Addicted to azo? help!?

[Hannah13]

I've been flaring non stop for over a week. I'm trying EVERYTHING I can think of to figure out what's causing it and how to get it to stop. No success so far. Has anyone here ever had a bad reaction to dye free benedryl? So far I've been blaming a strong onslaught of allergy season. (I'm allergic to all the dead autumn leaves moldering away.)

I'm also taking urelle and/or azo every single day and I'm worried abut the impact it'll have on my long term health but I can't function without it.

Help?

I'm also concerned that I've grown azo dependent and that I go into flare whenever it wears off. Is this a possibility?

This is causing serious problems in my life and I'm desperate.

[ICNDonna]

Have you seen your doctor? If not, I think you should call today. You might have an infection working --- you really need to talk with your doctor.

Donna

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by ICNDonna

Have you seen your doctor? If not, I think you should call today. You might have an infection working --- you really need to talk with your doctor.

Donna

I have an emergency appt with my uro in 48 hours. I'm just trying to figure out what I can do in the meantime, if not to make it better than at least not to make it worse. I've never been diagnosed with a bacterial bladder infection in my life so I doubt this is something we can resolve with antibiotics. I just pray god it can be resolved. I was doing really well with meds and PT and for the past week all my progress has vanished, I'm reduced to popping azo and urelle like candy and I'm frankly, very scared.

Thanks for your response!

Love, H.

[Goldfinch]

Good you are seeing your doctor. Urelle and the other urinary tract antiseptics are generally considered safe for long-term us, as directed by your doctor. Azo or pyridium is meant for short-term use, and should be discussed with your doctor as well. For many months I was on Urelle, and it helped a lot. My doctor said I could use Azo as a back-up if I was in pain, but did not want me taking it regularly. Urelle worked best for me with a consistent dose, and was more effective over time.

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by Goldfinch

Good you are seeing your doctor. Urelle and the other urinary tract antiseptics are generally considered safe for long-term us, as directed by your doctor. Azo or pyridium is meant for short-term use, and should be discussed with your doctor as well. For many months I was on Urelle, and it helped a lot. My doctor said I could use Azo as a back-up if I was in pain, but did not want me taking it regularly. Urelle worked best for me with a consistent dose, and was more effective over time.

Thanks very much for your response! How did you manage to eventually need the urelle less?

[Snowden1]

My urologist had me on pyridum 200mg for two months. My new urologist says 200mg 4x a day is o.k., but did not mention for how long. I take it now when I need it.
Teresa

[Julie B]

Hi there,

I just wanted to remind you to not take your AZO or urelle for several hours before you go to the doctor, ok? The dye can disrupt the office test, and it can take some time to get the cultures back. You may want to call the doc and ask them how much time they need to be out of your system.

One thing I wanted to add....when I take Azo (pyridium) for more that three days in a row, it stops working for me and can even backfire. I think others have said the same thing. Hopefully, people will chime in here.

Sending you understanding hugs..........

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by Julie B

Hi there,

I just wanted to remind you to not take your AZO or urelle for several hours before you go to the doctor, ok? The dye can disrupt the office test, and it can take some time to get the cultures back. You may want to call the doc and ask them how much time they need to be out of your system.

One thing I wanted to add....when I take Azo (pyridium) for more that three days in a row, it stops working for me and can even backfire. I think others have said the same thing. Hopefully, people will chime in here.

Sending you understanding hugs..........

it's a long drive to my uro so that literally might not be an option. I may have to take a clean catch at home and bring it to him since once it wears off I'm in violent need of a void every 6 to 10 minutes. I can collect that at home but manage a bumpy 40 minute drive in my current condition sans meds? Not remotely possible. Lol. The only "good" news is that I've never had a bacterial uti in my life and doubt very much that's the cause. My urine has always tested maddeningly normal. Bacteria would be a relief, to finally have a reason but I doubt it. We'll see how it goes. Thanks!

[Goldfinch]

Originally Posted by Hannah13

Thanks very much for your response! How did you manage to eventually need the urelle less?

Urelle got me through several bad flares. I took the max dose (4 pills per day)for a couple of weeks, then was slowly able to decrease the dose until I was taking only 1 pill per day. This was before I was formally diagnosed through the time it became clear that Elmiron was working for me. After 3 months on Elmiron I stopped taking it altogether.

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by Goldfinch

Urelle got me through several bad flares. I took the max dose (4 pills per day)for a couple of weeks, then was slowly able to decrease the dose until I was taking only 1 pill per day. This was before I was formally diagnosed through the time it became clear that Elmiron was working for me. After 3 months on Elmiron I stopped taking it altogether.

I've moved over to urelle only for the duration and no more than 2 per 24 hour period. Morning and night. Hopefully my uro can help me on Thursday.

Thanks!

Love, Hannah.

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by Hannah13

I've moved over to urelle only for the duration and no more than 2 per 24 hour period. Morning and night. Hopefully my uro can help me on Thursday.

Thanks!

Love, Hannah.

So allergies are the culprit apparently and now we get to hope hydroxyzine and zyrtec plus sinus rinses and nasalcrom get me through.

[Julie B]

I really like NasalCrom. I didn't know anyone else ever recommended it!

I hope you get better soon.............XOXOX

[Hannah13]

Originally Posted by Julie B

I really like NasalCrom. I didn't know anyone else ever recommended it!

I hope you get better soon.............XOXOX

Thank you so much!

Love, Hannah.