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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Worsen IC/BPS symptoms. Patients are encouraged to learn coping skills to deal with family, work and/or past painful experiences. Professional counseling can be helpful to learn better strategies to cope with anxiety and pain.Physical TherapyPatients with IC/BPS often have tenderness and/or pain in the pelvic floor area, and sometimes manual physical therapy can reduce symptoms. There is evidence that physical therapy exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles do not improve symptoms and often make them worse, so activities such as Kegel exercises are not recommended for patients with IC/BPS. However, physical therapists trained to help with pelvic floor tenderness may offer relief in the abdominal and pelvic areas, lengthen muscle contractures and release scarred or restricted tissue.MedicationsThe two types of prescription drugs that may be recommended are oral and intravesical drugs. There are many types of oral drugs and the side effects range from drowsiness to upset stomach. Intravesical drugs are placed directly into the bladder with a catheter.Oral MedicationsNon-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)NSAIDS and Acetaminophen can help relieve some of the discomfort and are available over-the-counter.AmitriptylineAmitriptyline is a type of antidepressant that is commonly used to improve IC/BPS symptoms. It has antihistamine effects, decreases bladder spasms and slows the nerves that carry pain messages. It also helps with sleep. This type of oral drug is often used for chronic pain, like with cancer and nerve damage. The most common side effects are drowsiness, constipation and increased appetite.Oral Pentosan Polysulfate Pentosan polysulfate is an oral drug used to relieve pain. It is not clear exactly how it works for IC/BPS. Many think it builds and restores the protective coating of the bladder tissue. It may also help decrease swelling. It often takes at least three to six months of treatment with this drug before you notice improvement. Possible side effects may include nausea, diarrhea and gastric distress and sometimes short-term hair loss. Routine eye examinations are needed while on this medication.Hydroxyzine and CimetidineHydroxyzine and Cimetidine are antihistamines. An antihistamine may help treat IC/BPS if an allergic reaction is thought to be the cause of pain and symptoms. The main side effect is drowsiness, which may be helpful since patients can sleep better at night and get up less often to pass urine.CyclosporineCyclosporine is a type of oral drug used when other options don’t help. It is an immune-suppressant. This means it slows down the body’s immune system. It is often used after an organ transplant. It can cause side effects that may be very serious, like kidney problems. It should only be considered when other safer options have failed to work.Intravesical InstillationsHeparinHeparin helps the bladder in similar ways as Pentosan polysulfate. It is placed in the bladder with a catheter.
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