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Reply: Treatment for overactive bladder - side effects

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the association between...

Posted by olderlady

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the association between 10-year cumulative anticholinergic use and the risk for dementia. That study involved over 3,000 older adults, average age of 73, who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. Their medication use over the past 10 years was tracked from pharmacy records. They were followed for an average of another 7 years with dementia screening every 2 years.

This study came to the same conclusion as previous smaller studies, that there is very possibly a relationship between anticholinergic drug use and increased risk of developing dementia. Although this study provides the strongest evidence so far that there is a correlation between the use of anticholinergic drugs and the risk for dementia in older adults, the medical community largely responds that there isn't actually scientific proof because it isn't possible to prove causation with observational data.

Some questions and concerns raised in response to this study:
It's not clear that these people actually took the prescriptions in question and over-the-counter anticholinergics weren't included.
Patients with anxiety, insomnia, depression and neuropathic pain have a higher risk of developing dementia, so might the use of anticholinergic medications just be a suspected cause or red herring for increased dementia risk.
Did the onset of early dementia symptoms lead the subjects to take the drugs thereby creating the association ?

Another view worth mentioning is that "we should be able to rely on observational studies to prove what we already know in theory". Another point is that since medications that improve Alzheimer's (at least temporarily) have properties to raise acetylcholine levels, it's reasonable to conclude that anti-cholinergic drugs may actually be associated with hastening or worsening dementia in some people. There are other confounding issues like genetics, metabolism, dose & duration of anticholinergic use, as well as other medications or toxins in the mix.

So the jury is still out! Most doctors and pharmacists are cautious about claiming there is a direct association between anticholinergic medications and increased risk of dementia until there are more conclusive scientific studies.

Many anticholinergic drugs are on the Beer's List criteria of medications contra-indicated in the elderly. Avoiding them is strongly recommended as a standard of geriatric care.

There are some effective alternatives, or at least less anticholinergic medications used to treat asthma, COPD, allergies, Parkinson's, bladder control, depression, insomnia, dizziness, but not always.

References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/838788
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspxarticleid=2091745

View Thread

Posted by olderlady

2 Replies | Share this:Treatment for overactive bladder - side effects A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the association between...

Reply: This has been a nightmare.

Hi TCHope, Your husband is very lucky to have you. Your love, care and concern for him are evident in...

Posted by editor_morgan

1 Reply | Share this:This has been a nightmare. Hi TCHope, Your husband is very lucky to have you. Your love, care and concern for him are evident in...

Reply: IC Bladder Issues after Hysterectomy

Hi onthespot, Your post truly broke my heart. The pain that you are in seems so isolating and you must...

Posted by editor_morgan

1 Reply | Share this:IC Bladder Issues after Hysterectomy Hi onthespot, Your post truly broke my heart. The pain that you are in seems so isolating and you must...

Reply: botox injection in bladder side effects

Hi concernedson1, I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. I commend you for being vested in...

Posted by editor_morgan

1 Reply | Share this:botox injection in bladder side effects Hi concernedson1, I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. I commend you for being vested in...

Reply: Burning

Hi SteveM1, Have you expressed these concerns and side effects to your doctor? That seems like a lot...

Posted by editor_morgan

1 Reply | Share this:Burning Hi SteveM1, Have you expressed these concerns and side effects to your doctor? That seems like a lot...

Reply: Burning sensation when urinating

Hi Andy125, I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing burning when urinating. I can completely...

Posted by editor_morgan

2 Replies | Share this:Burning sensation when urinating Hi Andy125, I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing burning when urinating. I can completely...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Watery Eyes During Urination

Hey I experience the same thing as a guy, no pain, no other symptoms but really watery eyes and strangely...

Posted by Jmpmq21

52 Replies | Share this:Watery Eyes During Urination Hey I experience the same thing as a guy, no pain, no other symptoms but really watery eyes and strangely...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Does your urine have a strong odor?

Not at all!! Very upsetting to me.

Posted by clairsie

2 Replies | Share this:Does your urine have a strong odor? Not at all!! Very upsetting to me.

Reply: How safe is interstim therapy?

