SSRI Side Effects Affecting Bladder

Have any of you experienced burning bladder irritation from an SSRI?

I started taking Paxil about a year and a half ago, in April 2018. One month later I woke up with a horrible burning in my bladder that my doctor diagnosed as a UTI. She prescribed Cipro for several days and finally, on the last day, the burning stopped. Then just a few weeks later it started again. This time I tried OTC cranberry tablets, which helped but caused other bad side effects all through last fall.

January this year -- the burning came back worse than ever. We thought UTI again so more Cipro. It helped with the burning, but the burning came back the day after I finished the Cipro. I finally figured out that the problem might be the Paxil. So I switched to Prozac. It made my bladder feel fine but caused other side effects, so we switched me to Lexapro. And within 4 days the burning was back, worse than with the Paxil. So, back to Prozac.

The Prozac was great for my bladder. No burning, no irritation at all, very quiet and calm. Some other side effects, but more psychological than physical, so I worked around them.

That lasted for 6 months. Just a week ago the burning came back. Not as horrible as last year, but still here.

Have any of you experienced this side effect with any SSRIs? I am feeling really discouraged. Could it be time for me to see a psychiatrist? My other doctor is a primary care doctor. She is very good but she is not a psychiatrist.

I don't know what to do. Could this side effect of the Prozac go away after some more time?

I'm reading about "overactive bladders" and "urinary incontinence" associated with SSRIs, but unfortunately, I don't see anything about burning bladder or bladder irritation. However, that doesn't mean SSRIs don't cause bladder irritation. Some people get weird side effects from meds that aren't even listed as "known side effects."

Is there a reason your doctor won't try prescribing an SNRI, MAOI, NDRI, or tricyclic antidepressant? I mean, you've tried SSRIs, but there are other classes of antidepressants too. If you are indeed getting burning from SSRIs, then perhaps a different class of antidepressants may solve the problem. Or, if you do still get burning with a different class of antidepressants, then maybe something else is going on. However, I don't think a psychiatrist would necessarily be able to give you bladder answers because they don't specialize in those sorts of things. You'd have to see a urologist/gynecologist for specifics.

Thanks, @bluebicycle.

I've read a little about the SNRIs but have never heard of the others before. I will go Google them.

I take Prozac for anxiety and panic disorder, instead of for depression.

I just heard from my doctor, who is thinking UTI again and wants me to come in for a checkup. She says she has never heard of an SSRI giving anyone a UTI but that UTIs are common. Sorry, doc, no, I never had a UTI until I started taking Paxil a year ago.
Maybe I should find a new doc?

I take Elavil. I stopped because I couldn't urinate much. Looked it up.. psychiatrists used it for incontinence in children. Hate the stuff but I need sleep. Best wishes

Update -- I have been on buspirone (switched from Prozac) for a couple of weeks now, and so far, no burning or bladder irritation. Apparently buspirone is neither an SSRI nor an SNRI, it seems to be in a class by itself.