How long to stretch bladder for better capacity?

[musiclover]

My main problem is frequency. I feel the need to go very frequently, and over the past seven months that I've had these urinary problems, I believe my bladder has significantly shrunk. I recently started on medications - Neurontin and Elmiron. I'm wondering, if my frequency gets better, how long does it take to stretch the bladder back again? I do try to hold it at least 15 minutes longer than I wish to in order to try to stretch it back out little by little. I think half of my problem is that I feel a lot of pressure since the bladder is so small now. How long does it typically take to stretch back out?

[Lexie]

When the inflammation in my bladder calmed down I was able to hold more urine. But, it took several months to get to that point. In the meantime, I was very strict about the IC diet and also took my medications religously.

Are on any medications for IC? I started with Elmiron, Elmiron instillations, Urelle, Hydroxyzine, and Cystoprotek. They all helped me. When I was first diagnosed I had the constant feeling of having to pee, and could only hold it for 45 minutes. Now, a year later, I pee every 3 or 4 hours and the constant urge is completely gone!

I hope that you find relieft soon and start to feel better! xoxo

[musiclover]

Hi Lexie, that's like me, I have to go anywhere from every 15 minutes to every hour. An hour on a really good day.

So how long did it take the cystoprotek to help you? I took it for a month and didn't notice any difference. I just started Elmiron and I know you have to give it several months to work. I'm a little frustrated because I'm also on Neurontin and I've read of people noticing a difference in a couple of days. It's been over a week for me and I haven't noticed any change. It's hard to take a drug with side effects and have no benefit. But I'll keep at it for now.

Do you have PFD? I feel that PFD is the main culprit in my symptoms. I'm in a flare the last couple of days because three days ago I tried to do some leg exercises at the gym. Big mistake.

I do PT, but the therapist I was working with wasn't all that great, so I'm waiting to get another.

:)

[Lexie]

Hi Musiclover,

I'm honestly not sure how long the Cystoprotek took to kick in because I began taking it at the same time I started the Elmiron (oral and via instillation), Hydroxyzine, and Urelle. In retrospect, this probably wan't the best strategy, but I was so desperate for relief that I just started everything at the same time. At any rate, it took about 3 months to get relief...and it was very gradual. Now, almost a year later I feel REALLY GOOD almost all the time! I work out almost every day (Zumba, Elliptical machine, running, Yoga, etc.), eat no-no foods (in moderation and with Prelief), and have painless sex several times a week. Life will get better for you!

I don't have PFD...my main problem is inflammation. I hope you find a new therapist that is able to help you.

I hope that you start to feel better soon!

[musiclover]

Hi Lexie. I don't think it's a bad idea to start everything at the same time. Sometimes it takes the combination in order to work. And the goal is to get your symptoms to subside. From there, you can always decrease one and see what happens. But I think from the beginning, if you can get some relief, that is number one in my opinion. Because symptoms can cause more symptoms on their own.

Okay, well it's good for me to hear that it does take a while with the cystoprotek too then probably. Because I gave it a month and saw no results. I am on Elmiron now and was wondering if it would work at all since cystoprotek didn't and I'm not all that food sensitive, although I do try to follow the IC diet anyway now. I'm really hoping the Elmiron will do the trick. I'm so glad to hear you are so active now and feeling good! :)

Hopefully this Neurontin will kick in, too. And I just started the Oxytrol patch (like ditropan) again. I gave it up after a couple of days but decided it's worth a shot.

Thanks so much!