Wow, valium is working....

[RAS6]

Well I did see my Doc this week and on top of putting me on an antihistamine regimine and Singulair as well he gave me Valium. I have only had to take a half of a 5 mg pill in the morning, another half in the afternoon and one at night. I am sleeping better and feeling better these past two days than I have in months! It is so unbelieveable to me how great this is working. I am a bit scared, b/c I know this isn't a long term drug, but while I get PFD therapy it should help alot. Also I have had to resist the urge to just go nuts cleaning, etc. because I don't want to over do it. He didn't prescribe new pain meds, we are sticking with Vicadin for now b/c he thought the valium would help with pain. I had one bad dream right after taking it, but those have gone away. I also feel so less stressed! I went to the grocery store with both of my kids today, which usually is VERY stressful and overwhelming and leaves me on the couch taking pain killers the rest of the day. But we actually as much fun as you can at a grocery store. I was even able to have a romantic evening with my husband last night and it had been weeks since we were intimate. And I am still feeling good tonight! Not pain free, but almost normal again! Still scared it is too good to be true, but just trying to enjoy it all!
Thanks for all of you who had helped me out during that last painful flare.

[GriffsMommy]

That's so awesome Rachel. I hope that it keeps on working for you. I know what you mean about hoping it's too good to be true. I started Elavil last Wednesday and I really started feeling better this week and I was thinking the same thing. I thought that it was too good to be true or it was something else and it just happened to be the same time that I started the Elavil. I ended up flaring right back up when I had sex though so I'm happy that you didn't.

[chloeriley]

wow i am really intrested in this...i really dont know much about valium but i am also on vicodin and have alot of the problems you said...like groc shopping for example afterwards i am feeling soo horrible i just want to cry i am hurting soo bad and feel like i just cant do anything...i had no idea valium was used for something like this ..i just thought it was a depression medicine bc i have a friend who is bipolar and he was telling me about how valium worked excellent for him so i thought that is was a biplor depression medicine...is it addcitive or a narcotic? If it is im i dont really want to take it cause id really like to find something less to take ya know but how i would love to feel somewhat normal again !!! I am soo happy you are that is just the best!!! congrats sweetie!!

[ihurttoo]

This is truly wonderful news! What a great weekend it is here on the ICN...first Briza's news and now yours!!! It is time to put up the cyber balloons and pour the cyber champagne...we truly have reason to celebrate! :woohoo: I am so happpy for you!

Hugs,
Amy

[RAS6]

wow i am really intrested in this...i really dont know much about valium but i am also on vicodin and have alot of the problems you said...like groc shopping for example afterwards i am feeling soo horrible i just want to cry i am hurting soo bad and feel like i just cant do anything...i had no idea valium was used for something like this ..i just thought it was a depression medicine bc i have a friend who is bipolar and he was telling me about how valium worked excellent for him so i thought that is was a biplor depression medicine...is it addcitive or a narcotic? If it is im i dont really want to take it cause id really like to find something less to take ya know but how i would love to feel somewhat normal again !!! I am soo happy you are that is just the best!!! congrats sweetie!!

HI! My understanding is yes, Valium can be used in larger doses as a psych drug (in my psych classes I learned it was usually used for depression and anxiety disorders) It can also be used, in very small doses like I am taking, for certain kinds of pain. My frequency and urgency is not being helped by the Valium, but my pain (especially that annoying vaginal pain) and constant muscles spasms are. I have PFD on top of IC and that is why my Doctor and physical therapist both recomended low doses of Valium. It can be addictive and it is a controlled substance, but if you take it as directed, there shouldn't be a risk of addiction, that is what my Doctor told me. I can take up to 3 of the 5mg tablets, but to be honest I haven't needed to! In fact I took a whole one at night and felt really wierd! So I really only need half a tablet (2.5 mgs) at a time. I hope you can find something that works for you soon. Just so you know, there are many "psych" type drugs used for IC and pain in particuler. Elavil is the most commonly used one and helps lots of peopple with IC, Diabetes, arthritis, back pain, etc. Again, it is used in very small doses. I just couldn't tolerate it b/c I got very tired. I definately understand what it is like to try to do normal, small things and be racked with pain afterwards! It has been so long since I was able to enjoy a car trip, or dance at a wedding, or play with my kids on the playground without having racking pain.
Good luck and feel better soon!

[RAS6]

This is truly wonderful news! What a great weekend it is here on the ICN...first Briza's news and now yours!!! It is time to put up the cyber balloons and pour the cyber champagne...we truly have reason to celebrate! :woohoo: I am so happpy for you!

Hugs,
Amy

Hey Amy, is that Cyber champagne IC friendly! If so I am in!

