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Elavil--when did it start working for you?

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  • #1

    Elavil--when did it start working for you?

    Hi all,

    Well, the Elavil is still helping me sleep like a rock, which is good. But, I still get up on average twice a night. That's certainly a livable amount of times; however, I've seen no noticeable improvement in my daytime frequency.

    In fact, I've had a rough three days. I'm not sure whether to contribute that to the ragweed that's in bloom or the constipation I've been suffering from since starting Elavil.

    I've been taking 25 mgs for 2.5 weeks or so.

    How long did it take to help you?

    Thanks again.
    March 2011-Symptoms began
    May 2011-Tentative diagnosis by OB/GYN
    October 2011-Confirmed diagnosis -- IC/PFD

    Current treatments:
    Elmiron- 300 mg (Began 12/11)
    Hydroxyzine- 50-75 mg (Began 7/11)
    Tizabidine- 2mg 3xTID, if needed (Began 12/11)
    IC Diet-Began 5/11
    Pelvic Floor Therapy-Began 12/11

    Current Supplements:
    Cystoprotek
    Magnesium
    Fish Oil
    Biotin
    Tags: None
    • #2
      It only took the meds about 3 weeks to start working, however I've had a few rough night but I think that's because I ate spicy foods.
      IC diagnosis 3 weeks ago.
      Vesicare 10 mg once daily
      IBS and Gerd-Zegerid
      IC diet
      Elmiron 100 mg three daily
      Hydroxyzine 25 mg at night
      Amitriptyline 10mg at night
      Diovan 60/12.5 daily
      Topral 50 mg daily
      Zoloft 100 mg at night
      Klonopin .5 twice daily

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        • #3
          It started helping after about a week & felt better after reaching 20mg. I still will have flares, but not a severe or as long.

            Comment

            • #4
              once you get the dose right, it can take upwards of 2 months for some people, my doc said it needs to be 'built up' in your system, which can take a little bit but you should notice changes fairly quickly in general

                Comment

                • #5
                  It took me a month to reduce nighttime frequency from 3x to 0x my daytime frequency didn't go down any. Now I am back off it I am at 1x per night.

                  This was with 25mgs
                  Last edited by Claire_A; 10-02-2011, 08:02 PM. Reason: More info
                  TMJ Dysfunction 2009
                  Vulvodynia and/or PFD 2010
                  IC, based on symptoms alone 2010.
                  PCOS March 2012

                  8 month remission following the birth of my beautiful daughter Imogen Rose 25/12/12....currently flaring and hoping to get remission back, life without IC was amazing!

                  Currently using: IC Diet...pain meds as needed
                  Medications / treatment tried and discounted:
                  Fluconazole 150mg 1 per week for 6 months (yeast)
                  Endep 25mg - 4months
                  Lyrica 75mg - 2 months - FLARE
                  Oxytrol patch - I think this caused retention.
                  Countless creams, lotions and potions.
                  Cystoprotek - no change in symptoms
                  PT - for 1 year
                  Various herbs and supplements

                    Comment

                    • #6
                      Wow, after reading all these responses, I think I am pretty lucky. I've been on 25 mg Elavil for 2 weeks. I really only have pain and not frequency problems, so maybe that is why it has worked quickly for me. The first night I only got up once (I usually only got up once or twice anyways), but the 1 time was much longer than usual (around 3:30 am). For the past two weeks, I'd say 10 out of 14 days I've slept through the night.
                      I've noticed that it started helping the pain after about 4 or 5 days. I've had a couple of short flairs, definitely due to eating dinner out and mistakingly having something bad. The flairs are definitely shorter and less intense than before.
                      I will say that it's not making me as drowsy at night anymore, so if I'm a little uncomfortable, it does take me a little longer to sleep.

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                        • #7
                          Does it help with frequency/urgency
                          Nancy - newly remarried Sept 2011! Have 5 kids ages 7-22.

                          Had a UTI in Oct 2009
                          IC symptoms started immediately: strong urgency, little bit of burning, fullness in the bladder, urethera spasms

                          Had three scopes of my bladder and one hydrodystention-this did not help at all. Found classic bleeding during the hydro. Later told almost everyones bladder bleed the test Also had a urodynamics test-normal. Did anyone have it done more than once? My newest urogynocologist does not believe

                          Diagnosed fibromyalgia/lyme disease in 1999
                          Acid reflux since 1998

                          Have tried the following therapies:
                          pelvic floor PT-relaxed the muscles but did nothing for the urgency feeling.
                          Ativan-helps some
                          Vicodin-some relief.
                          ditropan-only caused fluid retention
                          toviaz-same as abovee
                          detrol-no relief
                          hydroxyzine-get some relief but not for urgency
                          valium-helps relax the muscles
                          flexeril-same as the valium
                          B&O suppositories-they help a little
                          started estrogen cream
                          starting effexor soon

                          Had an interstim placed in 2010. Do not really notice any changes with the urgency feeling. I turned it off 6 mos ago.

                          current meds and treatment:
                          nexium
                          ativan
                          valium suppositories
                          hydroxyzine
                          IC diet
                          methenamine mandalate
                          estrogen cream
                          effexor
                          B&O suppositories

                          Had bladder instills but this made the urethra spasms much worse.

                          Had hernia repair with fundoplication dec, 2011

                          Will be trying the anti inflammatory diet. Hope it works. I dont know where to start with this diet.

                          Always looking for ideas on how to stop urethra spasms and urgency. Anyone in the Colorado Area? Always looking for support.

                          Husband is my biggest supporter. I need the urgency to go away. What helps??

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