Tracy, Your doctor should have warned you that the test is only a baseline. You move around and the wires...

Posted by An_266777

29 Replies | Share this:How safe is interstim therapy? Tracy, Your doctor should have warned you that the test is only a baseline. You move around and the wires...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Urinary retention and distended bladder

I am interested in more info how you came up with this combination...just found this site and I hope you are...

Posted by An_266058

32 Replies | Share this:Urinary retention and distended bladder I am interested in more info how you came up with this combination...just found this site and I hope you are...

Interstim Device

I have been taking many different pills and one worked some what. My Doctor suggested Botox shots. I did it and...

Posted by PattiL7

0 Replies | Share this:Interstim Device I have been taking many different pills and one worked some what. My Doctor suggested Botox shots. I did it and...

Interstitial Cystitis after Hysyerectomy

Hi, I had a complete hysterectomy (except gyno surgeon left cervix in) when I was 38 for blood filled...

Posted by An_263929

0 Replies | Share this:Interstitial Cystitis after Hysyerectomy Hi, I had a complete hysterectomy (except gyno surgeon left cervix in) when I was 38 for blood filled...

meds and incontinence

any time I take a new medication or have to take a pain pill or muscle relaxer I. end up being totally...

Posted by daddyof31994

0 Replies | Share this:meds and incontinence any time I take a new medication or have to take a pain pill or muscle relaxer I. end up being totally...

Reply: New to this, but I knew it was coming

I understand where your coming from I deal with with mixed incontinence I use the disposable products. I...

Posted by daddyof31994

1 Reply | Share this:New to this, but I knew it was coming I understand where your coming from I deal with with mixed incontinence I use the disposable products. I...

Interstim

I am 57, have a neurogenic bladder and have to self cath 3-4 times a day. I am prone to periodic utis which...

Posted by blueheron1

0 Replies | Share this:Interstim I am 57, have a neurogenic bladder and have to self cath 3-4 times a day. I am prone to periodic utis which...

Reply: Interstim

Hi, I was scheduled for phase 1 for this Thursday but just realized that I really didn't look into it as much...

Posted by marysue15

1 Reply | Share this:Interstim Hi, I was scheduled for phase 1 for this Thursday but just realized that I really didn't look into it as much...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Bladder Sling Problems

Hi, I had a bladder sling put in in 2010 for bladder incontinance. In the past 2 years I started to get a...

Posted by lvhearts

8 Replies | Share this:Bladder Sling Problems Hi, I had a bladder sling put in in 2010 for bladder incontinance. In the past 2 years I started to get a...

Reply: OAB i'm 29 what can I do?

I'm 25, male and suffer from an OAB. For as long as I remember I have been absolutely terrified about long...

Posted by marshland

2 Replies | Share this:OAB i'm 29 what can I do? I'm 25, male and suffer from an OAB. For as long as I remember I have been absolutely terrified about long...

Reply: Male urinary incontinence implant

This is wch39 have had the ans800 activated 2 weeks ago. It is working great, after urination, closes off with...

Posted by wch39

2 Replies | Share this:Male urinary incontinence implant This is wch39 have had the ans800 activated 2 weeks ago. It is working great, after urination, closes off with...

Reply: botox injections

Thanks for posting. Useful information. Although to me, not being able to pee normally and having to use a...

Posted by fred999

1 Reply | Share this:botox injections Thanks for posting. Useful information. Although to me, not being able to pee normally and having to use a...

Reply: incontinence following catheter wear

Hi, How are you doing now? I hope that everything is going well.

Posted by atti_editor

1 Reply | Share this:incontinence following catheter wear Hi, How are you doing now? I hope that everything is going well.

Reply: Misdiagnois with Urethral Stricture

Yes, I went to the doctor for OAB and he performed the surgery for urethral stricture. It did not help me at...

Posted by An_261564

Take the Poll

has any other women been misdiagnoised or told that they have this rare disorder in women.

1 Reply | Share this:Misdiagnois with Urethral Stricture Yes, I went to the doctor for OAB and he performed the surgery for urethral stricture. It did not help me at...

Reply: Botox for incontinence?

