Urination and bladder issues (male and female)

[Spice81]

Anyone else ?Anyone ?

[Spice81]

Any males have urination problems or pain ?

[Viridian]

On 08/02/2018 at 9:02 PM, Spice81 said:

Any males have urination problems or pain ?

 

Hey Spice81. Over the past year or so I've been noticing urinary issues that haven't been pinned to any cause (couple of urine tests showed nothing abnormal). Basically 'reduced flow,' as though there's partial blockage or reduced muscle activity or something. I've been wondering for some time if this is related to the medication, and whether there could be a neurological element. Afraid I don't have any more answers for you right now than the doctors have had for me, but will let you know here if I learn anything new.

 

Would also be interested in hearing from anyone else who's had similar issues and maybe knows a bit more.

[Spice81]

anyone else had pain or problems? 

[Junglechicken]

Yes, I have in the past.....stress is a big factor, as well as hormonal changes (peri-meno).

[DMV64]

I have had several close calls, starting to urinate in my sleep and waking up running to the bathroom. I already have interstitial cystitis (burning bladder) that I am pretty sure is exacerbated by this withdrawal. I am not sure what will help but I hope it doesn't get worse.

[Andie]

Hello Everyone 

 

I am also suffering from urinary incontinence since tapering from Pristiq. I thought it was just me... 

[India]

Just to today I'd been perusing youtube and came across Dr Lonnie Herman and his proposition that PONS containing the urinary reflex centre or the pontine micturition centre ( as I understand it from a lay person perspective) can be at the root? of intersitial cystitis (which is what I am suffering from), These all being part of the nervous system, the higher brain centres that then cause the various processes of the bladder. He talks about the reason why other urologists miss the cause of urinary problems but not considering this as causative. He doesn't provide answers as he  wants to sell his services. It's an interesting link though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRbF4WTo2Ss

 I am no expert but for those who are worried that the damage is permanent, my very basic understanding is that you can divide neurological disorders into structural ( like M.S or Parkinson's) and functional. Functional issues can heal!  Most of these issues are functional. I know that is a very simplistic approach to the complexity of functional medicine. I do feel there is hope though. People do recover from functional neurological disorders. 

I do get days when I feel like screaming. "Not another toilet trip",  I say, and that almost constant pressure in my bladder. But it's not fixed, some days are better than others. So far, the urologist has come up with zilch.

I take passiflora which is supposed to calm the bladder via calming the nervous system (GABA) but as I am still on 6mg of Citalopram then I don't expect it to have the full effect. I have also been that once you develop overactive bladder, you can actually grow extra receptors in your bladder, they signal to your brain that you need to urinate. I would guess it would take time to reverse this.

 

 

Evaluation of Overactive Bladder in Male Antidepressant Users: A Prospective Study

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380822/

Assessment of overactive bladder in women antidepressant users.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26246036

[India]

On 2/5/2018 at 7:12 AM, dj2010 said:

I have had a overactive bladder since beginning my taper over 1 and half years ago up until a couple of months ago when it seemed to basically clear up overnight, I have wrote about it in my thread, it was very frustrating and was worse at night, i would go to the toilet get in bed and then 10 mins later have to go again and then 10 mins later have to go again and then go again and again, I went to the doctors a number of time about it and kept having my blood checked etc as I was sure it was diabetes or something, I have since read somewhere that it is something to do with neurons giving off wrong signals or something, I cant remember exactly what it was but it was something like that

@dj2010 Great news to hear that you healed and sure for many others too. I have  very similar symptoms. I believe it is a combination of the meds and stress.

[LD35]

English is not my native language, but I hope it's possible to understand me anyway.

 

Here is one more with bladder issues after withdrawal (Sertraline)

 

I've had bladder issues for years.(One of my issues) Probably damage to nerves because of untreated lyme disease, since it's stopped getting worse after a treatment with ab.

 

A while ago I tried Sertraline for depression and sleeping disorder, I ate this a couple of weeks, but stopped after my bladder issues got worse. But a while after I stopped taking the medication it got A LOT worse. I would be lying if I said I'm not scared because this is so painful I can't see how I would be able to live with this. It's three weeks since I stopped taking sertraline. For some reason it's usually a little calmer at night time.  My bladder symtoms is sometimes like an overactive bladder where I have to go to the toilet like 3-4 times/hour and sometimes it's just and extreme feeling of urgency but I can hold my pee.

