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On this page you will find instructions for performing treatments and tests Dr. Parsons has developed for IC:
- For patients and doctors: Check for symptoms of IC using the PUF Questionnaire
- For doctors: Perform the Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST)
- For doctors: Prepare and administer the intravesical therapeutic solution
You will also find a description of the oral medication plan, also known as multi-modal therapy for IC.
Checking for IC Symptoms
The PUF Questionnaire helps the doctor determine whether a person has any symptoms of IC, as well as how severe the symptoms are and how often they occur.
To download the PUF Questionnaire, click here.
Performing the Potassium Sensitivity Test
Click here to download the instructions for performing the Potassium Sensitivity Test.
Treatments
Intravesical Therapeutic Solution
A recent study showed that a new IC treatment can provide immediate relief of symptoms. The treatment is a therapeutic solution that is instilled directly into the bladder. The instillation can be done in a doctor's office or by the patient himself/herself at home.
Dr. Parsons describes this new therapeutic solution in a medical journal article published in Urology in January 2005.
Oral Medications
In many cases, we treat IC by having a person take two or three simple non-toxic oral medications (pills). We list these three medications because our experience has shown that they work particularly well compared to many of the other IC therapies that have been reported.
- Elmiron helps restore or heal the bladder lining. This medication is very under-utilized and many patients who would respond to it have not tried it. Many doctors are not aware that Elmiron works best over time and that most patients obtain the best results after taking Elmiron for 6-12 months. In fact, a recent study has shown that up to 70% of patients respond to Elmiron after 8 months of therapy.
- Allergies like hay fever can make IC worse. We often prescribe an antihistamine (hydroxyzine) for IC patients with allergies.
- We may also prescribe an antidepressant, such as amitriptyline (Elavil). Chronic pain can actually cause physical changes in the nerves, and medications like Elavil can help restore the nerves to their normal, healthy state. This, in turn, helps relieve the pain.
It can take many months before the oral medications start to work, so it is important to keep taking them.
This oral treatment plan for IC is also known as multi-modal therapy.
A new therapeutic solution, placed into the bladder in your doctor's office or at home, can help the symptoms immediately and temporarily while the other medications allow the bladder to heal (see Intravesical Therapeutic Solution above).
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