Question 1

what can i use other than narcotics to treat the interstitial cystitis pain?

Accepted Answer

Ic pain: Pain related to ic is better treated with medications like elmiron, (pentosan) hydroxyzine, bladder installations, change in diet, biofeedback, Gabapentin among others.

Question 2

how often can you use vagifem to treat symptoms of interstitial cystitis? 3 to 4 day intervals is not sufficient, also using marvelon. many thanks!

Accepted Answer

Atrophic Vaginitis: Vagifem is used to treat thinning of the vagina or off label for pH changes in the vagina.  It can be used daily for 1-2 weeks and then twice weekly.  It can take up to 3 months before improvement is seen.  As for a specific treatment for interstitial cystitis, it is not specifically great for treating IC  Depending on your IC symptoms, there is a range of treatment options.

Question 3

how do you treat interstitial cystitis?

Accepted Answer

Treating IC: It depends on the degree/extent of the condition in an individual:  in mild cases aggressive hydration and avoidance of dietary "triggers" (potassium/spicy/acidic foods) may be enough.  "hydrodistention" is noted to stimulate repair in some pts.  The only fda approved medication is elmiron (pentosan).  Some patients respond to intravesical tx and some may lose the bladders.....

Question 4

what is interstitial cystitis and can it be treated?

Accepted Answer

There is help for IC: Ic is not well understood, but it is felt to be a chronic, non-infectious, inflammation of the bladder and/or urethra.  It is much more common in women than men.  There is no one treatment that is effective for everyone, but there are effective treatments.  
Please see this blog post for more details:
http://healthhub.Brighamandwomens.Org/tag/urogynecology.

Question 5

interstitial cystitis, newly diagnosed. pain is intense. what can i use?

Accepted Answer

Heparin & Elmiron (pentosan): Classically, Elmiron 100 mg three times a day is a slow but helpful treatment. Some use short course of Pyridium (phenazopyridine) 200 mg three times a day for the acute burning pain.   Heparin flushes into the bladder and DMSO have been used but most of us gynecologists and urologists do not have great faith in these latter choices.  Making sure no endometriosis is present is also important.

Question 6

i've gotten interstitial cystitis. how are people coping with it and/or being treated for it if at all?

Accepted Answer

Interstitial cystiti: This is a chronic disease which will flare up time to time.  There is a strong correlation with spicy acidic foods such as Salsa and hot sauce.  If you crave these you can take something such as prelief which makes those foods less acidic.  See a urologist for acute flare-ups, there are meds that can help numb your bladder.  Best of luck.

Question 7

i'm 22 and i have fibro, ibs and interstitial cystitis. i want to come off my meds are there anyways i could treat these illnesses at home?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: While there are no home medications you can take, there are other behavoiural modalities of treatment you can use such as dietary changes, change in sexual habits, using condoms, increasing water intake, and avoid certain stressors to the bladder such as alcohol and coffee.

Question 8

is it safe to use heparin that is two years old in an interstitial cystitis bladder cocktail? the heparin is in unopened sealed vials.

Accepted Answer

Check expiration: Check the expiration date on the vials. If it is past the expiration date do not use the Heparin vials. Medication might be less effective or contaminated.

Question 9

can oxybutinin be used to treat non bacterial prostatitis/interstitial cystitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Short no: It is not useful as symptom complex is much different then that for which oxybutinin is used for.  You need evaluation and then specific rx.

Question 10

i cannot afford to see a urologist and a psychiatrist to treat my interstitial cystitis, can my primary doctor prescribe my meds i have an anxiety disorder due to my ic which requires klonopin , propranolol and trazodone, my primary doctor has me on celex

Accepted Answer

Hello. : Hello. I can't speak to the urology question.  However, regarding psychotropic medications, it really depends on your primary doctor.  Many primary care managers do not feel comfortable prescribing psychotropic medications or they are only willing to prescribe garden variety medications. You would need to speak with your primary care provider to see if she or he has adequate expertise to manage your  psychiatric medications.

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Doctor answers about:

What can I use other than narcotics to treat the interstitial cystitis pain

A member asked:

What can i use other than narcotics to treat the interstitial cystitis pain?

A member asked:

How often can you use vagifem to treat symptoms of interstitial cystitis? 3 to 4 day intervals is not sufficient, also using marvelon. many thanks!

A member asked:

How do you treat interstitial cystitis?

A member asked:

What is interstitial cystitis and can it be treated?

A member asked:

Interstitial cystitis, newly diagnosed. pain is intense. what can i use?

A member asked:

I've gotten interstitial cystitis. how are people coping with it and/or being treated for it if at all?

A member asked:

I'm 22 and i have fibro, ibs and interstitial cystitis. i want to come off my meds are there anyways i could treat these illnesses at home?

A member asked:

Is it safe to use heparin that is two years old in an interstitial cystitis bladder cocktail? the heparin is in unopened sealed vials.

A member asked:

Can oxybutinin be used to treat non bacterial prostatitis/interstitial cystitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

A member asked:

I cannot afford to see a urologist and a psychiatrist to treat my interstitial cystitis, can my primary doctor prescribe my meds i have an anxiety disorder due to my ic which requires klonopin , propranolol and trazodone, my primary doctor has me on celex

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