Some symptoms gone, some remain

[dollie]

I've been having varying symptoms for about 6 months now. In December, I was diagnosed with mild IC with a cysto/hydro.

I am following the IC diet, taking MSM (when I remember), and taking AZO, Tylenol or Percoset at the first hint of a flare. I have the pain completely under control. At this point, it's pretty much non existant 99% of the time.

My remaining symptoms are mostly just be mild frequency and what I guess would be considered urgency? I have to go anywhere between every 45 minutes to every 4 hours (though lately, it's been every 1-2 hours). I feel like my bladder is filling up faster than it should and that sometimes the intense feelings of having to urinate arent being matched by a large quantity of urine. I mean, I pee in decent amounts, but hardly enough volume to justify feeling like I have to pee THAT bad. Sometimes. I also feel a very light pressure in my bladder at most times. It's extremely frustrating. I feel like, since the hydro, things have gotten slightly worse. And I'm having very mild nocturia too (1-3 times per night), which I never had pre-hydro.

For those of you that have similar symptoms, what treatment worked for you? I guess what is bothering me most is the frequency and pressure feeling. My uro gave me some Detrol to try, but after less than a week of taking them, I got freaked out reading that some people experienced rapid weight gain on them. Has anyone had any experience with this happening? How long would I need to take Detrol to feel its effects? I feel like there wasnt a marked improvement in terms of frequency in the few days I was on it.

Bah. Just so tired of having a bladder.

[ICNDonna]

My suggestion is to give the detrol a try for at least two or three weeks. Are you drinking enough water? I know if I don't drink six to eight cups a day, it actually makes me go more often --- because lack of liquids makes the urine concentrated and irritating.

Just remember that for every possible treatment option out there, you will find horror stories. If you're worried about weight gain, by all means weigh yourself every four or five days, keeping in mind that weight can vary due to diet.

Donna

[traceann]

I have to say I agree with Donna - give it at least 3 weeks. I also agree on the side-effects issue, one person could have had that happen while on it and they have to list it, lol Keep your chin up - not every side-effect will affect you!

Hugs,
Tracey

[cmclien]

Dollie - Did you start the Detrol? It is not known to cause weight gain so I think its worth a try. I was on ditropan for a couple years (same type of drug) and zero weight gain. Now I am on vesicare (another antispasmodic) which I have been on for 10 days now. It is really helping that feeling of really having to go when you really don't have THAT much to go. I feel like it has relaxed my bladder alot. It has really dulled that pressure. It is still there but not nearly as bad.
I am also doing bladder training along with it, today is the first day ever that I can remember in years and years that I have gone 3 hours. Mostly since starting the vesicare I have gone from one to two hours now which itself was an improvement.

[dollie]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone!

I've been trying the detrol and though I'm having no side effects from it (not even dry mouth), it's also not doing anything for my bladder unfortunately.

I had a few reeeeeeeally bad days where I felt at the end of my rope but then realized that yogurt was the culprit ( yogurt used to be a safe food for me). Feeling a bit better now thankfully. The pressure has lessened and feels more manageable.

I have a uro appointment on Tuesday and will maybe ask for Vesicare or Enablex instead.

[DM67]

Enablex

Hi Dollie,

I didn't find that either detrol or vesicare helped much. What really helped me was the enablex although I do have the side effect of a very dry mouth. I don't believe enablex causes weight gain but elavil does (and I take that one too). Although these days, it doesn't feel like the enablex is working as well as it used to. This is day 11 of a minor but continuous flare. To help with the dry mouth, I never leave the house without a package of gum in my purse