Urination and bladder issues (male and female)

[Barbarannamated]

I go from "I think I have to go" to "Oh s**t! I have to go!!" very quickly.

 

I had this while on Paxil in the 90s and again in 2008. OB/GYN found no infection and sent me to a urologist (2008) who wanted to do cystoscopy but I refused. I made the correlation during the 90s episode, but not the later one. I think it may be due to anticholinergic properties of drug.

 

Is there any specialty that does not benefit from the effects of psychotropics???

[Aria]

Got to wonder how in the world a physician can review what psychotropic drugs we're on and not have had a clue the drugs were causing our problems?? Did numerous specialists benefit from over testing to try and pinpoint the problems?? Of course they did and most couldn't help unless it was to prescribe even more drugs.....

 

If I was till on psyche drugs I'd be wearing Depends by now''''

[Lilu]

I went to an GYN Urologist and had a few invasive tests but he couldn't figure out the cause. I was leaking and then at night total loss of bladder control. I had tummy problems (nausea, colon spasms, severe constipation) and went to a gastroenterologist many times for several endo/colon scopes, drinking barium for swallowing/digestion tract ultra sounds/X-rays and other testing to no avail. I had nausea, constipation and diarrhea so horribly I was hospitalized. No one seemed to know what as causing me undue trouble over the years and it turned out to be ALL from psychiatrist drugs.

 

I tried to educate the gastroenterologist but he said he didn't want to know but later I realize he didn't want to be involved. Few doctors want to know how other docs messed up even if it was a psychiatrist who dangerously over prescribed. The same gastro had been my doc when I spent 2 months in the hospital from Seroquel Induced Acute Pancreatitis.

 

I was mega combo psyche drugs and just one can cause unpleasant issues but add them up to 5-6-7 drugs (especially with anti psychotics) and it causes hellish problems.

 

Once I started tapering and afterwards finished coming off all the drugs my body was happy again.

 

Wow, it's inexcusable what these doctors do. Thanks for posting this info. This makes me want to first get off the drug that I'm on before I let doctors put me through all sorts of unnecessary tests.

OH MY GOD!!! I just read your intro post - wow, i'm so glad i never trusted doctors. Look what they did to you! I think people like you should go public with their story instead of trying to hide. People need to know what's happening. It's not enough that Dr. Oz gets a few psychiatrists to warn us. People need to hear stories like yours!

[Lilu]

Got to wonder how in the world a physician can review what psychotropic drugs we're on and not have had a clue the drugs were causing our problems?? Did numerous specialists benefit from over testing to try and pinpoint the problems?? Of course they did and most couldn't help unless it was to prescribe even more drugs.....

 

If I was till on psyche drugs I'd be wearing Depends by now''''

 

There's no way a doctor, even a psychiatrist can remember all of the side effects that each medication out there can cause. But what's really disturbing is is that their first course of action is to blame the symptoms on you and not attribute it to the drugs.

[gidi2]

I don't doubt that you have found a link between incontinence and SSRI's.  However, your math is off.  I read the article you linked. 15 people in 1000 is a 1.5% incidence, not 15%.  Big difference.  Incontinence is also linked to diet.  Some unexpected bladder irritants are onions, caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, and fruit (anything acidic like apples, pineapple, citrus fruits, strawberries).  Cut these out long enough for your bladder to heal and you will find you can eat them sparingly and occasionally only.  I hope this helps some of you.

[mammaP]

I had urinary incontinence for years and was reluctant to go anywhere that didn't have a loo

close enough.  I had to have a commode or bucket in the bedroom. I didn't get the urge 

when I needed to urinate and when I stood up gravity did it's thing! I never knew what caused it

and thought it was maybe the result of catheters during surgery. I had no desire to go through

tests and just put up with it.

 

Then I started tapering effexor and guess what? The incontinence started to get better along with

everything else!  

[mattinsmom]

I had never considered medication as a contributing factor. I've had 2 children and never been able to do a kegel. I had a bladder lift which was very successful. I was already having a hysterectomy and figured since they were already in there...

[Nikki]

Felt like a UTI and bought over the counter pyridium which had a UT test strip in it.  Tested positive.

Symptoms bad yesterday.

 

I get spasms that actually feel like an electrical shock radiating thru my upper body.  I even feel it in my teeth.  I've only had a brain zap once during a WD process and this reminded me of it.

 

I went to ER where I know I can get a shot of rocefin which is an antibiotic for bacteria that is resistant to Cipro, Keflex, Bactrim, etc.  Very strong and I felt 'off' last night.  Intense hot flashes.  But it is working.  Have to get macro-bid filled today.

