Lexapro ...and urine retention constipation

[needsrelief]

I just started Lexapro. im taking 5mg for a week, then 10mg thereafter. Im already feeling urine retention and constipation. Is this temporary? I need an anti-depressant and I hate to think that I cant take one because of urine retention or constipation.

[cmclien]

Thats too bad! I think you can combat the constipation but I don't know about urine retention. Do they all have retention as side effects?
Ideas for the constipation: ducolax or stool softeners, magnesium, soluble fiber, fiber supplements that don't disagree with you too much (bloating and gas).

[needsrelief]

It seems like constipation is easier to counteract. im not sure about the retention. I had the same problem with elavil. it may be the same for me for any anti-depressant I take.

[Snowden1]

I was prescribed Lexapro to help stop my frequent urination and it helped. Elavil made my VV worse and my heart skippy. I don't know if they all would do this. I am still trying to find one that doesn't make me vomit with my anti-depressant. Hope you find one that helps.

[needsrelief]

I just spoke to a doctor (not my own) and he told me that lexapro shouldnt be causing those issues. I do have BV again and I wonder if that is making things harder for me to urinate. cause bv and yeast give me flares. I think my fem dophilus stopped working. i went on a road trip so it was out of the fridge until I got to my destination. so i wonder if that affected things.

[cmclien]

Hi Needsrelief,

Do you ever go to emedtv.com? I think it is a pretty good site for medicines, I found this on there:

Lexapro has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to those that occur in another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Lexapro include:

•Headache -- in up to 24 percent of people
•Nausea -- up to 18 percent
•Ejaculation problems -- up to 14 percent (see Lexapro Sexual Side Effects)
•Extreme tiredness -- up to 13 percent
•Insomnia -- up to 12 percent (see Lexapro and Insomnia)
•Dry mouth -- up to 9 percent (see Lexapro and Dry Mouth)
•Fatigue -- up to 8 percent
•Increased sweating -- up to 8 percent
•Diarrhea -- up to 8 percent
•A decreased sex drive -- up to 7 percent
•Orgasm problems -- up to 6 percent
•Constipation -- up to 6 percent
•Dizziness -- up to 5 percent.

Some of these side effects, such as dizziness and nausea, might go away as your body adjusts to Lexapro. Others, such as sexual problems and dry mouth, are less likely to go away.

[Snowden1]

That is odd because my doctor specifically chose Lexapro as an anti-depressant that would help stop my frequency. She said, "you have to get some rest at night - this is suppose to work on the bladder." It did, I started retaining more and not going as often. But, then the pain also became worse. I think it is interesting what one Dr. says will totally contradict another Dr.

[Jereme]

rhe way to tell if the medication is causing the side effect is to stop it and see if it goes away in a couple days. if it does you could always restart the med to seeif the side effect returns. if you have a symptom that starts shortly after starting a medicine that goes away when you stop the medicine and then returns when you restart it has to be a side effect of the medicine. there are many antidepressants with different chemicals and modes of action. you are bound to find one to help

[JennaS]

Lexapro

I started taking lexapro for anxiety about 1 month ago, but only 5 mg. (i've been 99% symptom free for 3 years) This week i bumped it up to 10 mg and now i'm having what feels like retention. It takes a few seconds for my bladder to start a flow of urine and then about 5 minutes after i'm done voiding my bladder is very uncomfortable and feels like maybe i'm having spasms.

So i saw my urogyn AND my psychiatrist today and my psy wants me to stop the lexapro for a few days and see what happens. My urogyn thinks its not the lexapro and says shes had great results with lexapro and IC and that the problem is my pelvic floor. She wanted me to stay on the lexapro to see if the side effects subsided, but i'm too miserable i cant wait for that.

So i'm hoping tomorrow will be better. But right now my pain is a 4 and i'm about to do an installation....

The one thing that was helping yesterday and earlier today was muscle relaxers. It made that feeling of retention and not being able to empty go away. I just took a soma right now so lets see how it goes