Bladder issue

[whwiechm]

I have been taking Solifenacin for my bladder for many years, however the price for next year hass gone DRTAMATICALLY up. The alternatives my GP gave ne are Oxybutinin and Ditropan. Has anyone had experience with either of these, good or bad?

[starlight5]

I do not use but would look for an alternative that is not linked to dementia. I believe myrbetriq is one. Good luck

[whwiechm in reply to starlight5]

Which is linked to Dementia?

[starlight5 in reply to whwiechm]

I believe oxybutinin is the generic of ditropan. Both are linked to increased risk of dementia. Do a search ~drugs linked to dementia~ for a long list of drugs that are

[Frances_B in reply to starlight5]

Oxybutinin hydrochloride is the actual drug and Ditropan is just one of the brand names that it is sold under.

Beyond future risks of developing dementia, it's also known for causing brain fog and cognitive issues while someone is taking it, plus a bunch of other unpleasant side effects.

drugs.com/sfx/ditropan-side...

health.harvard.edu/mind-and...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

[Onslow729 in reply to starlight5]

Yes it sometimes appears to be covered up with regards the Dementia Risks.

You are far better off changing even without this risk.

[SnowWhite1 in reply to starlight5]

hello fellow soldier in the fight! I’ve used myrbetric for many years now, and it has really helped me dramatically. And to be clear, I have a super pubic catheter along with using myrbetric. Personally, I haven’t experienced any brain fog beyond the usual ha ha! But seriously, I would truly try this. I also pray that God would help you with any fear during this trial of MS much love and God‘s blessings.🥰✝️🌞😇

[CatsandCars]

I found this on the Cost Plus Pharmacy website:

costplusdrugs.com/medicatio...

[whwiechm in reply to CatsandCars]

Interesting, Thank you.

[CatsandCars in reply to whwiechm]

You're very welcome.

[AquaZumbaFan]

Hi I found the solifenacin on “ good rx” from between 18 and $22 for a 30 day supply for 10 mg..

[whwiechm in reply to AquaZumbaFan]

Is that the cost for this year? I believe it is going up next year by changing tiers.

[AquaZumbaFan in reply to whwiechm]

Yes that was the price you could get it at this week with GoodRx. I’ve been getting co-pay assistance for years through the manufacturers of Myrbetriq.. I am hoping to change up next week when I see my bladder specialist as I had to go on blood pressure medication and it is known for elevating your blood pressure.. would love to get off of some kind of medication 😂

[whwiechm in reply to AquaZumbaFan]

Is there any way to check the GoodRX price for next year? I am not familiar with their website.

[AquaZumbaFan in reply to whwiechm]

I actually just have the free app on my phone… And once you set up a free account, you can just type in any medication that you want to check the price on. It gives you literally the price of the medication at local pharmacies near you and then it gives you a discount coupon to use. For example, my insurance would not cover lidocaine ointment 5% so I was feeling pretty bummed about it until I checked the GoodRx app on my phone and it retails for $313 for a fairly small tube of it. But with the GoodRx, I was able to get it for $18.50. One of my local grocery stores. And then you get to see the prices of pretty much all of the local pharmacies.… Cvs, Walgreens, Costco, Walmart and shockingly. I got it for a better deal at the most expensive grocery store in the area, which is Wegmans…

[Brindisi1]

Myterbig big price tag also.doesnt affect eye pressure

[Scout4x4]

I have not been on either medication. I have bladder control issues and I have learned that if it feels like go then I better go. I can't hold if I try. Embarrassing monuments have happened multiple times in the past while looking for a restroom and getting there to late.

I hope the alternatives work for you. Good luck!!

[whwiechm in reply to Scout4x4]

That was how I was before starting the medication, needing to empty my bladder about every 1-2 hours. Frustrating for trying to sleep. Now I can use a catheter 3x a day and taking the med, I am much more free to go on with a semi-normal life with obvious MS limitations.

[Linda3579 in reply to whwiechm]

I’m wondering if you have trouble with bladder infections? I use a catheter about 5 times a day. I am taking antibiotics 3 times a week. My urologist wants me to come in for regular antibiotic bladder washes. Have you heard of this? My problem is bladder retention.

[whwiechm in reply to Linda3579]

The urologist recommended using an antiseptic wipe before inserting the catheter. I have had 2 bladder infections in 8 years of using the catheters, However it probably works differently for female genitalia.

[Linda3579 in reply to whwiechm]

Thank you for your reply.

[whwiechm in reply to Linda3579]

I forgot to mention cranberry juice. A nurse told me that it helps to prevent UTIs but does not cure them.

[Linda3579 in reply to whwiechm]

Thank you! I just started taking cranberry pills.

[mrsmike9]

I take Myrbetriq. First I was on Oxybutinin which I did not like at all. It made my mouth so dry that I drank water all day which made me have to pee a lot, which defeated it's purpose! I felt like I was a hamster on a wheel! Then I learned about the possibility of dementia side effect and I was done. The specialist I saw said the Oxybutinin was the LAST thing he would put someone on, which was confirmed by my urologist.

I like the Myrbetriq. I don't puzzle water all day, and it works. Very, very happy with it.

[mrsmike9 in reply to mrsmike9]

Guzzle - stupid auto correct!

[CatsandCars]

Hi again, whwiechm. I was doing a little research into the class of drugs that has been linked with dementia, because I know that I'm taking a few myself and I'm looking for alternatives. (That class of drugs, in case you're curious, is anticholinergic drugs.)

Unfortunately, I found your solifenacin on the list of anticholinergic, which are the ones linked to dementia risk. I don't see anything wrong with taking any that you already have, though, until you can find an alternative.

That leaves Myrbetriq, which does not have a risk of dementia, but is a brand name drug and thus more costly. Insurance companies would rather have you taking the older, cheaper drugs. Based on my experience, this is how you try to get your insurance to pay for Myrbetriq. You accept your doctor's offer of oxybutnyn. You then call your doctor and tell them that it's horrible, it makes your mouth so dry you can't stand it, and it doesn't work for you. Then your doctor can go back to the insurance company and try again. If they say no, it can hopefully be appealed, but there are obviously no guarantees.

Good luck!

Also, you asked the question about GoodRx and checking future prices. GoodRx basically gives you current coupons that can save you a lot of money, but unfortunately it only gives you current prices, not future ones.

If you want to check out Myrbetriq's side effects and contraindications, here's a link:

drugs.com/myrbetriq.html

[whwiechm in reply to CatsandCars]

Thank you very much.