ELMIRON®

UPDATE – New information about Elmiron and possible vision side effects.  Read my latest post on Elmiron on December 27, 2019.

ELMIRON^® (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) is a medication that is prescribed by a medical professional to treat Interstitial Cystitis (IC).  It is not known exactly how Elmiron works; however, this medication needs to be taken daily.  This medicine is not “quick-acting.”  Typically, the patient should take Elmiron for a period of time (6 months) to determine if there are benefits.

I was prescribed Elmiron at two different times.  Both times I did not get any results; however, some people have been helped by this drug.  I think one of the many reasons why Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is so difficult to treat is because there is not a simple solution.  I find that to effectively treat the symptoms of IC a combination of different of medications and therapies are needed.  Also, if you are dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction, physical therapy can help.

Another challenge I am finding is that what worked for me several years ago does not work for me now.  As I am getting older, I find that my bladder’s elasticity is diminishing.  My bladder is much more sensitive.  Years ago I was able to take a bladder anesthetic (the pill that makes your urine blue or red) which helped a lot, but now I get painful bladder spasms if I take that type of medication.  I am hoping that the opposite is true; medications or therapies did not work in the past might work now.

I am optimistic that new medicines are being developed that will make IC a thing of the past! 

If you have found something that helps, please share in the comments below.  One of my readers suggested Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) instillations.  I will be posting about my experience with DMSO in the near future.

As always, thank you for visiting my blog.