Going for my first DMSO

[Lexi36]

On Sept.1st, I am starting my first DMSO for 6 weeks, sure am hoping this works. I have been living with ic for 7 years now, with not a break in the pain. On top of this I also have kidney stones. I live on oxycodone and find it works great for the burning sensation and can tell when the pain killer wears off. Can any of you tell me if the DMSO is worth it or too many side effects, just would like some input. Have a great day!!!! :)

[Katrina]

:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: Welcome to the ICN!

Sorry you have IC and kidney stones.....Well, on DMSO ....the side affects are mainly in the beginning, the day of treatment or the first few weeks. I think it took till the 5th or 6th week untill it was improvement for me. Unfortunatly I didn't have as good of results as I wanted ....but that last week proved to me there was potential for more help. Now I weighed finding good treatment made the hard beginning of it worth it.....you need to do that for yourself.

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/ this link is a resourse for all ICers...it has info on treatments including DMSO.

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post. The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you.

Good luck on the 1st!!!!!!! Saying a prayer for you!

[kadi]

Hi Lexi,
This summer I had the series of 6 weekly DMSO cocktail instillations (DMSO, Heparin, Solucortef, Marcaine, Sodium Bicarbonate).

The first 3 treatments were hardest. I did take Darvocet & Pyridium & have a friend drive me & went home to rest on the sofa with a video afterwards.

I'm now on maintenance once a month treatments. Yes, they are helping me. I'm not completely discomfort-free, but my energy level is much better & I have less pain overall. I can now take 4 yoga classes a week without flareup (I couldn't before) & I think I have more good days now. I just discovered that if I drink a little extra water & move around more the day after treatment I feel better faster than if I stay in bed (which is what I feel like doing because of fatigue & aches...) That lasts for a day or so.

A few tips. Ask your doctor if you can take Pyridium first. It helps with the urethral burn from the catheter. Also ask for a pediatric catheter & lidocaine for insertion. Breathe slowly when they insert the catheter & after a few times your breathing will help you tolerate the catheter insertion. It's usually only uncomfortable when it just enters & exits the bladder & if you time your breathing right it will be over before you know it.

Most people know by the 4th treatment if it will help them. I could see small improvement by the 4th treatment, but the real improvement happened for me about a week and a half after the last of the six treatments.

Wishing you successful treatments & better days soon!