Hi everyone
Anyone had problems with Urinary retention, or UTI’s while on Spiriva (tiotropium)
I have noticed that lately I have to squeeze out the last of my pee, if I don’t I have to go back to the toilet 5 mins later. (sorry for graphic description)
Also as of yesterday suffering from dull stabbing pains just above the pubic bone, where the bladder is.
Of course it may not be the Spiriva but I can help but connect the two.
Thanks for your time Dxx
A well documented side effect, although primarily men:-
"SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause new or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include difficulty passing urine and/or painful urination."
webmd.com/lung/copd/news/20...
Thank you PMRPete x
Funny you should say that, I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago, so went to the doctors, had an urine infection, so was given a quick course of antibiotics. It might be worth a visit to your doctors, take a sample with you as it saves time😊 hope you feel better soon. xx
Thanks Carroll..... will do xxx
I did. Doctor took me off it.
In fact I went to the lady doctor a couple of years ago and she explained that Spiriva is an anticholinergic. Its purpose is to dilate our airways but it can also dilate our bladder in that case which is why some of us run into problems.
So don’t hesitate to go asap to your GP and ask for a change. I had to re-educate my bladder with physio after, it wasn’t fun..
Good luck.
Hi
What have you been switched to? Are you unable to use any anticholinergic or just Sprivia?
Thanks
Sinclair
Hi Sinclair
Actually I did try Atrovent or Ipratropium it is lighter only last 3 to 4 hours but I have stopped now since my cataract operations because the doctor said it dries out my eyes which are already dry!
I think as a long action bronchodilator I am very happy with Serevent or Salmeterol, it doesn’t last the 12 hours as they say but you can use your reliever Ventolin/Salbutamol if you need to.
As a steroid inhaler I have Alvesco.
Hope it helps.
Thanks for the advice, Happylondon x
Interesting reading as my husband along with have a viral infection and being hospitalised also had a urinary infection and he is on Spiriva and has been in it a long time. He needed antibiotics to clear it and it held him back for a few days.
What are the alternatives to Spiriva? Whenever he's had his inhalers changed in the past it's not been a success.
Corin
hi Dolly I had the same problem with Spirivia If I was you talk it over with your Dr. All the best
Nelly
Never had this problem with Spirava but do get similar symptoms to your description with Tramadol. But you need it checked incase it is not a drug side effect. There should be another inhaler you can use if that's the cause.
Oh yes, I too have the problem of having to really concentrate in order to urinate as well as the pain you describe. This has been ongoing for several years now but when I mentioned it to my GP, he referred me to a urologist who wanted to stretch my bladder without doing any investigations/examination. I refused his kind offer and got told that I "had wasted his time ". No one mentioned Spiriva being a potential cause.
Something else to bring up when I have my annual MOT. The list gets longer by the day and it may well be that I will fail and have to be scrapped. 
I get something similar with the blood pressure tablet Doxazosin. It's interesting how many of the meds we're given can cause this unwanted side effect.
Trouble is Ergendl I can’t tell if I have side effects or something unrelated🤦♀️ Sometimes I feel I read and ask too much, then don’t like the answers😂
Dx
Co2 retention 
Spiriva unavailable.
Spiriva and Symbicort together ?
Change medication.
Co2 Retention
