stomach ache from elmiron or pepcid ac?

[mom_in_ma]

I was on elmiron for a month and then took a three week break because it seemed I was getting worse. About a week ago I decided to try it again and also added tagamet (which I just changed to pepcid). Something is working for my bladder (likely the tagamet/pepcid) but I'm getting really intense stomach aches that happen at the top of my stomach.

I noticed that when it happened this afternoon, I had just taken a dose of elmiron about an hour before (on an empty stomach). I ate some crackers and then ate dinner and thankfully, it calmed down. But, it was really uncomfortable.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Anyone have any idea which drug is causing this side affect? I'm betting the elmiron, but I'm not sure.

[mom_in_ma]

ps. I know I shouldn't have started two drugs at the same time. DUMB! I was just tired and desperate...but there are no excuses.

[Bianchi]

I took elmiron for week when I first was diagnosed, but had to quit due to intense stomach pains. As soon as I quit the stomach aches were gone. Some people are very sensitive to elmiron, especially if you have acid reflux.
Take care,
Bianchi

[ICNDonna]

It could be the elmiron. You might try emptying the elmiron capsule into water and taking it that way, discarding the empty capsule. It's not unusual for the capsule itself to be the problem.

Donna

[mom_in_ma]

Thanks! I am pretty sure the elmiron is causing the stomach aches, but I want to be able to give it a fair try too. I just hate that the fact that the whole med combo is a complete crap shoot. What works for one doens't work for another, etc.

[pattig89]

Thanks! I am pretty sure the elmiron is causing the stomach aches, but I want to be able to give it a fair try too. I just hate that the fact that the whole med combo is a complete crap shoot. What works for one doens't work for another, etc.

Hi Mom in Mass.
I had stomach upset happen to me when I was on it for about 3 months
the first time I started it....I ended up having tests done and everything
was fine so it made me beleive it was the Elmiron....I stopped taking it
for awhile and my gastro dr. gave me protonox an acid blocker and I started
up the elmiron again..just recently though after 3 months being on the
elmiron again the stomach upset has started again...I am still on the protonix
will give it a few days hopefully like the dr. said it will help but I beleive
Donna is right it probably is the elmiron causing your stomach upset.
but I know that the elmiron seems to be helping my bladder issues and
I hate to give it up again...My uro gave me a different dosage the second
time I have been on it I take two in the a.m. with breakfat and two
100mg. at dinner...I am going to take Donna's advice and take it out
of the capsule see if that works..I have heard other ic patients doing
that and also someone else wrote they bought capsules at the health
store and used them and that seemed to help...
Good luck..Oh by the way I am also from Mass..
Patti G.
Meds
Elmiron twice a day 2 tablets 100mg.
protonix 40mg.
sanctura 20mg. twice a day
allegra for allergies
rhinocourt for allergies
levoxyl for hypo thyroid 75 mg. a day

[pattig89]

mom in mass.
try eating with it from now on when you take your elmiron.
maybe that will help....I also hate to stop taking it for I know
my bladder will start acting up...I worry about taking new
drugs too for you never know..Good luck and let me know how
you are doing..
patti g..

[pee&me]

Likewise

I had to stop taking elmiron due to stomach pain too. I don't remember if the pain was necessarily high in my stomach, but it was definitely different from any stomach pain that I've had in the past.

[GoldSeals]

I had to stop taking elmiron due to stomach pain too. I don't remember if the pain was necessarily high in my stomach, but it was definitely different from any stomach pain that I've had in the past.

Its probably the gel capsule.Like Ic donna says take it out of the capsule.I used to do this allthough elmiron did nothing for me over a 2 year period of taking it.
Also I would be very carefull in taking tagemet or any other acid reducer without talking to your doctor first.Sometimes you cant mix the two chemicals together.
GoldSeals