Pregnancy + infections, meds - please help!

[MM2010]

Hello everyone!
I found out about a month ago that I'm pregnant, due 11/11/11!

I have had conflicting advice about whether or not to take Elmiron...so I'm wondering if anyone out there has taken it through pregnancy? My OB said not to take it unless I "absolutely have to," my urologist said it's okay to take...the internet of course has all sorts of conflicting info.
I thought I would just stay off of it, but I started having major issues over the past couple of days, so I just took it today...now I'm having second thoughts. I'd rather keep my baby safe and have bladder pain, but if it's okay to take, obviously I'd want to take it... so tough to tell!
Also my OB thinks I have an infection and he put me on an antibiotic - did any of you get a lot of infections while pregnant?

Any tips/tricks/experiences/etc would be MUCH appreciated! Thank you!

[holdingontohope]

Hi,

I suggest drinking lots of water to avoid getting bladder infections.... Sounds ironic if you have ic but it works for me....

Congrats on your pregnancy

[ICNDonna]

Did they do a culture to verify infection? If not, I suggest you ask for one if this round of antibiotics doesn't help with your discomfort.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[MM2010]

Thanks!

Thanks to both of you!
I had to go in to the doctors office the morning after he ordered the antibiotic (to get a shot) so they collected a urine sample then, and they said "it looks like there's something going on" because there were WBCs (And as always there was blood in my urine - that's bc I have IC)..... so I wasn't completely convinced that I had an infection, but the nurse was. Who knows! It's hard to tell!
I see the doctor a week from today so I'll ask him more about it then.

I have been drinking quite a bit of water (I've always been a big water drinker ) so I should be okay there!

Thanks again!

[MM2010]

Scared...

I think the main thing is...I'm scared that I'll have an infection and not know it and cause a lot of problems It's really hard to tell if it's a bladder infection or IC symptoms...anyone have any help with this???
I have been on antibiotics several days now but still have some symptoms. Again, not sure if it's IC or an infection... It's really scaring me!
I can't get in to my doctor until Friday.
Thanks again for any help...

[meResque]

Just to add two more doctor's opinions...

Both my OB and my Uro said it was fine to stay on Elmiron while I was pregnant. It is a Category B.

[meResque]

Forgot to add... pharmacies sell over the counter UTI tests... made by the same people who make AZO. Might calm you to pee on a strip and get instant results!

[MM2010]

Are you pregnant right now, or did you already have the baby? I have been dying to hear from someone who had a healthy baby after taking Elmiron the whole time would definitely make me feel better!
Thanks!

[MM2010]

Oh and I did buy those! ha! The WBC strip turned up positive, but the nitrites turned up negative...so I was still unsure.
I'll prob keep buying them throughout the pregnancy

[Bacon]

I'm four months pregnant at the moment, and have had two lots of antibiotics so far to treat suspicious urine.
I'm not sure that I had an infection either, I usually have white blood cells in my wee for the same reason that I have red blood cells in there, but I figured that it's better to be safe than sorry so I took the antibiotics just in case.

[stacey79]

I had two UTIs while pregnant with my daughter and took antibiotics both times. She is now a chattering, healthy 18-month-old.

I did not take Elmiron while pregnant, but my ob/gyn was OK with it if I needed it. Fortunately, other than the UTIs, my bladder cooperated, especially once I got out of the first trimester.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[Bekah79]

I am abstaiining from Ellmiron and while I've had a few flares here and there I haven't been any worse off overall. I suppose I've experienced a certain amount of "pregnancy remission" that has been mentioned by many of you gals. Right now my main problem is frequency. Of course I only have about 3 weeks to go before my due date. (May 8). I have also been lucky with no Uti's during the whole time. Congrats on your pregnancy. I hope you start feelinmg betters soon.

[MeganB82]

Elmiron during pregnancy

Hi,

I am currently 8 1/2 weeks pregnant. This is my second pregnancy, unfortunately we lost our first two weeks after finding out we were expecting. I was concerned that the loss was due to my meds (Elmiron, Amitryptilene, Meloxicam and Pyridium). My OB assured me that the miscarriage was not due to any of that. Nine weeks after the loss, we found out we were expecting again! This time around, I have spoken to two OB's and they both assured me that Elmiron is OK because it is a class B. So is Pyridium. I am trying to manage my symptoms, but this past week has been rough. My urologist said the options for treating IC while pregnant are scarce. I was hoping for remission as well, but I figure that I suffered for almost two years before I was diagnosed, so what's another 7 months??? Best of luck to all the pregnant women dealing with IC. I know it will be worth it in the end!!!