still confused?

[Sandra11]

Well the gyn called me yesterday and said all my cultures came back negative.....this makes things so much more confusing b/c why is nothing cut and dry and easy. I dont know whats up, she didnt offer much help cuz the tests didnt show anything..but what about the sharp pain during sex and during the exam the uro did..........I mean the uro thought i had vaginitis and then nothing comes up on tests.........i mean how can u suddently get a sharp pain....it used to be a little but bearable but now its unbearable.................no answers yet again...she said i should follow up with uro after I stop taking my antiobitics and also go get some monistat cuz thats sure to cause yeast when taking so many antibiotics.....a.nd she said i should really explore IC..........b/c that might be what i have...........arghhhhhhhhh so frustrated.

[ICNDonna]

I think going to a urologist is the direction I would go. Many doctors are hesitant to consider IC, but you need to persist until you find a reason for your pain.

Sending encouraging hugs,
Donna

[twiggy]

My doctor tells me that it takes 3 to 5 years, on average, to get things figured out. Obviously, this did not make me happy! I am now on year two and no further ahead than when I started. After two years of constant antibiotics, the first uro said--"It looks like you get chronic UTI's and have IC." The antibiotics never seem to relieve the pain, even when I have an infection. Then, the second uro doesn't want to say IC --even though he did his own hydro-distention and the antibiotics don't work as far as conquering pain and frequency. They may kill infections, but that's all they do. Now, I am getting other crazy pains in my pelvic area so my family doctor thinks maybe endometriosis, too. I know, it drives you bonkers. IC is a very difficult disease to diagnosis as people's symptoms are unique. Basically, they try and rule out everything else and seem to use the label once all else fails. If it was just pain without infections that might be easier as that is the hallmark of IC. However, once you have other "non-traditional" symptoms, that makes things much more difficult. All I can say, is keep asking questions and consulting more doctors until you are satisfied.

[XoChelsey03Xo]

Yeah it might take a while and going from doctor to doctor before they actually look for IC. I know I was in pain for 6 years before my GYN mentioned IC. I hope they find out what is wrong with you very soon. Chelsey

[Sandra11]

you know the funny thing is i have been having constant utis since 2001.. At first i went for almost a year not knowing what it was and didnt go to the doctor cuz i had no insurance and then when i finanlly went it took antibiotics after antibiotics for the infection to go away and then i was ok fo r almost a year and then infection....few months pass.....again....now im at a point where i had a great time on my honeymoon and now im pahying hte price cuz im worse than ever and have all these new pains and irritations.....that are not going away..i dont know we will have to see when i go back to my latest uro..LOl..not funny..the thing is for me my first uro always brought up the idea of IC but now she thinks for sure cuz of my symptoms and so i went to antoher and i only saw him once but he was hesittant.....i ahve to see him again and go from there then my gyn thinks its possible it could be IC...they are so sure to jump at suggesting it.....i just dont know.....hope i find answers soon

[Myli]

I'm sorry you are having such a time getting a firm diagnosis! But, I think your gyn is right to send you to the uro. Each doc is different of course, but persistence will pay off. Keep going until you get an answer. Harder than it sounds, but I've found you have to be your own best advocate and push the system along till you get the help you need.

If the new uro is reluctant to call it IC, ask him what tests he wants to run to figure out what the cause actually is. Then push him to run them. No one should keep suffering from pain just because a doctor is reluctant to make a diagnosis.

:grouphug:
Myli