I Just Became Temporarily Incontinent (Urinary) :)

[Diapered Android]

Quick Background...

I started taking an anti-depressant approx. 6 weeks ago. It's been a rough year all over for me, so along with some counseling, I started taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) to help balance out my moods.

Having taken Effexor in the past, I noticed effects right away because I recognized them from before. Some hyperness, sleeplessness at first. Also, after a few weeks, the pills were doing their thing, and I could start to focus more on my life and all that. But there was one side effect that started that I did not recognize for a while however.

Every day on the drive home I have a peppermint tea. When I get home, I usually need to go to the bathroom pretty badly, but nothing crazy. Well it started being that when I would pull into the driveway, I'd suddenly get this great anxious urge to go, and I'd almost pee a little, but really barely made it to the bathroom.

I didn't think much of it, but then it happened a few times at my desk at work, and especially when I would go to a kitchen and hear or touch running water. Then once or twice a few drops came out by accident, and then I struggled to hold it back until I made it to the bathroom. And since I don't wear diapers 24/7, I definitely wasn't protected.

I got suspicious that it might be these pills I was taking. Well lo and behold, urinary incontinence is one of the side effects listed in the "infrequent" category.

So I'm actually kind of enjoying this little experience because it is totally temporary. At this point it's also quite mild, but that doesn't mean I can't wear a nice Attends Briefs for just in case

Anyways, these kind of things you can't share with many, so I thought I'd pass along my tale with you guys... Thought it was really interesting that incontinence could be a side effect of a drug like that.

Cheers,

D.A

[Jabez]

Interesting yes. Though it does make one wonder what kinds of substances actually comprise some of the prescription drugs that people take on a day to day basis. But given your status as a DL, I would say there are far worse things that could happen, lol.

[Bettypooh]

Quick Background...

I started taking an anti-depressant approx. 6 weeks ago. It's been a rough year all over for me, so along with some counseling, I started taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) to help balance out my moods.

Having taken Effexor in the past, I noticed effects right away because I recognized them from before. Some hyperness, sleeplessness at first. Also, after a few weeks, the pills were doing their thing, and I could start to focus more on my life and all that. But there was one side effect that started that I did not recognize for a while however.

Every day on the drive home I have a peppermint tea. When I get home, I usually need to go to the bathroom pretty badly, but nothing crazy. Well it started being that when I would pull into the driveway, I'd suddenly get this great anxious urge to go, and I'd almost pee a little, but really barely made it to the bathroom.

I didn't think much of it, but then it happened a few times at my desk at work, and especially when I would go to a kitchen and hear or touch running water. Then once or twice a few drops came out by accident, and then I struggled to hold it back until I made it to the bathroom. And since I don't wear diapers 24/7, I definitely wasn't protected.

I got suspicious that it might be these pills I was taking. Well lo and behold, urinary incontinence is one of the side effects listed in the "infrequent" category.

So I'm actually kind of enjoying this little experience because it is totally temporary. At this point it's also quite mild, but that doesn't mean I can't wear a nice Attends Briefs for just in case

Anyways, these kind of things you can't share with many, so I thought I'd pass along my tale with you guys... Thought it was really interesting that incontinence could be a side effect of a drug like that.

Cheers,

D.A

Yeah, there's a lot of 'infrequent' side-effects from commonly used drugs I'm handling my depression without meds now but I was on Prozac for several months, then we tried others. My side-effects were increased depression- which is why I weaned myself from all the stuff But now I find myself in a similar situation; my previously minor SI and UI have grown to more than minor issues so I rarely leave home without diapering now Being a DL has made that a lot easier to handle even if it wasn't what I really wanted or expected to have happen right now

I guess we're both "going with the flow"- literally It sure beats trying to do what we can't and losing that battle

Bettypooh

[clandestinest]

Hmm, you know I always laughed at those commercials for various medications when at the end they get the fast-talking bloke on there listing off the numerous potential side effects.