 

Maybe someone here have been in the same situation, where you ate ssri for a short while with bladder issues, if so did it go away, and after how long? 

 

 

 

[hennie86]

I started to suffer from problems with emptying my bladder when I started Lexapro. I felt like I peeing did not start normally and I had problems with peeing. Back then I did not understand Lexapro was the cause. I started to suffer from chronic UTIs during Lexapro and I had to use a lot of antibiotics during that time and finally antibiotics for a long time to prevent  UTIs. It had really really negative effect on my gut. I started to avoid sugar back then, drink cranberry juice often (when I noticed any mild symptoms) and drink a lot, take cranberry capsules and a supplement called d-mannose. I also tried to remember to dress warm clothes when it is cold temperature. After it I got some relief and also when I started to take lower dose of Lexapro. My chronic UTI got better  for years, not completely but I had less infections.

 

After Lexapro and during withdrawals from different meds I started to suffer from polyuria and nocturia. I had  constantly go to pee and I still do have to go more often than normally.During night time also. I have had constant bladder issues , sensations like bladder does not empty well.

 

Somehow things have been better and nocturia and sleep have been better.  i have been able to avoid antibiotics, and UTIs during wd. Unfortunately now I think I got UTI.

 

I have been trying to treat it without antibiotics. I started to take cranberry capsules, drink a lot (also cranberry juice), today I tried a bit vitamin C too that some say is beneficial and eat lots of foods that are considered anti-inflammatory. Actually I am a bit scared to try supplements because I am so sensitive but I have tried mybest to treat it without antibiotics.Unfortunately it seems like infection isnt healing I am scared of kidney infections so I propably have to take antibiotics if UTI is found on the tests. I have heard it can go away on its own. I am also scared of antibiotics because I am really sensitive.

 

 

[Cathy4]

I’m relatively new here but all of a sudden, 4-5 days ago, I started having all these symptoms:  frequent urge to urinate, pressure, inability to empty bladder all the way, a host of weird abdominal sensations, constipation (which I have had in the past due to hypothyroidism), and strange sensations along my sides.  
 

It’s like my entire mid-section is freaking out all at once.  I’m drinking unsweetened cranberry juice and taking some cranberry capsules, and applying hot packs to my abdomen.  
 

It is difficult to leave the house right now so I have not been to a doctor.  I’m hoping that these symptoms can be chalked up to withdrawal(?).  
 

Kind of distressing.  
Thanks, 

Cathy

[Ibid]

Hi, Cathy4. i had constipation, flank pain, and urinary problems all at the same time too. (See my post on, I think, page 2 of this thread.) I still think it had to do with withdrawal, but doctors still roll their eyes. Actually I had such bad pain in my sides that I had to sleep sitting up for a week or so. [Then it came back a few weeks later, then again; three times total.) The good news is that this was a few years ago, it went away fairly soon, and it hasn't returned. Your symptoms may, of course, have a totally different cause, but good luck. Do get this checked out medically. I hope your issues are as transient as mine. 

[Cathy4]

Hi Ibid, 

Thank you so much for your response.  I’m relieved to know you had a similar experience (although I would not wish anyone to have this).  
Do you remember how many days this combination of symptoms lasted for you?  I will go to page 2 and see your prior posts.  

Thank you so much, Ibid. 

Cathy

[Ibid]

Cathy--There were three bouts of this thing and the three major symptoms, which I mentioned before. They didn't all clear up at the same time, but I remember best the first onset of constipation and flank pain, which hit me very suddenly in the middle of the night. The urinary issues came a bit later. After a few days I took a laxative, although my PA didn't want me to, so that symptom cleared up before the flank pain. The urinary symptoms came and went, but I'd say each of the "episodes" of multiple symptoms lasted about a week and were about a month apart, although the last one might not have hit for about two months. But your question, I think, is how long from beginning to end and I'd say three or four months. 

