A question about Elmiron

[Sky Girl]

I was prescribed this when I was diagnosed about a month ago. I took it for ten days as prescribed- on an empty stomach three times a day. The problem was that I did not have an empty stomach when it was time to take them so I was having to get up at 3 am to take my first one and sometimes waiting until midnight to get dinner to take the last one. Finally, I said screw it and stopped altogether. I am really feeling well now as I stopped using all artificial sweeteners. For the first time in close to 7 years I am sleeping through the entire night and waking up feeling absolutely FABULOUS and refreshed. I have COMPLETELY lost my depression and feelings of being hopelessly doomed. So my question is, What will Elmiron do for me and should I take it. I know I should ask my doctor but thought I would ask here. My schedule of working all hours of the day and night in all different time zones makes it nigh impossible for me to take it on an empty stomach. Since I am feeling so well and seem to have cut out the worst offender (artificial sweeteners) is there any true forever benefit to taking this drug?

[mellusk]

I'm kind of in the same boat there. I tend to eat a number of smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones, plus, once I started adjusting my diet, standing at work, and undergoing PT for my back, I've made some massive improvements. Since I've only been on it for a month and a half, it's hard to say what, if anything, it has contributed. I just plan on continuing to take it for six months and go from there. It doesn't help that it still costs $100 a month even with my insurance.

[lnseagraves]

I am currently off Elmiron, although I was put on it when I was first diagnosed. Elmiron really DID help me out. Its not an immediate pain reliever or anything. Elmiron is intended to slowly put an artificial mucus lining on your bladder so that your natural one has some time to heal. I was on it for nine months, and in that nine months I saw marked improvements.

As for the food, I also had trouble with the empty stomach thing. I found if I took it 1 hour BEFORE I ate my meals I did alright. i.e., I get up at 7 am but I don't eat breakfast until 8 so I'd take Elmiron immediately upon waking. I'd take Elmiron at 11am, before noon, and then 6 which is an hour before I eat dinner at 7. I found it worked out fairly well that way.

Ellen

[patricia1]

I know some on here that have taking this med with meals and not on a empty stomache.

As far as what it does for you. This is a medicine that can take anywhere from several months to up to a year for the full effects to be felt and reconize. What it does is it helps repair the bladder lining.

Glad though you are in a remission right now, I hope it continues.

[nyaseen]

I have been on elmiron for almost 6 months now. It has made such a difference. I take it at 6am before breakfast, 11am before lunch and 6pm before my dinner. Before elmiron I had so much pain and frequency and of course everytime I went to the bathroom I felt my bladder still was not empty. So my co-workers watched me go to the bathroom 20 times a day. Now I can honestly say I go about 3 to 4 times a day and once in the night. I still try to stay away from my trigger foods..As it will up my frequency. But for now (thank you god) I feel good...I hated the idea of having to take pills for the rest of my life. But the fact that its helped me. I don't care....I am glad you feel good. Nazareen