Two questions for a newbie

[Sashabella]

Hello again,

Since I last posted, I have been taking my meds and trying to adapt to a new diet (my goodness, this is harder than I thought!). Two questions have been popping into my head and I was hoping for some guidance from the experts.

1) How long will it take for Detrol LA to work? It's been 5 days and I don't think it's doing anything at all. He said 4-5 days but I've heard 3-4 weeks. I am getting dry mouth but not a drier bladder!!!

2) I hope this isn't too graphic but I have a question about sex. Aside from the trouble sleeping, the worst part about IC is that it's hampering my sex life with my fiance. I am VERY fortunate that I dont' have pain during sex (it feels normal) but, after sex, I have to pee constantly for 24 hours. It's awful. Has anyone experience this and what can be done?


Thank you so much!

[Katrina]

I don't think it takes Detrol LA to work. Maybe a different antispasmodic will help you. Detrol LA did nothing for me but a different antispasmodic did help.

Your problem with sex is very normal. I recommend a pre and post sex ruteen. Relax your bladder and pelvis by not moving the musscles before and after sex...use a wet warm washcloth to moisten and help relax your musslces.

If you have things you do for a flare you may want to try to do them before they happen with sex. Part of my ruiteen involves taking some of my flare meds or herbs.

Rest those musscles of your pelvis after sex by staying completely still for at least 15 minutes. you may want to try ulnernating cold and heat at your urethra.

I hope things go well for you!

[Sarojini]

Hi there :)

First off, Detrol LA didn't do much for me either -- generally if you give it a week, you should notice a difference, and if you do not, it's time to speak to your doc about trying something else.

I agree with Katrina's suggestions for sex. It often helps to take a pain med or an anti-inflammatory before sex, as well as a Pyridium. Make sure your muscles are relaxed (you can take a warm bath or shower or something... even do it together so it's part of foreplay). Go slowly, and use lots of lubrication -- even if you think you do not need it, it really really helps. Afterwards, using heat/ice to calm your bladder for a while can really help.

[rayna2]

Detrol didn't do anything for me either. Actually it was worse because not only did I have the frequency and 'gotta go' feeling all of the time, but the Detrol made me NOT be able to go. It was horrible. I haven't tired any of the other products like Ditropan. Has anyone had success with these? I've been thinking about trying that. This group of drugs doesn't make sense to me because they don't seem to address the underlying cause of IC. Ugh...I have 3 months to my wedding and I just wish I could find something between now and then so I could enjoy my honeymoon.

[vm]

Detrol LA is very necessary for me. Every time I have tried to go off it I flare. When I was on it by itself it didn't seem to make a huge difference. We added other meds and now that I have the combination down - if I try to eliminate the Detrol LA I flare.

If you go to the website for Detrol LA it clearly states that it can take 8-12 weeks to achieve maximum effectiveness.


Seeing results

The active ingredient in DETROL LA is absorbed into your system within 2 to 6 hours after taking it, so the effect on the bladder muscles can begin soon after starting treatment. However, learned behavior patterns, such as voiding at the first sign of urgency or voiding "on schedule" to prevent wetting accidents, take time to change. Studies have shown that overactive bladder medications may take 8-12 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness for the average patient. Each person's response can vary. So stick with DETROL LA and work with your body to learn new behavior patterns.

http://www.detrolla.com/treatment/taking.asp

[draia512]

I was using Detrol LA for a few months and I think it works pretty well. Over the weekend, my PCP actually gave me some samples of Vesicare, which is the same type of medication as Detrol LA but he said that his patients seem to find that it works better than Detrol and it doesn't give you dry mouth. I've only been using it for a few days so I'll let everyone know if it gives me good results.

[traceann]

I don't take Detrol, but Ditropan, and like VM, on it's own was just "ok" for awhile. That was the first med I was put on (before IC diagnosis), worked kind of, but not for the frequency. When I had gone into the doc for a UTI, and wanted to talk about the possibility of IC, I filled out the questionnaire, and my frequency was in the 20-30 range. When I complained about that, the doc, said he was surprised that the Ditro wasn't helping that. I told him it was helping with the urethral pain when I peed, but no, still going alot. Now that I am on Elmiron and Vistaril, the three seem to be working quite nicely together, and my frequency is less "frequent", lol

Like I said, I don't take the Detrol, but that's just my experience with that type of drug for that type of symptom! ;)

Hugs,
Tracey :)

[Sashabella]

Thanks so much everyone. I will talk to my uro. His office is closed today.

Oh Rayna. I feel for you. I just got engaged and I wish I wasn't so sick right now. I know I am luckier than a lot of people with IC and I should count my blessings but I still wish I was able to sleep through the night.

Really, I could live with everything about my IC except it's impact on my sleep. I need sleep!!!

[Amyinagony]

Ditropan and Detrol did the same thing to me as it did for you, Rayna. Couldn't go at all!!! Not a good thing!!!!!