stephaniej212

Close Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Treatments

Bladder Instillation Working / Worked

Initially I had weekly treatments of a "bladder instillation cocktail" which consists of, *Bupivacaine HCL 5cc *Lidocaine 2% 20cc *Heparin *Kenalog 80mg *Gentamycin 80mg Now I go at least once month or if I have a flare.

Elavil Working / Worked

20 mg at bedtime.I love it for the pain so far! I didnt want to take this med because of the side effects I read about so I didnt start taking it until three weeks ago mid June. I WISH I STARTED IT EARLIER!! Within a week and a half my bladder and urethral pain had been reduced by at least 75%. I do find I have a slightly weaker stream of urine but I am emptying my bladder better because I am not feeling that terrible burning which triggers my spasms. I am also sleeping better!

Elmiron Working / Worked

Started taking as prescribed (100mg 3x/day) 4 months ago. Not a fan of some of the side effects- nausea, slight dizziness and a strange sensation in my feet, almost like they were tingling and hot (I had never experienced this feeling before taking this med and it has mild blood thinning properties so I'm attributing the sensations in my feet to be a circulatory thing, mild hair loss (seeing more hair in the brush but nothing terrible yet)

Macrobid Somewhat Helpful

Only used in the beginning to prevent UTI's.

Pyridium Not Working

I find that the OTC UTI meds actually aggrivate my IC symptoms.

Valium Working / Worked

24mg 3xdayThis really helps me with the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction symptoms and with sleeping better. Also I make sure I take at least 4mg before going for an instillation, it makes the process a little easier.