![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 23:13:19
Okay I have been on the Desipramine for a couple of weeks now. Only one week at 75 mg. I am having a lot of trouble when I need to pee! I drink a LOT of fluids so this is not the most comfortable side effect to have.
What can I do? Am I going to get a UTI from being unable to empty my bladder completely?
Maxime
Posted by MidnightBlue on April 5, 2005, at 23:35:28
In reply to Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 23:13:19
Maxime,
I had the same trouble and at very low doses, not on desipramine--I was able to get up to 325 mg on that, but on one of the other TCA's. Sorry, I can't think of the name of it--I am fighting a migraine and my brain goes to mush. My pdoc finally believed me when I told him it took at LEAST 15 minutes and lots of running water to begin to "go" at all! That was the end of TCAs for me.
If it is any comfort, I didn't get a UTI.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 5, 2005, at 23:41:59
In reply to Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 23:13:19
Hi Maxime,
I had that problem on the TCA's. My doctor rx'd a drug called Bethanechol (also known as Urecholine; I can't remember which is the generic name). It helped a lot. It helped more if I took it on an empty stomach in the morning. It also seemed to help with the TCA-induced constipation. I think I had to take the Bethanechol a few times a day.
Posted by D minor on April 6, 2005, at 0:10:46
In reply to Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 23:13:19
Don't feel bad, I had that problem when I was at 700mg of Seroquel. I had to reduce my dosage. Didn't get an UTI.
Best of Luck,
dm
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2005, at 0:14:34
In reply to Re: Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by D minor on April 6, 2005, at 0:10:46
I'm sorry Maxime, just more problems. Just what we need! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on April 6, 2005, at 0:17:59
In reply to Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 23:13:19
One other thing - - Although I think you should definitely talk to your doctor about prescribing Urecholine/Bethanechol, I suggest you keep cranberry juice and/or blueberry juice in the refrigerator. Some of the health food stores have good brands that don't have too much added sugar, so you're getting mostly healthy juice. Both cranberry juice and blueberry juice contain a chemical that prevents bacteria from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract, so the bacteria are more likely to "wash out" when you finally urinate. I've also seen cranberry extract tablets at the health food store.
Posted by Maxime on April 6, 2005, at 0:43:28
In reply to Re: Um, I can't pee (blush) » Maxime, posted by MidnightBlue on April 5, 2005, at 23:35:28
Thanks EVERYONE for your input.
MidnightBlue, I laughed at your comment of running water because I have even tried that and it reminded me of when I was a kid and my mom would do it.
Yeah, it is also making me constipated (and upsetting my tummy) but I am used to that. Because I don't eat much sometimes I go two weeks without going to the bathroom.
Maxime
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 6, 2005, at 23:34:55
In reply to Re: Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Maxime on April 6, 2005, at 0:43:28
I know it is really annoying. And I must admit I have a hard time even telling my pdoc I experience it. It is called "urinary retention" I think. Anyway, just thought that I'd add that w/ a TCA, sometimes you can get to a therapeutic dose for a while, stablize and then back down a little w/o losing the effects. I'm not quite sure why, but it doesn't happen that way w/ other drugs like SSRI's.
Also, s/e's like this one can indicate that you are getting close to the max dose that you can tolerate. Have you ever had your pdoc do a blood level of the desipramine? Sometime that can help him/her get a sense of if it makes sense to go higher, back off etc. It isn't sure-fire, but it is still some info.
Hope that this helps!
Best,
EE
Posted by Maxime on April 7, 2005, at 14:18:35
In reply to Re: Um, I can't pee (blush), posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 6, 2005, at 23:34:55
Well know that I have started to lactate on it, I don't think I will be taking it anymore.
However, my friend who is a nurse told me to try the following. I know it's gross, but it worked. She told me to sit in the bathtub with warm water and gently press down on my bladder. It worked. Nothing like sitting in your own pee/bath-water! Followed by one shower! At least I was finally able to empty my bladder albeit in the bathtub.
maxime
> I know it is really annoying. And I must admit I have a hard time even telling my pdoc I experience it. It is called "urinary retention" I think. Anyway, just thought that I'd add that w/ a TCA, sometimes you can get to a therapeutic dose for a while, stablize and then back down a little w/o losing the effects. I'm not quite sure why, but it doesn't happen that way w/ other drugs like SSRI's.
>
> Also, s/e's like this one can indicate that you are getting close to the max dose that you can tolerate. Have you ever had your pdoc do a blood level of the desipramine? Sometime that can help him/her get a sense of if it makes sense to go higher, back off etc. It isn't sure-fire, but it is still some info.
>
> Hope that this helps!
>
> Best,
> EE
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.