Is this IC? And questions about ditropan

[Angel77]

I'm only 26 and I've had bladder issues for about a decade now. I thought it was recurring UTIs, but since I didn't have insurance for a long time, I usually didn't go to the doctor unless it was really bad. Sometimes I had a UTI, and sometimes not, but they feel about the same to me. Recently (now that I finally have insurance) I went in when I had a lot of blood in my urine, and to make a long story short, I had several kidney stones smashed with something called lithotripsy. The urologist believed my issues were caused by the stones.

But now the stones are gone, and I'm still having the same issues (feels like a UTI, but the last culture I had was negative.) The urologist suspects interstitial cystitis, but hasn't diagnosed anything. He says he wants to do an analysis to try to prevent more stones first before he tries to deal with this. He did write me a prescription for ditropan though, as I'm getting up several times a night (and have been for years.) I'm exhausted because of it.

I'm only supposed to take it at night, but I took the first dose last night and I'm worried. I understand one of the possible side effects is nausea, but I got it so strong I almost threw up. It was awful. (And it didn't work at all! I still got up 4 or 5 times in the night.) Does this mean it won't work for me at all? (Detrol didn't work for me, I already tried that too.) Or does it take a while to take effect? Also, if i keep taking ditropan, will the nausea go away or at least decrease? Is there anything I can do to decrease it now?

He did also mention something about therapy with biofeedback if the ditropan doesn't work. It sounded really time intensive and difficult. Does anybody know anything about that?

I don't know if I have IC, but I don't know what else could explain it, especially if the stones are gone. Is it possible I have kidney stones AND Interstitial Cystitis? Are they related at all? I just want a good night's sleep for once. Can anybody loan me one? (or at least answer a few questions, I know I put a lot up here, I'm sorry, but I have a lot of questions.) Thanks.

[Sarojini]

Hi Angel :hi:

Glad you found us!! I'm sorry to hear about your health problems (stones, possible IC, etc). What you have could be IC, but your doc needs to do some diagnostic testing first to find out for sure... like maybe a cystoscopy with hydrodistention (there's info on that in the Patient Handbook section of the ICN website). I hope for your sake it is NOT IC, but if it is, you've come to the right place.

As for Ditropan, I'd talk to your doc about the nausea. It is possible that it will go away with continued use, but if not your doc may have other options for you to try. I am taking Ditropan now and have not noticed any nausea from it, but I do get a bit of dry mouth. I'm still kind of testing the Ditropan out, and it seems to make a little difference in my frequency, but there's not been a drastic change. Some of the ladies here say that it can take a week or two of continued use to notice a change.

I do, however, think it helps with bladder spasms a bit. I don't know if I will continue to take it as I retain urine too, and the Ditropan can make that worse...

And yes, it is possible to have kidney stones and IC at the same time. There are some ladies on here that are going thru exactly that same situation, and I hope they'll reply to you too...

Hope you get to feeling better soon :grouphug:

Jen

[kelly McC]

HI:hi:
I had both ic and kidney stones ! I am not sure if you do but your doctor as jen said can determine that ! I hope its not IC but if it is this is a great place everyone is supportive and there is a ton of information ! Good luck
Kelly

[ICchell]

Hello Angel,
The detrol didnt work for me either.Now I take ditropan and that does help me.I dont have any nausea from it but it does mae my mouth dry.
Good Luck with your diagnosis!
Hugs,Michelle

[blueskies]

Hi, I also had kidney stones and they masked the problems with IC. It took me two years to get a diagnosis of IC. It is great that your doctor is already checking into what else may be causing your symptoms. I take detrol la, I can't give you any advice on the drug you are using. Hang in there, things will get better. :blink:

[ICNDonna]

I honestly think you need to call your doctor to report your reaction. There are other medications you could try --- your doctor can order something different. When I purchase a new prescription, I usually just get enough for a few days --- then I can go back and purchase the remainder of the prescription when I know it's not going to react badly.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[Angel77]

Thank you for the advice, Donna. I did call the doctor after I ended up puking my guts out one morning. He is on vacation, but the nurse told me to stop taking the medicine and she'll pass my message to the doctor when he returns. Maybe he'll start me on something different then, because I'm back to getting up all night and no sleep because of it.

I was hoping the medicine would work, because I still don't know what's going on yet. I wasn't sure in the first place if i should be taking an antispasmodic when i didn't feel any spasming (what does a bladder spasm feel like anyway?) but after 4 days I was starting to notice a slight difference at night. I'm not ready to trade getting up to pee all night with getting up to puke though. Well, he returns sometime next week, so I'll find out what he says.

[ICNDonna]

A bladder spasm feels something like a menstrual cramp, but more severe. When I spasm, it's like my bladder is trying to push itself out of my body. It's that feeling that you need to urinate so badly that it hurts.

There are several antispasmodics on the market. I hope your doctor will be back soon so you can get some relief.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Dixiefireball]

hope you feel better soon hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[khatinger]

Do you guys take DitropanXL once a day? I take a 5 mg. in morning and 1- 5mg at night
I notice a huge change when I can't take it for surgery or anything, my bladder spasms feel like a knife is being stabbed in your private area. At times it seems worse when I lay down. When I am moving around they sometimes get better, crazy but night time is the worst. Nights can be very long and lonely, everyone else in the world is getting a good nights sleep!

[Ginny]

A lot of Urologists will prescribe Elavil so you can get a good night's sleep. Maybe you can ask your doctor about it when he returns.
Feel better.

Ginny

[stacyann_1]

My doctor told me it takes a while for ditropan to work.. a couple weeks I think he said. Good Luck and you should call your doctor. (easier said than done I know)