HUSBAND WITH IC/weight gain

[ladygen]

My husband has gained considerable weight and it's really bothering him. Has this happen to anyone else?

Also, he doesn't sleep well with the constant voiding, I find him asleep on the floor, the toilet, any sugestions. :help:

My husband has chronic ic, he is permanently disabled. I admire all your strengths its really hard for him being that he can't work anymore. Also does any know a good website where he can get his elmiron. We met donut hole on his prescription D and therefore, cannot afford to buy it $400+, Avinza(morphine) $900+:woohoo: Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

[patricia1]

Hi Lady and welcome to both you and your hubby. First off I admire that you are wanting to help and understand your hubbys disease. When dealing with IC having an understanding spouse or etc is so important and helps out so much.

Some people do gain weight with IC. I think it is more from the meds we take in trying to deal with the disease itself. I know for some, self included, they have gained weight from Elvail and other antidepressants. I gained a ton of weight from it and found trying to lose it was harder than trying to lose baby weight.

I cant help with a website for finding Elmiron. Oh wait have you tried getting it from the company?? Sometimes for those that cant afford it, limited means of income and so forth can get it at a reduced rate or for free, I would look into that.

Again Welcom :welcome: to you both. I am also on SSD for IC

[Hangin' Tough]

LadyGen,
I also applaud your desire to help your husband. The weight gain that you mention could be caused by many things. You mention that he is disabled and unable to work. A sudden change in levels of physical activity and changes in eating patterns are most often the culprit. You didn't mention what meds he takes. There are medication that contribute to weight gain. I am a 40 Y/O male diagnosed with IC over 3 years ago. I continue to work, barely. I am considering not working anymore and think that I could do it financially, but I don't know if I can handle it psychologically. It can't last much longer though. I hope that you get some answers. If there is anything that I can do, let me know. If you husband decides to come on the boards, have him Private message me so we can trade stories.

Tough

[lalarainbow]

Hi,
I am dealing with weight gain that I am not very happy with.. I am not overweight by any means but I know if it continues it will just get worse. I have read that antidepressants slow your metabilism down and they also increase appetite and I have sugar cravings. Thus the weigt gain.
I keep exercising but does not seem to do much.. GRRRRRRR!
Hopefully someone has some suggestions.
~Pam

[ladygen]

Hi HT

My husband also was diagnosed just recently. Going on about two years, he just turned 42, also we just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. There are alot of people who don't understand what IC is. I stand by him no matter what. I hope more spouses read up this illness so that they will have a better understanding, and also have patience.

Anyway hope you're doing good

[cec311]

I was diagnosed about a month ago. I'm having the opposite problem. I'm losing weight and don't need to be. It seems the majority of my favorite foods are trigger foods. The bland elimination diet I'm trying is starving me to death. I guess I'll just have to learn to like foods that at this point I can't stand.

[ladygen]

Hi everyone,


Let's see, I contacted the manufacturer for Elmiron, waiting to hear from them:pray:

Here's a list of hubby's meds, (forgive me if not spelled correctly)

ms-contin 100 mg. 1@ 3-4 x's a day
elavil 50mg at night only
atarax 25mg at night only
percacet mg? as needed for breakthrough pain
Elmiron when he has it 100 mg 2@ 3x's a day
balcofen mg? as needed
mortrin mg? as needed
ambien mg? at night (Doesn't always work):hmm:

My guy really tries to exercise, but with all the meds and not sleeping well, it makes it a little tough. I just try and support him the best that I can.

Hang in there and may god bless:angel:

[ICguy]

If you do a search of sits you'll find some that sell Elmiron for $230-250. I would suggest he take elmiron 2x a day to make the prescription go longer. I suggest your husband try methadone (generic version $35 for a month) plus you don't have to take them all and methadone is great for pain from my experience, you can read the postings under pain managment

[ICguy]

his meds increase his weight gain. Methadone does not have that side effect

[ICNDonna]

Elavil is notorious for causing weight gain. Also, when we don't get enough rest, our bodies sometimes reach out for food to try to make us feel better. I suggest you talk with his doctor about the cost of his medications. There may be some less expensive alternatives out there that would help.

And, by the way, motrin is a bladder irritant for many ICers.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[ladygen]

Thank you all.:hi:

We did find out that mortin is not good for him, so he stopped taking it. we're still trying to get the elmiron from the manufacturer, need to send in more info. First time denied :woohoo: will send them dr's letter as requested hopefully this will work.

Hubby not doing too well this weekend, hardly no sleep, passed some blood clots. Spent alot of time in hot bath.:pray:

[Flashgordon49]

My husband has gained considerable weight and it's really bothering him. Has this happen to anyone else?

Also, he doesn't sleep well with the constant voiding, I find him asleep on the floor, the toilet, any sugestions. :help:

My husband has chronic ic, he is permanently disabled. I admire all your strengths its really hard for him being that he can't work anymore. Also does any know a good website where he can get his elmiron. We met donut hole on his prescription D and therefore, cannot afford to buy it $400+, Avinza(morphine) $900+:woohoo: Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

I was finally diagnosed with IC just over 2 years ago. Prior to the diagnosis, I had great difficulity sleeping at night and the first Urologist I saw said it was only due to BHP. His recommendation was to have a TURP. I immediately sought a second opinion. I found out conclusively that I did have IC from the Urologists at Kansas City Medical University.

My IC seemed to be checked for about 6 - 8 months but flared up again. Unfortunately, I moved and couldn't see the same Urologists.

I am now on Elmiron, Amitripline, and Lorazepam. I take the Elmiron three times daily, the other two meds only at night.

My voiding has decreased from 5-6 times to one or two nightly.

I am currently working, and active in bicycling and swimming.

However, my current Urologist wants me to have the laser equivalent of a TURP performed and I don't know what adverse effects I may experience should I elect to have that procedure performed.

If anyone has any knowledge on the effects of this procedure with IC, I would greatly appreciate talking with that person or persons.

Thanks for listening to me as this is my first time posting.

Flashgordon49

[itspr2u]

I am newly diagnosed; 7 months ago; suffering for 3+ years. Good to find other men suffering;uhm, you know what I mean. I have felt alone.
Having urologist problems.
Doc has told me he does not handle pain management and that for the possible depression, aching joints, tmj and back pain & IC pain, I need to see my GP. Soonest I can see him is 2 weeks; HMO's:cussing:
Last 7 months were most managable of pain at work/home in past several years. Now the doc has got me explaining to teenage receptionist I need my pain meds. I feel as if I look like I am some kind of a dope feind trying to get a fix. I am a respected professional in my community. This has been a challenging ride to say the least.
Going back to GP is like starting all over.
Any one else been through this kind of frustrations?
How do you get to a pain specialist?
:help:
Thanks for letting me vent/share,
PR
p.s. The upside of male IC is the world is your urinal. Sorry ladies.