Antispasmodics

[Daniel]

My doctor gave me some antispasmodic drugs to take when I am in pain.

I'm just wondering, does IC cause the bladder to spasm?

[ICLori]

It can, sometimes. My bladder tends not to spasm, so the antispasmodics (ditropan in my case) did absolutely nothing.

In my experience, doctors seem loathe to believe that I really have IC. They all think I have overactive bladder (incontinence) even though I deny it.
The only time they believe I have Ic is when THEY personally do the hydrodistention/cystoscopy and then their jaws drop on the floor and they start talking about end-stage and bladder removal and what-not. They never believe another doc's diagnosis of course....and I have to go to a new doc all the time because of the Army. In fact the urogyn I got sent to for interstim, wants to do another hydrodistention/cystoscopy on me even though I gave him photos from the one in July, so HE can see for himself. @#$ doctors. :(

Ditropan is mostly used for overactive bladder/urge incontinence and I understand works well for that. It has limited benefits for IC'ers and generally is not in and of itself a remedy that takes 100% of the symptoms away. For me, it didn't do one blessed thing.

But docs always want to start you on these remedies for overactive bladder - dont' want to really believe you have IC because after all, IC is supposed to be extremely rare - LOL - what was that abstract I read recently, that said 80% of people showing up complaining of pelvic pain had a positive result on the potassium sensitivity test? And new estimates of those who have IC are around 7 million in the U.S. and growing? Yeah right we have this extremely rare, unheard of disease.

Maybe when 50% of the population has IC, we will start hearing about it and there will be really effective medicines formulated. Maybe.

Good luck with the antispasmodics.

Blessings, Lori

[Daniel]

Oh, thanks, and I am sorry for all your trouble. My Uro is okay, albiet busy (as are all specialists in Canada).

[ICLori]

Daniel, I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for you, hoping it will work for you and that you won't have pain anymore. It does help some IC'ers, it seems to numb the bladder for some. I was just unlucky that it didn't help me, but I have this bladder that is hypersensitive to almost all medications and that's the biggest reason nothing has worked for me - because all the pills make my bladder more irritated and in more pain. Only a very small minority of IC patients have that happen - most can tolerate most meds - so you should be fine, hopefully it will help.

If it doesn't, please try to get an appointment right away, and never give up until you are comfortable most of the time and have your pain taken seriously.

Blessings, Lori

[ICNDonna]

Antispasmodics work very well for me. My bladder pain is at least partially from spasms and the antispasmodics help relax those bladder muscles. The one I take is hyoscyamine, which I take only on an as needed basis.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[vm]

I have been on Detrol LA for 3 years now. When I was ONLY on that med it made minimal difference - but some. When I added other meds I felt tons better. I have tried to stop the Detriol LA 3 or 4 diufferent times (most recently a few weeks ago) and I get a flare every single time. I guess I really do need it. ;)

[tigger_gal]

I take urised for spasms and it is wonderful.. and I get to pee blue... :lmao: all the gals gave great advice..
good luck and feel better
Brat

[Katrina]

hyoscyamine is the first one I have tried that helped me....but witht he significant help it gave I am hoping another one will.