Elmiron - General Question

[susayates]

Hi there

I am currently taking Ditropan (Oxybutinin) but was wondering whether to ask my Doctor for a dosage of Elmiron.

Does Elmiron help with frequency or is it mainly to help with an inflammed bladder. If it does not help with frequency are there any other meds I can try as I am on 35 mg of Oxybutinin a day at the moment. I do suffer from an inflammed bladder and suspect that the inflammation leads to the frequency (a viscious circle I guess).

Many thanks

Susan

[Katrina]

:hi: Susan!
Elmiron coats the lining of the bladder. It doesn't specifically treat any system but heals your bladder so that eventually (if it helps you) it would help all of your symptoms.
http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/oral.html#Elmiron This part of the handbook talks about Elmiron and other oral meds of IC.

Ditropan is an antispasmodic....and although it helps many of us...it never helps our bladders heal (although the diet may)


Here is a link to elmiron's site http://www.orthoelmiron.com/

Let us know if you have any more questions.

[Cricketmk3]

Elmiron helps to repair the lining of the bladder which in turn would surely help with the frequency. Elmiron takes months to become fully effective. I have taken it for two years and have improved but I still have to watch what I eat and can have a flare if I'm not careful. Someone else will probably answer your question in more detail but I wanted to tell you that Elmiron is not a quick fix but can help some people over time.

[Imustpee]

Elmiron has been a miracle for me..I had 38 years with untreated I.C...I got my first Elmiron instill on July 2nd and started taking 4 pills a day...so far I have had about 30 instills since July...what a HUGE improvement in my life..Instead of peeing 7 - 9 times a night I go 2 - 4, and during the day I used to go every hour and now I have been able to go as long a 5 1/2 hours, but usually it's more like 2 - 3.... that's a major improvement! I have had a couple flare-ups and when I do I call the uro and have a treatment and I am immediately better.....ask your dr about Elmiron.. :)

[vm]

Frequency was one of my main symptoms and Elmiron (along with some other meds) greatly helped me with that. it took time, as others have mentioned, but most days my frequency is very, very low now. :)

[nss]

How do you have an Elmiron instill. I have never heard of it before.

[Imustpee]

The Elmiron and water are placed directly into my bladder with a cath.....I am having an instill today at 2 since I have had a flare for a week thanks to this cold and all the coughing I have been doing..

[twiggy]

I couldn't tolerate Elmiron (stomach/digestive issues), but Elavil has certainly helped my frequency and cut down on pain. Some people find taking Elmiron out of the capsule and mixing it in some water helps them to tolerate the tablet.

[SharMack29]

I started Elmiron Aug 6th of this year.I take it 3 times a day. My main symptom is frequency with mild/moderate pain at times. I have noticed a gradual improvement in my frequency as the months go on. A typical night now is getting up 1-2x while before it was 4 on up. Days have greatly improved where I can go 2-5 hours without using the bathroom. I absolutely believe that my improvement is due to the Elmiron. It has been slow but definitely worth it.

The only time I still have a problem is about 4-5 days before my period till about 3 days into it. I definitely have an increase in frequency that can be annoying at times but am aware now that it is due to my period and don't panic that I am starting to flare. I also follow the IC diet very strictly and think that it helps alot.

I have tried Ditropan for frequency and it really didn't do much to help.
Hope you're feeling better soon.

Sharyn

[poetgirl]

I've been taking Elmiron and Detrol LA since March 2003, and Elavil since June 2003 and most of the time, I feel "normal." I have OAB in addition to IC and all three have done a great job of keeping my symptoms under control. I also take 1200 mg of Citracal every day and when I miss a dose or two I can sometimes tell right away, because it starts to burn when I urinate.