Cure your depression but become impotent, bald, incontinent and temporarily insane! Where do I sign up? Lol.

And no this isn't a dig on the original poster either, I just think it's funny that pharmaceutical companies have no shame, lol.

Anyways, um...enjoy? Are you going to wear some discreet diapers when you're out and about now?

[diaperpt]

Hmm, you know I always laughed at those commercials for various medications when at the end they get the fast-talking bloke on there listing off the numerous potential side effects.

Cure your depression but become impotent, bald, incontinent and temporarily insane! Where do I sign up? Lol.

And no this isn't a dig on the original poster either, I just think it's funny that pharmaceutical companies have no shame, lol.

Anyways, um...enjoy? Are you going to wear some discreet diapers when you're out and about now?

I agree to a great extent. If you listen to the 'fine print' in the TV ads, you'll run away screaming! Of course its all done on a calculated risk basis - the chance of having relief from your problems is supposed to be much greater than the risk of any of the side effects. Because of all this, I like to avoid long term drugs as much as possible. I take stuff for high cholesterol, but would rather not. I've been told I could take a drug to help me with my self diagnosed overactive bladder (but I'd rather keep wearing diapers - though those were self prescribed!).

Wouldn't it be great if we could just sign up for the side-effect! (uh, doc, could I have a drug whose side-effect is temporary incontinence? uh, no, I don't care what the drug was designed to treat.)

As for the OP, I hope this drug really helps with your depression - we can joke about the side-effects, but too many of us have chemical, psychological, and very real reasons to be at least a little depressed! ...and as long as you're enjoying this particular side effect and not experiencing any others, ENJOY!

[doakman2007]

Here is an actual example how the side effects of drugs can ruin one's life.

I was diagnosed with adult on-set asthma a few years ago and relatively high doses of prednisone were prescribed to treat it, as well as other medications. The prednisone caused me to gain 50 pounds over a relatively short period of time. Another side effect of the prednisone was depression coupled with the stress of teaching. I found out just recently that the weight gain, primarily around the middle, probably caused a decrease in my testosterone level, which played havoc with my libido, and pretty much ruined my marriage. When Viagra became available, I used it for my erectile dysfunction, but sex was still not a turn-on for me. Then I learned about testosterone treatments. I saw an endocrinologist and he prescribed the testosterone. My libido returned, but, unfortunately, in the mean time, my wife had a complete hysterectomy. With her ovaries removed, her testosterone level dropped, as did her libido. Now, I’m horny as hell but my wife isn’t interested in sex. This causes me severe depression, so I see a psychiatrist who prescribes various antidepressants, all of which have sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. To top it off, I am still somewhat overweight in the stomach. Stomach fat (omentum) tends to turn testosterone into estrogen (female hormone), which has caused me to develop man-breasts. At this point, I am about ready to toss in the towel. My life sucks and it’s not going to get any better.

[babyvr6]

Generation RX

[TBlazer]

The only side effect I get from my anti depressant is an increased interest in pink floyd, followed by rampant munches that always devastate my cupboards. Sex is better as well. It works great, supports the local economy, and if you know the right people, it's organic too!

When I was home for the holidays, I made a personal discovery-all of my closest family members have been off and on depressants at various stages of their life, except me. Now I know why! I self medicate, and it doesn't require a prescription card, and doesn't make me impotent and mentally unstable.

My dad drinks, watches TV into the wee hours of the morning, and is on a sleeping pill and anti-depressant. We (as in my family) are trying to move him to a healthier lifestyle. Really it's the economy and problems at work that have done him in. I think when your on that many drugs, even if at different times of the day, the side effects can add up to something worse then the original ailment, which results in more abuse of said drugs. Thankfully for you, incontinence is kinda fun! Enjoy the "accidents", hehe

[WetDad]

Effexor has given me the "gift" of IC as well. However, I am a much nicer person to be around when I'm medicated, so the diapers remain. This way my kids will know me as a loving and supportive father.

