Tweet
I've been taking Elmiron since the beginning of February. Within the first few weeks I noticed a difference in not having to go to the bathroom as much. It wasn't until a month ago that I started feeling a huge difference as far as not having cramping in my bladder for no reason and sometimes I'd have pain in my urethra. I still get a little flarey after sex or certain foods. My question is, well I know this drug works different for everyone, but do all these symptoms ever truely go away? I feel good most of the time and every once in awhile have a flare but not nearly as bad as I felt 9 months ago.
-
-
Well, if elmiron is the only thing you're taking and you're doing as well as you say, you are very lucky! There are other meds that can be combined with the elmiron to increase your chances of going into a real remission; elavil, for instance, is very popular. So are some of the antihistamines like atarax. You could also ask your doctor about the possibility of doing rescue instillations (these can even be done at home) as soon as you start flaring, to help resolve the flair more quicklyl
That said, remission can also occure spontaneously. I do know one person who's been in complete remission for more than 14 years. That is not me; I have been in a "flare" for almost two years, and I am just beginning to see some improvement. Everyone is different!Je vous souhaite de la joie, de la bonne santée, et tout ce qu'il y a de bon dans la vie.
Wishing you happiness and good health, and all the best out of life.
Peace, Carolyn
___________________________________________________
Laura (11), Susannah (12 1/2) and Maman (that's me!), North Wildwood NJ, September 2007
On the Beach with IC -
My experience with Elmiron has been that with each passing month and year I absolutely felt better and better and better. I do take it with some other meds and that has helped me to basically have no symptoms at all, but Elmiron was the biggie in terms of symptom reduction.
Wonderful to hear that you are doing so well on it so early. Awesome!
Kim
Diagnosed August 2001
Current IC meds: Elmiron (since 2001), Levaquin (one pill after intercourse to prevent UTIs), Effexor (for depression & anxiety)
Past IC meds: Amitriptyline (Elavil), Hydroxyzine (Vistaril), Detrol LA, Lexapro (for depression & anxiety, but also helped my IC) (They all helped, but I was able to discontinue them.)
I've been virtually symptom free and able to eat & drink whatever I'd like for about 8 years now.
*****************************
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” ~ Viktor Frankl
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~ Brian TracyComment
Comment