2.5 years, i have been gettig up, every hour....hour and a half, before i can get to the bathroom..........it...

Posted by An_261553

3 Replies | Share this:Botox for incontinence? 2.5 years, i have been gettig up, every hour....hour and a half, before i can get to the bathroom..........it...

Reply: Can OAB be caused by Mesh Implant?

Have you spoken with your doctor about these symptoms that you are experiencing? He/She would be best to...

Posted by atti_editor

1 Reply | Share this:Can OAB be caused by Mesh Implant? Have you spoken with your doctor about these symptoms that you are experiencing? He/She would be best to...

Urgency, psychological or not?

I have been seeing my doc about urinary urgency issues and the doc said I have OAB after checking that there...

Posted by logician04

0 Replies | Share this:Urgency, psychological or not? I have been seeing my doc about urinary urgency issues and the doc said I have OAB after checking that there...

Will the bladder heal?

Is there hope that my 57 yr. old son's bladder can return to normal? All other organs are normal, such as the...

Posted by gg207

0 Replies | Share this:Will the bladder heal? Is there hope that my 57 yr. old son's bladder can return to normal? All other organs are normal, such as the...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Chronic Urethritis

As a man I can only sympathize with you with you. I just got rid of three bladder stones the size of chicken...

Posted by gene6747

37 Replies | Share this:Chronic Urethritis As a man I can only sympathize with you with you. I just got rid of three bladder stones the size of chicken...

Reply: Going for the implant

I was wondering if you had the device implanted; I'm trying to obtain info for my mom. thanks so much...

Posted by maryleeformom

1 Reply | Share this:Going for the implant I was wondering if you had the device implanted; I'm trying to obtain info for my mom. thanks so much...

Insertion of electric stimulator device to prevent...

Hi there, I am a 22 year old female who has had an overactive bladder for the past 2 years due to a nasty...

Posted by misshopeful92

Take the Poll

Have you had the sacral neuromodulation device implanted and did it improve the sense of urgency to go to the bathroom even when the bladder is not full?

0 Replies | Share this:Insertion of electric stimulator device to prevent constant urgency Hi there, I am a 22 year old female who has had an overactive bladder for the past 2 years due to a nasty...

Reply: Incontinence due to MS

Hi! I have both types of urinary incontinence - troubles voiding and no warning to get to the bathroom. I found...

Posted by tracyq

Hi! I have both types of urinary incontinence - troubles voiding and no warning to get to the bathroom. I found this site for supplies because the involuntary voiding overnight can be out of control.

http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/

Another thing is you might want to discuss a device called Interstim from Medtronic with your neurologist and/or urologist. It's like a pacemaker for the bladder that gets installed in your left buttock, on the S3 nerve. I have one and I love it! Only problem is that you might have to change program settings especially if your MS progresses. I have been playing with my settings for a few weeks trying to get the right one or a better and more effective setting. This is done with a remote control and a kind of paddle you place on the spot where the implant is. I had mine put in about 4 years ago.

As far as medicines, when I would have a sudden tsunami-level accidents out of nowhere, I tried Vesicare and it worked remarkably well for me, those accidents stopped happening. Problem is, there is no generic and they cost a fortune! I got a few boxes of samples from my neuro and hey worked a charm. I don't take them any longer because not only the cost, but I have ended up in the ER 4 times in the last 5 years with my bladder very close to bursting because I couldn't pee for days and my bladder was at max capacity -- they drained THREE LITERS out of me! So I don't need Vesicare to help me not void.

I try to self-cath with discreet, small caths but it can be challenging to get it into the urethra, but I was told about a new item that works as a guiding system to help with that. You can keep caths in your purse and take bathroom breaks and use those for more security. Here's the guide:

http://www.vitalitymedical.com/a-medical-the-asta-cath-female-catheter-guide.html?gclid=CJ3BouTK7MACFZBAMgodr0EANw

Best of luck to you both!!
TracyView Thread

Posted by tracyq

3 Replies | Share this:Incontinence due to MS Hi! I have both types of urinary incontinence - troubles voiding and no warning to get to the bathroom. I found...

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