Atarax or Elavil...which is better

[bladderama]

Hello All-
Well, I have been taking Elmiron and Elavil for about a month after being diagnosed with IC by my urologist. However, I recently went to get a second opinion at a different urologist who is supposed to be an IC specialist. I saw him for my own mental health, ya know? I wanted to see if my first Dr. knew what she was talking about. Anyway...the new Dr. (the IC guy) told me to stop taking the Elavil and start taking Atarax instead. I despise starting new meds because the way they affect me will be unknown. So, why do you think he suggested Atarax over Elavil? The Elavil seemed to be working moderately well. Which is better...Elavil or Atarax? Also, can you take them both at the same time? Should I ask him about that?

Thanks...confused about meds...any help from th experienced would be AMAZING!
-AMY
Currently taking...
Elmiron 100 mg X 3/day
Elavil 25 mg at bedtime
Currently peeing...
8 million times/day

[Danica]

Hi Amy~
I too was perscribed both initially. I found that in combo I was in a drugged stupor for half of the next day. Stopped taking elavil and just took Adarax for two months straight and it really worked pulling me out of a bad flare. I got sick with the flu back in June and stopped taking adarax because I was taking flu meds and didn't want to take both together. After the flu I did not resume the adarax and did not flare again until recently when after taking a 17 mile hike in Yosemite (Half Dome) I am now resuming just the adarax again to pull me out of this most recent flare.
Good luck to you.
PS. My list of meds taking are now: Adarax 25mg, cystoprotek 4 a day, prelief, calcium mag citrate. DO NOT take Elmiron & elavil.

[CarolinTexas]

Atarax is best for me in preventing both urinary and b.m. pain. I cannot go off it at all - have tried twice and the pain returns. I can truly say this med changed my life.

I tried Elavil but could not really tell a difference. Perhaps my dose was too low.

I wonder which one makes you sleepier?

Good luck,
Carol

[theclownster]

Hi there! I don't know which works better. I actually take them both together. I initially was resistant to taking the Elavil because of the weight gain side effect because at the time I was already gaining lots of weight. However, when I talked to my doctor, he told me that the combination of taking the meds together helps more than taking them separately. I finally gave in and started the Elavil. Together along with my Ditropan XL my symptoms are pretty contolled and I live a mostly normal life. I still have flares and never feel as good as I did before IC, but I think I'm as close as it gets. By the way, my doctor explained to me that the Atarax worked on the mast cells, while Elavil worked to control pain. Initially, I didn't think I was really in that much pain. I quickly learned once I was on Elavil that I reallky had been in pain, but had gotten so used to it that I didn't even notice the pain as a primary symptom. When I took the Elavil, my pain decreased a lot, thus confirmed that I had really been in pain all this time.

Good luck as you seek your 2nd Opinion,
Jennifer

[cindydi]

Atarax has helped me get my IC under control. I am now able to add foods that I love such as coffee without any major issues. I could definitely not do that before starting the Atarax. I have not tried the ELavil.

Good LUck

Cindy

[Berkshire Road]

They're just completely different drugs. Atarax is an anti-histamine, and elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant. Atarax is supposed to help control nighttime urination, and elavil is supposed to promote better quality sleep and help with relief of chronic pain -- or anyway, that's what my doctors told me. A lot of people seem to be taking both.

[marysxx]

PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME ABOUT ATARAX! I TRIED CLARITON AND IT HELPED FOR A WHILE. NOW IT DOES NOT HELP ME ANYMORE. IC/FIBRO/ELAVIL AS NEEDED HATE IT! ELMIRON/CYMBALTA. IF I TAKE ATARAX DO I STILL NEED CYMBALTA? :cat:

[leelee88]

Mary

When Cymbalta is used for IC patience, it is being used to treat the nerve pain, it is totally differnant medicine than Atarax...Cymbalta was originally made for Diabetes patience who had severe nerve pain, but while in the process of trials and research it was also found it benefits people who have depression.

Atarax prevents mast cell degranulation, which is thought to play a role in IC, particularly in patients who have a history of allergies, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hydroxyzine decreases nighttime urination, frequency, pain, and bladder pressure.

I originally started taking Cymbalta for the nerve pain caused by IC.. But found it did not help me with that, BUT it help so much with my depression and coping with IC I decided to stay on it.. :smile tee Hope this helps

[born2swim]

Well, the Elavil gave me gastroparesis that was excruciating and thus I couldn't take it. My IC doctor put me on both low doses of Atarax and Elavil. Elavil, even 5 mg was painful. I have been on Atarax for months. They recently upped my dose from 10mg to 25 mg. It has helped me the most with sleeping. I have wicked allergies and Atarax helps me there too. It's up to you which one you want to try. The thought about Atarax is to reduce inflammation due to mast cells. Treating that should help HEAL the bladder. I hear Elavil can help calm nerves, but it seems to be a symptom-based drug (from what I hear)...