I'm embarassed to ask this, but I really want to know if this is being caused by the Neurontin. I must sit and wait for the urine stream to start and it's becoming a real pain. In restaurant bathrooms or bars I just sit there and wait, while other girls go in and urinate, wash hands then leave, meanwhile, I'm still trying to go pee! Anyone else? Or am I alone in this?
Thanks to all who even consider answering.
Hi, anyone taking Neurontin/Gabapentin have a difficult time urinating?
Question posted by MacIntosh12 on 25 Aug 2012
Last updated on 15 December 2023
39 Answers Page 3
justGaGa
19 April 2015
Im taking Gabapentin and have recently experienced the same problem. I have to strain to pee and my bladder always feels full. I also take fluid pills and ususally go about 8-10 times a day. Now im lucky to go 2 times a day.
Inactive
10 July 2015
justGaGa: You need to see your urologist about your change in
bladder habits. Make an appt. asap. I wish you good luck and may
God bless you.
Trish
planes
6 Aug 2014
Hi maclntosh 12
Ive been on gabapentin for over a yr now due to having nerve damage to my foot .since january this year i started to notice what u experianced not going to toilet freqent i had to sit on toilet like you and push on my belly for it to come out it was giving me so much pain i had to go to a&e as i went into bladder retetion , i was hospilized for 3 days and now im under a urology now to get to the bottom of this as im still the same not urinating that well again .i had a major op last yr on my bck a discetomy as it was causing me pain and discomfort it was on the sciatic nerve thats when i was percribed gabapentin .hope this helps you and hope you get to the bottom of this dont let them mess you around they have with me
mdh321
23 Dec 2014
I've been on gabapentin for a couple years now. This happens off and on for me. I do have a shy bladder, but it can even happen to me while I'm at home by myself. If I think I may not be able to pee, I probably will have a lot of difficulty. It is a mental thing for me.
However, lately it is getting worse, and I am having pain in the very lower part of my stomach/waist. I am beginning to think this may be a kidney or bladder issue. It is possible for gabapentin to due some damage to the kidneys. I also push and push, but not on my stomach. I push as if I am constipated and have to get it out, and eventually I will pee. However, I have to strain very badly, I must hold my breath while I do this. It can be painful during and after. I am setting up an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.
Sorry for the long post. Hope all is well with you all!
bnagoh
26 Aug 2012
Hi Macintosh I have been taking gabapentin almost 8 years now and there was a period of time starting about a year after I first took gabapentin until about last year when off and on I would experience that difficulty. Waiting and waiting but recently it has been OK. Drinking enough water also makes it easier to go... good luck
MacIntosh12
26 Aug 2012
Thank you for answering my question bnagoh, at least I know it's the gabapentin. And I'm not alone as well.
You are right, if I drink tons of water it does help. Thanks for reminding me.
Mac
Gaba4me
14 Jan 2018
I have same issue. Surprised it’s not on list of side effects. Are we the only ones with that side effect?
sandra1114
25 Aug 2012
hi MacIntosh 12
yes, i had the same problem. could not pee. am now off the gab and neronton.
i am still having some problems but,not the same as before. i am wondering
if some other med is causing it. am on; effexer,trazadone, klonapin,abilify.
ritalin and a blood pressure pill.am wondering about anyone of these.
sandra1114
MacIntosh12
26 Aug 2012
Hi Sandra,
You poor girl, you are on so many meds I would think it would be difficult to figure out what is causing what, in regards to side effects. I hope your doctor didn't put you on all of those at one time. Did he/she?
Hope you figure out what is causing your side effects too.
Thank you for answering my query,
Mac
sandra1114
26 Aug 2012
hi mac, no my doc did not put me on my meds all at once. it was triel and errer for at least 5 yrs. then we hit on the right coctail for me. i am fine, except
for the urinating. but i am going to start drinking more water and see if that helps.i am sometimes incontinate also.am thinking that it must be old age,76.
could that be it? a very young 76. most drs will say it is my age!!! 1 sandra1114
Darling Di
25 Aug 2012
Hi, I too am a little guinea pig- been on lots of meds including opiates, neurontin & Lyrica all at the same time. When getting my physical starting out with a new pcp back in 2010 I remember him asking me about this very subject & I did tell him that I wasn't sure if I was just getting older (ripe old age of 33 at the time) but that I had noticed a slight delay urnating (a few seconds) & he didn't think it was age related but that "certain meds" would cause that. I didn't ask for specifics as it wasn't a huge problem- had other things bigger going on. BUT, my husband who has had lower back surgery to shave a little of the disc off that was causing bad sciatic pain has had an extremely hard time urinating. It can take like a 1/2 hour so now he sits to pee. He has tried Lyrica for a couple of days & quit it as he does not like the feeling.
