When Were Rescue Instillations First Used?

[CharlotteY]

I was just wondering when these instillations were first introduced as common treatments for IC. I seem to be getting some (a few days) relief from my doctor's cocktail of Elmiron, Bicarb and 2 % Lidocaine. I am wondering about long term side effects. I hope that years down the line researchers won't claim that these treatments are actually harmful to the bladder.

[Wolfe]

Gosh, back when I was first diagnosed (1990?), my doc used installations of just DMSO, and then of just heparin. Once I started on Elmiron, about 1993, we stopped installations. So I know they were using those two ingredients back then, and it is my understanding that Elmiron is much the same thing as heparin. They certainly didn't make me worse over the years, so I'm pretty sure you'll be okay.