Has anyone experienced bladder weakness from PN or Cymbalta?
 

I was diagnosed with idiopathic PN in December. On and then off Neurontin. Now on Cymbalta. It seems that I need to urinate much more frequently. Am not sure if its the meds or the illness. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

hi suzie
 

yes i was on it for just a few days and had terrible trouble like you. at first doc said it wasnt related then when i mentioned it again she had me stop and symptoms went away. i was really disappointed i couldnt take it for that reason....pal pete

I don't know about the meds but I have bladder problems which are thought to be neuropathy induced. Get it checked out because if it's true bladder problems they need to be addressed before more damage is done. I didn't address it for many years as I was too busy seeking help for the neuropathic pain and the bladder symptoms appeared miniscule by comparison. In reality, though, they can result in kidney failure.
I hope it is the meds in your case.:)

May I ask how old you are? Bladder problems get to be quite common in women as we get older. It may have a gynecological origin. I don"t know the severity of your problem, but as a home remedy you may want to try kegal exercises for 2 weeks and see if it makes a difference. If its past that point, I would go talk to my GP.

Yes yes yes!
My neuropathy began with bladder symptoms. No incontinence, just constantly having to go, and a lot of burning. I still have the burning down there. All tests have been dine (cystoscopy, tests for std's,etc. Cymbalta made my bladder go into complete spasms so I stopped.
I tried detrol, and another for frequency-but they didn't work. It just sort of dissipated. Thank goodness.

Corby, can you clarify your bold point about bladder symptoms potentially leading to kidney failure?? You may have scared the OP, and you sure scared me ..
I have abnormally low creatinine levels with my symptoms.
Feel free to pm me so the OP doesn't feel that I stole the thread !!:rolleyes:

Yes, I have bladder issues. I used to get bladder infections frequently, it is better now that I pretty much drink only water. Mine is the frequency has increased and if my bladder is really full, I get a bad headache, then about 5 minutes after I go to the bathroom, the headache goes away. My neuro said my autonomic has affected my stomach, bladder, and heart so far.

Sham, just curious-what symptoms do your stomach and heart present?
I've had heart fluttering for months every day and I always wonder if the neuropathy is to blame

I had a radical prostectomy in 2001 due the cancer of the prostate. This left me mildly incontenent. In 2007 I started with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy presented as burning in the feet. On doctor suggested that I try Cymbalta to relieve the pain but it increased my incontenence so I stopped taking. I also tried Lyrica and had the same reaction.

Sorry, Featherbullet. My intention was certainly not to scare anyone but to simply make people aware that bladder problems can be neuropathy related and that neglect of these problems can lead to more serious problems. So I just meant, don't think that because your symptoms are painless, it's a minor problem.
I did that. In my case, my flow became very slow (due to bladder muscles being very weak and probably a result of nerve damage) and I took a long time emptying my bladder. Testing showed that I was also unable to completely empty my bladder and it had stretched to twice the normal size, amongst other things. Bladder retention (incomplete emptying) often results in frequent infections as bacteria lies dormant (which I have so far avoided), and urine can back up into the...what are they called? urethral tubes? ureters? to the kidneys. Irreversible damage.
I myself (female, BTW) have recently had to start self-catheterising every day in order to empty my bladder. Not a pleasant result.
That's as I understand it, anyway! Happy to be corrected. :winky: