www.incontinentsupport.org

Hello, I'm a 29 year old guy and I'm messaging because I've been having a lot of problems with my bladder over the last few years which I've kept largely private.

I've been taking Lithium for about 8 years now for depression. I'm fine for the most part now, but I still take the medicine.

A few years ago I started going to the toilet to wee all the time. Like at least 10 times a day..and it's been getting worse. I get regularly kidney tests for the medicine and they always come back fine, I've told my doctor about this so many times and they say it's just a side effect. However even when I stop taking the medicine for a few days I still wee constantly. I'm worried my kidneys or bladder are damaged, even though the kidney tests are fine.

It was so bad that I couldn't carry on with my job because I was in a job where I didn't always have access to a toilet. This didn't bother me too much because I hated the job anyway, and found a different job I really enjoy (and can go to the toilet whenever I need to)

If I don't watch how much I drink at night, I will wake up at least twice and sometimes more. Most of the time I make it to the toilet in times but sometimes not which is very embarrassing (for myself) it has happened on a number of occasions when I don't watch how much I drink in the evenings. If I don't drink the water that I want to drink in the evening I wake up feeling dehydrated and awful. I feel damned if I do damned if I don't. I have thought about wearing protection at night but am also embarrassed. I am in a new relationship and my girlfriend doesn't know about this problem (yet). I am wondering about other medications that could help, but when I have looked at them they interact with the other things I take.

I keep going back to my GP about it but am told it's just a side effect.

I'm very frustrated by it. Does anyone else have experience with medicines and this sort of problem?

George88,
I take Lithium for bipolar disorder. It is a very harsh drug that really needs to be monitored by a psychiatrist. My GP wouldn’t give it to me. She works with my psychiatrist to monitor levels. Try not to skip doses. Lithium is processed through the kidneys and you have to maintain a certain level in your blood. Too little and its not effective. Too much can be deadly. The window is small. Dehydration is your enemy. You need to make sure you’re drinking water. Dehydration can cause your blood concentration to go up and you could become toxic. Lithium is associated with urinary (and GI symptoms). It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and a host of other bad things. There are medicines that help with bladder symptoms. Many people here are opposed to them. I’ve tried alot of them from my urologist. Some worked...some didnt. Ask your doctor about them. Don’t take other peoples experience as an indicator for your experience. Talk to your doc. A urologist may be of use.

I also take lithium. My problems started before lithium therapy, though. We have ruled out that being the cause. It's been a wonder drug for me (I have bipolar disorder). I have been through the gauntlet of incontinence meds with no positive results. My newest urologist says she believes I have neurogenic and overactive bladder. I know some have said they have incontinence issues due to lithium, however, so you shouldn't rule that out completely. I would suggest going to a urologist to get a total workup. And as it's been said, stay on top of your lithium levels.

Thank you for your replies.

The problem I have with my lithium is that when I take the full dose, I go to the toilet even more. Then I don't sleep well, and that also affects my mood.

Why are people opposed to medicines? My worry with medicines is that it will make my lithium level toxic?. I might speak to my doctor on Friday about this. I have thought about asking for a kidney scan. I'm worried that this problem is just going to carry on getting worse (it seems to be getting worse and worse), I don't even know if it's worth me sticking with lithium if it carries on getting worse.

I spoke to my girl friend today and just said the reason I'm going to to the toilet so much is because my kidneys aren't good at absorbing water, but there's nothing wrong with them, because I didn't want her to worry. I didn't know what else to say. I don't want her to know about Lithium.