[RAS6]

Thanks Briza! I wish it was helping with my frequency and urgency, that is still driving me nusts! But I am hopeful that this new antihistamine and singulair combo will do the trick. It makes sense as I seem to be very allergy and diet sensitive and those cause a flare in frequency and urgency mainly. I really want something non advasive to work as I do not feel ready to try Botox or the interstim yet. But since my symptoms have been going on with little response to many of the classic IC meds, my Doctor did bring it up as a future possibility. He did say we have several more things to try first, and he said it was not for pain, so he passed my test on interstim knowledge. But just hearing "interstim" freaked me out a bit. He did say he would definately classify me as at least moderate now, even with the absence of Hunner's ulcer's b/c of the severity and length of my symptoms. Again, that felt like a small Victory b/c so many Doctor's were telling me I had a very mild case, and one doubted I had IC at all! And I could barely leave my house! UHG! They just weren't up to date on IC and I thank God every day I went to an IC specialist!
Well, I hope you are still feeling great on the MS contin! Have a great Sunday!

[RAS6]

I started Elavil last Wednesday and I really started feeling better this week and I was thinking the same thing. I thought that it was too good to be true or it was something else and it just happened to be the same time that I started the Elavil. I ended up flaring right back up when I had sex though so I'm happy that you didn't.

Hi Christine! I felt good at night when I started Elavil, but it was so strong I couldn't take very much and was a Zombie the next day. Plus I pigged out, honestly eating untill I almost got sick and that was VERY out of character for me, i am pretty portion and health conscious. With the Valium I can take it during the day and not feel tired at all, and when I take it with the Nortriptyline at night I have only been getting up once or twice, which was another big problem. I did flare a bit after sex this time, but only with frequency and Urgency since the Valium isn't exactly slowing that down. But still, being able to get groceries with NO pain! It was so awesome!
I hope you are feeling better now!

[aprilchen]

Yes, Valium, Pyridium Plus and Skelaxin have been my lifesavers. I am just not sure how long you can safely use Pyridium Plus. Does anyone know? I am getting conflicting answers from every doctor I go see.

Glad you're doing well...Rachel!

[RAS6]

Yes, Valium, Pyridium Plus and Skelaxin have been my lifesavers. I am just not sure how long you can safely use Pyridium Plus. Does anyone know? I am getting conflicting answers from every doctor I go see.

Glad you're doing well...Rachel!

Hi April! I love your Bible verse, that is one of my favorites and one my Mom quotes to me often when I am feeling low. I don't know how long you can be on Pyridium plus. I took for two days but had violent vomiting and had to stop it. I remember the label said to use for 5 to 7 days, but I am not sure if it could cause long term damage, or if that was just the generic label for people using it for UTI's or after surgery or similar procedures. Out of curiosity, what is Skelaxin? That is a med I haven't heard of and I thought I had heard of them all, at least the ones for IC!

[aprilchen]

Hey Rachel,

Skelaxin is a muscle relaxer and really the best one I have found. See more information at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/r.../ske1631.shtml

I hope this helps. Whenever I am prescribed a new medication, I usually look it up on the pdrhealth web site. It's a great information source.

If you have anymore questions, please let me know.

April

[GriffsMommy]

April,
I was taking AZO which is the over the counter version of pyridium and I had read some things, even on the box about not taking it long term. I asked my uro about trying one of the other meds for bladder pain that makes you pee blue instead of orange. He gave me Urelle and it has the med to help with bladder pain and it also has meds to stop spasms. He said that it is safer to take this long term than the AZO/pyridium. I was so worried that taking it long term would cause another health problem and I surely didn't want that. I also like the Urelle better because it doesn't stain everything like the AZO did.

[Lenee]

I am very interested in this post too, my pc doc didn't want to give me Valium for some reason. I thought it would be a good fit because I have PFD and have been dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety. Plus, the Cymbalta that I just recently started is giving me more anxiety and horrid insomnia. I don't know if it is a conflict with the Cymbalta or not but they gave me Lorazapam for anxiety so I was wondering if Valium isn't in the same group of meds as that. Anyway, I said all that to say this. I really need to find something for the muscle spasms because even with PT I am having a hard time with longer car rides, grocery shopping and being intimate with my husband and forget any kind of housework. I am so tired of not being able to do my part at home, a little break from the everyday chores are a blessing to us ladies but I have been dealing with this for going on 5 years now and feel so useless at home. Didn't mean to rant, sorry. Any suggestions on how to talk with my PC about the benefits of Valuim would be welcomed. I am suppose to go on my 25th wedding anniversary trip in 2 weeks which is a 6 hour drive and I am scared to death I am going to ruin the whole trip for us.

[aprilchen]

Pain Management

April,
I was taking AZO which is the over the counter version of pyridium and I had read some things, even on the box about not taking it long term. I asked my uro about trying one of the other meds for bladder pain that makes you pee blue instead of orange. He gave me Urelle and it has the med to help with bladder pain and it also has meds to stop spasms. He said that it is safer to take this long term than the AZO/pyridium. I was so worried that taking it long term would cause another health problem and I surely didn't want that. I also like the Urelle better because it doesn't stain everything like the AZO did.

