My doctor started me on Elavil

[Evea]

First I want to say "thank you" for all your input on this subject; From my first question as to what might help with the frequency, to the many questions I asked about different drugs and your experiences.

While everyone is different, it helps to read everyones input, because I find that it helps me to make an informed decision about my own care.

I know that "feeling in control", at least on some sort of level, helps me alot.

You all are

My doctor is starting me on 10 mg of the Elavil. I asked him about the weight gain, he said that the drug itself doesn't make you gain weight, like say a steriod would, but that if can give you cravings and the fact that you are feeling better and you want to eat.

I'm going to keep that in mind, and I'm determined that I won't overeat; I've lost 40.75 lbs since this time last year and I need to loose about 40 more. I'm finally starting to feel good about myself.

I really hope that I don't gain the weight that some of you have said you did, but I hope that it helps with that frequency feeling.

Most days I can make myself wait 3-5 hours between voids (if I give in to it, I get pain). When I told my Uro that he said if I could overcome, by my own self-determination, the urge to pee that I should be able to overcome cravings to eat.

I sure hope so!

Thanks again everyone.

[SharonA]

Good luck with the Elavil. I am on it and have been for over 2 years. I am sure that it is the reason I am able to live a pretty normal life. I have tried to decrease the dosage to under 25gm. When I do, my flares return. That is why I am sure it helps me. I hope the same for you.

As far as the weight gain...yes, I have gained. My will power is pretty much nonexistent. I try so hard not to over eat. It is an every day battle for me. I am not sure if the Elavil causes my appetite to increase. Whatever it is, I really have to take charge and not let the weight get out of hand. One thing I know for sure...I will not go off the Elavil just to lose weight. It's not a good trade.

[mayray518]

Elavil changed my life. I have now been pain free for 6 years. I started out on 50 mg. I was tired all the time but it was better than dealing with the IC. I am now down to 5 mg. I did get cravings but did not give into them and kept my weight low.

[kadi]

I took 10mg for 8 months, no weight gain. Took 20 mg for 3 months, gained 5 lbs, but probably could have controlled that since I knew I was eating more & could have cut back.

Increase to 30mg this past weekend, by 3rd day had no sensation of fullness after eating. Ate a potroast dinner, large glass of milk, 3 desserts & felt as hungry as if I had not eaten at all. Was awake hungry all night, in spite of getting up & eating still more. So, reduced dose back to 20mg & am fine again. I had no bladder pain at all on 30 which shocked me because the doctor said it would take weeks, but maybe I was so hungry I didn't notice. I've put a call into the doctor's office about the whole weird thing. This is a strange event, most people do not have this experience, but I'm posting in case someone else has had this happen & their doctor doesn't believe them.

[kadi]

Oh, did want to say that Elavil was what gave me my life back. Last Fall I was so sick with IC that I had to void every 15 minutes, could not sleep, eat, drive or work. The first night on Elavil 10mg, I slept 3 hours & was ecstatic. After a week on Elavil I could sleep through the night with only 1-2 bathroom trips. So, it's definitely worth trying. And the 20mg dose I started in April reduced my pain & flares significantly. I went up to 30 because I still have burning & pressure daily & we were hoping just a bit more would help. We'll see about 25mg????

[mayray518]

It took 3 months for the elavil to kick in for me but my bladder was in bad shape. I had gone undiagnosed with IC for years. Great that it's working for you.