Suddenly I can not empty my bladder

[Nikilet]

I have COPD. I got a cold and it was on it's way to turning into pneumonia. I went to the doctor. I was given some kind of antibiotic shot in the butt, and then sent home with three doses (days) of Azithromycin (500 mg per dose). I was also put on blood pressure medication for the first time. It is Lisinopril, 10 mg in the morning and evening. Other than this I take Spiriva once a day and use albuterol by nebulizer. I also take many supplements every day.

I was fine yesterday after going to the doctor, in fact felt like a new person shortly after and I am assuming this is due to that shot they gave me. I felt great this morning when I went back to the doctor for a short re-check. I have another appointment for next Monday.

The problem began after I got home from my appointment, I'd say around 2 p.m. Suddenly I have diarrhea. It's not that I have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes, but seems to be simply that I had a bowel movement and it was basically brown water. I had a very normal bowel movement last evening. Then I started noticing last evening that when I had to go to the bathroom, not much was coming. And today it's worse. At this point there is no pain, and not even a lot of discomfort. But I do feel I have to go and when I attempt to only a few trickles, or nothing comes.

Could this be from that antibiotic shot they gave me, or could it be from the Azithromycin or Lisinopril, or a combination? I'm a bit frightened and not sure what to you. I live in a small rural town with a clinic. The doctor I seen will not be back here now until next Monday.

I would appreciate some input on this, please.

[Nikilet]

I now have no doubt it was the cough syrup. Another doctor gave me a sample of Symbicort after my COPD diagnosis. I took one dose and went back to him the next day. I had been awake all night and nearly lost my mind. Apparently I have a reaction to steroids. He then put me on Spiriva (along with my albuterol) and I haven't had any problem. This cough syrup I was given has Dexamethasone in it. Wikpedia had this to say about that:

"Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant. When taken orally, it is 26.6 times more potent than the naturally occurring hormone cortisol and 6.6 times more potent than prednisone."

I am getting better as this gets out of my system. I think I am nearly clear now, but not 100% yet. Urination is about back to normal and I'm finally losing that horrible breathless feeling -- like I can not catch my breath. I had told this guy about my reaction to the Symbicort so am a bit disappointed that he would give me this cough syrup.

Thank you for your time in responding to me.

[AnnieBrooke]

Anyway, in the meantime, I'd take the whole grocery list of what has been prescribed to you and what you are taking, and go see not a doc but a pharmacist.  A good pharmacist will be able to tell you about drug interactions and side effects.

[AnnieBrooke]

I didn't think there was a doctor standing around waiting for calls.  What I meant is that at any clinic, there is an emergency number that is told to you by a mechanical voice if you phone after hours.  If you call it, eventually (after you explain your problem to someone at an answering service) a medical person will telephone you, even if they are calling from the next county.  I have never heard of a clinic that does not have that, even when I was on an island that had no hospital or ER, there was that back-up.

[Nikilet]

I forgot to mention that there is no "on call doctor" to call. We are really in the boonies and the person who will be at the clinic tomorrow is a PA. I don't want to panic at this point and over react. I'm just a bit worried and looking for some reassurance to see me through. Now that I'm beginning to do a bit better in going to the bathroom by drinking lots of water I'm hopeful this might just pass on its own.

[Nikilet]

I have done a lot of research tonight, but the one thing I forgot is the cough syrup I was given: Dexamethazone*Guaifenesin. I have been taking it faithfully, 2 teaspoons every four hours (even throughout the night). I researching this I found that it can cause difficulty urinating and also shortness of breath which I have had this evening. I stopped taking the normal dosage at 6 p.m. and now, at 1:50 a.m., I went in and took only 1 teaspoon. I have been drinking lots of water and I am starting to be able to urinate more. Right now I'm thinking it's this darned cough syrup.

After my diagnosis with COPD my doctor had given me a sample of Symbicort. I took one dose of it and told him no more of that. I spent a night feeling like I might possibly crawl right out of my skin. Then he put me on Spiriva and I had no problem. If I'm not mistaken, doesn't this Dexamethasone have some of the same ingredients as Symbicort -- namely steroids?

[AnnieBrooke]

I'd phone the on-call doctor.  Don't sit around waiting for things to get worse.