Elmiron and Flare-Ups: What Users Say

• Mad...
• April 15, 2014

For Interstitial Cystitis "After having what I thought was a bladder infection for about 6 months, taking every antibiotic there was, I finally found a Urologist that was willing to work with me. He did the scope and indeed confirmed I had interstitial cystitis. He put me on Elmiron. I still have flare-ups, but with a lot of water and pain meds, I can get back to a normal life. I have been on Elmiron for 4 years. About 2 months ago, I decided to take myself off and see if I could get by without taking the meds. VERY wrong decision. I went back on Elmiron, and thank GOD I am better now. I have come to the conclusion that I will always be on Elmiron. However, if this is what it takes to have a normal life, then so be it!"

• Kri...
• November 10, 2015

For Interstitial Cystitis "Being diagnosed with IC was a life changer. I got depressed, didn't want to leave my house unless I was close to a bathroom. I would have emergencies at work and get awful flares where I had to see a doctor and get a cocktail that only lasted until I peed it out. I have an abnormally small bladder and also urethral stricture. I have a severe case of IC, and Elmiron saved my life. I get a moderate flare here and there if I splurge and have coffee, which used to be my life. I don't drink alcohol anymore, really only water now. Spicy foods give me flares, but on Elmiron, they are tolerable and way less frequent. I'm so thankful for this drug as I've tried everything else. I always went into retention (which would burn me up). I love this."

• veg...
• May 26, 2011

For Interstitial Cystitis "Sure, glad I researched and found this medicine. All others were awful. I do warn you though that Elmiron takes about 2 months to work, and I have to continue taking it forever. I usually give up on medicines if they don't work in a week, sure, glad I gave this a chance. There are zero side effects. You must follow directions about taking it an hour before eating, and you must stay away from alcohol and caffeine religiously. I found that if I stay away from irritants, I can decrease the dose to only one a day, but as soon as I have a Coke, beer, or chocolate, I get a flare-up for a month or more."

• Mur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 26, 2019

For Interstitial Cystitis "I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC) 10 yrs ago, and Elmiron has been a great help for the bladder pain. I would not want to be without it. I do have flare-ups at times when I choose to eat or drink trigger foods or miss taking Elmiron. I’ve been prescribed 100 mg 3x/day. I only skipped it one time, and I won’t do that again! I don’t have any known side effects. I’m soon to retire when it won’t be covered by my insurance, so I sure wish it weren’t so expensive. I also take Magnesium 3x/day to help my body be alkaline, MSM 3x/day as a natural anti-inflammatory, and Marshmallow Root 2 caps 3x/day to line the bladder, drink lemon water, and eat foods to help my body be alkaline rather than acidic—read online to choose correct foods for this. I’d say I’m pretty good for minimal flare-ups."

• arm...
• January 5, 2017

For Interstitial Cystitis "I don't know what I would do without this medication. It has made my pain so much more bearable, I still get flares from time to time, but on a daily basis, my life is so much better than when this first started."

• San...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2018

For Interstitial Cystitis "Have been on Elmiron for 10 years. It works, but very expensive. Recently got the drug through Canada via an Australian company. I had a severe flare-up and am still getting over it. I then purchased it from my local pharmacy and could definitely tell the difference. Medicare Part D does not pay much for this medicine. They need to make a generic, pharmaceutical companies are just greedy."