New and confused about meds!!!!

[blondie38464]

:hmm: I have been reading posts and hearing a lot about different ways to handle IC. I have read about Elavil, Elmiron, and so, so , so , many others. There are so many I have read I can't remember them all. Could someone list the different medicines and what they do? If would be very helpful for the newbies!! Thank you!!!

[Katrina]

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/oral.html
http://www.remedyfind.com/hc-Interstitial-Cystitis.asp

There are different lists. All terms can be located in one place at terminology list as well. http://www.ichelp.com/TreatmentAndSelfHelp/termsguide.html I personally like remedyfind's list for treatments though.

This is my treatment list....the attachment is the same thing but with a lot of links to more info. I hope this helps.

Treatment IC list


1. Diet
1.1. Alcohol Reduction
1.2. Food Avoidance
2. Pyridium (Phenazopyridine)
3. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Desert Harvest Aloe
4. Fresh Water Algae aloe vera tablets Spirulina.
5. Vicodin etc. (Hydrocodone; Acetaminophen)
6. Elmiron etc. (Pentosan)
7. Antibiotic Therapy: Augemntin
7.1. Amoxicillin
7.2. Ampicillin
7.3. Augumentin
7.4. Doxycyline
7.5. Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
7.6. Marodantin etc. (Nitrofurantoin)
8. Elavil etic (Amitriptyline)
9. Bladder Installations
9.1. DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
9.2. Heparin
9.3. Elmiron
10. Ditropan XL antispasmodic
11. Detrol (Tolterodine) an antispasmodic
12. Prelief (Calcium Glycerophosphate)
13. Alpha-Stim etc. (Microcurrent Electrical Therapy) over the counter
14. Calcium
15. Vistaril etc (Hydroxyzine Pamoate)
16. Singulair (Montelukast)
17. Lamictal etc. (Lamotrigine)
18. Refloxology some of the attachments of this post
19. Self Hypnosis
How to Hypnotize Yourself
Self hypnosis is relatively easy to learn, and for many people the basic technique can be mastered in a few days. Some have found self-hypnosis helpful for reducing stress.
Give yourself enough time to become completely relaxed.
a. Find some small object or spot out in front of you and above your line of sight. Focus all your conscious attention to the spot or object. Continue slow, deep, satisfying breathing.
b. Begin telling yourself how relaxed you feel.
c. You may feel your eyes watering and blinking. Give yourself suggestions to encourage your eyes to close: “As my eyes water and blink, it is as if the more they blink the more they are clearing away all worries, concerns, and anxieties”
d. Visualize a real or fantasy place of peacefulness and comfort—a place away from all concerns and distracting thoughts.
e. Focus your attention and your images on sensations in your hands and fingers. Visualize feeling of coolness, numbness, warmth, heaviness, or lightness. When you detect one of these feelings, encourage it to expand with more suggestions.
f. The change from regular waking consciousness to hypnotic consciousness can be a subtle one. You might not notice it the first time or two you try. Be patient with yourself.
a.
20. InterStim
21. Yoga
22. Tens Unit
23. Pyridium (urinary anaesthetic)
24. Uristat (urinary anaesthetic)
25. Anticonvulsants such as Neurontin, Gabitril, Lamictal etc (Lamotrigine)
26. Lupron (puts women into a metapousal state)
27. CystaQ
28. ProstaQ
29. Celebrex (anti inflammatory)
30. Bextra (Valdecoxib) anti inflammatory
31. Probiotics (Lactobacillus; Bifidobacterium etc.) http://www.consumerlab.com/results/probiotics.asp
32. Botox etc http://www.remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=8491
33. Detrunorm http://www.remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=9688

[amaris]

Learning about IC and treatments can be so overwhelming at first. A good place to start is the patient's handbook, http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/. It gives a brief summary of many of the medications and instillation used to treat IC. I found it helpful to print stuff out so I'd have it in front of me instead of trying to keep it all in my head. You can also find brochures on the ICA web page.

As you might have read, many of us use a variety of different meds to help keep our IC at bay. Combinations of meds that work will vary from individual to individual, so a lot of it is trial and error for you and your dr. to find a treatment plan that is best for you. In my experience, being an informed patient helped speed along the process. I've also found the information on the boards helpful (where else would I have learned about the stick on heat pads?).

Wishing you well,
Amaris

[blondie38464]

Thank you so much!! This is so much help and I greatly appreciate it!
Merry Christmas!
Mary Anne

[VickiB]

Merry Christmas to you & yours Mary Anne!

Like Amaris said, IC seems to be a very individualized disorder, what works for one person may not help another. For me, the first thing I changed was diet, and the amount of improvement I noticed was all but amazing! Plus my Uro prescribed Elmiron (which supposedly 'coats' the bladder), Though I'd say it was a good eight months until I realized that was helping. -Guess I'm a late bloomer. Ampitriptyline, (some use the brand name Elavil) which really helped with the pain & getting a decent night's sleep right away, and Hydroxzine HCL. Plus, my own personal treatments of Prelief before eating anything suspicious, and baking soda in water for the times when I've failed to rely on my common sense & went ahead and ate something I shouldn't have!

I think I was lucky, for I know many people have had to try a number of things, or combination of treatments before they find the 'magic bullet'. I found my magic bullet early on. I guess I want to stress the point that Amaris made, you need to find what works for you. But you're making a great start in educating yourself with the various possible treatments available! And don't give up,...you'll find something that works great for you!

Happy Holidays!

Vicki