He has been on & off with low dose opiates but the difficulty has remained constant. His lower back problems have occurred again with severe sciatic pain over the last few years & now what he calls "icy leg". His neurologist had explained that he was having a kind of nerve issue & that there were 3 kinds (sorry this was several years ago & even then I couldn't remember the names- like subinguinal,etc, I had printed out the material from mayo clinic, but my husband didn't want to get this injection that was kind of internal- this one nerve path went from his groin to the hip to his big toe. I know this sounds crazy & I'm not sure this can even affect women. I will look at "my favorites" on the computer to see if I saved this info. Nevertheless, it sounds like you have the good sense to discuss this with your doc! I hope you can find a solution soon! I hope this crazy bit of info can be of some help & if nothing else let you know you are certainly not the only one with this problem!!! :)
MacIntosh12
26 Aug 2012
Thank you Darling Di, I appreciate you sharing the info about you and your husband's experiences.
Mac
butterflylynn
25 Aug 2012
Mcintosh,
I have been on Neurontin for about 10 yrs. I don't believe that the Neurontin would cause the delay in urinating. Neurontin has the side effect were it can cause retention of fluids.
Do you have swelling ? If you do that may cause you Not to urinate as much.
But I have a question, do you have a urgency to urinate? And are you having any burning when you urinate ? You may have a urinary tract infection.
I would definately let the dr. be aware of this as they will probably test you for a urinary infection.
How long have you been taking the Neurontin & what dosage are you taking?
Sorry for all the question just trying to help...
You may start drinking Alot of water & drink some Cranberry juice as the Cranberry juice will help if you have a urinary infection
I hope I can help, Take care, Kathy
MacIntosh12
26 Aug 2012
Hi Kathy,
I don't have a UTI, but one would think that I do, as I have most of the symptoms. Yes, I do feel urgency, or the need to urinate often, but nothing, or very little comes out.
But I'm given to that anyway, but I believe the Neurontin makes it worse. I do have a tiny bit of swelling in my fingers in the morning, but that's not unusual for me either. No major swelling like I had on another med (I forget which one it was, I've tried so many!!)
I just may have to pee in a cup tomorrow at my doctor appointment, because I'm thinking you may be onto something, maybe I do have a UTI or a kidney infection. My back has been hurting badly for a week now, so who knows.
Thank you Kathy, and I appreciate the questions you asked, they made me realize that more may be going on than just neurontin side effects.
Thank you,
Mac
butterflylynn
27 Aug 2012
mcintosh,
I am glad to help you out in anyway possible.
The thing with UTI's you don't always have the same effects as some of the ones you have had before.
So give us an update when you find out.
My thoughts & prayers go out to you, Kathy
MacIntosh12
27 Aug 2012
Kathy, you are a peach! we need more Kathy's on here as well as Ruthie's.
Thank you for your compassion,
Mac
butterflylynn
27 Aug 2012
Mac,
You are sweet I just want you to find out what is going on with your body.
I just sent you a friend request so you can send me a PQ ANYTIME you have a question about anything & hopefully I can help you out or point you to someone that can help. I have been thru Alot of medical issues & been on a Ton of different medication. Or just to chat, I am here for you.
Take care my friend, Kathy
MacIntosh12
30 Aug 2012
Hi Kathy, my doctor said that Urinary retention is def a side effect of neurontin. He asked me if the benefits of neurontin outweight the annoying urinary retention, and I must say that YES, the benefits of taking neurontin are great. My pain has gotten much better.
I've another question, do any of you neurontin takers wear a medic alert bracelette? I was told to get one, in case I pass out or have an out of body experience (just kidding) or some such nonsense.
butterflylynn
6 Sep 2012
Hi Mcintosh,
You asked about wearing a medical ashley bracelet. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
Anyway, Yes it is always a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet, necklace or tag of some sort. Because if you are in an emergency the Drs. can see what you are taking.
I found a great new medical alert bracelet that is like the rubber bracelets that everyone wears fire all kinds of things like for Cancer or Live strong etc.
But it opens up & one end actually is a
USB port that can be plugged into Any computer by anyone like emergency responders to hospitals to Drs. Office.
The software is loaded on the USB port.
And when you get it, it will walk you through your Complete health history & list your medications you are on & the reasons you are taking it & all your medical diagnosis. I bought mine at Walgreens for $ 20 it is made by CARE you can probably buy it online thru Walgreens. I have actually had an ambulance & ER & Dr. office all use it.
They were all aware of it & LOVE it because everything is laid out for them in tabs so they can actually get the info they need right away...
I think this is the Best $ 20 I have Ever spent. And I think anyone that had medical problems should invest in one.
And no I am Not a paid spokes person
Lol... Have a great night I hope you continue to feel better. Take care my friend, Kathy
MacIntosh12
12 Sep 2012
Hi Kathy, I've been on vacation and without my laptop for nine days. So, I haven't had the chance to read your answer about the rubber braclette that hooks up to a usb port. What a fantastic idea that is!
I may try that, but I'm technologically challenged, so my husband may have to do it (how embarassing) for me.
I also was thinking about a nice sterling silver anklette with my med info on it, what say you Kathy?
