Anitidepressants least likely to cause urine retention?

[mom_in_ma]

Quite frankly, I'm in serious need of an antidepressant. At one time, in the very beginning of this whole mess, I was able to take paxil and it was a godsend and I went into remission. Since I came out of remission, about a year and a half ago I tried a number of antidepressants and they all cause painful urine retention. I gave up on them.

But, now I NEED to try again. No choice.

Anyone have any suggestions about antidepressant that are the LEAST likely to cause urine retention?

Bless anyone who replies to this thread!

[leelee88]

This seems to be a problem for me also..The Cymbalta at a lower did ok for me. But I know it caused retention for another person that tried it.

[mom_in_ma]

Thanks Rhonda. I just had a conversation with my wonderful wonderful shrink and we're going to try wellbutrin in baby baby doses for awhile and in the older short acting version so I can watch for retention issues. Cymbalta is like taking a combination of prozac (serotonin drug) and wellbutrin and I have heard some have had good luck with pain reduction on it.

[lisarb]

I also take cymbalta but at a higher dosage for depression, anxiety and pain relief. I am treated by a psychiatrist and I read an article somewhere that cymbalta was one of the drugs in that class that can cause problems with retention so I expressed my concern to both my urologist and my psychiatrist. My urologist told me I was completely emptying my bladder as I am catherized before each instill I get so not to stop it as I am probably getting pain relief from it also. Then when I asked my psychiatrist he said the retention problem with cymbalta was mostly in men with prostrate problems and I had nothing to worry about. Not sure if this is true but it's what he said. Of course as with everything everyone is different and I'm sure your doctor knows the best one to try. Good luck!

[Dakota]

mom in ma

Could you name some of the antidepressants you've already been on? I myself have tried several including Elavil, Remeron, Wellbutrin and Effexor. As I'm sure you know everyone reacts different so it's hard to say which would not cause retention for you. As for the ones I've mentioned, none seemed to effect me in that way. Elavil was very helpfull regarding pain from IC, but not a great antidepressant compared to some of the newer ones. I'm sure others here will have more to add.

[Briza]

I have no retention issues with either low or mod doses of Prozac, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, or Celexa. Only side effect I had with any of these was Cymbalta..it put me to sleep for a week so had to discontue. As for what works best for me, definitely Prozac.

[BT2008]

I have taken Amitriptyline, Imipramine, and Cymbalta, and all three have caused severe retention (among a host of other terrible side-effects!)

~Beth

[mom_in_ma]

Dakota, you asked about the ones that I've tried. Prozac and Paxil both gave me retention. With paxil it was terrible! Celexa (tried during remission) turned me into Martha Stewart on crack. At the time, not so fun. Looking back, my house has never been cleaner!

So far, day one with my baby baby dose...no retention. Crossing fingers.

[snowgirl]

i have taken amitriptyline, imipramine, and cymbalta, and all three have caused severe retention (among a host of other terrible side-effects!)

~beth me too!

[georgecoolname]

Which ones gave you urine retention? Would be good to know because I get it so easily. Ones that have done it for me are Detrol LA, Tramadol, another one I forget that starts with a C, Neurontin, Lyrica, Effexor, and Hydromorphone. Antidepressants that haven't caused it are Adderall, Zoloft (though tapering off of it made me feel like I had to pee my pants 4 days straight and I was miserable), Cymbalta, and Lexapro.

[snowgirl]

ar you a guy with IC then it may be whole different ball game due to your different anatomy structures of the urertra in the male.
I can't take any they have given up thrown towel in . They even tried mood stabilizers wihch are for bipolar but used in refractory depression when no other meds help. They asked if I wanted electric shock therapy for those who can't take med. Since I am an RN and workd in the dep that did electric shop therapy. Saw it done and recovered pt's afterward no way in hello
I am not going to go into 50 of them cause I bet there were any of your tricyclics even elavail causes some retention so one right there. Effexor was teh worst took one pill and coud not pill at all. Cymbalta per dr ken peters especially in men known for moderate amount of retentin for me . Second time on cymbalta in bed for 3 days in terrrilbe urinary retention. Mind you my md gives me no break through meds for pain. Lexapro increased my anxiety even on 5mg after 9 months so anxiety also played a part. Celexa panic attack woke up early am hours heart pounding in my neck. Depakote was terrible ill effects. Lamictal got the rash and blisters in my mouth.
Pamelot notryipylline terrible insomnia and retention!!. Geodon was on of worst after 4 th pill thought my bladder was going to rupture like worse then my hydros. I did not keep a list just know them in my bladder , head and heart. That's enough for now. I am in pain. VIcky

[snowgirl]

yes to detrol I would go as far and say any overactive bladder. Ultram regular ultram not the ER kind. VN

[Weskie]

I am on Celexa (actually, citalopram--the generic version) 20 mg/day. It does cause urine retention, but there are ways around it. If you clasp both hands together and try to pull them apart; or stroke/gently scratch your lower back; or use one hand to push against the wall--these can serve as neuromuscular "distractions", making it easier to pee. Try them! I've been using these techniques for over ten years, first on Zoloft, now on Celexa. I haven't had to catheterize yet! One of these always works. Acupuncture helps too, I think.

[Mrs. Peel]

Celexa didn't give me any problems. As a matter of fact, I took a generic of it for a while, and I had to start wearing pantie liners I was leaking so much.

Lexapro worked faster and better than any other I've taken. Different ones work for different folks.

Karin

[Weskie]

Did you like Lexapro better than Celexa? I've never tried it but have been considering it. You're certainly right that people respond differently to the antidepressants. I tried Elavil--and couldn't sleep AT ALL! Prozac--gave me cramps! Zoloft--I became thirsty ALL THE TIME and drinking lots of water didn't take it away! I am very sensitive to all medications and think that many other ICers are too.

[Bluheaven]

If you just need something for depression then maybe try st john's wort, sam-e or 5htp?

Each does have some side effects but mostly mild. Yeah he does have his own products he tries to sell but if you scroll down there is a complete list of herbs. There is a page on depression and herb usage[/URL] that lists herbs used for depression. Each page has a lot of information about how each one works, side effects and safe dosages (sometimes the dosages on the bottle are really high) and he answers peoples questions if he can. Maybe trying an herbal will give you the help you need without the retention.

I don't use any of his products nor am I related to him or the company in any way. I stumbled upon it after low dose prozac and others didn't work for me and found the information very interesting and useful. I picked up a bottle of 5-htp to try but then my depression mostly went away so I haven't started back on anything. I did bookmark it though for future reference because if my depression comes back I want to give the 5-htp a try.

[ICsmiles]

Thanks for starting this thread because the info on here is very helpful. I am now on Prozac after trying the tricyclics without success (amytriptiline or Elavil and neurotryptiline too)
The reason I finally accepted taking an antidepressant was depression from the constant pain and losses of IC. It was too much for me to handle after 14 years. The difference in my mood is amazing -- it is like my old cheerful self has returned. But I have been having retention problems horribly, and never realized it could be the antidepressant. Obviously I have to learn a lot more about this.
i am so thankful for this board!

[ESKIMO]

I'm taking Elavil & yes you gain weight. My problem is now I'm going through DMSO treatments & I'm not getting any relief from it. I feel like the walking dead, just going through the motions. I have another treatment tomorrow & will mention it to my Dr. I take 100 mgs a night, my pain level is going up, & I don't feel like a happy camper.:tsk: I feel like my tent has sprung many leaks, I will trying to patch the leaks.:toilet: Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow & be a brighter day for us all. I pray daily for a cure for us all to be IC free.:pray:I have hope that it will come.:angel:

[MommaWuzzi]

I've had problems with getting started for a long time, and frequently will use distraction (counting, etc.). Have tried tickling the coin slot (gently stroking your back right above the butt crack) because I've read it works, but it did nothing for me. Sometimes, though, leaning over and grabbing my arches on the inside will work when nothing else does...

It is mildly amusing to me that we all have little ways we try to get things flowing! LOL This disease does some strange things to ya...

[MommaWuzzi]

Just read the suggestion about St. John's Wort, SAMe etc. I would recommend SAMe or all of those - was taking it during the diagnostic process and quit it to go on Imipramine (it's cheaper than SAMe). When I ran out of imipramine and was waiting to go to the urologist (that I later cancelled with), I didn't refill it because I was told to take nothing that would interfere with my frequency for the baseline tests. Ended up with terrible headaches from the imipramine withdrawal and went back to SAMe in hopes of lessening them (not sure if it had run its course or the SAMe helped, but they were gone 24 hours after starting it).

THE THING IS - when I was completely without imipramine AND SAMe, I discovered that I am up every forty-five minutes to go to the bathroom! With imipramine I'm up two or three times, and with SAMe, three or four times. It honestly did make a slight improvement in my frequency, and I'm guessing it might be because studies have suggested it works as an anti-inflammatory (has been done on studies with arthritis patients).

This is just my personal anecdotal experience. People are warned to take holidays from St. John's Wort after nine months because it can cause some problems - after a break you can go back to it, though... SAMe was surprisingly effective for me. I would have considered doubling the dose that I was taking, but the price tag made me decide mildly undepressed was better than feeling completely happy.