still confused!!

[Sandra11]

Hello Everyone,
I know it has been a while but I just didnt want to post unless I knew
what was going on with me for sure which I still dont. My first urologist thought I had mild IC but i wanted to get a 2nd opinion so this second urologist doesnt think I have IC. He even spoke with the first one and he just thinks I
am prone to infections but I dont have IC. This is why I get very
confused, Do I have it, do I not? I mean I had an infection that lasted for almost 6 months that just didnt want to go away no matter how much antiobiotics I took. Then it was finally gone for about a month and I felt good but now I have my period and i feel really really irritated again and Im peeing more often and
it hurts when I wipe( sorry for the yucky detail) but I dont know what to
do or what is wrong with me. I mean lets just say that I just keep getttnig
UTI's/yeast infections,,..why? I do everything that you are suppsed to
do so that you dont get the infections..so i dont know whats up. This new uro suggested I wait until I get another infection and then welll treat it and then maybe put me on a low dose of antibiotics for a month or so so my body can fully recover from the infection. I dont know, soemtimes i feel like im at square one all over again!!! :headbang:

[kelly McC]

Do you know if they are sending your urine to be cultured? Culture can tell what kind of antibiotic will work and if there is a true infection ? If your prone to so many infections right after eachother have they put you on a long term antibiotic to see if that helps ? Have you had tests done to rule out IC? I hope you can some answers soon and start to feel better,
Kelly

[Katrina]

Sounds a lot like IC is strong possibility. At one point in my diagnosis struggle I had one doc saying IC and another saying no IC and my gut said IC but for me to be sure I wrote ICA's doctors http://www.ichelp.com/AskTheDoctor/search.html Maybe that will help you know. My doc saying no ended up rewording what they actually meant. Anyway I hope you get the answers you need.

[Sandra11]

Kelly,
They do send the urine to be cultured each time, and the weird thing is sometimes its postive for an infection and they treat it and i still dont feel better and when they try it again the infection is gone according to the culture but a few weeks later when tried again, the infection is there....its really weird...and I dont know how to get rid of them.

[inspireme]

Kelly,

I really feel for you and I know your frustrations. I was just diagnosed with IC after having had a variety of symptoms since Jan of 04. First I was diagnosed with yeast infections, chronic bladder infections,vulvodynia,vulvitis, pudental nerve entrapment you name it.....I feel better now once I know what I have and can follow a treatment plan. I take Elmiron, Atarax,Elavil and a calcium supplement. I try to avoid things that have a lot of potassium in it like bananas. I also do bladder installations which helps too. I know this is really hard and very sad but I hope you will find something on this site that can help you. I also use EMLA cream on the outside of urethra and vulva to stop the burning. It works ok for me but I am not totally pain free but at least i can function. I wish you all the best and feel free to write me anytime you need.

Hugs
Karin

[ICNDonna]

If your irritation is always confirmed as infection, it may be that you don't have IC. If that is the case, then it could be you need to be looking at why the infections are coming back. Some possibilities, among other things, could be taking tub baths (the female urethra is very short and it's easy for bacteria to find its way into the bladder when you are sitting in a bath tub), wearing underpants that are not cotton (cotton seems to be best for many reasons), pantyhose, tight pants, harsh or colored toilet tissue. You might try showers every day for a while --- and avoid getting any soap directly on your urethra.

Also, if you're in a sexual relationship, you might ask about your partner being checked to be sure you aren't being reinfected that way.

Sending encouraging wishes,
Donna

[Sandra11]

Thanks Donna,
The frustrating thing is that I do everything your supposed to do but i keep getting the infections..it doesnt make any sense. Hope to find answers soon...i mean its been over 3 years and its almost like im at square one.....

[Betsie]

I agree with Donna on this one and others as well. Everyone has already written what I was thinking, especially the neccesity of cultures vs. analyis.

I agree that while it "may" be IC, you need to pursue the reasons for continual infection/iritation. It might take some time to figure this out, so try to follow all the IC friendly tips in the handbook as Katrina suggested...diet watch, bathing habits and product use, could easily help even a non ICer as its simple and yet practical advice. if it helps your symptoms...it may not only ease your symptoms, but lead you to some answers.

I would ask your Dr. to be very sure by culture only of putting you on any more antibiotics. I personally believe that sometimes our resistance to them is something we should take more seriously. Good luck and tons of patience. :kissing:

[aquafina]

Have you had a cystoscopoy so that you can find out if you have IC. That is the best way to tell and they can diagnose it for you. Instead of doing trial and error stuff.
I hope that you can find some relief really really soon!!!

brooke

[Sandra11]

Hey Brooke,
I did have a cystoscopy done back last January and the dr said that my bladder was a bit irritated but it could be completely normal so that did not help at all.I do hope i find answers soon. Thanks for the response!