Interstitial Cystitis FAQs

One of the reasons IC is so hard to diagnose is because the pain associated with IC can be felt in various locations throughout your pelvis, so it can be easily confused with gynecologic or urologic conditions.

In women, IC pain may be felt in the urethra, the vagina, the area above the pubic bone, the inside of the thighs, the lower abdomen, the lower back, the groin area, or any combination of these areas. Other conditions that can produce the same or similar symptoms include endometriosis, urinary tract infection (though most people with IC have negative urine cultures) or vaginal infection.

A cystoscopy (sis-TO-skoh-pee) is a procedure performed by a urologist to see the interior lining of the bladder. To perform a cystoscopy, your urologist may fill your bladder with water, to expand it like a balloon. Next, your urologist will insert a cystoscope (a thin, lighted tube that has a tiny camera attached to the end) into your urethra — the canal that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Once the tube is inserted, your urologist can view your bladder lining to see if there are any signs of irritation.

You may suspect you have IC if:

• You feel unexplained pain or pressure in the urethra, the vagina, the area above the pubic bone, the inside of the thighs, the lower abdomen, the lower back, the groin area, or any combination of these areas.
• You feel pain during or after sexual intercourse.
• You have frequent, sometimes painful, urination. (Normally, people urinate an average of 6 to 7 times per day. Patients with IC urinate an average of 16 times per day, and some urinate as often as 60 times per day.)
• You wake up one or more times at night to urinate.
• You feel the urge to urinate, sometimes even after you've emptied your bladder.
• You have unresolved symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) that have not responded to antibiotic therapy.
• Your symptoms come and go — flare-ups may be associated with menstruation, certain foods, allergies and stress.

Yes, IC can be treated. There are a few interstitial cystitis treatments available — including ELMIRON^®. It's important to note that ELMIRON^® is the only oral medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with IC. Other therapies may include bladder analgesics, and solutions to fill the bladder, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or heparin.

The most common side effects in patients taking ELMIRON^® were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness. When side effects did occur, they were generally mild and usually did not interfere with continuing treatment.

When sex hurts, relationships may suffer. Even an understanding partner may become frustrated. Therefore, you may wish to speak with your doctor about the pain you experience during sex. Here are some measures to discuss with your doctor to see if they are right for you:

• Washing with a warm rinse after sex.
• Using plenty of lubrication (such as K-Y^® brand lubricating liquid or jelly).
• Using a soothing gel or ice pack on the external genitalia.

ELMIRON^® has helped many people with IC, and it may help you. While some patients may experience IC symptom relief in as little as 4 weeks, it may take at least 3 months for ELMIRON^® to work. Therefore, it is important to continue with your treatment as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that symptom improvement will be gradual. If you don't experience any symptom improvement within 6 months, talk to your doctor.

Over the long term, in patients who find relief with ELMIRON^®, the benefits are usually maintained with continued ELMIRON^® therapy.

ELMIRON^® has been shown to be generally well tolerated. When side effects did occur, they were generally mild and usually did not interfere with continuing treatment. The most common side effects were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness. Hair loss, when it occurred, was almost always limited to a single area of the scalp, and it grew back when ELMIRON^® was discontinued.

ELMIRON^® is a weak anticoagulant (blood thinner), which may increase bleeding. Call your doctor if you will be undergoing surgery or will begin taking anticoagulant therapy, such as warfarin, heparin or high doses of aspirin; or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.

Many people living with IC have found success with changes in diet and lifestyle during their ELMIRON^® treatment. These include:

• Relaxation and breathing techniques.
• Bladder retraining (lengthening the time between bathroom visits).
• Monitoring nutrition.
• Gentle exercise.

If you don't have prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for an assistance program that could provide discounted or free prescriptions. Learn more at www.access2wellness.com. Access2wellness™ provides access to more than 1,000 free and discounted prescription medications for uninsured and underinsured individuals who qualify.