Cheers!

[curiositykilledthecat]

I lovwe how anti-depressants have side effects worse than the depression. At least in this case the side effect is tolerable.

[Diapered Android]

Hi again everyone,

new2inc: Yeah, I was thinking how more depressed someone else would become if they were in my shoes. Whereas I'm actually elated to be feeling better about myself, and am being given a temporary reason to have to wear diapers at the same time.

Over the week the urges have become much more urgent and near impossible to hold. I've been diapered 24/7 because of it. I've definitely avoided what would have been messy public accidents =P hehe.

Love that wifey does not mind one bit . She's not ab/dl herself, but she's very understanding.

[babyvr6]

Ok so here is my take on this. You are having a sever reaction to this drug. This drug is in a category of drugs where there a endless others to be given. This drug is wreaking havoc on one of your body systems, as evidenced by your accidents or urgency. Who know what other systems it may be damaging in the process, that you may be totally unaware of. I realize that you may be enjoying this side effect for now, but it may become permanent, and I doubt you really want that. The novelty will wear off soon, and I hope it does in time for you to go back to your doctor and tell him/her about your side effects.

There are countless other anti-depressants to be prescribed, and many of them are better received than this one. You should not be having this sort of side effect.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but seriously, go see your Doctor.

[Diapered Android]

I will mention it to my doc. If the side effect is not dangerous, I will opt out of medicinal aids for it. You're the one who dropped the "Generation Rx" link, so I think you might see why I don't want to take a pill to fix a pill.

[doakman2007]

Maybe the name of this topic should be changed to DRUG SIDE EFFECTS. Somehow, "I Just Became Temporarily Incontinent (Urinary)" doesn't quite describe the topic.

[babyvr6]

I'm just saying that there are other anti-depressants that are better received and have a lower rate of adverse side effects. It has been my experience that effexor is kinda a hard pill for most people and alot of them switch to something else eventually. Go talk to your doctor and see it you can ween off this one (only do this under supervision of your doctor, I'm not telling you to stop taking it now) and try another one that you wont have a reaction to.

[gweg]

Effexor has given me the "gift" of IC as well. However, I am a much nicer person to be around when I'm medicated, so the diapers remain. This way my kids will know me as a loving and supportive father.

Cheers!

don't forget that when you try to come down off effexor that you will go through about a month of yelling and getting super mad at the world even if they wean you a little dose at a time...

I wish that I never was on that stuff now as I look back at a month last year when my doc and I reduced my dose done to nothing!!! I am embarrassed at how mad and evil I got with my wife and adult kids back then ... and some of the stupid things I said still embarrass me.

[doakman2007]

My daughter is on Effexor, not because she wants to be, but because she cannot withstand the side effects of discontinuing its use. She describes it as like an electric jolt to the brain. I research this on-line and others call it "brain shivers." It seems to me that Effexor should be better labeled or removed from the market.

[babyvr6]

It seems to me that Effexor should be better labeled or removed from the market.

This, but with all anti-depressants.They are not the magic bullet that they are made out to be. And the have some very serious risks. Proper patient education is something that very rarely happens with these meds. And most family doctors don't really know the risks as well. They generally rely on what the drug reps tell them about the pills.

[WetDad]

Brain zaps are a normal part of weaning off Effexor and many people have these if the dosage is dropped too quickly. For me, the side effects of Effexor are far better than those I got from a number of other ADs.

[doakman2007]

My daughter has been trying to get off Effexor for several years, but can’t seem to tolerate the “brain shivers’ that accompany decreasing the dose below a certain level.

As for myself, I now take Cymbalta. It had sexual side effects, but they decreased over time as my doctor said they would. It helps with the symptoms of my depression, but does not touch the cause, which is my wife’s lack of libido and, consequently, her sexual non-involvement over the past few years. (See my earlier post under this topic.)