Longterm Use of Sudafed/Mucinex cause IC?

[shellsfaith]

:confused:
I am wondering if any of us or how many of us have used Sudafed for years and years prior to developing IC. I've noticed a correlation between the use of Sudafed and my flares. I have used sudafed for at least 21 years for sinus problems. I also used mucinex/guaf. for at least 10 years. Since these both affect mucous membranes in the sinus cavity- could they have had a longterm effect on the membranes of the lining in my bladder? I used to think wine caused my flares until I realized that I often took sudafed after drinking wine to prevent sinus headache. I stopped with the sudafed and have no flares related to drinking wine.
Antihistamines and estrogen have been the best meds to relieve/control/prevent flares for me.

[statesboro]

I do get sinus trouble out the ying-yang sometimes. Yep! I don't take Sudafed. Ok. I don't know how long it has been on the market, but I just realized it had been out over 20 years now. I would not figure you have got IC because of it, but it does seem like we may not have all gotten IC the exact same way. (by reading posts about how we think we may have ended up with it) Also, I have used Mecinex, but I actually thought it was newer than 10 years. Oh, well! Some people with IC can get a flare by taking certian medications. Maybe you will get some other responses as well.

[Julie B]

I was taking a lot of Sudafed about the time I had my first big flare. I don't think it caused it, but it didn't help any!

[Cassaundra]

I have chronic sinus infections.

Statesboro & Shellsfaith- what have you done for your sinus infections? Do you still have your tonsils and adnoids?

[statesboro]

I have been diagnosed with actual sinus infections where I was put on antibiotics.(and not lately) Ok. I have taken some Clariton in 2010.(not in the past few weeks) Also, my ENT doctor likes to recommend something called Simply Saline.(no prescription needed) Maybe you have heard of it by now. It is supposed to do kinda like what the neti pot is used for. Yep! I have used both in the same day before. Oh! I actually think the neti pot does better on actual sinus pressure. (because I can usually blow afterwards) Ok. I am not a doctor at all.

[VickiB]

I won't touch a cold medication anymore, but I used to use them whenever necessary. I don't know if there's any relationship between that and my developing IC. I did find they tend to cause my IC to flare.

I used to get a lot of sinus infections. Then I was told to stop taking sinus medications and replace them with saline like Statesboro mentioned or simply an expectorant alone. The idea was that by suppressing the production & flow of mucus I was encouraging bacterial growth. I did this and I've never had an infection since.

Vicki

[Cassaundra]

Thanks for your replies. Do you guys have to rinse every day?

[statesboro]

What about VICKS VapoRub? (no ingesting)(hopefully) Ok. I was told once that allowing steam from hot water to get to your nostrils could help with sinus pressure.(without getting burned) Hey! That may not beat the neti pot with solution in it, but I have put my head over steam more than once. I definitely get tired of taking medications and remedies. Of course, I do take enough without wanting to be taking more.(although I did pop a few Clariton last month) (because of itchy throat and runny nose) Oh! It did not seem to bother my bladder as far as I was aware. Ricolas don't seem to bother my IC at all. They won't take away sinus pressure, but I still like them as well.

[Cassaundra]

I have used Vicks VapoRub before. It's very... sticky and smells though, haha. The sudafed helped a lot and so the antibiotic is helping, although irritating my bladder at the moment. Do you take antibiotics for every sinus infection?

[kadi]

I don't know if there's a connection made about sudafed causing IC, though it can worsen existing IC symptoms. There is however, a strong connection between IC and allergy. If we're taking Sudafed because of our allergies or our sinus problems started by allergies, then it could look like there's a connection. Does that make sense?

[VickiB]

Do you guys have to rinse every day?
I don't, but I've read where some recommend it be done once or twice a day.

[dyno]

I know that I can't take any decongestant anymore. It will cause a bad flare for me.

[wnichols]

I read that there is an unknown connection between sinus trouble and IC. And in my case, I beleive it was true. I was treated for several months for an accute allergic reaction which included sinus problems and later got IC.

[LithEruiel]

Oh great...I have a really bad cold right now (possibly sinus infection) and the only thing that helps is Sudafed. Benadryl never even touches my symptoms, nor does any allergy med or other OTC decongestant (gotta be the real thing!) I woke up at 2 am and couldn't breathe because my nose was so stuffed up and had to take a Sudafed. I'm probably going to have a huge flare now...

[ICNDonna]

About the only things I can do for a cold are a neti pot, saline nasal spray, and tylenol. I can't use things like vicks because I'm allergic to eucalyptus. I HATE, HATE, HATE colds.

Donna

[LithEruiel]

Same here! I use saline nasal spray twice a day whether I have a cold or not. Usually when I have a cold I have to upgrade to using Astelpro nasal spray (RX), but for some reason it's been burning my throat this time (it usually helps my sore throat!) I have a neti pot too and I used it once with no problem, but the second time I used it, it burned so bad, so I'm afraid to try again.

[wnichols]

I use astepro, but it bothers my throat too. so I put the dose in my nose using a q-tip since it is absorbed through the membrane. It may sound strange, but it really irritates my stomach if I get it in my throat and I don't like the taste as it also contains artificial sugar which I have trouble digesting.

I've noticed with astepro, too, that the dose my PX is prescribing has gone up. Astepro no longer makes the lower dose, and only make a high level dose.

One thing I've found that doesn't bother my cystitis is tylenol sinus.

Of course, using any of these methods I suggest, I would consult a doctor- but these are things that work for me.

[LithEruiel]

When I talked to the nurse practioner about the Astelpro bothering my throat she said to just stiff gently and usually that worked just fine for me, even helping my throat, but this is odd that it burns! Thanks for the info, I never thought of the Q-tip thing!

[wnichols]

astepro is one of the few antihistamines I can take because something in the regular oral ones makes me itch. astepro however does not. Unfortunately, it does cause weight gain so I'm reluctant to use it too much.

[LithEruiel]

Oh, I didn't know that either. I usually only use it when I'm sick, so I think I'm ok.

[KLA]

This is so weird. I was on Elmiron, Elavil for over 6 months and I was miserable. My doc said if the meds dont work in 3 months stop them. I did, after 6. That was a month ago. I have been taking sudafed for a plugged up ear. Like maybe 2 times a week. And my IC pain went from a 10 to a 1. I dont know if its related or not. But seems strange, it went away after I stopped the meds, and took this. Maybe I am going into remission. One can only pray for that. I was wondering if anyone else has taken sudafed??? I wonder if theres a connect some how.