Embarrassing Side Effect ... am I the only one with it?

[pooh55811]

I have debated posting this problem because this is rather embarrassing side effect of one of these meds, but I want to know if anyone else has this problem or if it is just me. Shortly after starting the triple med treatment with  Pegasys, Riba, and Incivek, I noticed I really had great difficulty (major difficulty) making it all the way to the bathroom when I had to urinate. Anything in the way (cat, closed door, person, more than 10 feet from the bathroom, etc.) and I don't make it. I know this is not a urinary tract infection. The only symptom is leaking if I don't get to the bathroom in time. I know the increased fliuids don't help, but this is way beyond just needing to go more frequently. I looked at the side effects for the drugs and this one is not listed, but I am sure it is due to one of these drugs. (Anyway, the drug company never said I would be crapping shards of glass either, LOL).)

So, am I the only one with this problem?

[Dee1956]

Hi I have been wondering but was too embarrassed to bring it up, yes I have the problem first thing in the morning ever since starting Incivek, I just thought it was all the additional water I was drinking, thank you so much for asking
Dee

[pooh55811]

Many women do have this problem but I did not have it before starting treatment. I still think this is a side effect of one of these drugs. It would just be too coincidental for this to become a major problem just a couple of days into treatment considering this was not a problem before starting treatment. I am just hoping that when I finish treatment it goes away as fast as it appeared. I can hope, LOL.

[pooh55811]

It is comforting to know I am not the only one. Every time a new side effect hits, I wonder how many others have it (since the drug companies seem not to be talking about some of these sides.

Walking in the woods. That is a good idea.

crossroads: I can relate to the the hose, LOL. I had a little problem with applying too much Prep. H cream. (I thought is was the right amount but it was apparently too much.) I went to a funeral and then the luncheon afterwards. Of course I had to urinate (what else is new) and when I got to the bathroom I noticed the Prep. H had managed to soak through my underwear and stain my slacks, a nice big oval greasy stain, very noticeable from the back. So I had to walk around the edge of the room and get my coat to wear. I am a bit more careful about how much Prep. H I use now. I laugh about it now, but it would have been embarrassing had anyone noticed it before I did. (Maybe they did and did not say anything, LOL.)

[Advocate1955]

Yes, I think it's correct to say that many women around or after menopause have this problem with or without therapy.  The decrease in hormones changes something in the urinary tract that can contribute to this difficulty.  I believe that's why many post menopausal women are prescribed vaginal hormones, even though they may not be on other types of hormone replacement.
Advocate1955

[crossroadsec]

You guys are wild tonight... But, glad you brought it up. Oh yeah. Since we're talking.... I was wearing a dress w/ nylons and didn't make it soon enough. My students were suprised when I came back w/o hose on. I played it off as the weather was too hot n air conditioning didn't work.
Whattamess. I DID have a bladder infection at that time. Dr did the test n gave me antibiotic. But I still gotta go allatime and it's almost hard to drink enough water when you're trying to time when n where you can go!
Kegel n cranberries in the protein shakes... Cranberries are on sale and freeze great!
And when I walk? It's in the woods w/ tissue in my pocket. Love you guys... You find out who your friends are...
Karen

[pcds]

I have an appt with a urologist on Friday.  I will share any information that might be helpful to the group.

[old_newb]

I've had this problem for awhile.... and am pretty sure it's related to menopause. It's gotten much worse since I've started tx, so I have to assume that the meds are somehow depleting my hormone levels.

I use a very, very low dose hormone patch (actually, part of one), and the urgency problem really improves after I put on a new one. Also been trying out cranberry juice, which helps a little, but the Combi-Patch is what does the trick for me. Makes a big difference.

Sorry to hear I'm not the only one with this issue.

