Urology update - "try imiprimine or get a bladder sling"

Hi sisters,
I had urology tests last Thursday like my urogyn wanted me to. The urologist said I have a small bladder, which could actually seem small from leaking, and he feels the muscles around the bladder neck and the urethra are weak and not closing properly. The cystoscopy was very uncomfortable and the test to fill up my bladder to see about capacity was also nasty. I hurt from all of this, even though the doc and his assistant seemed to think I shouldn't be so uncomfortable. The leaking now seems to be worse after these tests by the way. Anyway, the urologist said well since Detrol isn't helping you (it was nasty with awful side effects and not really helping the leaking) he suggested I try 50 mgs of Imiprimine, but then said the only thing that would probably help is a bladder sling. I've read about Imiprimine which is actually an anti-depressant and I'm not thrilled about this as an option at all. It's been given to children with bedwetting problems but the primary function is an anti-depressant. And, I've read the side effects are constipation (which I can't even begin to deal with since I have IBS and also went through a rectocele repair) and a lot of other effects like nausea, exhaustion ect. and I have to be able to work. I felt like the urologist just wants me to keep trying meds and I'm seeing meds as more of a last resort than surgery. I'm waiting to talk to my urogyn about this today.
Have any of you had a successful bladder sling or success with Imipimine to control leaking?
I'm really disappointed about all of this and I didn't like the urologist. I think he's used to treating women and men much older than me - like in their 60s or older (I'm 42) who don't really question anything and take all kinds of meds without questioning or wear Depends. Sorry about whining, but I'm just tired of all of this. Thank you dear sisters for your support. I'll let you know what my urogyn says.
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid

Never used imiprimine for bladder probs but tried it as an anti-depressant and even a tiny dose at night knocked me out for most of the next day so do be careful if you try it.
Hope someone else can help on the bladder side.
Take care
Vicky

HI Druid,

I went through those tests too--they were so awful! I couldn't believe that anyone could take the results seriously, because I was in such discomfort from the catheters that I could only think of having it stop as soon as possible.

Anyway, did your DR mention a TVT sling? That was what was proposed to me, but it turned out I'm not bad enough off to be a good candidate for it (plus, I think my bladder too is small, so perhaps that ruled me out too). It is a minimally invasive same-day kind of surgery, but it seems that alot depends on the surgeon's skill. My DR said his office has an over 90% success rate with it. But for me he discussed Kegels and biofeedback; I have been doing Kegels religiously and wear a tampon when I run and play sports, and I now have almost no leaking at all.

I hope your doc can help you...

((((Druid)))))) I'm so sorry that your tests and visit to the urologyst left you with even more questions and not too many answers

I haven't had a bladder sling but know that others on this site have had this procedure. If I'm not mistaken, this procedure can be done vaginally but does entail a six week recovery, much as the hyst.

I know that anti-depressants are used for other things and it might be worth giving it a try. Remember that drug companies have to list possible side-effects but that, most of the time, we only get a few of them and, some of the time, none of them. At least, that's what one of my former GP's explained to me and I trusted him immensely.

((((Druid)))) I know it's been a long road for you and that you've been through a lot since your hyst. Hang in there, sweetie, there's gotta be an off-ramp for you.

Hi Druid

I too had stress incontinence issues, but I was lucky in that i had my burch repair at the same time I had my hyst. I never had any uro tests, my GYN just asked me if I had any problems with leaking and after I said yes, he said he would do the burch repair at the same time as my hyst.

I had no problems getting it approved by the insurance company either. So far so good. 13 months post op and the burch repair has helped alot!

Good luck to you!

Dear Sisters
Thank you for the replies so far. I did forget to mention for those who haven't read any of my stuff before, that I did have a Burch with my hyst two years ago and it's obviously failed. That's why the doc is talking about the sling. I guess TVT can be an option too. The urologist said it is essentially the same as the sling as far as the dynamics go, but bladder injury is more likely. I think my urogyn is more into the sling because of the previous failure of the Burch, and the posterior repair I had last year. In essence, I need some major help. Any more of your insight would be greatly appreciated. I'm stilly waiting for my urogyn to call me back......
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid