2010 Guidelines for IC are more conservative now - Please read

[cmclien]

Hi, I actually saw this on ichelp.org but this is good to see as some doctors refuse to treat until a cysto with hydro is done (no matter what level of symptoms you have). This calls for more conservative approaches. I feel lucky my doctor seems to be following this protocol. I also love the last sentence as I know so many of you have doctors who won't help with pain management.


"The American Urological Association (AUA) announced the release of preliminary IC guidelines at the AUA 2010 annual meeting. On behalf of the AUA's IC guidelines committee, Phil Hanno, MD, presented the first-ever guidelines for diagnosis and treatment from the association. These guidelines do not support using the potassium sensitivity test as a valid one for IC, nor do they support cystoscopy with hydrodistention under anesthesia for "uncomplicated" cases, that is, cases that are not severe and don't have many accompanying conditions. The guidelines emphasize conservative, noninvasive approaches to start, for example, an IC-friendly diet, physical therapy aimed at pelvic floor dysfunction, and stress management. Therapies called first-line treatments include the oral medicines amitriptyline, histamine blockers such as hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) or cimetidine (Tagamet), pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron) and bladder instillation therapy. Treatment recommends then step up through five levels-no matter what level, the guidelines emphasize the importance of pain management."

There is more to it, here is the link: http://www.ichelp.org/Page.aspx?pid=429 there are some informative videos here too.

[cmclien]

I watched all three videos and liked what he had to say about "pain" and really what he had to say in general.

[DaniMSC]

I hope this is a good thing! I had what I now call 'mild' IC five years ago, and I tried Vesicare and Elmiron, Prelief and Urocit-K without much luck. Then my urologist gave me a hydrodistention/cystoscopy/instill with capsaicin and somehow I got a five year remission out of that! I'm afraid that under the new protocol, that same doctor would just make me try more and more drugs (that can cost a fortune and have disabling side effects!) since my case probably looked relatively uncomplicated. I feel like I'm going through the same thing right now- all I want are 'rescue' instillations (which I know are listed under 'first-line therapy,' good!), but the doctors here in Spain would rather string me along for weeks, having me pay out of pocket for a pharmacy of meds (some which I found out are dangerous taken together!) that make me feel sicker instead of scheduling me for any procedures...But I should probably go watch the videos and educate myself some more about the 2010 Guidelines...thanks for posting!

[sailawaygrl]

If you were helped by the hydrostention previously I would hope that you wouldn't be denied that as a treatment. I know it does work for many and my Dr says that if it helps, he will do it as often as needed. Within reason, I am sure! You might make a trip to the states to have one and hope for remission again. Are you still in touch with your previous Dr?