 

By the way, the AD from which I was withdrawing was Remeron and the symptoms I'm telling you about began about three months after I was completely off the drug. I had tapered off, but felt so few symptoms that I stopped completely before i should have. I'll also tell you that my "flank pain" was more like a really bad muscle cramp in the kidney area that would last for a few hours and then return after a few hours. It would be excruciating if I lay on my back so I had to sleep in a chair. (It would hurt on one side at a time, two episodes on the left and once on the right). What you've described sounds different, so go figure--but no doctor has been able to explain why such pain should be accompanied by constipation or urinary problems. They alternated between saying I had kidney issues and that it was "neuromuscular." 

 

This was a few years ago and i haven't thought much about it lately, so my ability to be specific about the duration of the problems isn't what it might be. Anyway, I've rambled a bit, for which I apologize. I don't know, of course, if this was caused by withdrawal, but since it hasn't returned I'm inclined to believe it was (doctors shrug their shoulders, etc.). 

 

I don't want to say I'm glad you have this, but it is true, I think, that misery loves company. If you want to ask more about my experiences, feel free. I'll do my best to get my memory to regurgitate that wretched time. I want to repeat: ask one or more doctors to check you out. Maybe your doctor will have a better idea what it's about than mine did. 

 

All my best. I'll be thinking about you.

[Cathy4]

Thanks, Ibid, and feel free to ramble away.  
 

Yes, your flank pain sounds excruciating in comparison to mine.  It’s interesting, though, because when I look at my journal, the order is: flank pain/sensations, then constipation, then urinary issues.  Although they all kind of collided in the past few days, there was a bit of an order to begin with.  
 

I know, I do need to get in to see a doctor.  I’m trying to work up the courage as I’m semi-agoraphobic at the moment and also quite fearful of medical appointments.  My panic attacks have been very crippling.  Perhaps I’ll just set up an appointment and take extra klonopin just for that day.  
 

I’m so happy you’re doing better.  This brings me hope and joy.  
 

I do not discount your vagus nerve hypothesis.  I have been reading about Stephen Porges’ poly vagal theory and there is so much that the vagus nerve influences.  
 

I took remeron for a little while roughly 15 years ago.  My psychiatrist retired 10/31, and upon my request of medical records, he sent me a scant 4 pages of “records.” (This is for 20 years of visits).  The only medications that were documented were from 2015-2019.  No dosages, no duration.  I could not/still cannot believe this.  
 

Now I’m rambling.  Thanks for your help, Ibid.  I am so grateful for the support. 
Cathy

[India]

On 4/14/2013 at 7:13 PM, Lilu said:

been suffering from Urinary Incontinence, which I'm way too young to experience (and I have never been pregnant), and it finally dawned on me to see if Antidepressants can cause this. I was shocked to find out that they can and do cause Urinary Incontinence in 15% of the population. This makes me so angry.

I’m pretty sure it’s the cause for me too. Never had children and every medic says that they don’t see anyone like me in their clinics. Neurogenic bladder and interstitial cystitis is term they are giving me. The grief over all this damage is saddening. 

[Cathy4]

On 1/3/2020 at 6:51 PM, India said:

Neurogenic bladder and interstitial cystitis is term they are giving me. The grief over all this damage is saddening. 

India, 

Sending healing vibes to you.  I was reading about ic the other night and sometimes (from what I read), it goes away on its own.  Perhaps things will return to normal in time.  
hug, 

Cathy

[Boris]

I've been suffering from bladder problems for 2 years now. Came on 8 months after final taper from a 8 year battle to get off Paxil.

 

The first 6 months involved intense pressure on my bladder/pain/horrible sensations in my penis and a constant urge to urinate. The pressure was insane and no amount of urinating would stop it. I remember my bladder feeling so unstable if I walked if felt like I would urinate. But I can always hold it until I'm full it's just horrendous. Very dark times and I would of had my bladder removed if they had let me.

 

I had every test from the urologist involving cameras, MRI, bloods, Urine tests and urodynamics. Medications for overactive bladder have not helped.

 

They ruled out interstitial cystitis and other things as all tests were clear apart from a smallish bladder. They were convinced I had overactive bladder but urodynamics showed no overactive destrusor muscle. They then moved onto chronic pelvic pain (even though the pain went after 6 months) and pelvic floor dysfunction but the physio cannot find any tense/hypertonic muscles.

