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.
Hi everyone,
This is probably my biggest and most important question so far in this support group. I have been in severe constant pain now for about two years. The only that EVER helped was Gabapentin, however, when I took it continuously and it built up in my system, the side effects got to be too much and I couldn't take it. What I do now is take it twice a week for Mondays and Tuesdays because those are my days in-class at university. The difference between those two days and the rest of the week is just phenomenal and I wish I could feel like that all of the time. My question is, has anyone had a better experience with Lyrica or a different brand of Neurontin? I have heard through the wires that Lyrica doesn't have as strong side effects as Gabapentin, and I'm hoping it's true. Please let me know what your experiences have been with these drugs. Thank you. xo
This is probably my biggest and most important question so far in this support group. I have been in severe constant pain now for about two years. The only that EVER helped was Gabapentin, however, when I took it continuously and it built up in my system, the side effects got to be too much and I couldn't take it. What I do now is take it twice a week for Mondays and Tuesdays because those are my days in-class at university. The difference between those two days and the rest of the week is just phenomenal and I wish I could feel like that all of the time. My question is, has anyone had a better experience with Lyrica or a different brand of Neurontin? I have heard through the wires that Lyrica doesn't have as strong side effects as Gabapentin, and I'm hoping it's true. Please let me know what your experiences have been with these drugs. Thank you. xo
I've not heard of only taking Gabapentin a couple days a week. I take 600 mgs 3x/day. For a while I was skipping the afternoon dose because i was so sick of taking pills. And I was taking it for neuralgia and didn't know it could help IC. Once I added that afternoon dosage back in, I noticed an improvement in my bladder. I also didn't know that Lyrica helps IC. I tried Lyrica for fibro and I tolerate the side effects. Everyone is different, hopefully you will find something that works for you all the time. You shouldn't have to suffer. What mgs of Gabapentin are you on?
I am not familiar with lyrica.
I take a muscle relaxer and it helps alot of with the IC and pelvic pain.
everyone's body is different though.. and I was already on a lot of medication.....