unsure

[charmedx3]

Hello everyone! I am new to this so please bare with me.
So I am unsure of what is up with me so any input would be great.
I have been going through this for about 1.5 yrs. Drs thought it was caused from a fibriod, had hysterecytomy was great for about 2 months. now all is back. need to pee all the time, crampy,back pain,burning.
finally saw urologist he said overactive bladder. I am taking Enablex 15mg a day. on bad days also taking darvocet.
So maybe it is overactive bladder but everything I've read doesn't mention the pain.
so there you have it. :headbang: :headbang:

[Katrina]

So have you had a Hydrodistention cystoscopy or a Potassium test? I think you should ask for one if not.
http://www.sworcare.com/IC%20survey.htm PUF test This survey questionaire is used by some doctors to determine if getting tested for IC is a good idea.

I recommend you try the IC diet which you will find in the handbook. If the diet helps you there is a good chance you have IC. If your uro isn't helpful...try a different one...it can take a few tries to get a doctor that really helps us sometimes.

My understanding is that overactive bladder is bladder spasms with no known cause...which means the spasm may cause you pain...but not necessarily constant pain. In addition to this you can have bladder spasms that are from IC...so you should get tested for IC! http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/basics.html

"On Course for Bladder Health" specifically highlights overactive bladder and IC, two frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed bladder disorders. Overactive bladder affects more than 17 million Americans. The condition is marked by detrusor muscle instability causing symptoms that include urinary urgency and frequency, as well as the sudden/involuntary loss of bladder control. Overactive bladder is not only a medical condition, but also a problem that affects an individual’s emotional and social well-being. Many sufferers become isolated or even housebound due to the fear and embarrassment of having wetting accidents in public. Overactive bladder can also disrupt sleep, social interaction, relationships and sexual activity.

Nearly half a million people in the United States are affected by IC, 90 percent of whom are women. Classic IC symptoms include the urgent and frequent need to urinate, as well as pelvic or bladder pain and pain during sex. Doctors frequently misdiagnose IC as a urinary tract infection and prescribe antibiotics, which prove ineffective. As a result, IC patients can often endure years of pain and frustration and consult numerous physicians before reaching a proper IC diagnosis.


:welcome: to the ICN! let me know if I can help you anymore....we are here for you. You are never alone with this again! :grouphug:

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/ this is an essential link for everyone with IC. It is very informative on meds, living with IC, and self help....take a look!!!

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=90935#post90935 Newbie kit from the oldies to the newbies
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post.
The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you.
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[vm]

What is your doctor's plan if the overactive bladder meds don't work? My uro wanted to rule that out first - he thought that was what I had. We tried a couple of different meds and when they weren't working he did the cysto w/ hydro to determine what else could be going on.

I'd check with you doc and bring up the possibility of IC if you haven't already. You could see if it is something he is planning on ruling out if your symptoms don't get better. :)

[charmedx3]

dr looked at bladder. he said it looked normal. boy was that not fun! i was uncomfortable for days.
if this med doesn't work he mentioned there is a patch i could try. been taking the enablex for 3 weeks now. acutally longer the 7mg didn't help. the 1st week on the 15mg seemed to do wonders but now not so good.

[vm]

Did he look at it in his office or while you were under anesthesia? If he did it in the office without anesthesia he would have been doing it to rule out other things. The hallmark signs of IC don't typically show up under JUST the cysto ---- it is when a cysto is done AND the doc distends the bladder that the signs are often seen. :)

[Sarojini]

:welcome:!!

Kim and Katrina gave some good advice -- they're right, often an in-office cystoscopy (where the dr. looks at your bladder while you're awake, right in his office) doesn't show the signs of IC. It is only when the bladder is distended that the signs of IC appear -- you can read about the hydrodistention test in the patient handbook link that Katrina gave you.

Many uros want to rule out overactive bladder first. I know when I first went to the doctor for my symptoms, I was put on all those medications -- Urispas, Detrol, Ditropan, and also tried the patch you're talking about which is called the Oxytrol patch. They are all overactive bladder meds; they block the nerve signals to the bladder to stop abberrant bladder contractions. They can help in some cases of IC though -- however, usually IC patients complain they don't help enough, or they don't help at all. That was my situation -- they didn't help at all and, since I was already having problems with urinary retention, they even made it so hard for me to pee I had to learn to catheterize myself to fully empty my bladder. Don't worry, this probably will not happen to you -- I just have a bladder that doesn't like to work properly anyway :)

I think that if you find your current regimen is not helping, perhaps you should discuss the hydrodistention option with your doctor to find out more. Not only is the "hydro" diagnostic, but it can also be therapeutic for about 50% of patients who have it! Even if it does not work that way for you, you will know for sure what's going on and can move forward with different treatment options.

[Dixiefireball]

looks like these ladies has gave you some great advice so far so i'm just going to add my :welcome: to you for now.
please keep us posted how your doing we do care.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[charmedx3]

Thank you to all of you! to answer the question as to in office cystoscopy-yes it was. I am going to talk to him about the hydrodistention the pain is pretty bad today.
i was starting to feel as though this was just the way it was suppose to be. my family dr. was the one to mention the interstitial cystitis but still waiting to see if that is it.
mary

[Amyinagony]

:welcome: Mary
Great advise here already. I too was one that had a diagnosis of over active bladder. (Among several other 'wrong' diagnosis) But later diagnosed with IC, and I used to have horrible bladder spasms before getting diagnosed with IC, and finding a treatment plan that worked for me.
That's a good idea, talking to your Uro about another Cysto w/ hydrodistention.
Good luck and know that we are always here for you.

[melanie626]

I was given the diagnosis of intractable urinary urgency and frequency because my MD didn't like the lable IC....so I agree with the ladies advice, ask for further testing and what the plan is if you don't respond and give the diet a shot...it has really helped me.....though I am still figuring it out.

Good luck, we are here for you.