Dmso

[Nan2468]

Does anyone know about DMSO? My urologist just called and offered that as an option to relieve bladder pain or else hydrodistention?

I don't know anything about DMSO...

[Claredale]

This the info I googled on DMSO.

Drug Information
DMSO is a widely used treatment for interstitial cystitis (IC). It has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is believed to inhibit free-radical production, thus reducing pain and inflammation. It also aids in the absorption of other bladder-instilled medication. Its liquid form, Rimso-50, was approved by the FDA for use in treating IC in 1978. Oral and topical forms of DMSO have not been formally studied in the treatment of IC and should therefore be used with caution.

Treatment Program

IC patients initially receive a series of DMSO treatments.
One treatment is given every one or two weeks for four to eight treatments, depending on the patient’s response to the medication.
After this initial series, many patients do find some relief, both in pain and frequency. Additional treatments may be necessary, should symptoms recur.
Some patients find they need only one DMSO instillation should a "flare-up" arise. It is best to schedule a treatment as soon as symptoms begin to recur, rather than waiting until symptoms have intensified.
DMSO treatments should not be started until 3-4 weeks after IC diagnostic cystoscopy with hydrodistention. This waiting period ensures that bladder biopsy sites have healed.
Improvement may not be seen until the third or fourth treatment.

Side Effects
A strong garlic-like taste or smell may be present for 24 hours after DMSO instillation. Many patients don’t notice this odor, though anyone in close proximity to the patient may detect it. Patients may experience a temporary worsening of bladder symptoms (a temporary chemical cystitis), lasting 24-72 hrs. after treatment. Also, some patients have reported short-lived flu-like symptoms after DMSO treatment.


Self-Help Strategies
Should you experience pain during treatment:

Have your physician prescribe anticholinergics, bladder analgesics, or B&O suppositories to be used prior to instillation.
Request a pediatric catheter for the instillation.
Apply an analgesic gel such as lidocaine to the urethra prior to catheter insertion.
A numbing agent such as lidocaine or Marcaine® may be inserted into the bladder before DMSO instillation.
Some patients find that the pain experienced with this procedure subsides with repeated instillations.
When DMSO is combined with other medications such as heparin, steroids, bicarbonate and analgesics, it may be referred to as a "bladder cocktail."

Pesronally if you and your doctor chose to go this route, ask for 25% DMSO not the 50%. I am pretty certain I had the 50% done many years ago. I went through 3 sets if six week treatments over about a year or so time period. For me, DMSO was not effective, but in reading many posts in here and from one of the doctors at my uro/gyno's office they use rescue instills which are not as hard or toxic on your bladder. For me, I believe that DMSO made my IC worse because it caused more damage. Prior to DMSO, I pretty much had urg/freq and nocturia, in the middle of my 2nd round of treatments, I was miserable and having flares for several days after each treatment on Friday. By the 3rd set and being told that it was normally "working" by then, my doctor finally did another hydo (which this was 10 years or so after my prior hydro/cysto) that my IC had progressed to severe.

My uro referred me to another doctor that specialized in pelvic pain and IC and that was one of my first questions to her was if she used DMSO as a treatment. She said absolutely not.

We all have our own stories and what works and what doesn't so I am not trying to sway you against DMSO treatments because I know women that it has helped. Just know that if you have the right to ask as many questions as you can think of and DON'T allow them to tell you that you don't have a choice in treatments.

T

[Nan2468]

Sandy Marie and Clairedale,

I have already decided I will not even consider DMSO...I'm a little concerned my Doctor even mentioned it over the phone from what I've already read about it this past hour...

Thank you for your thoughts...

[justice4j]

Hi,
My uro is Dr. Parsons and I'm pretty certain he told me several years ago he doesn't use it any more, and I think I've read that too.

Over 10 years ago, I had a series of DMSO treatments several different times. Sometimes they would burn like fire and I always felt what is called "malaise" in medical terms. It's like an achy feeling all over rather like flu and a sudden tiredness. I had trouble driving home the 10 miles or so from my docs office.

I've often wondered if it caused some additional irriatation and injury long term, but I have no way of knowing.

I also, again many years ago, did DMSO instills at home. My uro let me b/c I was an RN and had worked with him in the ER and OR. That was much more convenient, but I think with the other choices for instills now, I wouldn't do DMSO. JMHO, but I agree with your decision.

[Nan2468]

Janet,

Thank you for your words too...There is so much to learn from each other...