Hi, anyone taking Neurontin/Gabapentin have a difficult time urinating?

Hi everyone. I’ve been on Lyrica and I’m taking Cymbalta now; but tapering off slowly now. I’ve had so many horrible side effects from both of these medications and one is having a hard time to pee and when I do it’s hard to empty my bladder. One thing that does help me is to put my heating pad on my tummy for awhile. Just make sure it’s not too hot and don’t fall asleep. I find it so relaxing that I could easily fall off to sleep. I will soon be off Cymbalta and hopefully I will be done with all the side effects that go with taking these types of medications. Take care everyone

I tried Gabapentin twice, and both times I had to discontinue after about a week because of the side effect you mentioned. Just like you said, it would take me forever to get started and sometimes I would just give up and wait until I REALLY had to go, because it was such a pain.
I eventually switched to Lyrica and have had no negative side effects, but it's a pain because it's a controlled substance and doctors are hesitant to prescribe it.
Gabapentin also made me feel a bit weird, and Lyrica does not. I'm not entirely sure why it's a controlled substance, I haven't noticed any recreational effects, but I'm only on 300 mg/day.

I too am having trouble urinating since using gabapentin. I was prescribed gabapentin to help with my weaning off of klonopin which I took for 25 years to help with panic attacks. It never occurred to me that the gabapentin was the cause of this issue however, when I read this question it made sense. This side effect isn't enough for me to stop gabapentin as I have successfully been weaned off klonopin and am now 13 weeks off that drug. I also have not had one panic attack since I've been off the klonopin. It's interesting to see the many uses of gabapentin.

Every time I take it I cannot pee stand there forever trying and trying and trying 10 or 15 minutes later maybe a trickle

What are you thinking about when you go? I also have a hard time so I think about far off things An not concentrate on using the bathroom and somehow it just comes

Yes same symptoms. Scary.

Yes when I take neurontim I have to strain to pee. I have the exact symptoms you have

Underactive bladder (UAB) is an unmet medical need that has received less attention than the condition of overactive bladder. Causes of UAB include NEUROGENIC, myogenic, aging, and medication side effects. Symptoms include hesitancy, sensation of incomplete emptying, straining to void, and recurrent infections.

Possibly Gaba is affecting the nerves and muscles surrounding the bladder causing the difficulty?

Yes and it’s frustrating!

I am also taking neurontin 600 mg.2 tabs twice a day... I suspected that was the culprit. ..thank you for sharing... so I guess we just have to live with it as long as we still take the med???

Yes. It's driving crazy too

Yes, Gabapentin is causing difficulty urinating. I am drinking more so I can urinate easier. I take Rx for Trigeminal Neuralgia (severe, intermittent nerve pain in my face). But was happy to find out it helped with my fibromyalgia, and nerve pain (sciatica from upper hips to feet), and nerve pain due to 3 herniated discs in my back and in my neck.

I had major problems with 'starting' to pee. You worded all the same things it does for me. I don't take gabapentin anymore. But I would have to tighten my lower abdomen and back to put pressure on my bladder. This helped most. Running water over my finger worked okay too. I never had a time when I couldn't get it all out, it just took forever.

Yes I take It to help my migraines and pain in my back but have had to cut back because I discovered It was causing me TO lose my hair.Tamadol will do that I too. No problems with the restroom but then, I take water pills for swolllen ankles and feet and hands. Please. Never be embarrased to ask questions. I was formerly licensed to fill prescriptions in southern California but had to quit when I became ill.Though I worked in Southern California for 23 years, I had to stop due to migraines daily and neck and back problems and have heard every question one can think of, and more. I'm very spiritual and believe I'm here to live and learn. We never have our questions answer unless we ask them. I feel only through reading and education, do we find out answers. If you are A fibro patient perhaps the site, the hummingbird foundation may be something you may find interesting.. Best of luck, Beca

Neurontin causes urinary retention. I have seen two neurologists about my problem in the past few months. All of these psych meds I'm on can cause it: neurontin, effexor, tranxene, Saphris, trazadone, and maybe restoril. I have also verified this with a pharmacist. I have to go off meds now and may be getting a catheter. It is a serious side effect.