Anyone on Ditropan XL?

[Magrone]

I just went to the urologist who did my cysto and in addition to the antihistamine I have been taking since the cysto, she has now prescribed Ditropan XL - an antispasmodic to help with the frequency during the day. I asked about Elmiron but she said she didn't like to give patients Elmiron as a first line of attack, due to the side effects such as hair loss and liver problems. I was wondering if anyone else has taken/is taking Ditropan XL or another antispasmodic (maybe in combination with another medication) and whether or not it has helpd you.
I think I am anxious to get the medication right for me ASAP, not just to control symptoms but because I will only have my current health insurance for another two or three months.
I also asked the urologist about physical therapy and she said it may be something to look into but for now just try relaxation techniques.
Since this urologist is out of town (she only did my cysto because I was having a laparocopy with a doctor in that town, and wanted the cysto done while I was under), I plan to go to a local urologist instead, in New York. I am thinking it would be best to have a complete work up with a doctor who is well known for treating IC. But first I guess I should give the Ditropan XL a shot. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the help so far. I've found this site so helpful and the support through the message boards is a godsend.
All best to everyone,
Magrone

[the_lost_lenore]

I tried Ditropan XL for a while but it did not help me so I got back off of it. It does help a lot of people though. I use Elmiron and Algonot, and to prevent excessive hair loss I take hair, skin and nails vitamins and I use Nioxin shampoo and scalp treatment. If I have a flare I take Uristat. There was a blue pill called Urised (RX) that I took at the start of all this to get things calmed down while I waited for the Elmiron to start working. It was fairly helpful, might want to ask your doc about that.

[Trishie]

I have been on Ditropan XL for 2 yrs. it took awhile to get up to where it helped me. I take 15 mg a day. It helped with the freg/urge, but I still had alot of problems

[vm]

I'm not on Ditropan, but I have been on Detrol LA for 3 years - it is a very similar drug. My doctor tried that first to rule out overactive bladder. It helped a tiny bit so he kept me on it as we added new meds. I have tried to go off of it several times, but I flare every time.

In regards to Elmiron, should you end up trying it -- the hair loss only occurred in 3-4% of patients during the clinical trials. And you can have a liver panel done yearly or more often to keep track of how your liver is doing while on the med. I have done that and so far it is fine. :)

[Sarojini]

I tried many antispasmodic drugs -- Detrol LA, Ditropan XL, and things like Urispas. They helped a little at first, but after I was on the drugs for a while, I began to retain urine like crazy, and it was really difficult to pee. In fact, it got so bad I learned to catheterize myself so that I wouldn't have to ever go to the ER due to severe retention. When I switched urologists, my new one told me that I should come off the Ditropan (the one I was on at the time) because of the retention, and she put me on Flomax instead to relax my bladder opening and help me urinate fully on my own again, and it has helped quite a bit! :)

I do think that occasional use of things like Urispas or Levsin (hyoscyamine) can help during flares to reduce bladder spasms, but unfortunately, I am unable to take any of these drugs on a long term basis due to my tendency to retain.

However, these drugs have helped LOTS of people, so give the med a fair shot before going off --you may find that it's a Godsend for you :)

[sunshine_77us]

I take Ditropan XL and it does help me. The Detrol LA did not help. I guess we're all different on what works for us.

[theclownster]

Hi there! I've been on various doses of detrol and ditropan xl. I am currently taking Ditropan XL 15mg per day. I started at 5mg then 10 and now 15. It seems to be working really good. I did have some trouble on the detrol with retaining - but nothing major. The doctor preferred to put me on Ditropan XL because he can adjust it in 5mg increments up to 30mg a day. One thing I have learned is that I definitely need to drink lots of water and usually don't have problems with retaining. As others have mentioned, we are all different and it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out what works best for you.

May you be feeling better soon!

Hugs~
Jennifer

[Sandra11]

I am currently using Ditropan XL 10mg....i actually was on it for almost a year and i was going to the BR every 3-4 hours and i started to think maybe i dont reallly need it so i stopped and after about 4 months which is recent time...i told the uro and she was kinda mad cuz she said it takes 3-4 for it to leave ur system so she put me back on it but its not wroking...but i dont know if thats cuz of all these infections i have and cant get rid of...i have to wait and see

[this_sucks]

I am on Ditropan XL too. I began on 5mg 5 months ago and saw improvements with my "muscle spasms" but that is it! i got off it during the summer though and then began it back up for school in september. it was not doing anything and i was getting mad and didnt want to miss school so i took the 5mg twice a day and finally my doc prescribed 10mg. i have seen nothing working at all for me. but she also said it needs about 2-6 weeks to work. been on it for 3 weeks. im sick of it!
but all people are different with reacting to medications so i think you should try it. but i would also push for elmiron. i tried but the doctor said i might be too young. :rolleyes: