Hair loss on Elmiron

[sunshine8790]

I've been on Elmiron for 3 months and it works fine for my IC, but I have lost lots of hair. I just don't know what to do. I hate to stop the medicine, but I can't continue losing my hair. Is there any alternatives to taking Elmiron?

[Katrina]

Are there alternatives...sure their are herbs are alternative suppliments that work similar to Elmiron available at the ICN store (please note though that like elmiron they take a while to work in most people) http://www.icnshop.com/

There are other meds such as doing Elmiron by instialltion or Heparin by installtion that may work out better.

Or you can try stopping Elmiron for about 2 weeks and re starting it. There are also some vitamins you can take to try to prevent the hair loss. http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11535

[pj77]

Hi, maybe you could try taking a little less Elmiron. Maybe you could talk to your doctor. Maybe only take 2 pills instead of 3.

If you don't mind, I have some questions?
How soon did you notice the hair loss after you started the Elmiron? How soon did you notice that the Elmiron started to help you? What symptoms did it help with.?

[sunshine8790]

It took about 3 weeks to start feeling that the medication was working. It helps with the urgency and frequency....It helps some with the pain but not alot. I've gone from 4 pills a day to 2 pills and my hair is still falling out alot. I'm not sure when the hair loss started, I think it was about 4 weeks of being on the medication. Not everyone has this side effect, only about 4% of people that take Elmiron have this effect. I didn't have any other side effects. I know I have to stop taking it or I'm not going to have any hair left, but I hate to, because I don't want to go back to that misery and suffering again.