How Many Times A Day Do You Have To Visit The Ladies Room??

[AshleyM]

I am still really new here, and have so many questions. And I sure do hope that I'm posting this in the right section. I was not sure, so if I need to move it, can someone tell me where to move it to?

I've been really trying to follow the IC Diet. I have not been diagnosed with IC as of yet, and to be honest, I am scared to have the test done to diagnose it. I just have read so many times where people have more problems after they are diagnosed just from the test itself, that they wish they hadn't had the test in the first place. So I'm trying to just follow the IC Diet and treat this bladder problem like IC in hopes that it might help me feel better.

On a bad day, I am literally in the bathroom every 10-15 minutes. And it is for hours and hours and hours. Sometimes I'll know what set me off, and sometimes I never do figure out what I did that caused it. It is so frustrating. When it's like this, I get no sleep. I just cannot seem to ignore the 'gotta pee' feeling. People tell me to just 'tune it out' or ignore it, but how on earth do you ignore the feeling like you just drank a Big Gulp from the 7-11 when you are trying to go to sleep?!?!? That is so frustrating. I've tried taking Nytol for sleep, but it only aggrevates things. I end up tired, loopy AND running to the bathroom every 10 minutes then. And it only makes me more miserable. I've been 5 days before without sleep. I seriously start to feel depressed, anxious and hopeless after about 2 nights, so as you can imagine, I was INSANE after 5 days. It was horrible.

I keep praying for God to heal us all of this. It is so hard to live with. I had Ulcerative Colitis for 21 years before having my colon removed in July 2004, and I dealt better with THAT than I am with this bladder condition. It's the most difficult thing I've ever faced in my life. I sure wish it would go away :( I need a Boo-Hoo smiley here.

Thank yall for listening to me whine!!

[kuntrygurl78]

I would seriously get to a doctor asap! Look for a doc that specializes in IC. You can look for one in your area on this site.

When I had my test, it wasnt as bad as others here. I just had a cytoscopy. That's where they put a scope up your urethra and look around. He also added fluid and watched it drain. (not sure what it was, but I will ask him more about it at my next apt.) I would advise that you have someone go with you to your apt. Some people have pain and some dont. Best to be safe than sorry.

Being diagnosed has tons of advantages. One, you can get on the right meds to help you sleep. They can also get you on some that will help with frequency. It may take some time to find the right combination of meds but be patient.

I know its scary and I know this is hard. Ive only known about IC for a month and a half. But I beg you....please see a doc before this gets worse!

[PlainJane]

I counted how many times I went to the bathroom yesterday and it was 23 (including 6 trips during my sleep). That seems like a loooooot to me. Some of those were just like you described "evern 5-10 minutes". UGH. Sorry you're suffering it sucks!

Erica

[bunnykinb]

On a good day, I use the restroom every hour. When I have burning, I have to use the restroom every 15 minutes or so for hours on end. This can go on for days and even up to a week at a time. My husband asked if maybe part of the burning is a gyno question. But, when I went to a gyno before, my urethra was not inflamed yet it hurt. I was given a questionnaire and the gyno was ready to give me Elmiron. I wanted to see the uro first. Aren't there creams for the urethral area?

boo hoo is how I feel.

[TexasHoney]

On a good day I go about once an hour somtimes once every two hours if I really have to "hold it". During flares and uti's it's often every 15-20 minutes.

[Kiki B.]

I truly don't visit the bathroom. I LIVE there, honey. I'm surprised I haven't named my toilet, yet. I do promise you, though, I don't carry on conversations with it. :toilet:

I am currently in a flare, so I'm pretty miserable and exhausted. I also have to discontinue my Elmiron for a few days due to some medical testing I'm having done next week. I only got it a month ago, so when I go back on it, it will probably be like starting all over again. I do see the NP(she was the one who diagnosed my IC) at my uro's office next Tuesday to hopefully get some treatment for this current flair. I am also going to talk seriously with her about pain mgmt. I'm lucky, as she worked for a pain mgmt. clinic before getting her NP license, so she's at least familiar with that side of things.

Also, I was diagnosed with the Potassium Sensitivity Test. Holy Moley!! It was definitely positive. I found that it did burn quite a bit afterwards. They do have meds that they can instill in your bladder after the test if it's positive. Mine wasn't quite bad enough right after the test to have that done; however, it was pretty bad by the time I got home. I took some Pyridium, and that took care of the pain. I am actually in more pain right now with this flare than I was after the test. My Rx for Pyridium Plus says to only take it every 8 hours, but it's not even holding me for that long. I have read that you can take it as much as 4 times a day, so I will probably bump it up. I just don't want to run out before Tuesday. :dizzy: