Question about Darpaz

[Oscar]

From their website....(highlights mine)

This medication is used to relieve discomfort, pain, frequent urges to urinate, and cramping/spasms of the urinary tract caused by an infection or a medical procedure. Methenamine and methylene blue are antiseptic drugs that help to clear a urinary tract infection. Salicylate is a pain reliever. Sodium phosphate makes the urine more acidic, which helps the drug methenamine work better. Hyoscyamine is an antispasmodic drug that relaxes muscle cramps/spasms.

I thought acidic urine is what we were trying to avoid? :confused:

[Reannin]

I started taking Darpaz a little less than a month ago, and did some research on it. I, too, found this EXACT piece of information and started to freak out. I thought to myself, "If I'm supposed to be avoiding everything acidic, then why in the WORLD am I taking a medication that's supposed to make my urine more acidic?"

I believe I posted a question on these boards about a month ago with the exact same question you have. I was reassured by a few people on here that many IC patients take this medication and have had absolutely NO problems with it. Just to get a second opinion, I called my Urologist, and she told me the same thing. They said that they NEVER had a patient that had a problem with it. She even said that the medication doesn't really raise your urine acidity level to a high degree. There's basically barely a change, and it won't hurt your bladder. Urine is already naturally acidic.

I can tell you now that I am THANKING GOD that I have been prescribed Darpaz. It helps me SO MUCH. At the beginning, I started to feel it was helping, but I was still feeling painful symptoms so I was worrying that I was making my bladder worse by taking a medication that makes your urine more acidic. Now (less than a month later), every time I feel the slightest urge coming on, or the slightest pain symptom coming on, I pop one of those pills, and within a time frame of 5-10 minutes, it stops everything in its tracks. At the beginning, I would wait till I started feeling stronger urges and pain before I took the pill. When I did it this way, I noticed my symptoms calmed down to a tolerable level. But, now I pop one of those suckers AS SOON as I feel even the SLIGHTEST symptom coming on, and it prevents me from feeling ANY discomfort AT ALL.

From my experience with this medication, it took a period of a couple of weeks for it to get into my system and start to work REALLY WELL. At the beginning, it worked well, but..........and I will repeat myself.......I still felt symptoms. Since I've been on it less than a month, I'm feeling AWESOME! So, basically, give it time. It might not work right away. It will take some edge off, and then, as time goes on, it will possibly take a whole LOAD off. At least this is how it worked for me.

Also, keep in mind that all of us are different, and what works for others might not work for some. Allllllllll of these darn IC meds take time. Ugh.....I hate that phrase....

[Glenda2]

I have been on darpaz for 5 days. :woohoo:

I treally dislike the Blue Urine , and , Now stool too. :loco:

I hope it helps. :pray:

[Glenda2]

I have been on the darpaz about 9 days now.

I notice No benefits from it. I still hurt.

I hate the Blue Urine. But worse then that , Blue Diarrhea*

[Reannin]

I am also on Amitriptyline (Elavil) which is supposed to help with nerve pain. A combination of Darpaz (Urelle) and Amitriptyline........over a period of a month.........has really helped me in the pain department. I've noticed that I need both in order to tackle my pelvic pain. Keep in mind....I still don't feel completely normal. I still feel like I'm having slight uncomfy pelvic issues, but the pain is CERTAINLY not as bad as it was a month ago.

Now if I can only figure out how to get rid of this constant, uncomfortable sensation to have to pee.....that would be fantastic.

I've noticed in former posts that you aren't able to take Elavil because you didn't do well on it when you used to take it in the past. Is this the case with all tricyclic antidepressants with you? If not, maybe ask your doctor about other tricyclic antidepressant options.......or at least somethingthat will possibly help with nerve pain.....if this is the case for you.

I literally feel your pain, and I know it's just complete torture. I completely sympathize with you.