Show of hands-PLEASE!

[twiggy]

How many women with IC get worse with their period? Right now, in the area around my urethra opening, I am burning. It feels raw! Anyone else get this? I am hoping it will pass soon! Has been attacking for two days now.

[July]

Oh yes, the IC gets worse especially before the period starts. Also, my vulvoynia also flares up.

[Katrina]

Every period I got made my IC worse!!!!!!!!!! Both hands up here! Urethra opening very unhappy. Hope you feel better soon.
:grouphug:

[rjyoon]

I have never noticed a difference, but I also don't really flare.

[Moby]

No difference at all for me - my pain doesn't seem to have any type of schedule whatsoever! :dizzy: Dianne

[vm]

My periods used to affect my IC a lot.

[Mel53H]

No periods here!! :woohoo: :woohoo:

Mel53H

[~*~Christine~*~]

During my period I can go both ways. Sometimes I feel the IC less on my period but that's probably due to the fact that I get really REALLY bad cramps so the pain of them cover up the pain of the IC ; )

[~*~Christine~*~]

No periods here!! :woohoo: :woohoo:

Mel53H

OhhhhhOH I'm SOOOOO happy for YOU :toosh: :rant: :cussing:


;)

[kelly McC]

My periods were worse for my IC and VV. I stopped my periods and things are a liitle better,
Kelly

[meowingsnail]

Hi everyone-

I just found this site about an hour ago. Its a relief to know that there are others out there who understand IC from the patient's point of view. I was born with a condition called reflux, where urine is backed up into the kidneys from the bladder. I had a surgical proceedure in March 1978 called a bilateral reimplantation of the ureters, just 3 months before my 3rd birthday. From that point onward I have had recurring UTIs...or so the doctors thought, yet were never able to find any bacteria in my cultures. Skipping ahead 21 years, I was finally diagnosed after a bladder biopsy. Finally some answers!

I can't count how many times people have given me a difficult time, accussing me of just trying to get out of doing things or of being lazy. I've found that if a person does not have a disability which can be seen (eg. in a wheelchair/crutches, etc.) there are far too many judgements made. Its sad, yet on the same token I find that this has made me stronger in the long run, allowing me to do my part in educating those around me who have never heard of IC. Just today I came across a young woman who complained of frequent UTIs (at least once a month) where antibiotics offer no relief. After telling her about IC, I suggested she make an appointment with a urologist. At any rate, I appologize for such a long message. I guess you might say that I'm very excited and relieved to have found this place. Thank you to all of you!

[anxious one]

OOOOH yeah... both IC and vulvadinia flare like hell come period time. YUK!!!!!!!!! :yikes:

Sara

[Myli]

:welcome: Glad you have found us! You will find a very helpful and caring community inhabits these boards. The boards plus the resources online on the main website have a wealth of information that is very useful.

I'm sorry to hear how long it has taken to get a diagnosis, but I imagine right now you are relieved to have a name for it. I know I was. I hope you found a great doctor and will soon be receiving treatments that make a significant difference in your life!

Feel free to poke around, ask questions and enjoy the company of folks who know what you are going through.

:grouphug:
Myli

[XoChelsey03Xo]

Yep my IC gets extremely bad around my period. Chelsey

[andcohen]

Same here.... It's bad enough having to live with IC pain everyday of your life but then add your period pain on top of that and ouch!!!!! :yikes:
It gets me real bad about 2/3 days before my period, then slowly eases off as my period stops.
Andrea

[the_lost_lenore]

Oh honey...my period and the few days before it begins are always an IC disaster. Nothing I can do seems to change this. I have endometriosis, so that just adds insult to injury. BLEAH!

[steph4308]

Welcome meowingsnail! I was born with reflux and had reimplantation when I was 2. I'm glad you've found this site.

As to the question, I am definitely worse just before and during my period. Burning increases. Always think I'm just about to start an infection--sometimes I do.

[Dee74]

Ooooh yes, it's much much worse during my period. The urethra pain is horrible and I have really bad vaginal pain as well.. itching, rawness, and a bruised type feeling. I also have Endometriosis, or at least I have had it in the past and my gyno is 90% sure it's back again since she's found certain types of cysts on my ovaries. I'll find out for sure pretty soon.

I keep hearing about this Vulvodynia stuff, and I have read a few of the symptoms.. which LUCKY ME, I match. But, how is it diagnosed? By process of elimination? I rarely ever show signs of yeast and never have a bacterial infection, yet always have some sort of pain down there.

[Stella1609]

I was born with a condition called reflux, where urine is backed up into the kidneys from the bladder.

I had the same problem, only mine was not diagnosed until I was about 6 years old. I think there are some others on the board who did as well. I never had surgery for mine, and I eventually grew out of it (I had an IVP about a month ago at age 20, and there was no sign of reflux), so I don't know how it relates to the development of IC for me.

As far as my periods, I would have said no, but now I'm starting to think that what I've been labeling as menstrual cramps for years are actually IC flares during my period! Which explains why hormonal therapy never helped. I get pain to the point of nausea on my period, and I have the same kinds of pain if I do something to irritate my bladder.

Laura

[twiggy]

Thanks again, ladies. My uro gave me more antibiotics without a culture! Wasn't that nice! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I am going to wait in out and see if the pain goes without the anti's or demand a urine sample is done first!

[KristaM]

Yup, I'm a burner and during my period it gets a lot worse.. I hate it!!! I find that about 3 days after my period is finished I feel excellent and then the whole cycle starts over again.
Krista

[Imustpee]

Do what I did..go to your gyn and get on continuous birth control pills..I haven't had a period in over 3 months, and I will never have another one..I am going to stay on C.B.C.P. until I hit 52 and then I should be in menopause..when you are on the pill your body does NOT release an egg...no egg, no build up of the uterine lining,,no build up, no period...no reason to have one...

[JenG]

:welcome:
I know exactly what you mean. My IC flares were so bad with my period that before I was diagnosed with IC all my problems were diagnosed as having to do with my uteran fibroids. I ended up getting a hysterectomy in Feb. and my pain was still there. By process of elimination and a new doctor, I was finally diagnosed with IC in Sept. :woohoo:
The only good news about going through all of that, was that now I don't have the monthly flares attatched to my period. NOT recommending the hysto... believe me!
Hang in there!
:grouphug:
Jen

[Dixiefireball]

As far as my mthly goes i hate it more then anything! its the most painful time of the mth for me so yes both of my hands are up too. 9 out of 10 times i will end up with a ture uti that time of the mth too:(
just shoot me that time of the mth i would feel better.
I'm very ill in lots of pain have huge pain clots. :yikes:

[Dixiefireball]

meowingsnail ,
:welcome: to the icn family please check out www.ic-network.com/handbook

[sylvieCT]

I definitely feel worse right before and during my period. I feel better when my period is over. The symptoms tend to be increased pressure and pain.

[Cricketmk3]

My hand is up!

[Sarojini]

Yes, I also flare during my period as well -- even though I'm on birth control pills, I still flare during the week of placebo pills that brings on the pseudoperiod. It can be extremely annoying!!!

[Imustpee]

Sarojini...you don't have to take the placebo pills, there is no reason to. Talk to your dr about going continuous......when you are on the pill there is no egg released. The pill was desinged this way, by men, because women are "Used to" having a period..

[work it]

Two hands up here, I a glad it's not just me, I thought it was just in my head