Mac
x
MacIntosh12
12 Sep 2012
Kathy, I'm going to post a question to everyone about a medic allert braclette, just wanted you to know ahead of time, so you can explain this to others, it's such a great idea!
dopAmine777
25 Nov 2019
incorrect info here.
bumblebee90
25 Aug 2012
Hey Mac, How's my friend? Well having a hard time peeing right now... duh. lol. Don't you be embarresed to ask anything on here woman. That's what this site is for. I took Nuerontin for a year and a half. I can't recall having a problem urinating on it, just had to stop due to swelling. But I have had problems with it regarding other medications. I don't know if I helped very much. I hope someone comes along that will help you much better. But i have experienced what you're going through at least. And am here to support you... always. Big Hugs... Ruthie
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Ruthie, you're just so sweet and supportive of everyone. Can't we get more "Ruthie's" on this site?
Thanks Lady,
Mac
bumblebee90
25 Aug 2012
Mac, You're the sweetie. I knew someone else would come along that would know more on this than me. Laurie is great..is she not? Awesome friend too. You can always count on her. Me too. Probably do need to let your doc. know about this before it get's worse. Talk to ya soon friend. Ruthie
parker1261
6 Aug 2014
i also am on gabapentin and am having a hard time peeing too ! have to sit and "think" about it and then pee a pint but i still feel like i need to go... but the med works well so am reluctant to change it ... keep us posted on what your doc says about this if you don't mind...
doctorfrank
26 Sep 2014
I have only taken two capsules of gabapentin, and I have had difficulties urinating each night and the following mornings. My dog is anxious for me to take her out in the morning and she can't understand why I'm taking so long. I will take an extra prostate capsule tonight and see if that helps (I have BPH). If it continues, I will report it to my doctor and move on to a different medication. He gave me gabapentin for cervical osteoarthritis, since Express Scripts would not approve Cymbalta.
LaurieShay
25 Aug 2012
It can cause urinary retention, though the opposite it more likely. If you feel you are not emptying your bladder, then it is time to talk to the doctor.
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Thank you Laurie, you can always be counted on for a exact answer. When I saw your name, I thought "Laurie will know" and here you are with the answer. I have a doc appointment on monday, so that is convenient, I can discuss this with him then.
Thank you again. I'm sending you a pq in right now, so look for it, won't you?
LaurieShay
25 Aug 2012
will do
Trudy Ann
23 Dec 2017
I've been taking opiods all my life and neurotins act as one. It has just become a controlled substance this past July. From my experience with it, I have determined that it relaxes the bladder which makes a person have to strain harder to urinate. Idk what to do about it but it does become painful at times.
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
I took each medication you mentioned for a short period of time. With Neurontin, it focuses on nerve issues. Since I have a messed up Sciatic nerve, it helped a little bit. With the other, Gabapentin, I didn't feel any relief. I also like to admit while trying these... I was seeking that high feeling I came to expect with other opiates. So I didn't give either a real fair try. As far as urinating... don't remember any problems. Did you read the side effects for either of these? Maybe call the pharmacist and ask? Sorry if I am being of no help. I feel for you and wish you well.
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Hi Mark, Neurontin is the name brand, Gabapentin is the generic name for neurontin, they are the same medication.
I did read my pharm print out, yet don't recall if problems urinating were on the list of side effects, yet I believe it may just may have been on the list of side effects.
Thank you Mark,
Mac
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
Thanks for the enlightenment. I've taken so much (crap - pardon me), that I recognized both names, but obviously not recalled them so well. I hope you get to feel better soon.
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Hi Mark, I really hope I didn't insult you, my friend. I just wanted to explain.
And I most certainly understand about taking so much crap that you forget what the outcome was. It's happened to me as well. Too many meds to try, like a guinea pig.
Have a great day, Mark,
Mac
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
Not at all. It's all good!
MacIntosh12
25 Aug 2012
Mark, thank you for letting me know that I did not insult you, that would have made me feel just horrible if I had done that.
Your friend,
Mac
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
You're Sweet Mac!
butterflylynn
25 Aug 2012
Mark,
Good afternoon I read your post & the reason you did not get the "high" is because Neurontin is Not a Opiate medication. It is used basically for Nerve pain which I would have thought it would have helped the Sciatica pain.
But truly even with Opiates they only take the "Edge off" of your pain.
So if you are getting a "high" off of the Opiates then the dosage they have you on is actually to high.
What pain medication do you take now & does it help you?
Take care, Kathy
Inactive
25 Aug 2012
I should have emphasized that I used to look for the high. I no longer do. In fact I haven't for years. I actually a am more responsible than I give myself credit for. But, hey... better to error on ruhr side of caution. I take 3 - tablets of vicodin along with 3 tablets of methocarbamol (muscel relaxer). This is half of what I'm prescribed. It seems to be a perfect fit thus far. Thanks for asking.
butterflylynn
27 Aug 2012
Mark,
After I posted this I went into your profile & actually read about you...
Sorry I did not want to make it sound like I was judging you. In fact I am actually proud of you & how you have changed your life around.
Take care , your friend, Kathy
dddDdt
20 Oct 2018
I have had prostrate cancer and have some incontinence using about one pad daily.since taking Lycrica 150ml/day , my incontinence has become virtually uncontrollable. I get absolutely no signal that I need to urinate.
Related topics
neurontin, pain, fibromyalgia, gabapentin, urine
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
