Amitriptyline and urinary problems

I have had to come off Trimipramine because the NHS are phasing it out owing to cost issues. My doctor put me on Amitriptyline. I was fine on 25 and 50mg, but as soon as I went up to 75 I started to experience a delay in urinating. That was a week ago and I still have the problem. I also experience an almost constant urge to empty my bladder, which means I sit for ages on the loo when I don't really need to go. This is a separate problem.

I am in a right state because as well as all this I am now unmedicated for my anxiety which is making me really ill: nausea, shaking, sweating, muzzy/ill-feeling head, chills.

I really want to take the escitalopram my doctor has prescribed, but am worried it could cause the same problem. I'm seeing my psychiatrist on Wednesday. I'm also seeing a urologist tonight.

Please can anyone comment or help. I've never felt this ill.

Amitriptyline is well known for causing urinary delay. It's used in low dose for kids to prevent bed-wetting.

You might experience some side effects with escit too, but not in my opinion anywhere near as many as amit.

I would give escit a go - it's likely to be far more effective for your anxiety disorder.

Thank you for replying KK.

I know Ami can do this, but from what I've read SSRIs can do it too.

I still have the urinary problem a week after stopping the Ami, and am loathe to start on the escitalopram before this is sorted (it feels like it never will be).

In the meantime I feel unbelievably ill. I never knew anxiety could make you feel like this. I don't feel anxious, I just feel ill.

Problem is Amit has a fairly long half-life, so it will take some time to completely clear from your system, which is why I think you're still experiencing issues. If problem doesn't ease in next few days, I would see your doc again about this.

SSRIs can cause urinary issues too, but not nearly as severe as Tricyclics like Amit.