Normal Elavil dose? And Elmiron question.

[PirateIsabelle]

Hi,

I've been on Elavil for about 6 weeks at first 10, then 20mg a day. It doesn't seem to be helping much (I think my non-acidic diet helps more). My doctor mentioned switching me to Elmiron at my next appointment, but what I've been reading seems to say that 20mg (daily) of Elavil isn't really high enough to determine whether or not the drug will be effective. So basically, I don't want to give up on it too soon if I just need a higher dosage! Any input? What's a "normal" effective dosage for Elavil?

Also, do people ever take both Elavil and Elmiron concurrently to combat the disease in two separate ways?

Thank you!

Liz

[SharonA]

The only normal, effective dose amount that I can talk about is mine. My doctor started me at 10mg, then 20mg, then 25mg, then 50mg and then back down to 25mg. I have been taking the 25mg for several years now.

I have not ever taken Elmiron, so I can not speak personally about it. I hope those who do take it will come by and give you some advice. :)

[dg2901]

From my understanding, Elavil works by helping calm everything down.
Elmiron works by helping to restore the lining of the bladder. So, as you see, these are two totally separate types of 'treatment'.
Elavil tends to start working fairly quickly (within a few days to a week), whereas Elmiron takes months before its effects are noticed.

I used to take 75mgs of Elavil daily. I was started on 25mgs then worked up to 75mgs. Elmiron--I was started on three 100mg capsules twice per day. After a few months I was cut down to two 100mg capsules daily. I'm now only taking one 100mg capsule daily, and am completely off of Elavil.

It seems the majority of the people here are on a combination of meds, as like I mentioned, each med works differently to help control symptoms.

By all means, dont hesitate to discuss with your Dr different treatment options. What works for one person may not work for another.

Wishing you well....
Diana

[lan]

I started at 25mg and had some improvement - I have had even more improvement since upping to 50mg. Linda

[yvette]

I know my last uro had toddlers start at 30 mg Elavil...and you can go up into hundreds of mg depending on what works for you. Whe you get into like 300mg, that's more to treat depression. I started at 10 mg and that was fine. I went off it for years and went back on it and had to take 75mg and hardly did anything. I stopped taking it because its really making me fat, big time! :cussing:

Elavil, you have to give it time, and you have to be consistent everyday in taking it. It takes a while for it to build up and build up and build up in your system....like its a plane on a runway...it needs a running start in order for it work properly. So it can get frustrating and people think *it's not working*. It's not like antacid or pain meds where it works within hours or minutes....elavil can take weeks to get up and running and then tweaking your dosage for an amount that's right for you. It sounds to me like your really trying to give it a worthwhile shot, which I think is great...

I used to take Elmiron with Elavil (and a few other things too!). I think IC is like that....it needs multiple ways to cope/treat it....just one method doesn't seem to cut it.

Good Luck in whatever you decide on! :D