[willbb]

Always been a bit of a pet peeve of mine when one of the gals from the neighborhood  takes a dump on my yard in the daytime .. However if they are on tx. I usually cut them some slack..:0)

[crigger]

It was in daytime   Could it get in worse. Yes. It was someone yard. I have not had the problem lately. It was within the frist two week. Now, I am to tired to. Walk the dogs    

[eureka254]

It's been said that as many as one in three women (with or without tx) have this issue -- my vote is for Kegel and cranberries :).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdsYV8hlNzw

[trunkmaker]

I treated 72 weeks on interferon & riba then 6months off & again for 60 weeks with infergen & riba. Cleared both times then relapsed both times. Lost insurance a year later & gave up on doctors. And I had the run to the bathroom problems during both tx. And still have them over 2 years after. Of course I consider that the least of the lasting side effects.

[Advocate1955]

crigger, was it day time or night time when you were walking the dog?  pooh, share your other funny stories with us.  Maybe we should have a thread for everyone to share their funniest or most embarrassing moments on triple therapy and then save the thread to look at it when we're feeling down or when we're welcoming a newbie.  :)
Advocate1955

[rivll]

Well, I have the problem too. For me, I figure I either have an infection or it is a side effect of cirrhosis. I haven't taken riba. I was on PSI 938, but I had this problem several months before starting it.
If I end up having to take riba, I may look into adult diapers (arrrgghh!) If riba makes it worse, I will be in a terrible state.
Crigger, that dog walking story was funny...I mean it sympathetically

[pooh55811]

I have had a few little unexpected incidents happen, not necessarily related to this urinary problem, but to some other triple treatment related problems, that I really got a chuckle out of, not at the time, but as I thought of them later. I guess we have to laugh about these things. It sure helps lighten things up a little.

[willbb]

In my country the dog catcher will pick you up for that !

[crigger]

And. No I didn't bag it, I left it there as fast as I could

[crigger]

I have had the problem with haveing to do # 2 all of a sudden . I had to pooh behind a bush while walking the dogs. LIFE IS GRAND on Triple treatment

[3xlucky]

Great to know I am not the only one. Understand I am drinking a lot more water.  But the urgency with which I have to go is overwhelming at times.  There us very little control.   Coming home is frightening at times the urgency I have to plow through all obstacles to get to the bathroom.

[pooh55811]

It will be interesting to see if this little problem disappears after we are off treatment. Let us hope so.

[pcds]

I assumed I have over active bladder and actually got a prescription for it, it hasn't helped.  Currently only on riba and peg, only 10 days to go.  I mentioned it to the PA where I go for hep c tx, she didn't mention meds and I was tested for UTI which was negative.  Not sure the urologist will know much about the meds I'm taking.  Since these meds list every side effect known, I was surprised not to see bladder issued noted.  I was told caffiene irritates the bladder so I cut back on coffee.  I haven't noticed a difference.  Since I'm on a  med for this bladder problem of urgency, and it's not working, let's hope it's the riba and reversable.  If I can just get to the end without anymore problems it will be a miracle.

[orphanedhawk]

Yes, I'm convinced its the riba.
When I go to do my labs, I leave the house after breakfast, tring not to drink much along the way. Yet, I still find I need to rush to rush to the bathroom. Its almost irrelevant how much liquid I've consumed.
Maybe the riba has a mild diuretic action?

[pooh55811]

Thanks. I am old friends with Kegel exercises. I don't drink much coffeee or tea, a cup a day is all. I might try the cranberry pills or cranberry juice. Uricalm sounds interesting but I think I will wait on it until after I am done with these meds. I am already on a truck load of meds for side effects. Better not add another one.

[pooh55811]

Thanks. Good to know I am not the only one (not that I am happy any of you are experiencing this, but a comfort to know I am not the only one).

[Advocate1955]

I had a lot of adhesions from previous abdominal surgeries too, and they scraped and cleaned a lot of those with the last abdominal surgery last year.  Maybe just try reducing coffee/ tea/ etc., anything that might irritate the bladder, maybe try those old Keigl exercises that they gave us when we were pregnant?  Cranberry juice?  Poise light day?
You can buy cranberry pills and you can also buy an over the counter pill called UriCalm that anesthetizes the urinary tract and calms it down.  I don't know about drug interactions though.  I used both of those before I knew what was causing my bladder problems last year.
Advocate1955