Detrol LA for incontinence

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ButtercupsDad@dog.net - 07 May 2004 14:04 GMT

After nine months I am still leaking, although no where as bad as
before. For six months or more I was using 4-5 pads (Depends Guards)
per day. Now I am using 2.
In my 9 month follow up visit the uro prescribed Detrol LA. I took
the first one yesterday, so nothing to report yet. The doctor seemed
really surprised that I was still having problems with incontinence
(same as at the 90 days visit). In the past he has had me on Ditropan
(did nothing but make it difficult to swallow) and a patch with
Oxybutynin (sp?). The patch kept coming off in the shower, and it did
nothing to stop the incontinence. This has been discussed here
before, but my understanding is that these medications are really for
over active bladder problems. I don't have an overactive bladder, so
how will this help? If it helps I will report it here.
Looked up Detrol to see what the side effects were. Dry mouth and
eyes heads up the list, same as with the others. However, it also
includes rapid heart rate and "confusion". Swell. If I do get
"confused" at least no one here will notice it as that is the nomal
atmosphere in this office.
Have a good weekend.
Thank you.
David S.

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ButtercupsDad@dog.net - 07 May 2004 14:14 GMT

For info on agents for incontinence see this site:

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/50UrinaryIncontinence/doc50drugtre
at.html

Somewhere in there it says "for incontinence not caused by nerve
damage". This is what I meant by how will this help. I think the
incontinence for the RRP patient is related to nerve damage, so the
drugs don't help. Thoughts ???

> After nine months I am still leaking, although no where as bad as
>before. For six months or more I was using 4-5 pads (Depends Guards)
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thank you.
>David S.

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Dan Christen - 10 May 2004 05:42 GMT

> For info on agents for incontinence see this site:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> incontinence for the RRP patient is related to nerve damage, so the
> drugs don't help. Thoughts ???

Your incontinence may or may not be caused by nerve damage. There could
have been mechanical damage to your remaining urinary sphincter.

Detrol works by decreasing the intrinsic tone of the detrusor muscle.
If you had a balloon that was inflated and were somehow able to reduce
the tension in the balloon walls, there would be less pressure inside
the balloon. Hence, the volume of air that could leak through a small
hole such as a pin-hole through a piece of tape on the balloon surface
would be decreased.

Now think of your bladder, a muscular balloon filled with urine. The
small leak, your problem with incontinence. In this case, by decreasing
the tone of the detrusor muscle, you have decreased the pressure inside
your bladder. If currently you are able to hold 100 CC¹s of urine
before you start to leak, you may be able to hold 200 CC¹s. While
Detrol does not cure incontinence it may decrease the severity of your
symptoms.

In fact, one of the potential side effects is urinary retention. The
function of the detrusor muscle is so reduced that the individual is
unable to create sufficient pressure to overcome a closed urinary
sphincter to be able to void.

Dan Christen

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Heather - 07 May 2004 17:58 GMT

> After nine months I am still leaking, although no where as bad as
> before. For six months or more I was using 4-5 pads (Depends Guards)
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thank you.
> David S.

Hi Dave.....

I take Ditropan twice a day for bladder inflammation and supposedly to stop
stress incontinence. Works for the inflammation, but don't see any
difference with the incontinence. I have had it for some 30 odd years. I
assume it is also for over-active bladders.

Just wanted to say that *oxybutnin* is the generic name for Ditropan. The
LA one......(long acting) might cause more side effects. I hate the dry
mouth side effect.....but have no choice. Is *Detrol* the brand name for
oxybutnin?? Probably.

Hope this helps a bit. I am seriously considering the new TVT day surgery
to cure this incontinence.....after 30 years, I am getting kind of fed up
with 'wetting my knickers' if I laugh, cough or sneeze. (G)

Cheers...and have a good weekend yourself!!

Heather

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ButtercupsDad@dog.net - 10 May 2004 13:11 GMT

Is fatigue a side effect of the Detrol? The package insert does
not mention that, but it does mention headaches, and I had that this
weekend. Cannot be sure that was due to the Detrol though because I
have allergies, and sometimes the headaches are due to the sinuses
acting up.
Thank you.
David S.

>> After nine months I am still leaking, although no where as bad as
>> before. For six months or more I was using 4-5 pads (Depends Guards)
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
>Heather

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