Has anyone had an issue with Detrol LA.

It made my Mom crazy. She got a new doctor who said it was a horrible medicine and made everyone crazy.

I find it strange and unnececessary for one to be treated for incontinence.
The condition is a normal part of growing elderly. That said, and accepted, be prepared to use adult diapers, day and night, change frequently and don't try to stop it with Vesicare or any other drug. Remain near a potty ( as all elderly patients should do) and accept life in its final stages!

N1k, I'm sorry, but I really disagree. While Detrol isn't the answer, how horrible for your life to be limited to how close you are to the bathroom. Many women have this problem when they are still able to live a normal active life and are decades away from the final stages. Also how awful to only be able to get 2 or 3 hours of sleep because you need to get up to go to the bathroom.

And for those of us who are younger Kegel exercises!

Detrol can have this fairly common side effect in the elderly due to its anticholinergic effects... similar effects as Benadryl in the elderly.... I would not try it again on her.

In spite of his dementia I supported my husband being as active as he could be. He bowled with a senior league (who took a very protective interest in him). He golfed with a program for handicapped individuals. We went to concerts and plays and on road trips. Believe me, thinking you have to pee every 20 minutes is NOT conducive to an active life. Saw Palmetto helped a lot (for enlarged prostate -- obviously not for lavender's mother!) and then eventually he also needed a prescription. He was on Detrol LA for several years. When he went on hospice we discontinued that drug also with several others, but then added Detoal LA back in, as part of comfort care. When it is difficult to get out of bed, needing to pee very often is not comfortable.

I agree with KeepontryintM. There are tangible and real benefits from being able to manage the frequent need to pee. And, by the way, this is NOT "incontinence." The urge is still there and can be controlled for at least a short period of time. It is just increased frequency. It would be ridiculous to insist on a disposable undies 24/7, in my opinion. Should pregnant women wear Depends? They don't need a drug because they are young, they are capable of scoping out where the bathrooms are everywhere they go, and they can waddle pretty fast if they have to. Also they know the problem will clear itself up in a few months. But when the problem is even more severe and will not clear up on its own in a few months, as is the case for many women and more elderly, then some medical intervention may be warranted.

Detrol worked for my husband. His geriatrician was always VERY careful to monitor side effects and to choose the lesser of the evils, so to speak. When trying a drug known to have side effects it is necessary to keep careful watch and to be prepared to adjust doses or to discontinue.

One size never fits all when it comes to drugs.

Thank you for all your comments. I know that this is not my imagination. On detrol my mother woke up confused more often and had delusions. She has been off for almost a week and I see changes in her already. She is more aware and happier. If she has to go through a lot of diapers I am fine with it or if I have to clean up after her I do not mind.

KeepontryinimtM: I stand by my former comment. Being near a potty, whether at work, at home, or in a public facility is not abhorrent to anyne's lifestyle. You can still have a "normal life:" but with limitations.
I'll check in my PDR ( 2013) for the drugs known as Detrol and Vesicare.

This drug caused my mom to get frequent and horrible UTI's. She was confused, unable to walk and at first we didn't realize what was causing it. I mean to the point that we thought she had a stroke. I finally realized the UTI's started when the Detrol began. We dc it and now have no more issues.