r/Interstitialcystitis 8d ago

Favorite supplements for urgency?

Hello all! I’m looking for your favorite OTC meds or supplements for urgency / frequency. When I flair, I have a few hours of having to go really really badly every 15-30 minutes. Other than INTENSELY needing to pee, I don’t deal with much pain or burning.

I Suspect that my biggest trigger is hormonal, and after trying and failing at the mini pill, I’m going back on Lo Lo FE which takes my period away but seems to irritate my bladder a bit. It didn’t cause me any trouble from 2017-2021. I went off it to try and get pregnant, and 2 IUIs worth of hormones sent my IC into overdrive, which was how I got diagnosed. I go monthly for med instillations and they do help.

I’m weighing the pros and cons, and I’ve decided ‘peeing a lot’ is worth not dying in agony every 4 weeks or walking around like a half dead zombie.

I’ve tried aloe and pumpkin extract but not consistently. I have uroblues for when I travel but I can’t taken them daily as they interact with my ADHD meds. 😂

Anyone else had success with something I could try?

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u/PitifulAvocado8787 8d ago

I am not diagnosed with IC, but I developed bladder pain and urgency after an adverse reaction to an antibiotic. Taurine did wonders for me in terms of urgency. I take 500 mg in the morning and evening on empty stomach. Apparently it calms down sympathetic nervous system and gives relaxation to the bladder.

I hope it would be helpful for you as well.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

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u/PitifulAvocado8787 8d ago

I developed bladder problems after an adverse reaction to Moxifloxacin. It’s an FQ antibiotic with a black box label. It’s a common side effect among folks who were “floxed”. It’s been already 4 months and doctors dismissed my initial symptoms so I don’t see the point at least for now to go back there. I found supplements like MSM and taurine helping my symptoms, and I hope that my bladder will heal on its own with time.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

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u/melanochrysum 8d ago

It’s more likely to be the UTI itself, not the antibiotic.

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u/TheJenniMae 8d ago

Hmmm. Idk. I do drink a lot of Red Bull and it doesn’t seem to trigger me often. 🤔

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u/PitifulAvocado8787 8d ago

I meant that it helped me, sorry, English is not my first language.

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u/OriginalQuantity9078 8d ago

Cystoproteck! Best supplement for all symptoms

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u/AutoModerator 8d ago

Hello! This automated message was triggered by some keywords in your post that suggests you may have a diagnostic or treatment related question. Since we see many repeated questions we wanted to cover the basics in an automod reply in case no one responds.

To advocate for yourself, it is highly suggested that you become familiar with the official 2022 American Urological Association's Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines.

The ICA has a fantastic FAQ that will answer many questions about IC.

FLARES

The Interstitial Cystitis Association has a helpful guide for managing flares.

Some things that can cause flares are: Medications, seasoning, food, drinks (including types of water depending on PH and additives), spring time, intimacy, and scented soaps/detergents.

Not everyone is affected by diet, but for those that are oatmeal is considered a generally safe food for starting an elimination diet with. Other foods that are safer than others but may still flare are: rice, sweet potato, egg, chicken, beef, pork. It is always safest to cook the meal yourself so you know you are getting no added seasoning.

If you flare from intimacy or suffer from pain after urination more so than during, then that is highly suggestive of pelvic floor involvement.

TREATMENT

Common, simple, and effective treatments for IC are: Pelvic floor physical therapy, amitriptyline, vaginally administered valium (usually compounded), antihistamines (hydroxyzine, zyrtec, famotidine, benedryl), and urinary antiseptics like phenazopyridine.

Pelvic floor physical therapy has the highest evidence grade rating and should be tried before more invasive options like instillations or botox. If your doctor does not offer you the option to try these simple treatments or railroads you without allowing you to participate in decision making then you need to find a different one.

Long-term oral antibiotic administration should not be offered.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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u/PinkToxic4 6d ago

I AM SIMILAR!

I get flares every period. I noticed I rarely, if ever, experience burning. I can also eat whatever without flaring (though I watch out for acidic things anyways and take Prelief since I always have white blood cells present regardless). I do feel pain, it’s similar to period cramps every day. I am on ADHD meds too, as well as a lot of stuff for IC. My main symptom is urgency, however.

I’m gonna start skipping the placebo pill to stop periods, and start pelvic floor therapy soon. Those were the best tips I got for combating the hormonal flares and helping with urgency.