I am in Remission!!!!!

[ERSBD]

I know this may sound unusual but I started to take Elmiron about one month ago. Around the same time, I switched my brand of bottled water from Zephyrhills to Publix Spring water. Without any exaggeration, my flare ups, burning, spasms and overall bladder pain has subsided to a point where I have not needed to take any pain medication since then. Now, I'm not sure if the Elmiron just started to work very fast on me or if the change in water did it or a combination of both. I am so afraid to test it to see if it was the water by going back to Zephyrhills. Then I thought that I would stick with the Publix water and test it by stopping the Elmiron. After thinking hard, I have decided to NOT test anything and just be thankful for this pain free time. I will continue on the Elmiron as well as continue drinking the Publix Spring water. Now my doctor feels that the Elmiron could possibly have kicked in a lot faster than the average IC patient. He said it all depends on the individual. So I am very hopeful and just pray that this so called state of remission will last a very long time to come. So far, I have not had any adverse side effects from the Elmiron- just occasional loose stool and nothing I cannot deal with. Has anyone else ever heard of Elmiron working so fast or has anyone read about the effects of different types of bottled water on IC patients?
Regards, ersbd

[Julie B]

Hi there,

I am so glad you are feeling better. It is possible for Elmiron to help sooner for some people. It is also possible that the water made the difference. I can drink both waters, but everyone is different.

I agree with your thinking--don't rock the boat.

When I asked my doctor a couple of years ago if he thought I could get off some of my Atarax, he asked, "Why would you want to do that when you are feeling so good, and it took so long to get here?"

That was enough for me to just stay status quo for now.

[lttlewun]

Yay!! I love to read stories like this! It gives me great hope!

Can I ask what your symptoms were and how long you have had IC? Are you taking any other meds besides Elmiron? Do you follow the diet? How long have you been in remission?

I hope you continue to feel great! This is awesome news!!:dance:

[vm]

Awesome! Whatever led to the remission I'm just glad you came here and posted about it. I hope it continues for a long, long time. :)