questions about elavil

[snslife]

ok I am at my wits end. I have been having severe constant urgency and it is not getting any better in the last 8 days (after my first hydro/cysto). My doc has given me all sorts of drugs but nothing seems to be working. Im also having trouble getting the stream started. That has never been a problem. Ive read through a lot of the threads and it seems that elavil has helped many for the urgency. (Im not going all the time, but it feels like Ive been holding it for days) Can anybody give me any feedback?

[SharonA]

First off, I have a question for you. You mentioned that your doctor has you on all kinds of meds. Are you taking Ditropan or Detrol? I ask because, at first, I was given Ditropan and then Detrol (not at the same time). They did nothing for me other than cause retention and horrible dry mouth. When I went off them, my retention eased.

Okay, back to your question about Elavil. Yes, I think it helps me with the urgency. It also seemed to have helped with the spasms I had in the urethra that caused the urgency. I still have some days where I have frequency (over my normal number of 12 + times a day). I have been having this for the last few days, but other than a slight burn in my bladder and increasing the number of times I use the bathroom during my day, I am still feeling able to go about my daily life. I do find that, for me, taking a couple of Prelief every time I feel the burn helps to relieve it.

I hope you begin to feel better very soon.

[kjd]

Oh god I know how you feel. I had this too after my first hydro/cystoscopy and it lasted 8 months!!!
I'm not telling you this to scare you but I know exactly what you are going through!

I have decided to never have one again as its not worth the pain I had afterwards as it was just horrible.

Yes Elavil does help with the urgency and also helps calm the bladder nerves down. Have you tried Elavil?

x

[leelee88]

I had the same feeling after my hydro/cysto..It about drove me crazy..
My doctor put me on Elavil 25mg at night, and it was a life saver, I still have some throbbing feeling and sometimes its hard to void, but nothing like before..It takes a little while for your body to get use to Elavil, it will probably make you sleepy to begin with, but in time your body will get use to it..I am also on Cymbalta and it helps with the pain, but I have been having break through pain lately, so im thinking of upping the Elavil..


Also if you are having trouble voiding, try to relax your muscles down there.. Warm baths help to..Your muscles are probably tight from the trauma of the hydro/cysto..A heating pad seems to help me also..Well if you need anything just ask...Hope this helps

[snslife]

I am taking ditropan and like you Sharon, I am assuming thats what is giving me the retention. It takes about 10 minutes to get it all out. I never had that problem before. I also feel like the spasms are more i my urethra area. Thats what makes this hard to explain to my doc bc he keep referring to my bladder. Its like I have bubbles or something that cant pass. I am also taking elmiron as well. He gave me flomax too but I stopped taking that after it felt like I was about to pass out. I think I want to ask him to put me on elavil to try it. I just want some relief.

[vamelerine]

I am not diagnosed yet becuase I am three months pregnant and they are unable to do the cysto. I had a bad flare for about two months. when I found out i was pregnant, it went away, but a week ago returned. The pain is not so bad, but the frequency is killing me. I have to go again as soon as I stand up from using the restroom. Can anyone tell me how hey manage and is this type of frequency normal with ic? I am not sure what else I can do, but I am very frustrated. Any advice would be great.