Posted by bleauberry on December 29, 2009, at 16:27:44
In reply to Re: SLS Bethanecol Question » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 29, 2009, at 6:24:25
Thanks for trying to help, SLS. Some of the terminology is over my head. Parasympathetic, I don't know what that is.
There is no obstruction at baseline. But when the NE of Savella kicks in or maybe it is some muscarinic effect (though Savella has supposedly little effect on this, maybe I am super sensitive to it), when those things kick in, boy does the whole system tighten up. Even a previously healed wrist tendonitis can feel aggravated...not pain, but a definite tightening of the fingers and wrist.
I understand how Bethanecol affects the bladder, but I wonder if it does similar action throughout the body on other muscles or tissues?
> Hi BB.
>
> > Do you know, is Bethanecol specific for just the bladder or does it also involve the prostate?
>
> I don't think bethanechol works locally, but, rather, as a modulator of autonomic activity via the stimulation of muscarinic ACh receptors. It increases parasympathetic tone. Apparantly, it increases the tone (state of contracture) of the walls of the bladder. The bladder can "squeeze" more forcefully.
>
> > The urinary constriction of Savella, I am not sure if that is a bladder thing
>
> I think anything that increases the tone of the sympathetic nervous system will produce urinary retention. NE reuptake inhibition is one mechanism by which this occurs.
>
> > Can you help me out with this? It could actually be a dangerous scenario to have a powerful drug-induced bladder but a constricted prostate. I would need some kind of hope that the drug will help both simultaneously, not knowing for sure which is at fault.
>
> It is important to resolve any obstruction before using bethanechol. I don't know if this is simply because the bethanechol would have no therapeutic effect or if there might be untoward sequalae as a result of using it in such a situation.
>
> Please let me know what you find.
>
>
> - Scott
poster:bleauberry
thread:931325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091227/msgs/931467.html