 

During WD I fear taking other meds because I do get side effects.  The cipro type drugs cause me to have alot of anxiety and crying.  They affect my nervous system.  Levaquin is the worst.

 

I have a built in fear over UTI's because I have been plagued by them for years.  I have a built in fear over anxiety, depression and WD, and meds in general.  I have met two people who had severe nerve damage from Levaquin.

 

Not doing so good today.

[Zoe]

Oh Nikki I am so sorry to hear that. Will be thinking of you. Sending lots of hugs & prayers.

[compsports]

Hugs to you Nikki.   Hang in there.

[NoMeaning25]

I was planning on posting my UTI Horror saga, but i think its best i don't.... I don't want anyone to be traumatised O_o...

 

I heard D-Mannose works the best for bladder infections and i know "Brandy" on here has had success with it. Might worth a try

[Nikki]

My insurance changed March 1st, so I actually don't have a doctor.  Went to ER on last day of old insurance.  Don't you just love health insurance.

 

Today I have to get the name of the bacteria, make an appointment with a new doctor.  Don't know if it is going away.

 

I do have mannose and will have to take it.  Found out I can't change insurance until November thru the marketplace.  Not good.

 

Tapering Serzone, on antibiotics and pyridium, not feeling well.

[JamesB]

I am seeking information on SSRI-related urological issues. For example, some people have mentioned incontinence, difficulty urinating, “weak stream”, etc.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems, either while on the drugs or after stopping? If so, have you had any tests?

 

James (assisting RxISK.org)

 

[Aria]

I had issues with night time incontinence (thank you anti psychotics for relaxing my bladder) and had a zillion tests by an urologist. I had many unpleasant physical problems while on psych drugs but they went away after I tapered off them (nausea, headaches, colon spasms, constipation, edema, reflux, choking, racing heart, sweating, dizziness).

[Nikki]

OMG......this is an issue for me.  Right now I have a UTI that is not responding to the antibiotics that were prescribed.

 

One of the reasons I get UTI's is due to imipramine.  It causes urinary retention, so my bladder never empties. 

 

Imipramine has ssri and another chemistry in it (I can't remember). 

 

The tricyclics cause these kinds of issues.

[dunerbug]

Me! Big time.

 

I haven't tested for anything yet. I still need to get a ...female... exam to make sure everything is ok, but I highly suspect my my bladder issue is the result of withdrawal. 

 

I wet myself all the damn time!

 

I'm only 34 years old.

[Barbarannamated]

I've had a few UTIs during this withdrawal, but I think Nikki is the true case study on this matter. Poor thing.

 

I realize now that the depression I went thru in 2007-8 was due to withdrawal and several cold switches. During that time, I had constant feeling of urgency, fullness, but no actual pain or bacteria cultured. OB/GYN sent me to urologist who wanted to do cystoscopy to rule out cancer, but I declined.

 

I had many cytoscopies as a kid that were unwarranted, I later learned. Just FYI.

[Marissa]

Yes--I started having clear bladder symptoms in Nov. and was diagnosed with IC in Feb.  Looking back, I may have had some of them as early as June. 

[Nikki]

I just read that Serzone can cause urinary retention.  Imipramine causes urinary retention..

 

I get like two Uti's a year and can never fully empty my bladder.  Just had e.coli - on ab's for three weeks.  It was bad.

Interaction with WD and AB's was bad.

 

My daughter is just coming out of an IC episode.

 

Why didn't psych nurse or me catch that about Serzone before putting me on it along with imipramine.

 

These drugs do affect the urinary system.  I posted a video from a support group on FB about how all  the systems in the body are affected......check it out.

 

It's not in your head.  It's the drugs....they add to whatever problems you may have.

[lundeliz]

Barbarannamated, do you feel like the urgency and fullness were due to withdrawal?  I'm having that

 

now, I thought I had a uti, but it was negative.  Did this go away for you on its own?  Thanks, I'm a little

 

freaked out over this, thought for sure I had a uti.

[johnson]

Just wondering if any of you have had issues with frequent urination/urgency. Meaning

you feel like to you have to pee all the time. I go to the bathroom to pee and very little comes out

yet I still feel like I have to pee again. I have this tight pressure feeling down there throughout the day every day.

This has been going on for over a year now. I am just wondering if any of you had this issue and if it ever completely went away? Thank God

I finally get a few days in here and there where I get some relief. During the first year of this I didn't get much if any relief at all It was torture!

 

Thanks.

