Alternatives with same effect as Elmiron?

[Rivet Kitty]

Sadly, I'm one of those people that needs things laid out in the a neat little list before I can understand them. Haha.

I'm pretty sure Elmiron is giving me weirdo stomach problems...no hair loss, but I feel bloated and gross all the time these days. So I figured I would try going off it for a bit...see if that helps. Plus I think it's made me gain weight, which is something I cannot afford to have happen to me.

I've heard of Desert Harvest...but are there any other kinds of Aloe out there that we can take with the same effect. That stuff is just so darn expensive! I'm just reluctant to stop Elmiron without having something else to take that does virtually the same thing.

And unfortunately instills aren't really an option for me..the only place I know of that does them (and it's like $8 an instill which is great.) is too far for me to go to on a regular basis.

Thanks everyone!!

[amartaingirl]

re

I quit the Elmiron after about 3 months due to the hair loss.

I have been off it for 7 weeks now.
I am having much luck with Elavil & Desertharverst.com Aloe Vera

My IC is mainly frequency & burning. So I know it helps with that.

If you have alot of pain..I can't say for sure if it would help or not.

[Roxie2007]

HI! Try using the Desert Harvest Aloe Vera. You can order it thru this site. I've used other brands but Desert Harvest is the best for the buck. I take 1 pill 3 times a day and it works great for me for coating the bladder and rebuilding. I also take Elmiron in conjunction with the Aloe and never had any problem with it. Sorry to hear you think it's causing stomach problems and weight problems. I've never heard of that side effect......have you asked your dr. about it. Are you taking Elavil? It causes weight gain. Roxie

[blondie45]

Elmiron

Yes I agree with you on the stomach problems, etc. with Elmiron. I have tried this I think 3 or 4 different times now and I just plain think I need to give up. I get to about 4 months every time and then start having constant stomach problems, gas, more IBS symptoms, and even more headaches (hard to tell with fibro if from fibro or meds). I guess I just plain simply have to give up trying Elmiron as even though I make it to the 4 month mark my IC symptoms don't seem to improve at all during that time.

[Katrina]

http://icandme.9.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=4 herbal start with IC


Treating the Gag layer of the bladder has different possibilities. Some alternatives are of things naturally found in the gag layer. Other alternatives in this category create their own layer that helps to coat the bladder and protect it.
• Desert Harvest Aloe Vera
• Licorice Root (Soothing and coating)
• Quercetin (may reduce the effectiveness of some forms of estrogen)
• Glucosamine Sulfate
• Mullein (protecting)
• Slippery Elm (coating, don’t take near Elmiron)


http://icandme.9.forumer.com/index.p...=ST&f=19&t=217 newbie kit there are some things to do for side effects of elmiron in the newbie kit...such as not take it in the capsule drink it, try a small amount of food (like 2 crackers), and some herbs.

Also on instills a bit....if you could try learning to do them yourself and try them that way....granted you would need to go to that place at least once or twice to get started but many do instillations themself.

[amartaingirl]

Wow

Kat..this Is Amazing Info
Thank You Soo Much
Im Going To Print It

[sami4]

Cystoprotek

I am surprised no one has mentioned Algonot's Cystoprotek. Cystoprotek works very much like Elmiron, and the scientist who invented it thinks it is even more effective when taken with Atarax.
Check out their information on this site and their own website, there is a lot of documented research on Cystoprotek, and it is very interesting reading. Even if it didnt work for IC, it is very good for inflammations of any kind including arthritis.
Sammi

[amartaingirl]

cystoprek

i tried to check into the cystroprek..but it seems to be all sold out.
kind of scary.
especially..if it was working for me...and i was running out.

where do you go to get that?

[ICNDonna]

You might want to try emptying the elmiron capsule into water and taking it that way before you give it up. It's not unusual for people to have a bad reaction to the capsule itself.

Donna

[Berkshire Road]

Cystoprotek is available in the ICN shop. Another good quercetin blend is CystaQ, which I have had luck with and which is also available on this site.

I would think seriously about the home instills; a lot of us do them, and I know that I do get a lot of benefit from mine. In fact my husband usually does them, but I have learned to do them myself just in case.

Good luck. Sorry the elmiron did not work for you, but it does not work for the majority of patients, so it's not too surprising. I think Katrina gave you a really great rundown of the possibilities.

[asilva]

The Cystoprotek has worked very well for me. I order it from the ICN shop.

[RobinD]

Does anyone take Elmiron, Desert Harvest aloe vera and Cystoprotek. I take elmiron and just started aloe vera. So far I haven't seen any good results from the elmiron. I have been on it for 5 months. So I started the aloe vera a few days ago, along with elimron. I still suffer from alot of pain. Just needing to find the right meds that could help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Robin

[Roxie2007]

HI Robin, My IC dr. said it can take up to 9 mo to a year to see changes in the bladder from Elmiron. Remember it's rebuilding and repairing the mucus lininig of the bladder.......that takes a while since we are continuing to eat the whole time. So give it time. As I said earlier in this thread I take Elmiron and Freeze dried aloe vera and it works great for me.....I think it will for you too......just be patient and stick to the diet. Roxie

[RobinD]

Thanks for the encouragement. I just thought by 5 months I should be doing better. I sit here and read what everyone is doing and taking and thinking I should be doing something different. I will continue taking both meds and of course watch my diet. Some days I just need that extra boost to continue even though I still don't feel good.

Robin

[Roxie2007]

I didn't start to feel any difference with Elmiron till just a cpl months ago. I know hard it is to be patient with all we go thru with IC Roxie