By taking these meds are we making the IC worse?

[ICAmy]

Am I covering up/masking my symptoms by taking elavil and vicodin? And in the long term will my bladder be in worse condition?

Amy

[patricia1]

Being that there is no "cure" for IC taking your meds will be the only way you can funtion a somewhat normal life. Also taking your meds will not cause your IC to get worse. I hate the term "masking symptoms"...So many drs use that term loosly like when asking for pain meds and its really sad. Please dont feel as though this is what you are doing. I am sure you only want to make your life better and you are doing the best treatment plan that works for you. ;)

[Specs]

ICAmy, without Elavil, I would not be able to get active after being inactive for so long. I wouldn't have been able to get my life back into order. And I wouldn't have been able to get to the point where my body feels so good, I hardly realize I have IC.

Yes, Elavil reduces the amount of pain you feel because of the way it blocks the neuropathic pain pathway, but it won't make your bladder condition worse. In my case, it has made things much better, to the point where I am down to a mere 5mg a day. One day, I hope to be off of it.

[green_the_fish]

Yes, you are covering up your symptoms by taking Elavil.
However, since there is no cure for IC, "masking" is the best science can do right now. Even Elmiron (the only FDA approved oral IC drug) only masks the fact that the lining of IC bladders is weak by literally "covering it up" with a layer of its own substance.

Your bladder will probably not be in worse condition in the long term. Most cases of IC aren't progressive. There's no scientific proof (that I know of) that says that pain meds make IC worse.

So, don't feel bad for taking your pain meds. Until science discovers the cure for IC, you will just have to do what it takes to preserve a good quality of life for yourself.

[ICNDonna]

Actually taking medications to help you be comfortable and active could help your body heal itself. When we are in pain, we usually will become inactive, which allows our muscles to deteriorate and generally is unhealthy. If we can keep the pain controlled, we are generally healthier.

Donna