Someone please help me understand my meds...

**wingirl1999** · 01-19-2006, 01:58 PM

I have a good doctor, I really do...but I'm on three new meds all at once so it's confusing. I'm on Atarax, Tofranil, and Elmiron. I understand the Elmiron is to help build up the lining of the bladder or something like that, and the Tofranil is supposed to calm my system, but beyond that, I am overwhelmed and have forgotten what my doctor said. And since the drugs are prescribed for lots of different reasons, looking them up on the internet hasn't really helped. Can someone inform me please? I should have written down what my doctor told me!

vm · 01-19-2006, 02:32 PM

Antihistamines: ATARAX & VISTARIL

Mast cells are one of the body's first lines of defense against substances and invading organisms. Skin, nasal passages, and the gastrointestinal tract are all inhabited by mast cells. When you have a cold or suffer from fever, mast cells react to pollen or a virus by producing histamine and other substances. This leads to pain, inflammation and swelling.
Biopsies of some interstitial cystitis bladders, particularly ulcerative IC, have been found to have unusual numbers of mast cells. There is also speculation that mast cells in IC bladders do not function normally. In any case, antihistamine treatment in IC is aimed at stopping the "histamine-mast cell-inflammation" cycle in the bladder.

Atarax® and Vistaril® (generic name: Hydroxyzine HCL or Pomoate) are believed to block the activation of mast cells (12). Hydroxyzine has been shown in scientific studies to be very effective for IC patients, particularly patients with a history of allergies. Often used in conjunction with Elmiron, Hydroxyzine is now one of the most important therapies for IC patients.

The most common complaint of patients taking these drugs is that they cause drowsiness, dry mouth or irritability. Some people find that their drowsiness decreases in a few days. Hydroxyzine pomoate may be better tolerated than hydroxyzine HCL in some patients.

That is from the online Patient Handbook at the ICN. If you visit that page:

www.ic-network.com/handbook

and click on the area about treatments, you'll find some really good information on all the oral medications typically prescribed for IC.

**traceann** · 01-20-2006, 02:41 AM

I agree with Kim, check out the Handbook, it will help you find out about them in terms of use for IC! I know, sometimes it so hard to research online about a medication, since they can be used for a wide spectrum of problems.... And don't be afraid to ask all the questions you want!!

Hugs!!!

**jen48446** · 01-20-2006, 04:09 AM

For symptoms & understanding meds I use www.webmd.com it has answered a lot of questions for me

Hope this helps!

**hoping4acure** · 01-20-2006, 04:21 AM

Kim gave you some great advise. The handbook was my bible. Do a whole lot of reading and research. This is a great place, we are all here to listen and to answer any and all questions you might have so...don't be shy