Interstitial Cystitis?

[KatWrangler]

Does anyone have this? Is it all the time or only sometimes? I am really beginning to wonder if this is what my problem is.

[tanyalynn]

Have you seen JaneS's posts on this? I haven't been around much so I have no idea if she's around much right now, but she's written a lot on this topic, a whole lot, that may be helpful in terms of feeling better.

[KatWrangler]

Off to find her posts.

I am very uncomfortable today. It got me thinking and when I googled IC I have these symptoms.

[HappyLoveMama]

So sorry you are going though this. I was diagnosed with IC back in 2005. I had tons of episodes (some episodes can last an hour more or less) and it is way painful. I then did a cystoscopy with hydrodystention and it helped a lot! I also did pelvic floor physical therapy but this was all before I had my son and my free time was a lot easier, LOL.

I have been in remission since but lately I think it's starting to come back a little bit. I think one of my triggers was advil. Back in 2005 when it all started, that was my period drug of choice and I think thats what hurt me but can't quite prove it. There is a great message board such as this just on IC and related issues. Once you are diagnosed, they key is to figure out what triggers it - weather it's food, drink or just stress. Stress is a huge trigger.

http://www.ic-network.com/

It's worth a trip to the urologist and to truly make the diagnosis you have to do a cystoscopy w/ the hydrodistention to see how your bladder tolerates it.


Let me know if there is anything else I can help with but in the meantime, see if your doctor can call you in pyridium. That helps with the pain. I am not a huge med fan but when it comes to this, you are almost forced to treat it since it is PAINFUL!

[KatWrangler]

I talked with my OB/GYN's office. First I am going for a urine test tomorrow at the lab to make sure I don't have a UTI. Which as the day has gone on I am wondering if I do. I am miserable.

Second, I am going to see a specialist at the Vulvar and Vaginal Disease clinic on August 5th (see my post back in May).

So it could be I am dealing with two different issues. IC and something else. But thats what the clinic will tell me. The clinic is very hard to get into, but since I am already a patient of a SLUCARE Doc, I can be fit in.

[HappyLoveMama]

I should have mentioned that about testing for UTI first. A urologist or gyno urologist is the best bet but I'm glad you have an appt to make the first steps.

Hope you start getting relief soon.

[my3peanuts]

I'm interested in this discussion because I've been googling IC as well wondering if this is where my symptoms are coming from.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by NJMama521

I should have mentioned that about testing for UTI first. A urologist or gyno urologist is the best bet but I'm glad you have an appt to make the first steps.

Hope you start getting relief soon.

The specialist I am being referred to, also is associated with Uro-Gyn Department. So I have my basis covered.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by my3peanuts

I'm interested in this discussion because I've been googling IC as well wondering if this is where my symptoms are coming from.

Are you having the same symptoms I am?

[A&A]

Try ibuprofen. If ibuprofen helps it feel better, then it's probably IC.

[KMK_Mama]

I was diagnosed back in 1997 or so. It's been pretty much constant. I haven't slept through the night in 14 years or so because of it. I get flare-ups that are really bad and then it goes down, but it's always present, never "normal." I hope it's not what you have because it is truly awful.

[KatWrangler]

Okay, now I am bleeding when I pee. Very painful. Alot of rectal pressure and over all ickiness.

Kidney stones?

[JessicaS]

I have IC.

You might check out http://www.ic-network.com/

I strongly disagree that ibuprofen always helps IC. IC is a blanket diagnoses for a bladder condition but there could be different causes. Ibuprofen doesn't touch my IC. I have a TENs unit, it helps a bit. Antihistimines help me more than anything else. Hydroxyzine works the best for me, a lot of IC patients take it. I do try to take breaks from it now and then


I try to avoid pain meds because I just want to avoid things that will affect me or are very invasive as long as I can. Some of the meds they have perscribed have been pretty scary so I am trying to be careful.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Okay, now I am bleeding when I pee. Very painful. Alot of rectal pressure and over all ickiness.

Kidney stones?

Oh Anne, I am so sorry




Can you get into a GP tomorrow?

[KatWrangler]

I just woke up a little while ago. I ended up taking some heavy duty T3 we had here in the house out of desperation. It finally put me to sleep (I had taken Ibprophen, Ambien and neither worked).

I peed when I got up and no pain or blood. I am going to Quest this morning for the urine test to rule out a UTI.

Jessica,

I am going to bookmark the link you gave me for IC.

Thank you all!

[fullofgrace]

For temporary relief of the bladder issue/pain, are you able to get AZO at your pharmacy or grocery store?

ETA: While I don't have EC, I do have flares of pain in my bladder, intestines and pelvic area due to my fibro. Sometimes the best and only thing that works is a heat pack. (I use those microwavable ones)

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

I just woke up a little while ago. I ended up taking some heavy duty T3 we had here in the house out of desperation. It finally put me to sleep (I had taken Ibprophen, Ambien and neither worked).

I peed when I got up and no pain or blood. I am going to Quest this morning for the urine test to rule out a UTI.

Jessica,

I am going to bookmark the link you gave me for IC.

Thank you all!

You might give benadryl a try if ibuprophen and ambien do not help. Different things work for different people, antihistimines work well for a lot of people. Sometimes you just need a hammer though.

You might try that AZO stuff foggy linked. It is only for short term use and makes you pee funny colors but it might help.

[HappyLoveMama]

Originally Posted by A&A

Try ibuprofen. If ibuprofen helps it feel better, then it's probably IC.

This is what caused my flare ups. NSAIDs are known triggers for IC. I don't think that alone will be an indicator if relief is found upon taking. I could be wrong but I have high doubts about that one as this is what hurt me back in 2005. Rule out UTI. I'm glad your going to see a doc to cover all basis as that is really what you need right now. If it's not UTI, then before your appointment with the specialist, I would go on the link I and abimommy gave you. Tons of information on their forums (forums are just like this format on mdc). Do your research and see if there is anything you are taking, eating or drinking that could cause your flare up. I think I used to take a drug called Pyridium (I was only engaged when this was happening so not sure of the safety if pg or nursing). I tolerated it fine, it just makes your pee turn purple, but I did get relief from that. Sometimes I think sitting in the car or sitting anywhere too long can cause a flare. Two of my worst flares were on road trips. Not fun when telling everyone that you need to stop at every truck stop on the trip. AWFUL! The worst part also was not knowing what was wrong, I never heard of IC back then. It kind of makes you feel better when you get answers!

[KatWrangler]

Right now we are treating this as a UTI. I started bleeding again yesterday afternoon. Very painful too. I called my OB/GYN's office and told them I had been for the pee test (results should be in tomorrow/Monday). She said since I am having bloody urine she would phone in ABX. Which in this case I have to a agree with. She said if I develop a fever or it gets worse go to the ER.

I have take two doses of ABX and it feels a little better. But still irritated down there and my back hurts some. Which makes me wonder if it's a kidney infection and not bladder. But the ABX should work for both I would think.

Now the question is, is this seperate or related to IC. Guess I will have to wait and see.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by abimommy

You might give benadryl a try if ibuprophen and ambien do not help. Different things work for different people, antihistimines work well for a lot of people. Sometimes you just need a hammer though.

You might try that AZO stuff foggy linked. It is only for short term use and makes you pee funny colors but it might help.

How does Benadryl work with IC? Thats fascinating! I guess I wouldn't suspect to take this.