[lundeliz]

Johnson, yes, my symptoms exactly. This started about a month ago for me.  I've been checked for

 

a uti three times, always negative.  It's driving me crazy.  I also have burning like a uti.  I've been off

 

Cymbalta for 4.5 months.  It's getting a little better for you now?

[johnson]

Lundeliz, It's getting somewhat better but it's stay hard to know for sure. Last year around May, I posted an update that my symptoms of frequent urination finally seemed to get better at that point. Boy was I ever wrong, it got extremely bad afterwards with no relief in the daily symptoms. So I can say that after over a year I finally get some days in here and there where I feel a bit of relief.

[lundeliz]

I'm glad you're getting a little relief at times. I hope that means it will be

 

getting better and better for you. Some days are a little better for me, but it

 

usually ramps up in the evening. It doesn't seem to be a very common symptom, but

 

I think it surely has to be related to withdrawal.

[Bellisimo]

I also have probelms now , it comes and go , weak stream is exactly how to describe it, first i thought i would had an infection but always when i check its no infection so i guess its withdrawing.. but its annoying, have to go up to toilet sooo often to pee and when i pee it dont come much , typical infectiomn but no hadnt.

[Pokeshaw]

I believe that neurotransmitters, especially serotonin play an important role in bladder and bowel function/peristalsis. so not surprised that we would be dealing with related issues. i know for me, the bowel issues i have are seratonin related as confirmed by my doctor. the motility of my bowels was severely affected by SSRI. 

[johnson]

This might sound stupid but I also find that bowel movements can make my frequent urination/urgency symptoms worse afterwards.

Can anyone relate?

[lundeliz]

This is pretty scary to me.  I'm not glad anyone else has it, but it sure helps to know that it is probably wd

 

related.  My worst physical symptoms are severe weakness, headache and nausea, very blurry vision,

 

frequent urination, very dry eyes and mouth.  Johnson, I haven't really noticed that particular symptom.

[trouper]

i've been having urgency issues off and on these past few weeks. i didn't think much of it until i saw this topic. I'm 1 year off from a too fast taper. all of a sudden it hits me and i gotta go gotta go gotta go!

[lundeliz]

trouper, is it all day long or does it just hit you sometimes?  Mine hit me a few weeks ago and it

 

has been pretty much all day long, then usually gets worse in the evening for some reason.

[trouper]

hm. it seems to go in waves. i had it this morning. i haven't noticed it for a few hours, but maybe i don't have any pee right now.   will keep you updated.

[lundeliz]

Okay!  I've been checked for uti 3 times over the last few weeks.  Never any infection, but

 

they have told me every time that I'm dehydrated.  Probably because I have to go every

 

ten minutes.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Liz,

 

You really need to drink more plain water. Get a bottle that is at least 32oz. Fill it in the morning and sip throughout the day. Try to have it all finished by 6 pm. Expect to pee often. Your body needs this. Gradually increase the amt. of water if you can. If you are being told you are dehydrated your body is pulling water out of your tissues to dilute your circulating blood of too high concentrations of the drugs you have to take, for example, and other byproducts of metabolism. Sending it to the kidneys so you pee it out. Not getting enough water so it can do this properly is not a good idea. The actions of various hormone are higher at some times of the day, that could be why it happens at night.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Good, sweetie, you saw the post! And start walking around your house, too. It will take a bit of time for your body to adjust. If you do these things your body may work better and you might not have to worry about drugs to control bp.

 

And start taking your bp too, keep a record you can show your doc.

[lundeliz]

My frequent urination seems to be settling down the last couple of days.  Doesn't seem to be completely

 

back to normal, but is definitely better.  It hit me a couple of months ago and was extreme for a while.

 

I'll be paying attention the next few days to see if it completely resolves.

[Lilu]

 

I am seeking information on SSRI-related urological issues. For example, some people have mentioned incontinence, difficulty urinating, “weak stream”, etc.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems, either while on the drugs or after stopping? If so, have you had any tests?

 

James (assisting RxISK.org)

 

I am convinced that the antidepressants, whether SNRI or SSRI are responsible for my stress incontinence problems.  As opposed to the Urge incontinence that most of you are describing.  My pharmacy recently ordered my medication from a different manufacturer, and all of a sudden after being free from symptoms for a while, they started happening several times a day every day.  I did go see a Urologist, and asked her, "If there is a mechanical problem with the bladder, wouldn't the symptoms be consistent?"  She confirmed my suspicions, saying that yes, they would be.  Just in case, I'll go through a couple of invasive tests, that are supposed to be painless.  But really, it seems that after my body got used to the slightly different medication, the stress incontinence symptoms subsided.