Has anyone heard of DOXYCYCLINE?

[Jacqueline333]

I'm a 58 year old retired commercial artist...and I've been diagnosed with IC for about 15 years.
The flareups have always been fairly easy to keep controled with Pyridium.
This last one though has been awful.
It hit just when I was leaving on a one month trip to Europe..it was pretty much a nightmare, and still is,- almost two months later.
I've just seen a GYN who thinks the IC may be intensified because I'm experiencing low estrogen now.
I also have IBS-C.

Last night a friend--who is a pharmacist, mentioned the drug DOXYCYCLINE This was something he read about in a medical journal, as offering a possible solution to the IC
Has anyone here tried it?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am using Prelief, baking soda in water and the doctor prescribed Estrace Cream-(Estrogen)....I've also been reducing my intake of acidic foods.

Jackie :hi:

[JessicainArkans]

I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong!!) Doxycycline is an anti-biotic which will not work for you since you have IC and not a bladder infection, Perhaps the Pharmicist is giving you info based on his knowledege of UTI'S and not IC!!
If you do have a UTI I do not believe this is one of those drugs that they hand out for this problem!
Hope you feel better soon!
JessicainArkansas

[Annie2]

Jackie,

I believe your friend was referring to a study done in Switzerland the results of which were published in the July, 2004 issue of the Journal of Urology. This was a small study of 103 IC patients. All were given doxycycline (100 mg 2 x per day for 2 weeks and 1 x a day for 2 more weeks). This study had very impressive results. A significant number of patients had a complete remission of symptoms and even more had great improvement of their symptoms. The results were impressive enough that it was decided to publish them in the Journal of Urology so urologists who wished to try this with IC patients could do so. The media picked up on this and it was referenced on several pages on the Internet

Several of us on these boards have tried this treatment protocol. I did it and did have some improvement. I remember reading reports from a couple of others on here who said their IC symptoms were either greatly reduced or gone completely. I believe others here are currently giving this treatment a try. You might want to check other threads under the antibiotic topic to read what others have posted about it.

I would suggest, if you are interested in this treatment, you talk to your physician about it.

Annie

[vabeachdebi]

Yes, Doxycycline is an antibiotic and I have tried it and it worked wonderfully, although my URO stated I was suffering from urethritis not IC. However, I have spoke with several on the site who had IC and they too tried it and stated it worked wonderfully. I pray that it works for you and I congratulate your doctor for investigating treatment options!!!! Here's the website and you can also go to GOOGLE and do a search on "doxycycline and interstitial cystitis" and find several other related articles.

http://www.homeboundauto.com/Health/AHB-6-29-04/NewsonHealth6.htm

GOD BLESS,
Debi

[holles]

my gynecologist started me on this after bladder instillations didn't work. i have had 2 cystoscopies which both showed IC. one before and one after the instillations. the pain never went away until i did the doxycycline. i've been painfree for a few weeks now. and it's AWESOME! :)

basically, the study said they think some forms of IC (not all) might be caused by an intracellular bacteria. it won't grow outside the bladder, so it doesn't show up on cultures. you take 2 pills a day for 14 days, then 1 pill a day for another 14 days. you also do 10-14 days of a vaginal antimicrobic (i used gynezole). your partner, spouse, whatever also takes 2 pills a day for 14 days.

the only complaint i had was nausea from the drug. but i was told i could eat about an hour before taking it.

we started to notice a big difference the last week. i had a really bad flare about a week or 2 in, but then things got sooooo much better.

i've been eating all kinds of forbidden foods now. ;)

ask your doc. it's the july 2004 journal of urology. my gyn even gave me a photocopy of the article. very interesting.

[shennan]

doxycycline did not work for my ic. i took it for two weeks 2x a day and then once a day for 2 more weeks.... sorry.. i wish it worked for me. even had my hubby take it.

good luck, though....

:)

shenna

[tigger_gal]

I am higly allergic to DOXYCYCLINE :yikes: ... I was given it for an infection of some kind (too long ago to remember) it made my bladder hurt they day I took it.. that night I stateed itching and the next morning I was broke out in massive hives.. had to go to er.....
Brat

[Spacechimp]

I just wondered if you are still in remission from the doxycycline. I am taking it right now. The first two weeks I felt great and then had a bad flare that lasted about 3 days. I am just coming out of it. I'm not sure if it's yeast so I've been taking yogurt and probiotics a few hours after I take the doxy.

I have a few more weeks to take this and I am really hoping.......

[jaime15]

You might not have gotten a reply from holles if she is feeling well. Sometimes patients only come on here to post when they need the support. So if a patient is feeling well.......they are out living it up. :)

I hope you feel better soon! :grouphug:

[Dianne]

I decided to try this, nothing to lose. I took one pill and spent 12 totally miserable hours until I passed it all. Bummer. Cipro remains the only antibiotic that I can somewhat tolerate. But it was worth a try.