will the diarrhea ever go away?

[holles]

it's only been a couple days on elmiron, but i've been having a huge problem with the diarrhea. does it stop eventually? if so, when?

[vm]

Have you tried taking it out of the capsule? That helps some people.

I had nausea the first few days, but that gradually went away. Maybe the diarrhea will, too?

[lindavk]

I was just diagnosed with IC and am scared to death!! have started Elmiron and not sure how long it will take to have some effect. Prelief does help & I am trying to cut the acid in my diet - I learned about that on this site - my urologist gave me very little info - has anyone taken the Pyridium Plus?

[Joyaur]

I have taken Elmiron for about seven years now.. URGENCY of BOWEL is the main side- affect for me..

Can't make it to the bathroom most of the time....
I have taken it out the of capsul and I still have URGENCY OF BOWEL.

[theclownster]

Pyridium plus helps when my symptoms are really really severe. I think I've only taken it twice. My doctor gave me some samples. It works better then regular pyridium. Just as an FYI - it changes the color of your urine, which then in turn can stain clothing items, toilets, etc. It helps to numb the bladder so to speak and help with the urgency, constant need to go. I'm not sure if it's true - but I've heard it's not good to use it for prolonged periods of time.


Take Care!
Jennifer

[Joyaur]

Does the" P " pill help with bowels?

[Donna L]

I get diarrhea about once a week,and I'm sure it's the elmiron. I've just learned to stock up on Imodium, like I do Prelief. I've been on elmirom since Jan, and it seems to help,so I'm trying to accept this as an unpleasant side affect.I'm not happy about it but I'll deal with diarrhea occasionaly, rather than the constant pain I had before being on elmiron...... .Donna L

[Joyaur]

Never though of taking something for the loose bowels.

..Thanks for the info!!!

[Lyn40]

I was on Elmiron for a full year. It did not help my IC symptoms, so I stopped. During that year, I had terrible diarrhea. I thought I had developed IBS. I lost quite a bit of weight during that time which is not a good thing for me. When I went off the Elmiron, my loose bowels and weight went back to normal. I had no idea it was the Elmiron.

Lyn

[Traysmum]

When I was first diagnosed with IC I was given Elmiron. It took about a month before the diahorrea started. I didn't put it down to the Elmiron and went to see a gastro doctor who did every test under the sun. I was taking Elmiron for about 18 months when we realized it was the Elmiron, so I stopped taking it. I have tried it several times since, even taking it out of the capsule but my diahorrea gets so bad I cannot leave the house for any period of time.

Elmiron did help my IC but caused other problems too. I had gastritis, IBS and now I am lactose intolerant which I wasn't before taking Elmrion.

[Donna L]

I also have IBS as well as IC........The IBS has been dx for a long time, the IC this year......but I became latose intolerant because of the IBS.......... the good news...they have pills for that too! My pill cabinet looks like someone who is 90 or a hypocondriac,,and I have always hated taking pills....IRONY....Donna L

[Joyaur]

I got some anti-diarrehea PILLS YESTERDAY...HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HELP WITH THE LOOSE BOWELS.

How do I take them?
One with each elmiron..???

[Donna L]

I just follow the directions on the box. With imodium its 2 after first "episode"and one after any sucessive episode, but no more than 4 in 24 hr..It may be trial and error in the beginning. I have friends who have immediate relief..after the first 2. For me, I vary in what works...........Hope it helps...........Donna L

[lindavk]

Imodium helps the diarrhea - also just got put on Detrol La - anyone have experience with it?? I so appreciate this site - much moreinfo than any Drs have given me and support as well -- bless you all!!

[Joyaur]

I was on Detrol..didn't seems to help much...

Made my mouth so dry that I had cotton mouth.

Drank so much water to get moisture back into my mouth...made me potty more than ever...!!

[Alexa]

holles - how are you feeling today? As mentioned, the culprit is sometimes the capsle that the Elmiron comes in rather than the actual Elmiron causing the side effects (you'd think the pharmaceutical company would have changed that by now!!)

Have you asked your doctor or pharmacist about it? If your condition continues, I would ask either one about it.

Take care,
Alexa

[holles]

the diarrhea has gone for now. now battling constipation. :rolleyes: saw my gyn wednesday thinking my something was wrong with my right ovary (lots of really bad pain). turns out i was "full of crap." :toosh:

so i'm doing the citrucel thing (mixing it with low-acid orange juice). it's quite helpful. ;)

thanks for asking. so far, i'm doing a lot better. can't wait to trade that low-acid orange juice for the real thing. :)

[Joyaur]

I am back to being nausiated again when I take the Elmiron without food..so better take it with food again.

[Joyaur]

I am back to being nausiated again when I take the Elmiron without food..so better take it with food again.

[Allyson K-A]

I used to have diarreah, also - in my case, w/re. to IC and Elmrion (plus an entirely separate gastro condition).

Between switching from 3 down to 2 doses per day, plus taking CITRUCELL Fiber Therapy (daily), I am now completely diarreah-, constipation-, as well as nausea- FREE!

Incidentally, I had to take the Elmiron out of the caps for the LONGEST time - but after switching to the lower dose, I can now tolerate them in the caps, too!

You might want to consider experimenting with "when" you take it, as well. What works best for me: 1 hour <lunch and 1 hr. <dinner (*I become nauseated when taken < breakfast). I find that by being able to have a meal "shortly afterward", the stomach upset is greatly minimized.

Hang in there - eventually, you'll discover what works best for you. Sometimes, you just have to keep at it, until your body adjusts to something new -
:grouphug: Allyson