 

So the medical people can't find anything actually wrong with me. My gp actually suspects the Pregablin I was taking as the cause which I finished a taper from a  month ago. As usual they do not believe in these long term protracted problems coming from anti depressants.

 

This last year the sensations in my genitals have eased off and now I'm left with waves of intense frequent urination. Sometimes I actually have a full bladder of clear urine within 20mins even though I've not drank anything and other times I feel the need to go constantly. I've had a a few weeks here and there in the last few months with nearly normal urinary function.

 

After dealing with akathesia, extreme anxiety, terror etc that the paxil gifted to me and getting past that I'm left with this. Although it's actually much better I am quite depressed with it. I think it's taking its toll on me over time. It eases off and I start to think I might get my life back and then bam it comes back big time. It has left me suicidal at times but thankfully having my son keeps me going. I guess I should be thankful it's not the intesity 24/7 it was at the beginning.

 

Socialising, going places are near impossible at times. Taking lots of time off work (I didn't stop working with the akathesia and anxiety ha) It has cost me a relationship and my confidence. People find it amusing for some reason so I've given up explaining. Even having a conversation or trying to focus on my artwork is so hard when all you can think about is needing to wee! I never thought something like this could be so destructive and I dealt with chronic pain for years.

 

It's definitely improving and has moved to a more wave like pattern similar to the withdrawal. So I'm semi confident that one day it will ease enough to not be a massive problem. I wouldn't of been able to type this a year ago because I'd be at the toilet.

 

Currently seeing a physio on the NHS who is trying accupunture and tibial nerve stimulation to see if that helps.

 

Love to you all out there dealing with this problem as it's been as bad if not worse than some of my withdrawal. I hope one day I can report here I healed from this to give others confidence that they will too.

 

Sorry for the rant!

[Gigi12]

29 minutes ago, Boris said:

I've been suffering from bladder problems for 2 years now. Came on 8 months after final taper from a 8 year battle to get off Paxil.

 

The first 6 months involved intense pressure on my bladder/pain/horrible sensations in my penis and a constant urge to urinate. The pressure was insane and no amount of urinating would stop it. I remember my bladder feeling so unstable if I walked if felt like I would urinate. But I can always hold it until I'm full it's just horrendous. Very dark times and I would of had my bladder removed if they had let me.

 

I had every test from the urologist involving cameras, MRI, bloods, Urine tests and urodynamics. Medications for overactive bladder have not helped.

 

They ruled out interstitial cystitis and other things as all tests were clear apart from a smallish bladder. They were convinced I had overactive bladder but urodynamics showed no overactive destrusor muscle. They then moved onto chronic pelvic pain (even though the pain went after 6 months) and pelvic floor dysfunction but the physio cannot find any tense/hypertonic muscles.

 

So the medical people can't find anything actually wrong with me. My gp actually suspects the Pregablin I was taking as the cause which I finished a taper from a  month ago. As usual they do not believe in these long term protracted problems coming from anti depressants.

 

This last year the sensations in my genitals have eased off and now I'm left with waves of intense frequent urination. Sometimes I actually have a full bladder of clear urine within 20mins even though I've not drank anything and other times I feel the need to go constantly. I've had a a few weeks here and there in the last few months with nearly normal urinary function.

 

After dealing with akathesia, extreme anxiety, terror etc that the paxil gifted to me and getting past that I'm left with this. Although it's actually much better I am quite depressed with it. I think it's taking its toll on me over time. It eases off and I start to think I might get my life back and then bam it comes back big time. It has left me suicidal at times but thankfully having my son keeps me going. I guess I should be thankful it's not the intesity 24/7 it was at the beginning.

 

Socialising, going places are near impossible at times. Taking lots of time off work (I didn't stop working with the akathesia and anxiety ha) It has cost me a relationship and my confidence. People find it amusing for some reason so I've given up explaining. Even having a conversation or trying to focus on my artwork is so hard when all you can think about is needing to wee! I never thought something like this could be so destructive and I dealt with chronic pain for years.

 

It's definitely improving and has moved to a more wave like pattern similar to the withdrawal. So I'm semi confident that one day it will ease enough to not be a massive problem. I wouldn't of been able to type this a year ago because I'd be at the toilet.

