Gelnique - I like this product

[cmclien]

I started gelnique a couple days ago and I really like it so far. For any of you unfamiliar with it as I was only weeks ago (not sure why I hadn't heard of this one), it is an overactive bladder med used for frequency/urgency. The active ingredient in it is oxybutynin which is an antispasmodic, and bladder muscle relaxer.

You just rub a pre-measured out packet of gel into your skin, it dries in about 30 seconds and thats it. You do it once a day. The nice thing is it bypasses your digestive system so side effects of dryness and constipation become miniscule. This is such a better alternative for me as I have chronic dry eye and the oral meds were making my eyes hurt if I took them everyday.

For any of you who take the oxytrol patch it has the same ingredient but is stronger. I tried the patch and felt it stopped spasms but didn't do a ton for frequency. Plus the patch was kinda messy, sticky and when I took it off my skin was red and tender underneath. Since the gel comes in pre-measured packets you can decide how much to rub into your skin which I also like. So far I've used a little over 1/2 each day and I find its working better then the oral meds I've used (vesicare 5mg recently) for frequency.

[earthlady]

I'm so glad it seems to be working for you. I do get some nausea from it though, and was wondering if you had noticed this? I sure would hate to stop using it because it has done wonders for me so far with the bladder.

[cmclien]

No nausea, are you absolutely sure its from this particular med? I have taken oab meds for about 4 years or so and nausea has not been a side effect, not to say I haven't had any but mostly dryness and constipation which I guess goes along with the dryness. Since it bypasses the gastric system how would it cause nausea? just wondering.

Sorry you are feeling that way, its an awful feeling. Are you nauseas on the days you are not taking it? didn't you say you take it every 3 days? it wears off after 24 hours so if you're nauseas on those other days that would point to something else maybe.

Do you take omeprazole every day? That can really help get rid of nausea. Before I started taking it years ago I swear every day I would say to my DH, "I'm nauseas". Once I started taking that those days are few and far between. Just my personal experience.

[earthlady]

Right now Gelnique is the only IC med I'm taking other than my Zantac for gerd, so there aren't any other meds that could be causing the nausea. Most anticholinergics do give me some nausea for some reason. Darn The nausea goes away after 24 hours -right when the med is out of my system. Taking the Gelnique every three days though seems to be enough to keep my bladder spasms in check. Maybe my dr. would have a recommendation as to how I can combat the nausea because this stuff works so well for me I would really hate to stop taking it.

[cmclien]

Maybe you need something stronger then zantac as it is only a mid strength solution for GERD. I realize it works for your GERD now but maybe you need something stronger for the nausea. It and similar meds quit working for me years ago and only the PPI's really work which are stronger. My doctor described it that the mid range ones like pepcid, zantac etc lesson the acid but the PPI's actually turn off the acid producing cells. Since you like the gelnique so much maybe pick up a 14 day pack of omeprazole at walgreens and try it out. Its worth the try especially if it works for you! Check with your doc as I don't know if there is a reason you don't take those.

[cmclien]

I forgot to mention I slept all night last night without waking up to go to the bathroom! Was it a fluke or was the gelnique? I don't know but was shocked when I woke up to the alarm this morning. The very funny thing was I was actually dreaming that I really needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't go!!! lol

[earthlady]

I had thought of that too. I had been on the PPI's for three years and my bone density tests started showing bone loss, so my dr. switched me to Zantac because one of the studies showed that long term PPI use can interfere with calcium absorption and consequently cause bone loss. I switched to calcium citrate so that it can be absorbed without stomach acid but didn't go back to the PPI's. Maybe I should. The Zantac controls any acid reflux I have, but if I'm on other meds now it may not be strong enough. I will try the Zantac 150 twice a day now instead of just at night and see if that helps. If not, I may have to go back to the PPI's. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. Always good to have suggestions offered.

[earthlady]

Hey - congratulations on the 'all nighter'! I still get up once- I don't know how I would react if I actually went the whole night without a trip to the bathroom.

[willow2389]

Gelnique

I just started using that a month ago and works great for me after i tried everything eles this is the one that works for me instead of being up 3 to 4 times a night im up 2 times much better and no side effects.

[cmclien]

I love the fact that it has virtually zero side effects. I finally don't have a dry mouth anymore and know it will help the constipation issue the oral meds gave me.

[nnj925]

does this help with the burning?

[cmclien]

Its for frequency and urgency so I don't think it will help with the burning. I do go alot more at one time now, I think wow this is how its supposed to be lol. Funny the things that impress me.

[earthlady]

Actually the Gelnique has really helped me with the burning and irritation besides just the frequency. I have no idea why it would and I was really surprised that it did. The only thing I can think of is if the burning feeling is from the irritated nerves and since the Gelnique quiets down the spasms it may also be quieting down the nerves-???

[kimee]

I am so glad you guys are talking about this.... I get that gotta go feeling after you just went feeling too, so annoying! My Uro-Gyno suggested Vesicare, but I didn't want to expereince the dry mouth, constipation and other side effects I have heard about... I ask my doctor to prescribe the Gelnique for me, so I will let you all know how it works... Today wasn't to bad, I only went about 8 times, that's without any meds but I do take some supplements....


Kim

[kimee]

I forgot to ask you ladies when you put the gel on? Morning, night? I usually don't have to get up during the night but in the morning and throughout the day my bladder feels irritated.... I am doing PFT right now, this is my 3rd session... Seems to be helping some but I think I need to give it more time.... I just want this bladder to calm down a little more.... I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be taking about this kind of stuff, I had never in my life even heard of IC... I am positve and hopeful that we will all get better! I keep praying for wisdom , guidance and healing..... Only believe ~~