Pros/Cons of Cyclosporine?

[nekura]

My uro suggested this to me today. Said I'd be a good candidate for it since my only symptom is spasms. I'm seriously considering taking it, but I would like a general consensus of those who had positive versus negative experiences with it?

[nekura]

Some notes on the studies of the medicine:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AUA/26672

http://urologytimes.modernmedicine.com/urologytimes/Inflammation+and+Infection/Cyclosporine-shows-dramatic-results-in-severe-inte/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/475196

[eyeliner128]

Cyclosporine works by suppressing the immune system. The reasoning in treating IC is assuming that it is an autoimmune disease, that is, the immune system is overactive and is attacking the bladder as if it were an enemy.

Usually it's given to people recently given an organ transplant so that the person's body doesn't reject the new organ. But, there has been great success with it in treating IC.

It's important to know that it is a somewhat "heavy" drug and that your kidneys and blood pressure have to be monitored (similar to getting blood tests for Elmiron to check liver and kidneys). So, for mild IC, I wouldn't recommend Cyclosporine.

I'm considering taking it as well and am going to discuss it with my Doc on Tuesday. I think that if it totally took away my IC symptoms, the side effects would be worth it for sure.

Good luck, let us know what happens,

Molly

[nekura]

Yeah, I know how it works. i just want to know how bad it'd make people feel in general, but I'm probably going to agree to it.

[Natty]

I have been on it a month. I just get a little more tired than I used to but its not bad.

[nekura]

Third week on it i'm not seeing much difference. I'm only 50 mg twice a day

[nekura]

Still no negatives to it but the blood tests.

[nekura]

It doesn't seem to stop the winter flare, sadly. But I did better than last year..so who knows?

[nekura]

I can safely say it has no negative effects for me. Boyfriend was sick, sick, sick and all I got was a minor sore throat that was fixed by gurgling anti-septic mouthwash. Then I lol'd that he was sick and my immune system was still stronger than his even with those meds..

[samco0904]

not sure of the dosage you would be perscribed but ive been on cyclosporine for 6 yrs due to my other autoimmune disease. 250 mgs. it causes me extremely puffy gums, extra facial hair and tiredness.