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After looking at my urodynamics, my doctor saw I had severe urethral spasms and wants to give me flomax...I'm afraid of the side effects. Has anyone had any relief/side effects w/this drug?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Thanks,
Tracy
(Added by ICNMgrJill on 5/19/08. I am sad to share that Verdicries (aka Tracy) lost her life in a tragic accident just a few days ago. We will miss her support, her encouragement, her sense of humor and, of course, the joy that she found as a mother and wife).
Tracy ~ 29 years old with Toxoplasmosis (from birth), Fibro/CFS (since age 13...ouch), severe IC, IBS-D, severe PFD (surgery made it even worse), vulvodynia, hiatal hernia, GERD, ulcers, severe gastritis, numbness/tingling in extremeties, pelvic nerve damage--mainly urethral, urinary retention, pelvic reconstruction 7.10.07 (fixed rectocele, rectal prolapse, lifted bladder, urethra, uterus, and repaired vaginal walls), Raynaud's, 2 severely herniated discs in neck and one in low back, anemia, PCOS, anxiety/depression/panic attacks (since forever). Still having major bowel problems (inability to empty rectum...any ideas?? ).
I'd like to be on House, MD as a medical mystery.
Married to Craig, a saint amongst men...who puts up with me and my eccentricities...
Connor & Mommy by the tree:
Connor with Santa...so happy!
I take: LIQUID Atarax, Flomax, Soma (yet again), acidophilus, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM & collagen, d-mannose. MAJOR flare from Cystoprotek! Re-trying freeze dried aloe vera w/some decent results!
Tried and failed: Elavil, Ultram, Prosed DS, Benadryl, Bentyl, Valium, Ativan, Zanaflex, Librax, Sanctura (all caused retention among other things), bladder instills (owwwwww!), Elmiron (allergic-throat tightening). Failed Interstim-no feeling in sacral nerves...
I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfa, reglan, quinolones, clindamycin, and now LATEX!
Nothing good came of my experience with flomax. I told my doctor that I thought it was stupid for me to take since I don;t have a prostate! I said if you think it will help i'll try it. Well it didn't help, it made me extremly dizzy, and seemed almost more difficult to pass urine when I was on it. I still have a degree of difficulty passing urine, and I stopped the drug 2 weeks ago. It could be a coincodence though. I have EXTREME sensitivity to drugs(see sig) so I think the average person would be ok
Erika
IC diagnosed officially via cysto/urodynamics 1/26/07
Grade II Endometriosis diagnosed via lap 12/11/07
"Fall down seven times, Stand up eight."
"Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think."
Current Treatments:
Interstim Since 5/25/07!
Birth Control
I took flomax for several months it did help with the spasms. After a while it just didn't help as much. I was very tired in the beginning. I started to cut down on my meds and that was the first to go.
mom to 3 wonderful kids
IC symptoms 7/03,
hysterectomy 11/04,
prolapse cervix 7/07
diagnosed: IC 2007
IBS 2008
I took Flomax to help with retention for a while. At first, it worked great, but just as in charmedx3's case, it quit working after about 8-12 months, so I quit it. Now I just take a little Valium when it happens and that works well.
As for side effects, I had none at all.
**** Jen
*Diagnosed with severe IC in 2004
*Also diagnosed with PFD, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, IBS, migraines, allergies/asthma, dermatographism
*Kept trying a million different treatments for all these things until I found what works, and I am doing okay these days with the help of a cocktail of medications and the InterStim, which was first placed in 2007. [I have had 2 revisions - one in 2010 when my battery died and had to be replaced, and one complete replacement (lead and generator) in 2012 after a fall on my stairs caused my lead to move.] *Current meds include Atarax (50mg at night), Lyrica (150mg twice a day), Xanax (0.5mg at night and as needed), Zanaflex (4mg at night), hydrocodone (10/325, every 6 hours as needed), Advair, Nasonex, Singulair (10mg at night), oral contraceptives, home instills containing Elmiron and Marcaine (as often as I need to do them).
**I am not a medical authority nor do I offer definitive medical advice. I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.