 

Currently seeing a physio on the NHS who is trying accupunture and tibial nerve stimulation to see if that helps.

 

Love to you all out there dealing with this problem as it's been as bad if not worse than some of my withdrawal. I hope one day I can report here I healed from this to give others confidence that they will too.

 

Sorry for the rant!

Sorry to hear of your troubles. How long did the anxiety/depression last after withdrawal?

 

[Junglechicken]

I had chronic bladder issues (UTIs etc.,), 3 years ago. 

 

I was constantly getting tested at the doctors.  In the end I bought my own dip-stick test kit to reduce the number of doctor visits.

 

It was likely down to a combination of factors: stress of moving back to the UK causing lowered immune system and susceptibility to infection, hormonal changes due to peri-meno, WD.

 

Fortunately, this episode of my life didn't last, and I sought advice from a Naturopath on diet, therapy, etc.,

 

Of course, there are other symptoms that crop up these days, but nothing like the horror of all those infections.

 

 

[Boris]

14 hours ago, Gigi12 said:

Sorry to hear of your troubles. How long did the anxiety/depression last after withdrawal?

 

 

The gift that keeps on giving, Paxil.

 

4 months of severe anxiety/akathesia when I finally got off but I had big bouts of it 2009-2017 with trying to get off Paxil. I've always been an anxious person but that drug induced version is another beast. Depression I've always had low level but use to that, it's worse at times due to all this.

 

If I can just sort this urinary issue out I'm left with tinnitus and I can finally move on with my life.

 

3 off Paxil in April

5 weeks off Pregablin.

[Boris]

4 hours ago, Junglechicken said:

I had chronic bladder issues (UTIs etc.,), 3 years ago. 

 

I was constantly getting tested at the doctors.  In the end I bought my own dip-stick test kit to reduce the number of doctor visits.

 

It was likely down to a combination of factors: stress of moving back to the UK causing lowered immune system and susceptibility to infection, hormonal changes due to peri-meno, WD.

 

Fortunately, this episode of my life didn't last, and I sought advice from a Naturopath on diet, therapy, etc.,

 

Of course, there are other symptoms that crop up these days, but nothing like the horror of all those infections.

 

 

 

Glad you have this in the past! I hope to join you one day!

[Pandemonium713]

For years I had incontinence problems and tried lots of different things my doctor suggested to fix it before a gynocologist finally told me that it was a side effect of some antidepressants. She explained that I couldn't empty my bladder properly so it would overflow. I have wet myself in public places before and wet the bed many times. And the withdrawal just exacerbates it massively. It's so stressful to be out and about in case I don't make it to a public toilet in time. I can't hold it AT ALL at the moment. It starts leaking into my pad that I always wear as I rush to the toilet. 

[Junglechicken]

19 hours ago, Boris said:

 

Glad you have this in the past! I hope to join you one day!

 

Boris,

 

You WILL get through this.

 

As others on this forum have suggested, (and a theory that makes sense), that in WD terms, the body is systematically repairing each "system" so that it can go back to a state of "homeostasis".

 

While its doing this, we are going to experience discomfort for some time.  

 

Sometimes we just get one symptom, sometimes multiple, and they can come out of the blue.

 

What is paramount here is self-care, and babying ourselves through it.

 

Sending you healing thoughts,

 

JC

 

[Boris]

On 1/10/2020 at 12:11 PM, Junglechicken said:

 

Boris,

 

You WILL get through this.

 

As others on this forum have suggested, (and a theory that makes sense), that in WD terms, the body is systematically repairing each "system" so that it can go back to a state of "homeostasis".

 

While its doing this, we are going to experience discomfort for some time.  

 

Sometimes we just get one symptom, sometimes multiple, and they can come out of the blue.

 

What is paramount here is self-care, and babying ourselves through it.

 

Sending you healing thoughts,

 

JC

 

Thanks for the kind words. It's been a 10 year journey since first adverse reaction so nearly there

[LD35]

I hope people in this thread recover. Personally i'm fu*ked. After three months of bladder torture, a torture I can't describe in words, I had two choices. 1. End my life 2. Find something that relieves my symptoms. (EXTREMELY painful bladder urgency from I wake up until late evening/night. So now I have used Diazepam for four months. In the beginning it worked really good, but it works less and less good. I have tried to withdraw from Diazepam a couple of times during this period, and even though the withdrawal is awful I can take it (Believe my when I say withdrawal from benzo is NOT fun), but my bladder problems comes back just like before. 

 

A warning to other people here. I don't encourage anyone to use Diazepam for this condition, try to go through this without any drugs, because for most people things will get better over time. 

 

I also had bladder problems before Zoloft, had them for ten years, and it started with lyme. But it got 10 times worse after Zoloft withdrawal. 

 

[Junglechicken]

On 1/12/2020 at 12:25 PM, LD35 said:

I hope people in this thread recover. Personally i'm fu*ked. After three months of bladder torture, a torture I can't describe in words, I had two choices. 1. End my life 2. Find something that relieves my symptoms. (EXTREMELY painful bladder urgency from I wake up until late evening/night. So now I have used Diazepam for four months. In the beginning it worked really good, but it works less and less good. I have tried to withdraw from Diazepam a couple of times during this period, and even though the withdrawal is awful I can take it (Believe my when I say withdrawal from benzo is NOT fun), but my bladder problems comes back just like before. 

 

A warning to other people here. I don't encourage anyone to use Diazepam for this condition, try to go through this without any drugs, because for most people things will get better over time. 

 

I also had bladder problems before Zoloft, had them for ten years, and it started with lyme. But it got 10 times worse after Zoloft withdrawal. 

 

 

Really sorry to hear of your suffering LD35.

 

If I can ask the obvious, what did your GP/physician say about the cause of the pain, as they must have prescribed the diazapam?

[LD35]

1 hour ago, Junglechicken said:

 

Really sorry to hear of your suffering LD35.

 

If I can ask the obvious, what did your GP/physician say about the cause of the pain, as they must have prescribed the diazapam?

 

With painful I didn't mean it hurts, it's painful to go around with the feeling of a completely FULL bladder even if it's empty.

Some doctors say it's probably because I got lyme and Zoloft made my bladder problems worse, other doctors are just ignorant and say my bladder problems is mental and I need to start using antidepressants like SSRI again. (I will NEVER touch an antidepressants again)

 

The reason they prescribed Diazepam was because I was so depressed because of my situation. 

 

I have thought about trying Gabapentin instead of Diazepam, but I feel like it's russian roulette, i'm scared of all medicines after this.

[Boris]

On 1/12/2020 at 12:25 PM, LD35 said:

I hope people in this thread recover. Personally i'm fu*ked. After three months of bladder torture, a torture I can't describe in words, I had two choices. 1. End my life 2. Find something that relieves my symptoms. (EXTREMELY painful bladder urgency from I wake up until late evening/night. So now I have used Diazepam for four months. In the beginning it worked really good, but it works less and less good. I have tried to withdraw from Diazepam a couple of times during this period, and even though the withdrawal is awful I can take it (Believe my when I say withdrawal from benzo is NOT fun), but my bladder problems comes back just like before. 

 

A warning to other people here. I don't encourage anyone to use Diazepam for this condition, try to go through this without any drugs, because for most people things will get better over time. 

 

I also had bladder problems before Zoloft, had them for ten years, and it started with lyme. But it got 10 times worse after Zoloft withdrawal. 

 

 

You sound like you're in a similar situation to me with this.

 

The feeling of a full bladder is absolute torture when it will not back down and only my son keeps me going to try and overcome this. The first year I had that full bladder feeling with a deep ache constantly but the second year I had more times where it was more of a just a feeling that I need to go a lot so it has improved. But with all of this it comes in bad waves like this week my bladder is becoming very 'achey' when filling up as if its busting but not much is in there. I think it slowly gets better but now at 2 years it feels like a life time.

 

At a guess the diazepam is calming the overactive nervous system or relaxing the pelvic floor muscles? I was on Pregablin when this started the similar drug to Gabapentin and that did nothing to help, the GP is convinced it's that drug that has caused this issue.

 

I've currently given another Overactive bladder drug a go even though the test showed no actual overactive bladder but worth a shot.

 

You really have my sympathy as this problem has put my whole life on hold.

[LD35]

3 hours ago, Boris said:

 

You sound like you're in a similar situation to me with this.

