What causes retention?

[Pucca]

Right now my daytime symptoms have been manageable, for the most part. But in this past year since I've had IC I nothing has helped me at bedtime. They don't cut down the trips to the bathroom and even worse, I get retention. The latest thing he tried was triazolam, and it was the same result. By the second night it had already seemed to stop working, and my stream was getting really really weak. By the third night, after three trips to the bathroom, I decided I'd better stop. Other things he has tried previously were Detrol, Ditropan, Vesicare, and Sanctura. I also still take Urelle but only during flares, otherwise that gives me retention too. I know that retention is caused by the muscle being too relaxed, but I'm wondering what causes the tendency to get this in the first place. All of the meds I was presbribed were given at the lowest possible dosage. Also, I've noticed that over-the-counter stuff such as allergy meds now give me retention too, and they didn't when I didn't have IC.

I notice a lot of you take the prescription antihistimines for your IC, and the anti-depressants, and I am thinking of asking to try one of these the next time I go to the doctor. I guess my second question is - do any of these potentially cause retention? Because if so, I doubt I can try them.

I don't have any retention when I don't take these meds. The uro has me checked for that at each appointment.

I should also mention I am now in menopause, and I have an appointment with my gyn in mid-July. I am hoping maybe a low dosage of estrogen might help me sleep, if she's willing to give it to me. I'm just so tired of dragging my butt to the bathroom at night.

Pucca

[leelee88]

Unfortunally so many meds do cause retention for most ICers.. All I can recommend is it is just trial a error. I have finnally found my combo that works for me.. But I had to get the right dosage because even with a hogher dosage I have retention on the meds I am on!

[ICNDonna]

You may need to make some medication changes --- have you talked with your doctor about this?

Donna

[Pucca]

Donna - every time I've tried one of these meds, I've told him that it gave me retention. He just says I am very sensitive.

The only thing I have been consistently able to take is the Elmiron and Urocit-K.

I want to ask for the Atarax but don't want to put myself thru more retention.

Mothergoose - yes, I get like that too. A day of retention and then the thing it was supposed to fix gets even worse! Aaaargh.

Well, my open enrollment for insurance is coming up at work. I may be switching doctors. I am beginning to suspect mine has his own agenda that maybe doesn't include some of the standard treatments.

Pucca

[songbird7]

I deal with retention sometimes and the pressure it causes. One of the things I found is as much as I want to lie on my back, if I've had any water recently it gets flared up. Retention with me is unpredicatble but I sure know what it feels like. I never tried meds for it. I've used ice or heat. And speaking for myself only, not being a doctor, I avoid high protein or refined carbohydrates and sugar. I do have maple sugar in a treat now and then. Homeopathic medicine helps me, with a certified practitioner. But it takes patience and is not a quick fix. I found meat to cause me many problems. Again, I speak only for myself.
If anyone knows how to deal with the retention better, I'm all ears:
To those who deal with it a lot, my heart and prayers go out to you and to everyone here. May you be blessed with God's love.:angel:

[songbird7]

A quick P.S. here. I've found medicines for frequent urination to cause retention, I speak for myself. Also pain medicine can cause retention. However when I am at level 7 pain or something, I will take my chances. If I catch it soon enough, I will need less medication and chances are lower of retention.
God bless all here. We are wonderful support systems for each other. I have been on this board since 2000 and am so thankful for it and everyone here. The very fact that we suffer with this strange disease and have not become bitter or anything like that, is a statement of the brave people we are. You will not see me here every day or anything but know you are in my thoughts and prayers.:welcome:

[songbird7]

Thanks Mothergoose. I hadn't thought of that. Waiting to long to take a needed medication is not too great, I found out but thought it would be worse if I took it earlier. Thanks for the info. This is what we are here for, to help each other.
Gentle healing:)