Thanks GriffsMommy,

Thanks for the information. I have restricted my usage of Pyridium Plus for when nothing else works. I have UTA too, which is a lot like Urelle, but it does NOTHING for me. Actually, my frequency, pain and IC symptoms period have been better since my pain management doctor changed my pain meds to Duragesic (Fentanyl) skin patch-25mcg/hr (change every 36 hours) and I have Mepergan Fortis for breakthrough pain.

However, I had to go to the ER once and to my primary care once to get treatment for 2nd and 3rd degree burns to my upper thighs. See, I stupidly was balancing my cell phone between my shoulder and jaw...you know, when you're multi-tasking, we all have done this. Well, I grabbed two potholders and methodically removed the scalloped potatoes from the oven. The pot holders slipped and the whole pan of scalloped potatoes (500-degree oven) went down my legs.

Anyway, so both the ER doctor and my primary care physician prescribed Vicoprofen for pain from the burns and some SSD: Silver Sulfadiazine Cream. I was told to keep them bandaged w/ the ointment and change the dressings every 24 hours. We weren't able to find ANY first aid tape that would hold down the 4x4's or gauze. So, we figured out that you could use plain old black electrical tape and it holds well with guess what? I have been using sandwich ziploc bags and cutting them to fit the wounded area, then taping them with the electrical tape.

So, because of contracts that exist between the patient and their pain management physician, I did my duty and called both times to report that I had received prescriptions from other doctors for narcotics. My primary care physician gave me 50 7.5's/200's and I can take them up to four times a day as needed.

However, other than the burns (which I think could be considered acute and NOT chronic pain), the Duragesic 25mcg/hr is doing great for my IC and Chronic pain. Also, they have redesigned the patch to be smaller so it stays on better. You can place a Band-Aid over it and as long as it can breathe, you're ok. Oh, and most of your might say, "Duh," but I just learned from experience NOT to sleep under an electric blanket because it causes the medication to release really fast and it can be dangerous to our lives and cause fatal respiratory depression. However, I bet most of you already know this and I just had to be ignorant to that fact.

Anyway, thanks again for your support, as always.

[aprilchen]

Valium vs. Vicodin, Vicoprofen, etc.

wow i am really intrested in this...i really dont know much about valium but i am also on vicodin and have alot of the problems you said...like groc shopping for example afterwards i am feeling soo horrible i just want to cry i am hurting soo bad and feel like i just cant do anything...i had no idea valium was used for something like this ..i just thought it was a depression medicine bc i have a friend who is bipolar and he was telling me about how valium worked excellent for him so i thought that is was a biplor depression medicine...is it addcitive or a narcotic? If it is im i dont really want to take it cause id really like to find something less to take ya know but how i would love to feel somewhat normal again !!! I am soo happy you are that is just the best!!! congrats sweetie!!

Hi Chloe,

Here is a good site to find information on medications that you are unsure about: http://www.pdrhealth.com/

While I am not a psychiatrist, since you say you want to cry a lot after taking Valium and Vicodin, both of these are Central Nervous System depressants. So, they are likely to make you cry unless you are taking an anti-depressant. I used to cry all the time when I took them, so I went to my primary doctor and she prescribed Wellbutrin SR for me at 300mg per day. This has made a huge difference in the number of incidents of crying I have had. My husband can actually be sane now.


Now, about Valium. It, and others like it are schedule IV medications. It also belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. It has a variety of uses...and its primary use is for anxiety. However, some physicians (especially pain management) prescribe it to aid pain medications in their abilities to control pain. It can also be used for sedation when other sleep medications have failed or one has become tolerant of them. Some other examples of benzo's are: Klonopin, Tranzene, etc.

Concerning Vicodin: It is hydrocodone (same narcotic in Lortab) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). These are all schedule III drugs which means your doctor CAN call them in to a pharmacy. What often varies with these drugs is the strength of the hydrocodone. It usually comes in 5mg, 7.5mg, and 10mg w/ appropriate tylenol mixtures (usually 250-500mg). Vicoprofen is what I am taking and it is the same drug with hydrocodone and instead of Tylenol, it has Advil in it. It contains 200mg Advil and 7.5mg of hydrocodone.

I hope that I have answered your questions. Please let me know if you need more information and I would be glad to provide it. Again, it's not like I am a nurse or anything, but I have done a great deal of research on medications for IC and other painful conditions. Now, I just got diagnosed with PFD also. What else is going to happen??

It had just seemed like it had calmed down with IC and then I go and burn myself. Anyway, I will end my "book" now. Stay in touch! I will be glad to help any way that I can.

Hope you stay well!

April