Elmiron vs Others??

**BuffyFan** · 04-26-2008, 03:26 AM

I began taking Elmiron towards the middle of November, so I'm coming up on my 6th month or so. I have had no bad side effects from it, if any at all!! But what I am wondering, is Elmiron (in your eyes) better than or not as good as some of the products that work in the same way?? Some of those products are listed here in the ICN shop. Now, I'm a single mom & don't have a heck of a lot of money & while Elmiron is $400 a month, with my insurance, I only pay $3 a month for it. But if I get even another part time job, I'll lose that insurance & then them I'm screwed, cause there is no way I could afford to stay on the Elmiron.
To be honest, it's difficut to tell if the drug is doing me any good or not. Maybe it is, or mabye I'm just learning to deal with the pain, frequency & flares a bit better. Ya know, compaired to last year when I had no idea what was going on with me!!
But I have read that products in the ICN shop have helped others & while I can't afford to pay $50 a bottle...like I said, I lose my insurance & there goes the Elmiron anyway. One upside, is that throughout the years I thought I was allergic to shellfish, so I've stayed away from IC profucts with shellfish in them. But, I have had the prick & blood work done for shellfish allergies & it's all good, I'm not allgeric!! So, do any of you have any suggestions about something that may work like Elmiron. Maybe even a supplement you can get in a store that has somewhat of the same combo as the products in the shop on here?? Any info would be of some help....

Alisha xoxo

**leelee88** · 04-26-2008, 03:43 AM

Buffyfan,

I was taking Elmiron and having good resuls from it. I could tell my bladder was doing better becuase my bladder was not burning like it use to and I was not as food sensitive as before. Also my pain level went down greatly.
I had to stop the Elmiron do to hair loss. So I decided to try an alternative Glucosamine/MSM I started is as I was tapering down from the Elmiron. I had talked to my dr about this first of course. The Glucosamine/MSM is working almost as good and I say almost because only differance is that my food sensativity has come back, but still not as bad as before. But the pain level has still been down with my bladder and I only have burning if I flare. Also when I flare it seems to pass witin a day or so. Before I was on anything it would be days or weeks before my bladder would get back on track. So I would say yes that being that I cannot take elmiron Glucosamine/MSM is a really good alternative!!

***ICNDonna*** · 04-26-2008, 05:06 AM

Since you're not having any side effects and it's inexpensive for you, I think in your place I'd continue the elmiron --- you're just getting to the place where many have said it helps a lot.

Donna

**BuffyFan** · 04-26-2008, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by ICNDonna

Since you're not having any side effects and it's inexpensive for you, I think in your place I'd continue the elmiron --- you're just getting to the place where many have said it helps a lot.

Donna

Yeah, I guess looking back...I don't have that intense bladder burning (just urethral burning). I wish that some of the pain would ease up...but when I used to have pain, I was doubled over...now when I have pain, I am able to get through it & deal. Still tough, but not totally impossible!! Thanks...

Alisha xoxo

**lisabar36** · 04-28-2008, 03:17 PM

Hi, I been on it since September, I have to say it has helped me alot recently, I notice it starting to work. I know they have a program where you can get it discounted if you qualify, I am not sure what the guidelines are but if you go to there website you can get info on that.

Lisa

**BuffyFan** · 04-28-2008, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by lisabar36

Hi, I been on it since September, I have to say it has helped me alot recently, I notice it starting to work. I know they have a program where you can get it discounted if you qualify, I am not sure what the guidelines are but if you go to there website you can get info on that.

Lisa

Thanks hun...I will defo have to look into that if I get another job & lose my insurance. So, you've been on it since Sept & it has helped more recently?? Guess I should give it more time then...since I began mine in Nov. I've read that it can even take 9 months or more till one may see results!! Oh well, we'll hang in there together

Alisha xoxo

**Kathy in Canada** · 04-28-2008, 05:49 PM

Hi Buffyfan,

I am taking Elmiron both orally and in instills. Hang in there with the Elmiron it takes time to work. I also take Amitriptylline 20 mg in the am and 20 mg at 8 pm. Amitriptylline taken only in the evening wears off by about 4 pm on me, so I take it twice a day. I had to work up to this amount. I also take 10 mg of Atarax at 8 pm. Have you tried any of these meds as well as the Elmiron. I find that the Amitriptylline helps me with the nerve pain a fair bit - I started on 10 mg in the am. I noticed the difference in the nerve pain as soon as I started using it. Most people take Amitriptylline in the evening because it helps them sleep better as it makes you drowsy. I sleep ok. I need it for the pain.

I'm not keen on the Atarax, I'm just taking it to cover all the bases as it is a standard medication also given for IC. With my other meds I can't take more than 10 mg, otherwise I would not be able to get off the couch all day due to drowsiness.

I also have pfd and take Valium, go to physio, do daily exercises from the physio, & take baths etc. for it. The Valium helps a lot for pfd.

I would be careful if I was you and not quit a job that has drug benefits. Elmiron is very expensive.

Take care,

Kathy

**lisabar36** · 04-29-2008, 02:26 AM

Hi, I am just starting to see results with Elmiron, they told me it can take 9 to 12 months to see the true result of Elmiron, so I have a ways to go still to. I am not having any problems with it, no side effects, and I do think it is helping.

Lisa