Help Break it down for me: Cytotec

[yvette]

OK..I've tried reading the artiocle off of Web MD.......ZZZZzzzzzzzzz
I'm tired and my brain is fried.....Can you help break it down into layman's terms for me...just so I can get the gist.

What is cytotek's main purpose?

Is in pill format, liquid or is an instill?

If it is a pill ---what's it look like?

what side effects occur from it?

and how long til you feel relief? (What defines "releif"?)

What determines whether someone is a good candidate for it---is just having IC enough?


Thanks!
y. :D

[purpleviolet]

Cytotec (misoprostol) was not designed for IC. It was designed to protect the stomach lining from the damage to the stomach from taking NSAIDS (like ibubrofen, etc), by increasing prostaglandin 1 (something to do with mucous stomach pumps). Other prostaglands increase inflammation. So some in some small study not done in the US took some of this drug and felt better. The study lasted 3 months and doesn't say how long it took to work, IT does say a few months later, less people were better, but still 75% of them who took the stuff the whole time improved. Unfortunately that study was never repeated and did not follow the participants long-term, so a few of us are trying. I do not think I will stick with it longer than 3 months, as it hasn't done much yet, if at all. It is a small pill - I take 200 mcgs 3x a day (some people for stomach take 200 mcgs more than that). It caused some intestinal cramping at first, but that went away, and I racheted the dose up to 600 over several weeks. PV

[yvette]

So what its main function in helping with IC if its meant for stomach? Thanks! :)

[purpleviolet]

Well there is a mucous lining in the bladder too and maybe it is affected by prostaglandins the same way. I don't know.

[hoping4acure]

just got to jump in here--Yvette, I'm with you. No one really gives a straight answer about this. It seems VERY scary to me, I would NEVER consider it (just MY opinion)


They use it for abortions too!

[yvette]

Well thanks guys, I do appreciate the input....I'm having problems seaparating the info I need vs. its main purpose in regards to the gastrointestinal uses....and the side effects and possible (altho "not recommended"--the abortion aspect) side effects.

Its seems Cytotec has created alot of buzz, but I can't get answers to general questions.
I'm not really looking to try, but rather just be a little more informed as to what's out there. :)