Burning

[Sandra]

Hello -
Lately I have this constant burning down below. It's like I'm on fire. I tested negative for infection. Is this a symptom of IC? I've had IC for many years and usually it's frequency and urgency and sometimes nothing comes out but this burning has never been quite so bad. I've been having anxiety attacks lately and wonder if this is related to stress. Can it be possible??? Also, my underwear always feel damp but I see no discharge. Do any of you get this feeling? I even have a hard time wiping with toilet paper because I feel so dry and irritated. Thanks for your help.
Sandy

:cussing:

[Tracey5399]

Hi sandy,

Really sorry your feeling this way. I know you mentioned you have had IC for many years. Not sure if you follow the diet, that can make a difference and yes stress is a huge flare causer.
I burned alot at the beginning and tried the cysto protek ( however this is a long term natural product ) It did help alot, however i noticed it only happens now when i am in a a bad flare and when the flare is over so is the burning.
I hope this will be the same for you, if it continues you will probably want to discuss it with your doc.

Keep us posted on how you are doing,
Tracey :)

[Katrina]

Constant burning can definatly be related to stress....it is normally because of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) which about 80 % of IC patients have.

Common reasons why an IC patients has burning: yeast, PFD, UTI, acidic urine or nerve problem. When the feeling is constant it is normally PFD. Things that can help PFD: muscle relaxants, moisture, warmth, cold, learning to relax those muscles.

Not sure what to say about the damp underwear...you do not need to have discharge to have yeast ....could it be sweat? Are you loosing control without knowing it?
ALL NEW SYMPTOMS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF YOUR DOCTOR.
I hope you feel better soon!! :grouphug:

[emilyrose197377]

I had the burning feeling and I used antacids and urised and elmiron and it is helping my burning pain.

[Mrs. Burschman]

A burning urethra has been my main symptom for the past seven years.

Amy (Mrs. B) :bunny:

[July]

I am very similar to you. I have been experiencing alot of anxiety attacks lately (actually started counseling for it and will see a dr. on Friday), and I automatically feel the stress in my pelvic muscles. The combination of the anxiety/stress and PFD can contribute to burning.

I have recently also discovered some things that contribute to my burning, like certain brands to toilet paper. I cannot use Cottonelle. It gave me contact dermatitis. I prefer Charmin Ultra.

My most recent discovery is that I cannot wear Victoria's Secret 100% cotton white underwear. It irritates me so badly. I thought it would be safe since it is 100% cotton white and that is what is recommended for ICers and VVers.. It is strange that this particular brand makes me burn. It may be the rough stitching in the cotton liner. Jockey makes soft underwear 100% cotton, as does Gillian O'Malley at Target.

I prefer Cetaphil soap and ALL free and clear laundry. Wash undies seperately and double rinse.

Be on the look out for little things you think would be harmless like the above.

Perhaps it is something coming into contact with your skin causing burning?

I also get burning if my IC is flaring up, and ESPECIALLY if bowel symptoms are acting up. Anxiety can really bother the proper functioning of the bowels.

I get the damp underwear too, and it is MISERABLE! It makes me dread summer and warm weather. I can only think that maybe because of my PFD, the muscles are tight and overworking. So, just like when you work out other muscles groups, you get sweaty...that is what happens to the pelvic muscles and leads to dampness. Just my theory. Plus, anxiety can make you sweat. I try to change my underwear during the day whenever they feel damp, because the dampness just makes the burning worse and sets up the right conditions for a yeast infection. Sometimes I wear a natural pantyliner.
Ughh...

God bless, and I will keep you in my prayers,
July

[bunnykinb]

If constant burning is an indication of possible PFD, how come neither urologist ever considered that? I am seeing a new USC chief of urology next week and will have to remember to ask him about this.

[July]

Sadly, I think many drs. still know little about PFD and its involvement in symptoms, and do not test for it. I had to ask my dr. to write a prescription for physical therapy, and my physical therapist diagnosed it. I think physical therapists are more familiar with it than drs. and know how to test for it. I should add that it is physical therapists who specialize in women's health. Not all do.

[Sandra]

Thanks to all of you and especially to July for responding to my post. Your information was really helpful and made me feel better to know that I am not the only one with these symptoms. Thanks again.

Sandy

[July]

I wanted to add that one dr. told me that because of the tight muscles, the natural , normal discharge and lubrication down there gets disrupted and is not dispersed as it normally would be, and leads to irritation and increased moisture.I'm not sure if this really happens, though.

As of today I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and I wonder if because of that I perspire more, especially down there. There are many sweat glands down there. It does seem that my body temperature rises when I'm nervous. It would seem logical since my body is really in overdrive with anxiety.

[Sandra]

Hello there (July) -

In regards to your latest post, I am sorry about your anxiety. I too have been going through a similiar situation. So much anxiety and the vaginal problems are making me crazy. I too perspire down below an incredible amount. It's so scary because I don't know if it's discharge or what. I feel discharge when I sit down but there's nothing but dampness on my underwear. Sometimes it's so bad, like you said, that I have to change underwear twice a day. When I went to the gyno, my pap smear was normal and they also did a Genital Culture and that was normal but I do not know what they tested for. Does anyone know what if a Genital Culture tests for yeast infection? I have burning now and I'm itchy at times but it's not constant. I don't know what's going on anymore with my body. Thanks for all your input. It was very helpful.
Sandy

[wife2TJ]

Oh yes, I used to get awful burning pain. Thank goodness the Elmiron has helped alot with this.