Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a urinary bladder disease of unknown cause characterised by pelvic and intense bladder pain, urinary frequency (as often as every 10 minutes), and pain with urination. It is not unusual for patients to experience nocturia and pain with sexual intercourse. IC is also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), particularly outside of the USA.

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Kidneys & Bladder
/ Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

Just diagnosed, started meds

deleted_user
deleted_user
I was "officially" diagnosed with IC 2 days ago, although my Dr was suspecting it for a while. So he put me on the meds, elavil, atarax, elmiron, valium and i take ultram for pain. I know its way too early to see results, but the elavil and atarax are knocking me out for like 12 hours and then I am groggy for most of the day. Does anyone else take these drugs, and if so will these effects go away? I am glad to have a diagnosis but its still a hard pill to swallow, especially without the support of family and my job.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I take the atarax and it works best for me at night, mine is a low dose only 5mg. I take other muscle relaxers which help me to sleep. Elavil is a different story, it makes me feel groggy all the time, my doctor said he helps with the pain in low doses even though it is an antidepressant. Maybe if you take them hours apart it may help. All the meds you mention have an element to make you groggy. Ask your pharmacist if taking them at different times of the day will help. I've had IC for several years now, and it takes time to find out what works for you. Best of luck and hang in there,
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks alot, I will talk to the pharmacist about taking them at different times.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have tried many of the medicines you are taking and did not like the side effects. Living with the effects were almost as bad as the IC symptoms and super expensive on my insurance plan. I tossed them all aside and religiously follow the IC diet. It was super hard to give up caffeine, soda, alchohol, tomatoes, onions, dressings, mayo etc.. but it has done wonders for my symptoms and flare ups. I do slip up on occasion when I just want a cup of java or a strong drink after which I do have minor IC symptoms, and sometimes they just appear on their own, but it's not very often and my quality of life is so much better!! I hope you feel better soon!!!
fibrIC2
fibrIC2
Please try the IC diet and also, Pre-lief tablets--which you take before you eat an acidic food. Check out all the common side effects for the meds you are taking to determine if that med is worth it. And some side effects do go away gradually--some are persistent.

If I stay on the IC diet and use Pre-lief occasionally (I can eat one piece of pizza without pain if I use Pre-lief), I usually don't get a flare up of IC pain. But if I do, I take pyridium for spasms and hydrocodone for pain. I took Elavil years ago--but it gave me horrible nightmares.

My belief is, take as little medication as possible--due to the collective side effects--and do as much as you can to help yourself with diet. Some people get great relief with bladder instillations--but I haven't gotten that painful yet. Hope that you don't either! Best of Luck.