has been taken, or upon discontinuation. If the aches persist or are severe, it's recommended to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

 

Key Points:

  • Common Side Effect: Leg aches are a relatively common side effect of Tadalafil. 

     

  • Mild and Temporary: The pain is usually mild and resolves within a day or two. 

     

  • Consult a Doctor: If the pain is severe, prolonged, or bothersome, consult with a healthcare professional. 

User
Posted 02 May 2025 at 20:55
Thanks adthedad

Looks like it is a common occurrence then. I think I'll give it a couple of weeks and see if it clears up. I'm starting daily running this week so it'll be interesting to see if that helps or makes it worse....

User
Posted 18 May 2025 at 14:17

Hi Mike,

I am just wondering how your leg aches are now on tadalafil? My husband is on day 3 of taking 5mg dose and has leg aches particularly at night and in the morning. No erection yet which is worrying him. He wants to continue with the pills but I just wondered do the leg ache side effects disappear after a while?

How are you getting on?

Many thanks

Fernie

User
Posted 18 May 2025 at 15:46

Hi fernie 

Leg aches dissappeared after about a week or so I think.

I've actually stopped taking it for 3 weeks as I felt like it was making my incontinence worse and I'm on holiday at the moment and wanted to enjoy the time. Will start again soon.

As for erections don't be worried in the short term as I think this is a long process. Having said that after about a week/ten days I definitely noticed a change and was able to get a semi but nothing useable. Tell him not to stress about it as that definitely does not help and see how it goes month by month.

Having come off the drug for this period there is definitely less movement down there and I'm using a pump to help.

Fingers crossed!!

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 10:29
Hi, everyone I'm new here. I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer in late February and had surgery on the 11th of April. I'm doing well and hopefully be back in work in a couple of weeks. Just want to add to the discussion on erections and Tadalifil. Been on them for 3 weeks now and not had a full erection as yet but that could that the surgeon couldn't save the left side nerves but I'm remaining hopeful that in time it will improve. As for the side effects I do get a lot of acid and heartburn. Thanks for listening and hopefully we all make progress. Glen.
User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 13:22

There are two types of side effects from the PDE5 inhibitors (Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Avanafil).

Firstly, PDE5 is used in other places in the body that use similar smooth muscle to the penis, and they are also impacted. The side effects caused by this are common to all the PDE5 inhibitors, but you can still find one works better than another for the desired effect, rather than the undesired side effect.

Secondly, none of them are only PDE5 inhibitors, they all also inhibit some other PDEs, of which there are around 22 types numbered 1-11 with some subtypes too. However, which other PDEs they also inhibit varies for each one, so these cause different side effects.

Acid reflux unfortunately falls into the first category, so all the PDE5 inhibitors can cause it. Your esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter are smooth muscle which use PDE5 to contract, so PDE5 inhibitors reduce their effectiveness at contracting and can cause stomach acid to leak back into the esophagus. Acid reflux isn't good for your esophagus and can cause esophageal cancer over a long period. This side effect usually only happens in people who tend to get acid reflux anyway. You could try a lower dose of Tadalafil. Both the main doses 5mg and 20mg are made in half doses for the purpose of reducing unacceptable side effects, 2.5mg and 10mg.

The muscle pain mentioned earlier is in the second category and is because Tadalafil is also a potent PDE11 inhibitor, and PDE11 is used in lots of places in the body. Actually, it's remarkable Tadalafil is a usable drug due to this, whereas it's actually the most effective of all the PDE5 inhibitors. Muscles use PDE11, and this is why you can get muscle pain. Sometimes a lower dose avoids this side effect while still being sufficiently effective for the desired effects - this is particularly the case with Tadalafil.

Edited by member 26 May 2025 at 13:27  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 20:54

Hi Glen

Welcome and thanks for posting!

Glad your op has gone well and you are recovering.

Seems to be a long process and different for each person. I am just about to restart tadalafil after a 3 week break so will see if there are more improvements over time.

Not nice having the acid side effects you are having, in fact that is the only side effect my surgeon warned me about!

 

 
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