Ditropan reduction and bowels

Clipper · 09-04-2004, 09:22 PM

My bowel program has been very soft for about the past week. (Every other day, dig stim, no suppository). I've had no changes in diet or routine, but I am in the process of eliminating Ditropan XL from my meds, per my urologist's instructions. I have been on 20 mg daily since last December. Prior to that, I had never before taken Ditropan. I cut back from 20 mg to 10 mg about three weeks ago. Since a change in bowel routine results is very unusual for me, I am guessing that the Ditropan reduction is to blame. Could there be any truth to this theory? Should I decrease my Metamucil intake, increase it or keep it the same? (I began taking Metamucil to deal with the Ditropan side effects.) I am C5/6, 15 years post.

Emi2 · 09-05-2004, 08:16 AM

Well Ditropan can cause constipation so reducing it is likely the reason for your changes. Why not reduce your Metamucil does by 1/2 too?

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon

SCI-Nurse · 09-05-2004, 05:05 PM

I agree. Decreasing or stopping Ditropan may cause your stool to be much softer. You may not need the fiber product anymore. Do you take any other bowel medications (softeners, stimulants, laxatives, etc.)?

Why did your doctor take you off the Ditropan?

(KLD)

Clipper · 09-05-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCI-Nurse:

Do you take any other bowel medications (softeners, stimulants, laxatives, etc.)? Why did your doctor take you off the Ditropan?

I don't take any other bowel medications. I'll eliminate the Metamucil and see if things improve. As for why my doctor is taking me off Ditropan ...

I changed urologists in about May 2003. I underwent a routine urodynamics study last fall, my first in many years. Though my pressures weren't high and I showed no signs of reflux, my urologist was not pleased with my bladder capacity and put me on 10 mg of Ditropan XL. She also took me off Levbid, which I had taken for several years. (I've had a urethral foley for about 15 years). After a second urodynamics study late last year showed no increase in bladder capacity, she increased my Ditropan dosage to 20 mg.

I moved cross-country in June 2004 and therefore started seeing another urologist. During my initial visit, I asked about alternatives to Ditropan - my dry mouth was becoming intolerable. He said he saw no reason for me to START taking Ditropan so many years after sustaining my SCI, and that taking Ditropan at this point would not affect my bladder capacity. Since I had no other bladder management issues, he took me off Ditropan and put me back on Levbid (for my occasional bladder spasms).

Both of the urologists mentioned above have SCI experience and know all about neurogenic bladder issues. Is my current urologist correct?

Thank you, KLD.

Clipper · 09-10-2004, 08:48 PM

Bump for SCI-NURSE.

SCI-Nurse · 09-10-2004, 11:22 PM

We recommend Ditropan (or another anticholergic) to help prevent reflux and leakage from bladder spasms for many clients with indwelling catheters. It will not increase your capacity if your bladder has already shrunk from many years of use of an indwelling catheter.

(KLD)

09-04-2004, 09:22 PM	#1
Clipper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,516	Ditropan reduction and bowels My bowel program has been very soft for about the past week. (Every other day, dig stim, no suppository). I've had no changes in diet or routine, but I am in the process of eliminating Ditropan XL from my meds, per my urologist's instructions. I have been on 20 mg daily since last December. Prior to that, I had never before taken Ditropan. I cut back from 20 mg to 10 mg about three weeks ago. Since a change in bowel routine results is very unusual for me, I am guessing that the Ditropan reduction is to blame. Could there be any truth to this theory? Should I decrease my Metamucil intake, increase it or keep it the same? (I began taking Metamucil to deal with the Ditropan side effects.) I am C5/6, 15 years post.

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09-05-2004, 08:16 AM	#2
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	Well Ditropan can cause constipation so reducing it is likely the reason for your changes. Why not reduce your Metamucil does by 1/2 too? "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow" ~ Anon

09-05-2004, 05:05 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	I agree. Decreasing or stopping Ditropan may cause your stool to be much softer. You may not need the fiber product anymore. Do you take any other bowel medications (softeners, stimulants, laxatives, etc.)? Why did your doctor take you off the Ditropan? (KLD)

09-10-2004, 08:48 PM	#5
Clipper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,516	Bump for SCI-NURSE.

09-10-2004, 11:22 PM	#6
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	We recommend Ditropan (or another anticholergic) to help prevent reflux and leakage from bladder spasms for many clients with indwelling catheters. It will not increase your capacity if your bladder has already shrunk from many years of use of an indwelling catheter. (KLD)