Oh wow!!! Just read the post by Henna73. I have been on Lexapro (40mg daily) for over 10 years now. I was recently diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and I notice that my IC symptoms increase when my Lexapro is increased!!! I have have asked my primary care physician about whether or not Lexpro can cause or increase the severity of IC symptoms. Of course the answer was "no". I think the FDA needs to to more testing on how Lexapro affects the bladder.
I am suffering the same problem with Lexapro. I already suffered from interstitial cystitis before starting the Lexapro but the Lexapro made it 10x worse! I asked my doctor immediately after the painful urination started if the cause could be the Lexapro and she said "no". It seemed too coincidental to me that the pain and frequency intensified right after starting the Lexapro. (and just FYI: I do NOT have a UTI nor bladder infection of any kind). I did some research on the internet and discovered plenty of other Lexapro users were having the same urinary side effects. I just wanted to reinerate this for anyone reading this who may be suffering with the same thing as well. YES, it is the Lexapro......talk to your doctor and insist on getting some relief.
Thank you for all of your help. I'm wondering if my doctor could prescribe something to help with my overactive bladder so I could keep taking the Lexapro or if I should just take something else instead. Lexapro is good in ways because it produces fewer side effects than any other SSRI med that I've tried and I've tried many of them.
Thank you for all of your help. I'm wondering if my doctor could prescribe something to help with my overactive bladder so I could keep taking the Lexapro or if I should just take something else instead. Lexapro is good in ways because it produces fewer side effects than any other SSRI med that I've tried and I've tried many of them.
Hi,
It is true that the dose prescribed is within the range that should be comfortable.
However, individual reactions to every drug are different.
Any dose which is causing discomfort is too high a dose. With your symptoms not subsiding and persisting despite other conservative measures, it would be a good idea to consider changing over to another drug that may have better results and lesser or no side effects.
There are so many options of medications that canhelp with the bipolar condition. You should discuss the possibility of a medication that causes the least amount of discomfort to you.
Regards
I only take 20mg of Lexapro each day. My doctor once told me that I could stay on it indefinately because it's a low dose. What do you think?
Hi,
"As an addition to medication, psychosocial treatments—including certain forms of psychotherapy (or “talk” therapy)—are helpful in providing support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Studies have shown that psychosocial interventions can lead to increased mood stability, fewer hospitalizations, and improved functioning in several areas.12 A licensed psychologist, social worker, or counselor typically provides these therapies and often works together with the psychiatrist to monitor a patient’s progress. The number, frequency, and type of sessions should be based on the treatment needs of each person.
Psychosocial interventions commonly used for bipolar disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, family therapy, and a newer technique, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. NIMH researchers are studying how these interventions compare to one another when added to medication treatment for bipolar disorder.
* Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change inappropriate or negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the illness.
* Psychoeducation involves teaching people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment, and how to recognize signs of relapse so that early intervention can be sought before a full-blown illness episode occurs. Psychoeducation also may be helpful for family members.
* Family therapy uses strategies to reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute to or result from the ill person’s symptoms.
* Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps people with bipolar disorder both to improve interpersonal relationships and to regularize their daily routines. Regular daily routines and sleep schedules may help protect against manic episodes.
* As with medication, it is important to follow the treatment plan for any psychosocial intervention to achieve the greatest benefit"
"Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are being studied to determine their usefulness, alone and when added to conventional medications, for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder"
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-publication.shtml
The suggestion is not to stop treatment with antidepressants, but to slowly decrease the dose and dependance on them.
You can start taking the fish liver oil capsules as they are natural supplements that do not have any side effects and keep levels of "happy" neurotransmitters high in the brain.
Regards
A few years ago, 2004, I was hospitalized for my depression and they stopped my SSRI's and I felt like I was going to die. I was told that I was bipolar and they gave me a whole new set of meds to take. I went 2 weeks without any SSRI medicine and I became very suicidal and stayed in the hospital for a while. As soon as they put me back on Zoloft I felt so much better. I switched off of Zoloft because it gave me bad headaches and they put me on Lexapro. None of the meds are great but they keep me from going crazy.
Hi,
Absolutely need to have high fluid intake, especially in view of the fact that you have frequency of urination.
If your kidneys are bound to put out so much fluid, keeping your intake high is going to ensure that you are not dehydrated and fatigued.
It will also ensure that you do not develop other complications like UTI and clears up your skin.
SSRIs are known to cause depressive and suicidal ideation after prolonged treatment. You should discuss switching to another group of antidepressants as it is not a good idea to be on one group alone for so many years.
Additionally, consider increasing physical activity - 30 minutes of cardio activity will release adrenaline and endorphins that can help get you through the day without any medications. Stopping any medications, including the lexapro, will need to be discussed with your doctor so that an effective weaning can be planned.
Foods containing DHA has also been identified as aiding elevated mood. These foods include seafood and algal extract.
You can just go on cod liver oil capsules 2 per day and notice results within 2 weeks.
Do keep us posted on your doubts and progress.
regards
I haven't been off of SSRI's since I was 12 years old. I'm 23 now so I don't know how I would feel otherwise. I have very obsessive thoughts if I don't take an SSRI medicine. I had no blood in my urine culture but I don't know about protein or sugar. I won't see my doctor until mid-august for a check-up and I'll be sure to ask him about it. Is it good to have a higher fluid intake considering I urinate so often?
Hi,
Have you noticed whether you have these symptoms when you are off SSRIs?
It is possible that the problem may lie at the bladder level or at least somewhere along the urinary tract, if not systemic.
You also mentioned that a urinalysis report was negative for UTI, but do you know whether it had any other abnormal parameters, such as protein, blood, or sugar in urine?
Older SSRIs similar to lexapro include citalopram with a narrow side effect profile. However, newer SSRIs, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, have fewer side effects.
Additionally, if you feel SSRIs, as a group, tend to cause this problem, you can discuss alternative therapies with your prescribing doctor.
You will need to keep you fluid intake on the higher side in view of the potential to develop renal complications.
Regards
The problem is I've taken many SSRI's and I have to go to the bathroom all the time no matter what. I've taken Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro and a few others.
Hi,
You should drink a minimum of 2000 ml of fluids per day. Women are prone to developing UTIs and if these are not effectively treated, they can cause serious complications including kidney infections and failure.
Adding milk and yoghurt to your fluid intake is a good idea.
The simplest option here would be to switch to another SSRI - of the same group as lexapro. You can talk to your prescribing doctor about switching medications.
Regards
I had a urine culture done last week and it came back clean no UTI. I guess it's just part of taking the medicine. I wish there was something I could do to not go so often. I don't drink a lot of water. I usually just drink water, some juice or milk each day and nothing else. I don't know if I should really see my family doctor about it because I don't know how they could help me.
Hi,
"The most common side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression."
www.medicinenet.com/escitalopram/article.htm
Do rule out the possibilty of a UTI as well.
Keep us posted on your doubts and progress.
Regards