--with both gabapentin (Neurontin) and Lyrica (Pregabalin), fluid retention and urination frequency changes are listed as fairly common side effects.

These two drugs are among the minority of medications that are not appreciably processed through the liver, but generally excreted "whole" through the actions of the kidneys. That generally means good kidney function is a prerequisite for taking them, and many people notice differences in their urinary patterns while on appreciable doses of them.

Of course, the problem is if one has neuropathy--particularly autonomic types--one can have urinary, and colonic, and other symptoms due to the effects of the neuropathy, and it may be hard to distinguish these from medication side effects.

Hi Canagirl,

Be sure to rule out the basics. We had a member this week on the CRPS forum concerned about the very same thing. They went to their doc and found out they had a UTI. In women either UTI or yeast imbalance can cause symptoms of frequency.

Sending healing love,

Oh, good to know. It's not listed as a side effect where I live. I seemed not be able to concentrate my urine, everything just went straight through.

Yes, I know. What is your point?

I also had IC. Years ago, I had a terrible time holding my urine before I could find a bathroom. It was very painful. I put up with this for many, many years. I finally went to a ureogynocologist (sp?) who dx'ed me with IC. I did an out-patient procedure where they stretched my bladder to enable me to hold more urine ("no such thing as a too small bladder" dr. told me). They filled my bladder with more fluid than I would normally hold and that did it. That was probably 10 years ago. It was a life saver!!! I have been able to hold on when necessary for a long time since that procedure. But I do know that even now, I have to be careful of anything too acidic. Caffeine, especially,irritates my bladder so I'm prepared when I want to go out, knowing I will have to pee several times because of the acid in the coffee. But I still love my morning Joe! I hope you can find a dr. who specializes in bladder problems who is also a gynocologist.