Lithium Side-Effects????

[Lonely In The Crowd]

I know this is a really bizarre question but I'm far too embaressed to ask anyone "out in the real world". Here goes! Is it possible that after about 3 1/2 yrs on Lithium, and as one of it's main side effects is constant thirst so you drink heaps and heaps of fluids, is it posibble that from all that fluid being in my body I have stuffed my bladder, like weakened it? I have been off the Lithium for about 6 months and still seem to need to pee far more often than I would deem ordinary, even though I not drinking anything close to the amount of water I had to when I was on the Lithium. Also my bladder leaks urine but I don't even notice I've done it till I go to the loo or feel that my undies are wet. Gosh this is gross, I'm so sorry, I just don't have anyone else to ask, that I'm not terrified of asking, and it's really upsetting and worrying me.

[Stellata]

I've never been on Lithium, but I do have a weak/sensitive bladder. I've also experienced, most months, my body ridding itself of excess water/fluid gained pre-menstrually.
It sounds like maybe that's what your body is doing - relieving itself of all that extra fluid intake.
Anxiety can also cause frequent peeing, as can chronic bladder infections.
I'd speak with your doctor though, to set your mind at rest.

[Lonely In The Crowd]

Thanks heaps for your advice but I'm too scared/embaressed to speak to anyone (other than here), even my GP about it.

[Stellata]

I can understand that.

I just don't want it to get worse for you.
I understand the distress frequent peeing can cause.

Have you thought about trying those Tena pads for the leakage?

[Lonely In The Crowd]

Is there really any point in speaking to my GP about it, she can't do anything to help it, can she? I use normal period pads sometimes but I try not to use too many as my Mum pays for them and she'd start asking questions as too why they where dissapearing so fast. I don't have my own income to purchase my own.

[Stellata]

Well, she might be able to investigate what's causing the problem, and might be able to precribe something that could ease things for you.

It's just my experience that hiding stuff like this is never for the best in the long run, for all kinds of reasons.

[sherlock holmes]

I really would urge you to see your GP. It could be a medical problem (completely unrelated to the Lithium) causing it, and there could also be a really simple way of fixing it. Don't be embarassed, doctors see people every day with far more embarassing things!

[roiben]

I do not think you have weakened your bladder. There are, however, two possible things going on: one, you are drinking more and your body has to put it somewhere (crude, but true). The other is that lithium can be known to increase blood sugar, if this is too high your body may be trying to flush the excess sugar. Best bet is to check with a specialist and see what they say as they will know best which it is.

[Lonely In The Crowd]

Thanks for all your advice, I really do appreciate it! I'm just too scared and embaressed to talk to anyone. If the Lithium has increased my blood sugar wouldn't it have dropped back to normal since I stopped taking it six months ago?

[Aphelion]

Renal impairment and polyuria ( which is excessive urination basically) is actually a very common side effect of Lithium. However, I don't know how long until these side effects take to wear off. For now, I'd make sure to keep up the fluid intake so you don't end up dehydrating your body, wear some sort of pads so you can stay clean and see a doctor or a pharmacist - if you're too embarassed to say what it is directly just ask them how long the side effects of lithium take to wear off.

[Lonely In The Crowd]

Thanks so much for the posts and the hugs and being so nice to me concerning this really embarassing issue. I'll try my best to pluck up the courage to talk to my GP, Aphelion your idea of how to approach her about it might really help, thankyou.