Bladder problems..Benzo side effects? Something sinister?

Hi Dr. I am 28 year old female and I take Ativan for health anxiety (focused mainly on a horrible fear of MS that has ruined the last 6 years of my life). A few times last week, I switched and took Xanax for a few days off and on. For the past few days, I have noticed that I have been leaking small amounts of urine, mainly after I void. I think maybe a few drops here and there. Also, I have the symptoms of a UTI, but with no infection. My question is could these be side effects of the benzos? I have heard of "bladder problems" being a side effect, but I have not heard of people leaking small amounts of urine. I am now afraid I have a neurogenic(MS bladder). Could you please give me some insight. I appreciate it very much. Thanks for reading.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I don't believe it would be a direct effect of xanax, but indirectly, if you felt a little groggy or out of it, that could be a consequence. I hope you are also seeing a therapist to get to the bottom of your real anxiety.

[HAMMERHEAD]

I take xanax nad had a small leaking problem at one time.It would happen after i had gone to the restroom.I take xanax for health anxiety(worry about my heart 24/7).My dad has prostate cancer and it worried me really bad when it happened it was worse on xanax xr than on regular xanax.Just knew I had something else to worry about

[helpsam102]

Hello, I had something similar........I had been abusing antihystimens ( drosey ones) and that was the problem,also I cut out caffine.What a differance.Hope this helps.

[Paule]

Xanax has a weak uricosuric effect (uric acid in the urine) and ativan infrequently caused cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)...rather than worry just chalk it up to anxiety during the change over in meds and think of nothing further. if another thought or worry pops in your head, write it down for a day or two and then start visualizing a stop sign and move on with other positive thoughts.

[Consider]

Hi, I had a pretty serious incontinence reaction to Sarafem.
I got green tea and drank a lot of it, in the hopes of removing whatever was causing the incontinence from my system.

Then I began having more B12, and my depression receded, and now is all but totally gone. Plus, no more incontinence.

From reading the insert that came with the Sarafem (which is a Prozac look alike) I got the impression that people with B12 malabsorption illness, or who lacked intrinsic factor, were likely to not do well with the Sarafem.

the B12 also reduces pain -- and tingling and numbness. And at the moment I'm hoping it restores some feeling...

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[Jo-anne]

Anti-anxiety pills (all benzo's) are well known for causing bladder incontinence in literally millions of women even though no pharmacist or pre-scribing Dr bothers to inform you of this very socially crippling problem.