Could Zoloft cause IC?

[dannysgirl]

I recently wondered if my 3-year stint w/Zoloft at 200mg had anything to do with my IC. I've found interesting things about this. PLEASE POST if you have similar experiences or if you have an opinion on this topic. Thanks & may we all heal together.

These drugs (SSRIs) (ie Zoloft) have properties that make them have an anticholinergic effect. That means that it slows motility in the bowels and in the bladder. It also can produce a dry mouth and blurr the vision. If this becomes bothersome or does not subsude after a few days to a week, you may want to discuss this with you physician and decide if there is another course of treatment for you to follow.

[kadi]

My IC started the second (and therefore the LAST) day I ever took Wellbutrin. I'll always wonder if that had something to do with it. I also took Zoloft for 2 years, Paxil for 1-1/2 years, Lexapro for 4 months at various times before I got IC.
I have read that various antidepressants can worsen or improve IC, but I've never seen any research (maybe yet?) naming it as a cause.

My mom though, never took any of these meds & she just was diagnosed with IC at age 64. My grandmother I don't think ever took these & she has described symptoms to my mom that sound very much like IC. She developed whatever her bladder problem is in her 70s.

BUT: I also developed IC the second cycle off a birth control pill I'd been on for 10 years & my periods were abnormal until I went back on the pill. My IC definitely improved by going back on the pill (though sadly, it did not go away.) My mom's IC came on after she stopped HRT & improved (but did not go away) when she went back on it.

I think there may be a hereditary vulnerability to this illness & then something triggers it into activity, maybe estrogen balance shift? maybe trauma from c-section or hysterectomy? maybe strong medicines passing through vulnerable or extra sensitive bladders? prior bladder surgeries?

Anyhow, I think you have brought up a very important and very complicated question! Thank you for posting, I'll be interested in seeing what others post too!

[ICNDonna]

I had never taken an antidepressant when I developed IC. And I have never seen reports on any research about a possible connection.

Donna

[dannysgirl]

I thought about not posting this comment just in case someone was thinking about taking Zoloft. After discussing ideas and thoughts with the nurse (who also has IC) we both concluded that the personality type that acquires IC would also would be the same one using Zoloft. Hopefully this post may find a problem if one needs to be addressed, but not start one that doesn't exist. Think Healthy Ladies (& Gentlemen)!

Kath

[massagedoula]

I am not sure what you mean about personality type that has IC? I never thought or heard that there was a common personality type that got this disease. That is a disturbing comment in many ways to me.

I have never taken any antidepressants and never needed or wanted to, and I still have IC!

[dannysgirl]

There are doctors that say many IC patients have a type A personality. I feel like my disease come from something like a fight or flight response. I feel like I was (I am out of it now) in a constant 'ready' mentality, eventually I believe it lead to my IC. I have been working with healing now for about a year. I've brought my IC symptoms from severe to mild.

Don't be offended massagedoula, I thought it should be discussed inorder to find a corrilation if there was one.

much love,
Kay

[kadi]

A few thoughts:

I've heard the Type A personality/IC link before & I've also heard it refuted as outdated.

I also wonder if we who are "Type A" & eventually develop IC are just born more prone to stress because we are physically & chemically already different from others.

I wonder also if those of us with Type A personalities are more likely to be actually diagnosed, rather than allowing ourselves to be brushed off by doctors & to continue suffering in silence. I've read that most of us have seen 5-6 doctors before diagnosis. That was certainly true for me & I am actually very glad for my tenaciousness & my ability to be alert & on top of things, because I probably would be still suffering now, if I hadn't argued my way into several doctors' offices. And it did take arguing.

That said, stress definitely worsens IC symptoms in bodies that already have it, so anything we can do to live with less stress is a good thing!!! I've definitely found that stress leads to flares for me & yoga & relaxation tapes are super helpful...

[Imustpee]

I am a TYPE A , I have never been on an antidepressant, and I have had IC since I was 6 years old...

[massagedoula]

I don't even know what type A personality is! That is a new term for me....

[Cricketmk3]

I have read that Type A personalities are time-impatient people with ever-present hostility. Strict, rigid, neat, perfectionists. Where Type B personalities are relaxed and easy going. I have charateristics of both so I don't know which one I am. I don't believe it has anything to do with IC nor do I think Zoloft does but yet...I don't have any idea what does have to do with IC. I think you just get it or you don't just like most other things. They do say that heart problems result more in people with Type A personalities though. That makes sense even though my dad is the most relaxed person I know and he has heart problems. Go figure!

[ICLori]

I think all this comes from the old, outdated (wrong) idea that IC is a psychosomatic disease. Until the late 1980's, doctors were taught in med school that IC was caused by a hostile personality. Sounds like some health care providers still buy into that old (wrong) theory. Now that they've found a physical marker for IC (the antiproliferative factor we produce) they should discard the idea that IC is a psychological disease rather than a physical one.

Blessings, Lori

[vm]

Here is an interesting link that discusses some of what you guys are talking about:


"We will explore differences in the way women respond to psychological and physical stress, and how these differences predispose them to develop common clinical disorders, such as chronic abdominal and pelvic pain syndromes" said Dr. Emeran Mayer
http://www.ic-network.com/clinicaltrials/buffington1202.html

[Imustpee]

http://www.mindpub.com/art207.htm

http://nj.essortment.com/typeapersonali_rgcc.htm

[wtotten]

I see in this old post that you had your bladder removed and you stated "YAH!!". So, how is life now that it's been removed. I suffer with IC and would be fine if they took the bladder and gave me back my life and sleep.

Bill

[wtotten]

I see in this old post that you had your bladder removed and you stated "YAH!!". So, how is life now that it's been removed. I suffer with IC and would be fine if they took the bladder and gave me back my life and sleep.

Bill