Elavil? Elmiron? Help!...

[grumplefuz]

Ok...I really need some feedback on the elavil. :hmm: Especially the heart issue...
can some people who are taking it list both positive and negative effects?

It would be great it you can tell me what you like and dislike about both elavil and/or elmiron...

Thank you all ahead of time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


p.s. Thanks Donna, and anyone who responded to my post yesterday

[nabroeker]

I am on both Elavil and Elmiron. I have been on my meds for two weeks now. The Elavil started working almost immediatly! I used to get up around 8-10 times a night, now I get up 2-3! I also do not feel the presence of my bladder like most do with IC. I have not had a bladder spasms, which may be due to the Enablex I take also. The negative of Elavil for me is the mild drowsiness. I am a teacher and have no time to be drowsy, but considering how many times I used to get up at night, this is nothing. I have not been on the Elmiron long enough to see any effects. My dr. told me it could be around 6 months before I see any improvment. Also, dont forget about the liver enzymes test if you are on Elmiron. You need that done about every 6 months. Hope some, any of this helps.

[JaniceB]

I take both of these as well. I also take Vistaril (antihistamine)

I did have some heart "fluttering" a few times when I first started the elavil. It wasn't enough to have to stop taking it. It is the miracle drug for my pain. I have been relatively IC-pain-free since starting it. I cannot describe the difference it made after just 4 days. I didn't realize just how awful I felt until I felt pain-free again.

I've been on Elmiron about 3 months. I really don't know if it is doing anything for me yet. I noticed improvement in my frequency/pressure once I started the vistaril, and that was two weeks before starting Elmiron (elavil did not help me at all in those respects).

I do feel kind of "knocked out" about an hour or so after I take it most evenings. And sometimes if I take it too late at night the drowsy effect lasts into the next day. But I know the vistaril does that to, so I think with me its more of an effect from the combination of drugs.

I do have more heartburn than I used to. That can be a side effect of Elavil as well.
The other thing, was I noticed a little more PMS type mood swings - but they seem to be tapering off.

All in all I'd say the slight drawbacks are worth having IC Pain-free days. I could not live with the pain I was having before starting Elavil, there is no way.
Janice

[ICNDonna]

I couldn't take elavil. It did a reverse effect on me --- my blood pressure shot up to dangerous levels and I had to stop after only a few days.

Donna

[ChrissySunshine]

I'm still not exactly sure about Elavil. I took it for almost 3 months, noticed an increase almost immediately in my BP, but stayed on it, cause it helped me to sleep. My doc didn't think the Elavil, (I took the generic Amitriptyline) was causing the high BP. I then developed severe urinary retention that I attributed to being on the Amitriptyline, my doc didn't think so. I also went to a new FP during this time who heard a heart murmur, I've had asymptomatic aortic regurgitation for a long time now, but it's never been audible. I'm now off the Amitriptyline, mainly because I thought it was causing retention, (I guess it's not cause I'm still retaining!). My BP is back down to a normal level, and I FEEL better not taking it. I did have heart "fluttering" that scared me, I attributed THAT to anxiety, but now I'm wondering... It will be interesting to see if my doc doesn't hear the murmur when I go back next week!