Elmeron and retention

[Carolyn M]

Hi~
My Mother has been on Elmeron for quite some time now. I have read in other threads (not sure where) that it can cause retention. Without making an appt. for the Dr. visit, I am wondering if it or anyone who has been advised by their Dr. that it would be okay to stop taking Elmeron for a day or two just to see if the pressure of having to go every 15 minutes all night long would subside and if by stoping Elmeron for a day or two would it affect the way the drug works once taken again or does the process of starting all over again pose an issue? Thank you all. Carolyn

[ICNDonna]

I know that some people have stopped taking it for a few days for a surgery or for some other reason without having to experience the "start all over" again.

I have never heard of elmiron causing retention. Is she taking any supplements? Any other medications? Following an IC diet closely? Drinking six to eight cups of water daily?

Donna

[Carolyn M]

Thanks Donna~
I may suggest it to my Mother, I believe I read it when looking up alternatives if Elmeron was unavailable, maybe under Cysta-Q on this site. My Mother does take other meds for different ailments, yes, and also she does take probiotics. As far as water intake, no, she does not drink that much because she simply can not empty her bladder and having tried this method more than once, she has found that it only increases her pain level. My Mother followed the IC diet from this site for over a year and is no longer using it due to the fact that after doing the ALCAT test, she found that everything she was folowing to a T on the friendly list was completely wrong for her body which is why she never saw relief, always it pain and wondering why if everything she was doing, she was doing right. We only wish this ALCAT test came out sooner, there is no way of knowing what proteins cause inflamation if you are not tested, super crazy, but we know without a doubt that things are changing for her after only 28 days with this test, and even though it was not covered by her insurance because of her high deductable, she is already swearing by it and beleives that it is the only true way to find out what your triggers are, without it, it's just a guessing game. It's nice the the IC diet is available and it has helped some, but I keep reading that although women here are following the diet just as my Mother did, so many are still screaming out in pain. I wish I could hit the Loto so that I could give these woman the money to have this test done, maybe one day. Thanks for your help Donna, I'll pass on the info about the Elmeron to my Mom. Carolyn

[ICNDonna]

Most ICers, me included, do pretty well if we stick with the IC Diet. It was developed with input from literally thousands of interstitial cystitis patients. I have not ever seen any evidence of clinical studies on the test you mention --- and many medical professionals consider it, at best, questionable.

I consider an adequate amount of fluids essential for any IC patient. I know that if for any reason I don't get enough to drink, I can plan on a painful night at the very minimum. For someone who hasn't had adequate hydration, it can take days, or even weeks to experience any relief.

If your mother is having to strain to urinate, there are several different medications that can help with that --- the ones that immediately come to mind are cardura, hytrin, and flomax, and I know there are others.

Donna