ACCIDENTAL CURE OF AN UNTOLD COMPLAINT– TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANT (TCA) TREATMENT OF TENSION HEADACHE IMPROVED STRESS INCONTINENCE: A CASE REPORT

Stress incontinence results from neuro-muscular dysfunction of the pelvic floor musculature. Repeated child birth leads to weakness of the pelvic floor musculature which may contribute to stress incontinence. Stress incontinence may cause social embarrassment. Currently, US FDA has not approved any pharmacological agent for use in stress incontinence. Due to embarrassment, patients may not report their incontinence, but express their psychological distress. Addressing the psychological distress without understanding the underlying cause may not be completely helpful. In this case report, we highlight the accidental cure of stress incontinence (which was not reported by the patient) with tricyclic antidepressant Amitriptyline which was prescribed to treat chronic tension type headache and dysthymia.