Decongestants and IC - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

bunnykinb · 11-29-2004, 09:30 AM

Why are decongestants bad for IC patients? I have a really bad cold and my sinuses are really stuffed. Any advice?

Thanks,
bunnykinb

***Katrina*** · 11-29-2004, 04:41 PM

Well they may not hurt us all....but some have said they have hurt their bladder. Just as anything can. We can usually have more luck to try antihistamines since they often can help treat our IC and our cold or sinus symptoms. Look for the meds out there that are newly non prescription for allergies such as Allervert. Also try sprays and vics. You can try decogestions to find out if they hurt you. My experience has been that most people have complained of decogestions hurting them though. Good luck.

bunnykinb · 11-30-2004, 06:23 AM

I have Nasonex but that's for allergies and it doesn't help my conjestion. I had to take a Sudafed D last night and 1/2 a tablet this morning. My head is in laa laa ville. I have slight irritated urethra feeling, but nothing major. Might be that my head has taken over the pain instead. I put vick's on the outside of my nostrils, but my head is hurting.

Thanks,
bunnykinb

***Katrina*** · 11-30-2004, 04:42 PM

Well if you have a cold you will probably need more medicine than what you take all the time. Allavert usually helps me with my colds....
When I get more desperate I try sprays like Afrin ....less likely to affect my bladder. HOpe you feel a lot better soon.

theclownster · 11-30-2004, 08:12 PM

Hi there! I take generic version of the Sudafed Non Drying Sinus capsules that have the decongestant and the expectorant in it. I sometimes take them once a day - it seems I wake up feeling a little stuffed in the morning. I usually take three prelief with them and I do okay. Once a day, sometimes twice has not bothered me yet. I took them once over the weekend, but prior to that I hadn't needed them in about a month. I also take an allergy med at bedtime for IC - so that usually helps me too. Sometimes I think we just need to pick our pain. Bladder or head? Whichever is bothering us the most at the time, I think that's the one that wins.

Hope you feel better soon!
Jennifer

bunnykinb · 12-02-2004, 11:57 AM

I bought some Theraflu cough strips. About 1 hour later, I started having urethra pain which I then had to take pyridium. I really think it was the cough medicine that caused this since I didn't eat anything else out of the ordinary. I was suppose to have another instill today, but decided to call the uro's office to see if I could still get the instill while I wasn't feeling good, I was told it would be better to wait. So I am rescheduled in two weeks.

I think after the next heparin, I will most likely go on Elmiron.

Thank you for all your well wishes. I'll have to try taking Prelief with the decongestants.

bunnykinb

poetgirl · 12-03-2004, 09:30 AM

Decongestants always seem to act as a diuretic for me, so I end up urinating more, which then irritates my bladder and causes urethral burning. I try not to take decongestants unless I'm so congested I can't breathe or think straight.

bunnykinb · 12-04-2004, 03:39 PM

It's me, I can't believe I'm still congested. Does anyone know if Singular helps with the congestion or is that just for allergies? It would be nice I could take both Singular for IC and congestion.

Christmas is near and it's difficult to think about it when we are all trying to deal with our pain. Best wishes to all.

bunnykinb