I have not tried Elmiron, would ya'll suggest it?

[asIshallbe]

I have not tried elmiron yet and am contemplating it. I am worried mainly about losing my hair. I am only 31 years old and have recently lost quite a bit of hair, just from the stress of this illness. I am really pondering the use of elmiron. I am currently using cystoprotek. Can I use both? Do ya'll suggest Elmiron rather than cystoprotek?

Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. :smile tee

[an0bgobeloba]

hi there! those are some big questions, but i am confident that the dear people here will share their thoughts to help you make the best decision for yourself. as you can see from my signature, i am taking both elmiron and cysto-protek. but i did wait the 4 months that cysto-protek recommends to see if it was going to work. it only helped a little, so i decided to pursue the elmiron. several people here on the forum said that they could be taken together. icndonna had a GREAT idea i read the other day, stroke of genius!!!! she said before you start the elmiron, take a clean hair brush and after brushing your hair put the "sample" in a plastic bag so you have something to compare with. it's a great idea, because it's very hard to be objective...the power of suggestion is pretty great when it's something we are scared about. and i'm with you, losing our hair is scarrrryyyy. it might also be a good idea to take a couple different samples over some time, if you have it....i know that i lose quite a bit of hair at different times in my cycle. let us know what you decide and how your doing!!!

[asIshallbe]

Thank for your response. I am seriously considering taking both cystoprotek and elmiron, along with my aloe vera (DS) and atarax. I have only been taking the cystoprotek for a month in hopes that it will help soon. I have read that elmiron works for quite a few people. I think once I get paid next week I am going so begin the elmiron. :)

[an0bgobeloba]

it sounds like you are on a good path to recovery :) the initial study on elmiron were that at 3m about 40% of patients felt relief. lots of people here say it takes longer, at least six months. i've seen resent studies that say at 6m the success rate was 60%. so i've decided to commit to a year before i lose all hope :( keep us updated :)

[SharonA]

It can take several months for you to get the full effect of Elmiron. Anywhere from 3 to 12 months.

[asIshallbe]

I am debating starting it now. I just went to the dr. yesterday and was prescribed Lyrica. I have not had any pain all day. I feel a bit weird, but am going to stick with this. I may just stick to the cystoprotek for now. I also have an appt for Nov. 10 to get an Elmiron instill. I am beginning to see a light at the end of what I thought was going to be a never ending tunnel. I have faith and am ready to start thinking positive and start enjoying life again. We deserve it! :woohoo:

[jailyn12]

I have been on Elmiron for 3 months now. It finally started working at 2 1/2 months. I have not noticed any hair loss. In fact I forgot that was even a side effect. I take Pyridium for flares and I also drink a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. That alkalizes you urine. It works for me. You can only take 2 teaspoons os baking soda a day.