 

The feeling of a full bladder is absolute torture when it will not back down and only my son keeps me going to try and overcome this. The first year I had that full bladder feeling with a deep ache constantly but the second year I had more times where it was more of a just a feeling that I need to go a lot so it has improved. But with all of this it comes in bad waves like this week my bladder is becoming very 'achey' when filling up as if its busting but not much is in there. I think it slowly gets better but now at 2 years it feels like a life time.

 

At a guess the diazepam is calming the overactive nervous system or relaxing the pelvic floor muscles? I was on Pregablin when this started the similar drug to Gabapentin and that did nothing to help, the GP is convinced it's that drug that has caused this issue.

 

I've currently given another Overactive bladder drug a go even though the test showed no actual overactive bladder but worth a shot.

 

You really have my sympathy as this problem has put my whole life on hold.

 

I'm not fully sure why Diazepam helps but Diazepam inhibits acetylcholine. But it's also a muscle relaxant which might help. How a change in neurotransmitter levels affect other neurotransmitters is very complex, but it is a relationship between serotonine and aceteylcholine. 

(Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter involved in bladder contraction)

 

Regarding drugs for bladder problems, there are different types, some of them takes a while before they start to work.

Which one did you try? My guess is Tolterodin would not work at all since you don't have an oab, and it's the same here.

 

This is the active substance for three common drugs. (They are sold under different brands in different countries, depending on if generic versions are available or not) 

 

Solifenacin

Oxibutynin

Tolterodin

 

You might feel tempted to start using Diazepam because it will most likely work very good for a while, but I have no idea what will happen when it stops working. Will it help me until my withdrawal symptoms from SSRI gets better? will it make my symptoms even worse with time. And even if it helps to calm down the symptoms, the day you withdraw from them after long term use might be horrible. I personally don't care if i'm bound to bed for months after withdrawal as long as I don't have these horrible bladder problems. I'm quite used to be in bed 24/7 now anyway. I choose to use Diazepam because I wouldn't be alive today otherwise, because my symptoms was so severe. It was a torture I can't describe in words. But your symptoms have improved, and I think it's hope for your situation. 

[AlaskanGlacier]

Fwiw, as I got to the end of my Prozac taper, and now 6 months off, I've had some very annoying (very painful at times, however) urinary, bladder issues as well. Burning in my lower back. Burning in my urinary tract. Burning when I pee. Pains and pressure in my pelvic area. Urinary retention. Water retention, etc. I've done a few months of drinking kidney/urinary tract cleansing teas (which have helped a lot during the cleanse with some of the symptoms), and I'm peeing more and better, but the burning and irritation is still there. I've had UTI tests that came back negative, so it seems that the way that these SSRI's work greatly affect the urinary tract, pain receptors in there, and a whole bunch of other stuff we don't even know. Going through a rough bout of it again, so just letting you all know from my experience it can happen from the WD. Really sucks.

[AlaskanGlacier]

.. and LD35, I would look into marshmallow root as an aid to help some of that urinary tract pain. That seemed to be a big part of why during my kidney cleanse regimes the pain was far lower while I was drinking the tea. Something to research.

[India]

On 1/7/2020 at 5:15 AM, Cathy4 said:

India, 

Sending healing vibes to you.  I was reading about ic the other night and sometimes (from what I read), it goes away on its own.  Perhaps things will return to normal in time.  
hug, 

Cathy

Thank you @cathy appreciate your support on this 

[Cathy4]

7 hours ago, India said:

Thank you @cathy appreciate your support on this 

You’re so welcome, @India, and I hope I don’t sound too naive and annoyingly optimistic.  I sincerely hope this gets better for you.  Hug to you.  
Cathy

[India]

On 1/9/2020 at 1:11 AM, Boris said:

This last year the sensations in my genitals have eased off and now I'm left with waves of intense frequent urination. Sometimes I actually have a full bladder of clear urine within 20mins even though I've not drank anything and other times I feel the need to go constantly. I've had a a few weeks here and there in the last few months with nearly normal urinary function.

This sounds like the kidneys might be involved too .

What about Natural remedies?

Passiflora is nature’s Valium. I’ve heard of others too. It’s so hard when you are in this suffering. 

Its interesting what ppl are writing about probiotics.