Thanks for the replies...how long b4 it started to work?? I'm dying here. Had to go to dr. office to get cathed, took out over 20 oz . i'm afraid to cath myself.
(Added by ICNMgrJill on 5/19/08. I am sad to share that Verdicries (aka Tracy) lost her life in a tragic accident just a few days ago. We will miss her support, her encouragement, her sense of humor and, of course, the joy that she found as a mother and wife).
Tracy ~ 29 years old with Toxoplasmosis (from birth), Fibro/CFS (since age 13...ouch), severe IC, IBS-D, severe PFD (surgery made it even worse), vulvodynia, hiatal hernia, GERD, ulcers, severe gastritis, numbness/tingling in extremeties, pelvic nerve damage--mainly urethral, urinary retention, pelvic reconstruction 7.10.07 (fixed rectocele, rectal prolapse, lifted bladder, urethra, uterus, and repaired vaginal walls), Raynaud's, 2 severely herniated discs in neck and one in low back, anemia, PCOS, anxiety/depression/panic attacks (since forever). Still having major bowel problems (inability to empty rectum...any ideas?? ).
I'd like to be on House, MD as a medical mystery.
Married to Craig, a saint amongst men...who puts up with me and my eccentricities...
Connor & Mommy by the tree:
Connor with Santa...so happy!
I take: LIQUID Atarax, Flomax, Soma (yet again), acidophilus, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM & collagen, d-mannose. MAJOR flare from Cystoprotek! Re-trying freeze dried aloe vera w/some decent results!
Tried and failed: Elavil, Ultram, Prosed DS, Benadryl, Bentyl, Valium, Ativan, Zanaflex, Librax, Sanctura (all caused retention among other things), bladder instills (owwwwww!), Elmiron (allergic-throat tightening). Failed Interstim-no feeling in sacral nerves...
I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfa, reglan, quinolones, clindamycin, and now LATEX!
My uro gave me Uroxatral for hesitancy, which is like Flomax, and I too have not tried it because I fear the side effects. I am extremely sensitive to meds like Erika, and Ativan, like Valium helps me too, and my hesitancy has been better lately. I have been taking Cysta Q for a month now, and I think it is really helping. Whatever you decide I hope you find relief somehow soon.
Yeah you should know in a few days maybe a week. I've tried them all and I did find flomax to help alot when my bladder just doesn't want to cooperate. I stopped taking it after a few months because it didn't work as well but i find that if I take it only as needed it works well. My fav would have to be Cardura and worked better than flomax. I don't have problems with voiding or spasms and haven't in awhile. I only take them as needed. I have lots of other IC problems so I was happy to get rid of something.
i don't think i should take it anymore . i am EXTREMELY sensitive to meds...i took one flomax. made me dizzy (not too bad). then a couple hours later i was in the shower...my right leg went numb, i got EXTREMELY dizzy/nauseated, and i collapsed! sheesh! i can't take ANYTHING. tried elavil (too much retention), cymbalta (retention/got sick), benzos (that retention again...). how am i supposed to get better if i can't TAKE anything?!?
at this point my dr. is leaning towards interstim...yikes.
(Added by ICNMgrJill on 5/19/08. I am sad to share that Verdicries (aka Tracy) lost her life in a tragic accident just a few days ago. We will miss her support, her encouragement, her sense of humor and, of course, the joy that she found as a mother and wife).
Tracy ~ 29 years old with Toxoplasmosis (from birth), Fibro/CFS (since age 13...ouch), severe IC, IBS-D, severe PFD (surgery made it even worse), vulvodynia, hiatal hernia, GERD, ulcers, severe gastritis, numbness/tingling in extremeties, pelvic nerve damage--mainly urethral, urinary retention, pelvic reconstruction 7.10.07 (fixed rectocele, rectal prolapse, lifted bladder, urethra, uterus, and repaired vaginal walls), Raynaud's, 2 severely herniated discs in neck and one in low back, anemia, PCOS, anxiety/depression/panic attacks (since forever). Still having major bowel problems (inability to empty rectum...any ideas?? ).
I'd like to be on House, MD as a medical mystery.
