HELP!!! I am in so much pain with IC from another surgery

[Lmarks33]

Hi Guys,
I have only read the site lately because up until this past Thursday, I was feeling great. I have had IC for 4 years now and have coped the best way I know how to. I had a hydro/cysto back in April and have felt fantastic until....this past Thursday.

Thursday I went in to get my gallbladder removed; yet another health issue I have had to deal with all through the summer. This obviously has nothing to do with my IC but let me tell you all. After my surgery, I did not go to the bathroom for over 9 hours and had to have a straight on catheter. Ok, I was actually pleased when the 500cc came out of me and I felt relief. Since then though my IC has gotten worse and worse. I have so much pressure on my bladder, I have to go to the bathroom every 5-10 minutes (which is better than yesterday) and I certainly am not emptying all the way. I am sad, disinherited and plain angry. Not to mention, this seems to be the worst it has been in a VERY long time. Needless to say, I am being treated by the surgeon as if I have an infection so I am on Levaquin as well as Pyridium. My bladder will just not calm down. I am beside my self. I can't sleep, can't lie down because it hurts too much to get up every 5 minutes. I am sorry for rambling but I just don't know what to do. Has anyone had other surgery that has made their IC flare? Any suggestions? Please Help me.

Laura

[Dixiefireball]

i have had surgery that lead me into flares also but for me it was because i had a uti sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[ICNDonna]

It's very possible that the problem is infection due to being catheterized for the surgery. Hopefully you will feel better very soon.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Lmarks33]

Now I have gone from going to the bathroom all the time but just alittle to feeling like I have to go but can't. I am starting to have more retention. I just don't know what to do. I feel like I have taken 12 steps backwards where my bladder is concerned.

[Dixiefireball]

Are you on pain medicine? some pain meds can make you retain. for me the reason was the pain medicine was to strong for me and had to be changed.
also a bad UTI could be what is causing this too. even tho your on an anti. doesn't mean that is the right anti.
You really need to call and make a appt with your doctor to find out what is going on.
no one should have to live in pain
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[Lmarks33]

I am on Vicodin but I cut back because I thought that had to do with this awful flare as well. I am going to make an appointment with my urologist but won't be able to see her until Wednesday probably. If anyone has advice, I would great appreciate it. I tried a heating pad last night but that didn't work. Sitting in a hot bath does but I can't live there all day. I am so sad and feel so badly.

[Lady Tamara]

Hey there Laura, so very sorry to hear you are in much pain!! I wish i could say something to help...*HUGE HUGZ* and sending you lots of warm thoughts and prayers,
luv Tamara :) :)

[heiwalove]

are you sure you don't have an infection?
make sure you get that checked out.
otherwise, it could be really bad irritation from being catheterized, which hopefully will get better every day!

[mallenajolie]

Hi:

I had the same problem with retention after a d& c, hydrodistension, hysterscopy,laproscopy. Needless to say it was too much. Like you, I was treated for antibiotics. I was hospitalized because the retention was so bad. I think you should call you uro, and say you are barely voiding. I hate to scare you, but my bladder started hemmoraging due to the retention. Luckily, I got iin to my uro and he put me on a bag for a week. It helped a lot.

[Ginny]

Laura,
I am trying to think of anything that could help. Have you tried baking soda in water? Would the doctor prescribe valium? Sometimes that can calm down my bladder when things are really bad. Since you are home anyway healing from the surgery.

Did the surgeon do a culture? I am also thinking it is probably an infection. If he did not do a culture you should probably get one done to see if the antibiotic you are taking is the right one for you. Can you call the uro and explain the situation? I know you probably are not able to get to his office right after surgery.

So sorry you have to deal with this and surgery. Hope you feel better soon.

Ginny

[Lmarks33]

I am definitely voiding just not emptying my bladder and going frequently. I sure hope I don't need a bag but thank you for letting me know that I am not the only one out there suffering after an unrelated surgery. I am on antibiotics and am seeing the surgeon today. Tomorrow I will go to the Urologist and hopefully she will be able to help me.

[Ginny]

Keep telling your self this too shall pass.
Good luck at the doctors. I am sure they will figure out what is going on.

Ginny

[Lmarks33]

I went to see my urologist yesterday and she told me the stress of the surgery and the asesthesia was too much for my IC to handle. She has now put me on Ditropan, Flomax (only for a few days) elavil and Urelle. I am also still being treated for an infection. She seems to think that the Ditropan will help with the pressure. I hope she is correct because I can't take this anymore. Also, she told me about an experimental shot that you take for one month. I forgot what it was called but women who have tried it have gone into remission with their IC. I told her I was game if this regiment doesn't help. Has any one heard of a new shot?

[Ginny]

No I'm sorry I have not heard about the shot. Unless she means a nerve block?

I'm sure the ditropan will give you some relief.

Ginny

[mallenajolie]

yes, please find out more about this shot. I would do it even if it is in the bladder! I take so many pills for this condition (5!!!) :bow:

[Lmarks33]

what do you currently take?

[work it]

Hope you are feeling better. I know some of the pain you are going through. 2 1/2 weeks ago I also had my gall bladder removed. The first 2 nights were very bad because I was geeting up to go to the bathroom. It to roll out of bed just to walk to the bathroom then not to really go. After that though the only problem I was having was back pain and I think that was from not moving much and sitting in akwards positions to try to be comfortable.

Take care,
Teisha

[Jean12]

I know exactly what you are going through. I had a hysterectomy 5 weeks ago that sent me into a horrible flare. I did get some relief from the ditropan and pain meds and then when I had the DMSO treatments I continued to improve to a much more tolerable state but it wasn't until we added the neurontin that I felt much better. I also have been taking Lexapro.

Because I couldn't sit in a tub because of the surgery I would put a hot water bottle between my legs along the perineal region. This helped considerably while trying to get the flare under control. I'm still have some trouble but am much better and feel like as long as I continue to take my meds for a while I'll slowly continue to get better.

I hope you begin to get more comfortable and feel better soon.