BP Meds and Incontinence- Eureka?

[Lulu54]

I have been struggling with the urinary incontinence for over a month now  - I've been so desperate with the problem that I have been going to physical therapy to retrain my bladder.  Lots of exercises and behavior modification - that doesn't seem to be working.

We've been so busy blaming my bladder control on my MS  - and I figured for sure some huge lesion was sitting right on the sweet spot in my spine to cause me to have no control at all.  Honestly, I have been going downhill, and have been feeling defeated, trying to come to terms with my new disability.

then tonight I went to take my medicine for my angina and a light went off in my brain --- I started a new drug, Norvasc (a calcium channel blocker) for my angina in mid-June.  This just so happens to coincide with when my bladder took charge.

Could there be a connection?  I sure think so from what I have found on the web.  Several sites list incontinence as a primary side effect of Norvasc for women.  These sites though are more anecdotal and not fact based.  

I'm looking for the smoking gun and want to know if any of you out there have this same problem?  In the meantime I will be talking to my urogynecologist and cardiologist and trying to see what they say.  The simple test will be go off the Norvasc and see if my symptoms improve.  

Maybe it still is caused by my MS but  I have hope that this is a solveable problem by eliminating this drug.  Please get in touch with me if you have the same scenario or any ideas for me.

be well,
Lulu

[sllowe]

You could be onto something.   MS most always gets the blame 1st, but you never know.  Maybe it's not-such a coninqidink.

You make a very good point for us all to always be aware of new side effects and changes in meds.  In the end it may be just a coincidence, but there is a good chance it's not.

[Lulu54]

According to a competitor's site - some CCB's can increase urine output and some CCB's can relax the bladder, allowing urine to "escape."  Mine doesn't merely escape - that sounds like its sneaking out of the house after dark LOL

Their advice of course is to let the doctor know that it may be making the incontinence worse - which is what I will do.


I can't possibly be the only person here on this site with MS but also taking a blood pressure medicine - this is a SE all should be aware of in case the problem comes up.

be well,
L

[shermay]

Hi Lulu,

Sounds like a bit of a co-incidence to me, and I don't believe in those!  if your were having problems BEFORE and then you started a new drug with a possible s/e of bladder problems then probably the Norvasc has compounded the issue.

To me that would sound about right eh?  Just like Ren said , drugs effect people in different ways.  Good to see your on the case and calling your Doc's to sort it out.

Debs

[Lulu54]

thanks Ren,
I was already having bladder issues but around the time I began the Norvasc the issues became much more urgent and impossible to work around.  I'll be calling my doctors.

thanks,
L

[rendean]

I was taking Norvasc and did not experience any change in my bladder issues. I was switched to different calcium channel blocker and it didn't impact my bladder either. However, I would definitely follow-up as planned because it may a contributing factor. Different drugs affect different people in different ways.

I wish you luck on finding a solution!
Ren