Married to Craig, a saint amongst men...who puts up with me and my eccentricities...
Connor & Mommy by the tree:
Connor with Santa...so happy!
I take: LIQUID Atarax, Flomax, Soma (yet again), acidophilus, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM & collagen, d-mannose. MAJOR flare from Cystoprotek! Re-trying freeze dried aloe vera w/some decent results!
Tried and failed: Elavil, Ultram, Prosed DS, Benadryl, Bentyl, Valium, Ativan, Zanaflex, Librax, Sanctura (all caused retention among other things), bladder instills (owwwwww!), Elmiron (allergic-throat tightening). Failed Interstim-no feeling in sacral nerves...
I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfa, reglan, quinolones, clindamycin, and now LATEX!
BE Careful! I almost fainted several times on stnading with the flomax. I wouldn't stand up with your baby for a little while from seating until you know how your body will react. I had so many dizzy spells! Now I take ativan, at night before bed. The ativan helps my spasams and the side effects are drowisiness which is a plus becuase it helps me sleep.
Erika
IC diagnosed officially via cysto/urodynamics 1/26/07
Grade II Endometriosis diagnosed via lap 12/11/07
"Fall down seven times, Stand up eight."
"Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think."
Current Treatments:
Interstim Since 5/25/07!
Birth Control
I took all sorts of medicines for spasms. Most of them didn't work for me. My primary care doctor just recently put me on Vesticare 5mg at night. I noticed a big difference right away. (from 6-7 times of getting up--to 1-2 times a night). Plus, I'm able to go back to sleep!
I have a hard time with meds too. Cymbalta did the same thing to me, and I've yet to try Elavil. I can't even take a Tylenol without flaring!! I take Cysta Q, and it has helped a lot so far. I am not symptom free, but definitely in a better place when I follow the diet very strictly, take my Cysta Q, and prelief, and use Urised and Ativan when needed. Don't forget that anxiety is a terrible thing for us IC'rs so don't fret to much. There are many other options to try so don't give up hope.
hi,
i've been on flomax again for about 2 1/2 weeks after stopping after 3 doses. it hasn't done a thing. sometimes i think it's a bit harder to pee on flomax, but that could be coincidence?
anyway, my dr. isn't in today and i'd like to stop taking it. do you know if it's one of those meds it's best to WEAN off of, or can i just not take it? thanks.
(Added by ICNMgrJill on 5/19/08. I am sad to share that Verdicries (aka Tracy) lost her life in a tragic accident just a few days ago. We will miss her support, her encouragement, her sense of humor and, of course, the joy that she found as a mother and wife).
Tracy ~ 29 years old with Toxoplasmosis (from birth), Fibro/CFS (since age 13...ouch), severe IC, IBS-D, severe PFD (surgery made it even worse), vulvodynia, hiatal hernia, GERD, ulcers, severe gastritis, numbness/tingling in extremeties, pelvic nerve damage--mainly urethral, urinary retention, pelvic reconstruction 7.10.07 (fixed rectocele, rectal prolapse, lifted bladder, urethra, uterus, and repaired vaginal walls), Raynaud's, 2 severely herniated discs in neck and one in low back, anemia, PCOS, anxiety/depression/panic attacks (since forever). Still having major bowel problems (inability to empty rectum...any ideas?? ).
I'd like to be on House, MD as a medical mystery.
Married to Craig, a saint amongst men...who puts up with me and my eccentricities...
Connor & Mommy by the tree:
Connor with Santa...so happy!
I take: LIQUID Atarax, Flomax, Soma (yet again), acidophilus, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM & collagen, d-mannose. MAJOR flare from Cystoprotek! Re-trying freeze dried aloe vera w/some decent results!
Tried and failed: Elavil, Ultram, Prosed DS, Benadryl, Bentyl, Valium, Ativan, Zanaflex, Librax, Sanctura (all caused retention among other things), bladder instills (owwwwww!), Elmiron (allergic-throat tightening). Failed Interstim-no feeling in sacral nerves...
I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfa, reglan, quinolones, clindamycin, and now LATEX!
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