
Taking Adderall, Guanfacine For ADD. Experiencing Urinary, Bladder Problem. Medical Test Normal. Due To Medicine?

Adderall acts by releasing neurotransmitters in brain. It releases dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonergic. You should understand that urinary bladder functions and erectile functions are controlled by autonomic nervous system by release of epinephrine, nor ephinephrine and parasympathetic neurotransmitters. Hence, this medicine causes side effects by interfering with the normal sympathetic and parasympathetic processes of the body. It can also affect heart rate, sweating and salivation.
Guanfacine is a sympatholytic and can cause impotence and decreased sexual desire.
So either of these medicine may be responsible for your symptoms.
Urinary incontinence needs detailed evaluation which you say is normal. What is important is that -
Do you get bladder sensation of fullness once urine collects?
Can you hold urine till you reach bathroom?
Can you start the process of urination?
Can you yourself stop the process of urination?
Once passed the urine- none remains in the bladder? - This needs to be confirmed by ultrasound.
If all these are normal, then I think you should discuss with your doctor regarding dose modification of present medication.
Hope this helps. In case of any further questions, please ask.
Regards


I appreciate your detailed explanation. I have responded in CAPS below to your questions, and have 3 followup questions:
Do you get bladder sensation of fullness once urine collects? YES
Can you hold urine till you reach bathroom? YES
Can you start the process of urination? YES
Can you yourself stop the process of urination? YES
Once passed the urine- none remains in the bladder? - This needs to be confirmed by ultrasound. THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE
Follow up questions:
1) Outside of impotence, is there a notable risk of long term complications resulting from these type of continued side effects i.e., increased urgency to urinate, what seem to be decreased volume capacity of my bladder, and some broken stream urination (start and stop), and slightly painful ejaculations. It seems to me that it would be hard on my body and overtime complication may arise.
2) From the XXXXXXX of the urinary issues only - if you had to select an Rx to first eliminate or decrease dosage which would it be? From my ADD treatment perspective, I would say that my adderall dosage is very low at 5mg twice daily, however it provides a notable positive impact on my ADD. The Guanfacine causes my blood pressure to decrease occasionally too significantly low levels at time. My thought is too speak to my physician about eliminating the Guanfacine first. My doctor didn't seem overly concerned over the urinary side effects of Strattera (but, it should be noted he was a research doctor for Strattera), but it was so troublesome to me that he agreed to switch to the guanfacine.
3) Lastly this might be outside your expertise, but since taking these medications my irritability has notably increased - any thoughts on whether one of the Rx would be a likely suspect. Thanks again, two
Was traveling, so the delay.
You seem to be doing fine as per your description. Ultrasound should be done.
Ans 1. There are generally no long term side effects on bladder function. There may not be decreased bladder capacity as you suspect. It may just be irritability of bladder. Ultrasound will help us differentiate.
Question 2 and 3 are beyond the scope of my expertise and your doctor is the best person to guide you.
I do agree that it may be worthwhile to decrease guanfacine first. But, we should understand that it is a balancing act and your doctor has to titrate doses to balance effects and side effects.
Hope I have addressed your concerns.
Regards

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