Elavil for pain or urgency...or both?

[SoCalJen]

I am recently diagnosed with IC. My symptoms are frequency and severe urgency, without pain. Evidently, this puts me in the "mild IC" bucket.

The constant urgency is really starting to get me down. I'm biding my time, desperately trying to maintain my focus at work while waiting for the Elmiron to take effect. Meanwhile, I'm extremely curious about Elavil's effects on this particular symptom.

My uro said that for IC patients, Elavil is used more toward pain reduction than urgency. However, in the past two months, I seemed to have learned a lot more from this message board than from my uro. I'd really welcome feedback/advice on taking Elavil for urgency/frequency.

Also, I would like to figure out how to add a signature to the bottom of my posts w/ relevant meds but can't seem to sort that out. I take Elmiron (400 mgs-- 2 pills, twice a day and Atarax-- 25 mg.) This is my fifth week on Elmiron. Fingers crossed...

Thank you so very much for any input!

[ICNDonna]

To add a signature, scroll to the top of this page --- on the blue line you'll find "User CP" --- click on that and you'll find the place to add your signature.

I can't take elavil, but lots of ICers do. Hopefully you'll hear from some of them.

Donna

[kuntrygurl78]

I use elavil for daily pain control.

I use Detrol for night time frequency.

I also have mild IC.

Hope this helps!

[Briza]

Elavil helped me for frequency and sleeping thru the night. Not at all for pain. I hope you find relief from some of your symptoms with it.:)

[KarenAnne]

I have been diagnosed with moderate IC. I had severe urgency & frequency. My urologist prescribed generic Elavil for me. It has worked wonders with daytime voiding & I am able to sleep through most nights. (If I get up, it's once).

[SoCalJen]

It's nice to hear encouraging things about measures that might work. I am so overwhelmed by this sensation. It's really distracting from my work and studies.

I wish I could fast forward and find some kind of combination that might help. My mind keeps spinning and spinning. I get unbelievably frightened when I consider a lifetime of this feeling.

I am revisiting the strict diet because it's all I can do. It makes me so depressed to take so many drugs! I take Elmiron, Atarax and Prosed. If I were to add Elavil, well... that's whole lot of chemistry going on. Still, I'm absolutely desperate and I sincerely appreciate these responses. I write this through tears because I don't seem to be making much progress. Finding it hard to keep the chin up.

[Hannah13]

I have been diagnosed with moderate IC. I had severe urgency & frequency. My urologist prescribed generic Elavil for me. It has worked wonders with daytime voiding & I am able to sleep through most nights. (If I get up, it's once).

May I ask do you only take it once and if so at night? What dose? Thanks for humoring me.

Love, H.

[KarenAnne]

Hannah, I take 20mg. between 8-10pm nightly.

[Hannah13]

Hannah, I take 20mg. between 8-10pm nightly.

And that controls some symptoms during the day or just gets you sleep?

Love, H.

[KarenAnne]

Hannah, That dose controls my symptoms around the clock. But I don't use the elavil (I take generic amitriptyline) alone. I am also very strict on the diet, using the diet advice from this website, & have been doing physical therapy for over a year. I am now down to every other week for PT. In fact, this month I have not had PT at all due to scheduling problems. I also do prescribed stretching exercises at home. So it is a combination of all these things that have helped me. But again, this treatment plan doesn't work for everyone. I was also diagnosed within 3 months of symptom onset, a big blessing. I also saw three other urologists before finding my current one, Dr. Philip Hanno, who has been wonderful for me. I was prescribed & tried alot of medication with the other uro's before my success with the elavil. One of the other docs even did bladder instills, which did not work for me at that time.

I'm telling you all this, because it isn't just the elavil alone, although I had dramatic relief within a week of taking it. It's a combination of several things. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[Tura]

Hang in there Hannah. I have the dsame symptoms as you and ive had them for years. New Doc just took me off imipramine cause i didnt think it helped me and i was on it for yeasrs. Has your doc suggested DMSO instillations? Ive just had my second. I hope they help.
Right now he has me on pyridium.
He wants to put me on Elavil as well.