Start new meds tomorrow

[chainsaw]

I went to my urologist today for my monthly treatment of the "bladder cocktail". The doctor has given me a NEW medicine to try. It has just came to North America. I guess they used it for years in England. I will be starting it tomorrow, since today I already took my Ditropan XL. Actually he wants me to stop the Ditropan XL and give this new mediciation a try.

The medication is called SANCTURA" You take 1 tablet twice a day, either 1 hour before a meal OR on an empty stomach. Their web site is:
www.SANCTURA.com.

I have also decided to keep a chart of what how often I go and how much each time. What I eat and drink and then the time I had to go. I thought this will help me to tell if it is working or not.

Is there anyone out there in "IC" land that has tried this medication yet?

Kim (chainsaw)

[Dixiefireball]

Good Luck and i hopey ou do well with it please let us know how it works for you
sending you hugs and prayers Rhonda

[lindy lou]

I started Sanctura one week ago as a substitute for my morning elavil. My uro was concerned about my severe dry mouth, etc. and thought that this might be less drying than the elavil. So far, no difference and it might be a bit worse. I may go back to the elavil and stock up on lifesavers.

Linda

[work it]

Kim, good luck I hope it works for you.

[saptree]

Any updates on Sanctura use Kim? My doc just gave it to me today to try in place of Ditropan. How's the dry mouth? Were you warned about using other meds that are metabolized by the kidneys as opposed to the liver? Are you taking one or two tablets a day?

Thanks, Sherry

[lindy lou]

I have been on Sanctura now for 3 weeks, one in the am. Not much difference yet but it may be that I am in the habit of going so often that it is truly a "habit" and not need. Like so many ICers, I go when I can and don't usually pass a bathroom or leave a building without stopping. I went to the Sanctura website and read the physician's info. Lots of techno jargon but some good graphs there. Sounds like it may take time to be effective with the urgency and frequency.

"34% to 46% more effective than placebo in reducing average number of daily toilet voids at week 12.

* Reductions as early as week 1.
* Significant, progressive improvements at weeks 4 and 12.
* More patients achieved void frequency of <=7 voids/day at week 12 per secondary protocol analysis."

Seems like many treatment options for us involve a great deal of patience and small improvements over time. Unfortunately, I have the time but I'm running out of patience. The voiding/food/meds journal sounds like a good idea. I'll have to buy stock in a paper company to document all my trips to the BR.

Linda

[saptree]

Thank you Linda,
I think I have the same issue. I can't pass up a bathroom break. I told my doc that the frequency isn't a huge issue for me because I have learned to plan my life around bathrom breaks. It has become a habit. My husband claims I gave him IC too because he pees when I pee. Tiny bladders.
I saw my gyn today because I want to go back on bcps to see if it settled dowm my IC again, along with calming down the PCOS I have. I told him I started Sanctura this morning and he said that if Ditropan wouldn't work, this new drug won't either. I tend to agree. I really hate the dry mouth too. I have to sip between each and every bite so I don't choke.
Sherry