Xanax

[musiclover]

So last night, I was just getting overwhelemed with this frequency/urgency and how it's affecting my job, relationships and general happiness. So I took a xanax, which I have just a few of, as my doctor doesn't like to prescribe them. And within an hour, all of my IC symptoms were gone. No frequency or urgency and no pelvic pain. I wish I could just pop one of those every day. Nothing else has worked like that has!

[Goldfinch]

I notice that you aren't taking any meds that are targeted to your pelvic pain. Xanax is a sedative and a muscle-relaxant and is often prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks. If the xanax works for you for pain relief, perhaps you could talk to your doctor about getting something else that would address the pain you have; he might be more likely to prescribe something other than Xanax. You also might look into some type of antispasmodic, since it sounds like you have frequency/urgency issues.

I use Xanax mainly as a sedative, and only once in a while when I really can't sleep. I have the lowest dose possible--.25mg--and sometimes I cut that in half and it still works for me. A whole one really knocks me out. You could try taking a half since it seems so effective for you.

[sickofmybladder]

Stress can make IC symptoms worse - so it could be that once your stress level was reduced you got some relief. Has your doctor ever mentioned the possibility of PFD to you? I now take Valium as a maintance drug to prevent my PFD from becoming as bad as it was previously, plus it helps with my anxiety - added bonus. (I also did physical therapy). This might be something you want to discuss further with your doctor.

[sushi100]

Hi!

The anxiolitic help me too. You're not the only one!

[hdb1982]

My doc rx'ed me Xanax for bladder spasms and to relax the muscles bound up by my PFD..It greatly reduced my overall pelvic pain..This was,of course, after trying a ton of other meds to reach the same effect...I happened on to it by accident as well...Took one b/c I was so stressed out over the whole IC mess and it helped much more, and in many more ways, than my doc and I anticipated...I take 1mg when I need it...I got 60 back in November and still have 12 left so I don't take them all the time...I have a high tolerance to meds tho, for whatever reason..I don't let the addiction aspect scare me away from it b/c my IC will never go away, it is here for life, so I will need the meds I take for it for life...If I took it for something acute I may worry more b/c eventually the illness/injury will go away and I won't need the med anymore then I am hooked on it....With chronic illness that will never go away, why worry about addiction to something, odds are you will always have to take it, or something similar...Just my two cents tho, glad you found something that worked..

[dverba]

dr.evens suports me seeing a psychiatrist who will be perscribing xanex.

[Tuckersmom]

I take Xanex .5 mgs three times a day. I was just taking it twice a day, but my doctor allowed me to increase it to three times a day. It helps with everything.

[ilovekittys]

xanax and valium are very similar drugs, my uro-gyno. prescribed valium for my bladder spasms so its very likely that the xanax relaxed your bladder the same way it relaxes nerves, I dont take valium anymore, but maybe you can ask your doc about it.

[Backtomylife]

Ativan (Lorazepam generic version) really helped me. My gynocologist prescribed it and I only take 1/2 of the smallest dose (1/2 of .5mg) when needed. I take it when needed and have had no "withdrawl" type symptoms when I don't take it.

It has been my miracle that helped so much with IC/PFD pain. I also take Etodolac which is an NSAID. I took Ibuprofen and had a bad reaction to it (it increased my pain significantly), but the Etodolac has worked well. In addition I use estrogen cream twice a week from a compounding pharmacy.

My life is 95% back to normal. My symptoms started in October of 2007 and they were horrific. I am grateful to have my life back.

I was very concerned about the side effects from Elavil and Elmiron. Fortunately the above medications in the doses I take have minimal, if any, side effects.

[Briza]

Low dose valium (2mg up to three times a day) was a wonder med for my PFD and VV symptoms. I had to discontinue that b/c I was put on xanax for PTSD and severe anxiety. I do take the xanax regularly in higher equivalent dose than what I took of valium(2 mg valium is MUCH less than 1 mg xanax when comparing these two meds) . Xanax very good for my anxiety, seems faster acting altho shorter acting than valium, and yes having lower anxiety DOES help with my PFD and VV and IC, but truth be told, even the very low dose of valium worked better for me as a muscle relaxer for those conditions, but my higher dose of xanax works better for my anxiety.

I have been afraid to ask dr to see if I could switch to higher dose of valium that could possibly help just as well for my anxiety and PTSD symptoms, and at the same time give me the great relief for IC, PFD, and VV symptoms that I got before on the low dose valium. Unfortunately 2 mg valium even three times a day is not enough to keep my anxiety/PTSD under control. Eventually I will bring it up with my prescribing dr, but have not had nerve to yet:( Advice on how to would be much welcome....he is good understanding dr but I don't want to push my limits.....

[mom_in_ma]

Xanax is my miracle drug. I discovered it by accident and it's the only thing that I take for IC (when needed). It's also the only drug that has ever worked for me.

[KSE711]

I also take Xanax .5mg 3X/day. I find it helpful for relaxing me, but it does make me a little lazy and drosy at times. I need narcotics in addition to Xanax to maintain my pain.

Good luck and hugs, Karen