when should you take pyridium

[yorkiemom]

Can someone tell me when I should take pyridium? Actually, I use Azo-Standard. My uro says to use it during a UTI and also 2 hours before I'm going to be cathed. However, I just took it during a big flare this week and it helped so much (actually, much more than the narcotics I am on) that it was unbelievable. I got a few hours rest and then took 2 more before bedtime--best night's sleep in months and months. I've read here on the boards that it is too hard on your liver (??) so I've steered away from it. However, I also read that someone took it daily for 3 months. It seems that if I can get such good relief, I want to take it more often; maybe I can ween myself off the narcotics. Which is worse on my system? If I call my uro, he will say use it doing a UTI. The inserts in the box are not very definitive and my pharmacist didn't have any answers either. Thanks, as always, for your kind and generous help.

[sunshine_77us]

I take Pyridum Plus anytime I'm in a flare. I take it for several days until the burning and pain goes away. It helps me a lot when I'm flaring.

[curlycue]

Yorkiemom :hi:

Can you tell me what AZO-Standrard is? and were to get it?

Thanks,
Ruth

[vm]

You can find it at most drugstores over the counter. I take it during a UTI or if I am beginning to flare I will take it so that I won't stress out and make the flare worse. I don't know if it really works that way, but I tell myself it does. LOL I have to feel like I am doing something. :) I try not to take it for more than a few days in a row.

[PikkuMyy]

Ruth,

AZO is a brand of the drug "Pyridium" - which is a lifesaver in many situations for me. You can usually buy a generic version at the drug store for cheaper than AZO. Keep in mind there is another brand of Pyridium that, for some reason, is MUCH more expensive than AZO so don't buy that one. It usually costs me between $6-8 for 30 tablets.

It stains your urine orange and acts as an anesthetic for your bladder and urethra. It can be hard on your liver so be aware of whether you have some upper abdominal pain when you've taken it. Make sure you eat when you take it or it will make you VERY nauseated.

Emily

[kelly McC]

I cant take the pyridium but I take the urised used for the same thing and I take it when I have the pain and burning or if I have a uti. I also dont take it for more than two days.

[RainSun]

My doc put me on Urimax, but I still think that pyridium works a lot better! But the urimax is suppose to help more so who knows.....

[Morgan Stone]

Im with everyone else here, I take the pyridium when I am flared or burning. My Uro advised me not to take it more than a few days at a time.

Here's a few links to some more info:

This tells the make up of the pill
http://rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/phenazopyridine.htm

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/pyr1365.shtml

http://health.yahoo.com//health/drugs/202455/overview

Hope this helps and Good Luck to you :)

[curlycue]

Hi :hi:
Emily
Thanks for the info I really appreciate it. I never knew that about the AZO-Standard and I have seen it at Wall Mart and some drug stores.

Thanks
Ruth

[arcticfox]

I take Pyridium as well for bad flares. But they have to be bad flares as Pryridium is bad for the liver. It helps me. I was just in what I thought was a bad flare and it seems I am coming out of it. I did not use the pyridium this time.

Arcticfox:hi:

[aantol73]

take P/P when you really need it just don't take all the time... but if you fel you need it take it... don't make yourself suffer...

[PikkuMyy]

Just to echo the others, take it when you feel you really need it. I've had IC for 3 1/2 years and my liver's sensitivity to Pyridium has increased over time. The other day I took one after not having taken any for about a month. My liver hurt so much taht at first I thought I was having really bad intestinal cramping. Then I realized that it was my liver.

One thing that can be hard on your liver is not drinking enough water when you have the pyridium in your system. I know that I didn't drink enough that day because I was about to take a long bus ride and was nervous about having to pee on the bus (no bathroom). But this was a bad idea because then my lower back hurt a lot from it.

Emily

[Mikki H]

my uro told me to take it 3-4 times per day for a week when flaring, but don't take it more than a week at a time. I took it all last week and have been off 2 days, now I need it again so I popped 2 more - I'll just wait and see if I need it again tomorrow. By all means, take it!

[carly2]

One thing that can be hard on your liver is not drinking enough water when you have the pyridium in your system. I know that I didn't drink enough that day because I was about to take a long bus ride and was nervous about having to pee on the bus (no bathroom). But this was a bad idea because then my lower back hurt a lot from it.

Emily

I have always wondered if anyone else had lower back pain with IC. I haven't found a post about it. Thank you..:)

[RobinD]

I have always wondered if anyone else had lower back pain with IC. I haven't found a post about it. Thank you..:)

Yes, I definietly do have low back pain. Not sure why my back hurts, but when I am having a really bad day with alot of pain my lower back always hurts.

Robin

[megad]

Hi ladies
Im new here but have suffered from Ic symtoms since 2006 Things have gotten tougher over time as through all treatments I was unable to tolerate (bladderwise ) many of the typical meds and the typical IC protocol treatments made no difference. Neither did taking out all the no no foods from diet.
However I occasioanally get burning and so I still am very wary of foods
Later Pn symtoms developed and unfortunately blocks and other interventions made me worse..long story
Not doing well right now ...My PT who is very knowledgable and known believe my symptoms are mre muscular than the bladder itself.. which would explain why IC protocol wasnt helpful. I have much PT in past but am finally with a great one that I trust
I hold all of my tension in the pelvic area apparently, so my fear is holding me back,as I have been thru hell with the unsuccessful treatments meds you name
it

Anyway,currently I having a horrible flare of vaginal/urethral burning for the past 2 days.. What can do I ..usually AZO standard helps ...it has not this time...
Also I have Pyridium...last time I took it did not help but may give it another try..
I rubbed a small bit of Lidocaine gel but no chane either
I have a med called meloxicam for inflammation...may try that again but my bladder and pelvic often react to new meds by making my muscles tight and blocking me from voiding.. long story..Any suggestions appreciated ..hello and best wishes and thanks

[eringoodfriend]

I get a lot of vag/urethral burning and bladder burning, so I understand. I hate taking meds. But the things that have helped me is the pyridium -I used to take azo standard also, but it stopped helping. Sometimes the burning gets so bad that not even one pyridium helps. My dr told me it would be fine to take 2 of the pyridium, my dr put me on Uribel -it didn't seem to help me, but it's supposed to be better than pyridium. Ice packs on your vaginal area helps me TREMENDOUSLY!!!!!! They also told me to get a warm, moist washcloth and put some baking soda on it and just hold it to the painful area. And sitz baths help also!!! I hope you can find some relief!!!

[bjcov]

Pyridium doesn't help me either. I've neer found a med that helps with the "gotta go" feeling. It stinks!

[megad]

Thx do much Erin and Brandy..
Last time I took pyridium it didn't help but may try it again....
All your ideas sound good...I will add the baking soda idea! Thanks
My doc reminded me that in the past my burning was yeast infection so she will rx a pill for yeast... hopefully that will help!

Brandy you sound like me regarding the gotta go urge..
In over 5 yrs I haven't heard of a med that helps with that ...(many folks like Elavil but my pelvic floor freezes from that and other anti-cholingergic meds..

Your symptoms sound somewhat like mine,, and my current PT and newest doc thinks its mostly muscular rather than IC/ PBS...Hope they are right..

Thx ladies
Xoxo
K.Megad