Feb 17 2009
Intravesical Chondroitin May Offer IC Relief
It has recently been reported on the Doctor’s Channel that intravesical chondroitin may relieve symptoms of IC Disease. These results were gathered through a small study that found that intravesical chondroitin sulfate is an effective and safe treatment method for SOME IC patients.
Chondroitin sulphate is what makes up the mucus layer of the bladder. It is believed that through prior research, that changes in the chondroitin in the bladder may play a role in the workings of IC Disease.
The study of intravesical chondroitin took place in Canada and there were approximately 53 study participants who received intravesical infusions of chondroitin, weekly for 6 weeks and then monthly for 16 weeks. All of these participants had severe IC Disease and had been sick an average of 9 years.
The outcome of the study:
The main outcome measure — treatment response — was defined as a moderate or marked improvement on the 7-point Global Response Assessment at week 10. The Patient Symptom/Problem Index was also used to assess the response to chondroitin.
At week 10, 47.2% of subjects were treatment responders. By 24 weeks, the latest follow-up point, the response rate had climbed to 60.4%. Significant improvements in symptom scores were also noted at 10 and 24 weeks.
No significant adverse effects were noted during the study and the treatment was generally tolerable, the report indicates.
Hi Lori, I seriously feel for your situation because I have been there. Don’t give up on trying for disability. Keep going for it until you get it. It is worth it once you win.
It is so hard to try and to explain to others what it’s like to be so miserable all of the time. I have been with my husband for almost 15 years and while he is mostly supportive, he still gets upset if I’m moody or grouchy because I feel so bad. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Take care.