Ditropan Question.

[phaedo54]

I'm not sure where to really post this question. I know this is better suited for a physician to answer, but I don't really have great access to one where I can have any kind of Q&A. My question refers to Ditropan XL 10mg.

My history is I was diagnosed a year ago. I have been on Elmiron, and Ditropan 10mg (x1 per day) for about a full year. I am in way better shape than I was a year ago. Mild uncomfortableness occurs when I eat something I shouldn't, but other than that, I am lucky to feel pretty good.

When I was first diagnosed, I had severe urethra pain and burning, and a constant urgency. Now after a year, I don't have that. I assume that the Elmiron has had a very positive effect on my bladder. I'm happy about that. I am curious though, am I able and what would happen if I got off the ditropan. Would I feel the need to urinate 24 hours a day, or has the Elmiron helped me to a degree in which I really no longer need it. The dry skin all the time is tiring.

I feel lucky. I will certainly continue to take both gladly if I must. And I know no one can know for sure, but I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on it. Is it possible, or advisable to wing off the Ditropan. It would be nice to be able to thumb through money and have moisture in my fingers again. But not necessary if I am going to be back in pain.

Any comments or suggestions would be great.

[ISONormal]

That's so great to hear that you are doing pretty well. I can't help you re the Ditropan but I'm sure others will come along with that knowledge. It might be that all you can do is try it and see what happens. A lot of this disease involves using yourself as a guinea pig to see how you react to things. Did you raise the issue with your doc?

Good luck.

[rosesitty]

phaedo - My first inclination would be to ask your uro. If you went off the Ditropan and then started to have urgency symptoms, you could always start the med again. Personally, I can't take Ditropan. It made me anxious, nervous and my blood sugar level dropped significantly. When I need it I take Sanctura, something I've used just off and on.

[Sher E]

Several years ago when these symptoms came on I went on Ditropan XL and took it for a short while and then stopped once all the pain subsided. It never came back until this past two months. I'm on the Ditropan again, but this time I'm not being as lucky. I feel better, but I'm certainly not where I was years ago.

I don't intend to take it for a long period, but I also have no idea what's going on with my bladder yet either to say that for sure.

[Sarojini]

You can try going off the Ditropan and see what happens, but I do urge you to consult your doctor first. Sometimes it's not good to go off medications suddenly, especially those that modulate nerve transmission as Ditropan does (it's an anticholinergic and modulates the effects of the major neurotransmitter acetylcholine).

[ngtwondrer]

I've been taking Ditropan 5 mgs a day for almost five years. I tried going off of it over the summer and had no luck. I was having to urinate several times a day and I was extremely uncomfortable all the time. The symptoms went away within a couple days of going back on. Some people have better luck without it but I think I'll be stuck with it for the long run. I also use Elmiron once a day.

[stacey79]

Ditropan has been the one thing I think has helped me most. I take 15 mg a day. I would suggest talking to your doctor first and foremost.

When taking starting Ditropan XL again (I'd been on it for about a year about 10 years ago) a couple of years ago, my uro started me with 5 mg. Then after a while, we went to 10 and, finally 15. I don't know if maybe you could try going off it the same way. Maybe switch to 5 mg a day then 5 mg every other day or something. Your uro would be the one who could really help you with that. It's always so tricky when we start feeling better to mess with what we're doing. You don't want to risk feeling worse again. However, at least with Ditropan it would start working again pretty soon. Whereas Elmiron can take so long to start working again.