No nocturia....

[redjan1225]

Hello all. My urologist diagnosed me with IC a year ago. I started having urethral spasms, pain, urgency and frequency 18 mos ago after a trip to the ER for a bladder infection. I was on my period, so the physician ordered me to be cathed. That was the worst UTI I've ever had and I was off work two days and on Vicodin just to sleep for three days. I haven't been the same since then. I have found Prelief helps and I resort to Pyridium about once a month or so. I found an herb shop near my home that makes teas. They made me a tea containing nettles, uva ursi and cornsilk. It almost works better than the Pyridium. It has been my life saver. I read yesterday that those diagnosed with IC suffer from nocturia. I don't have this. In fact, I sleep extremely well every night and usually drink 8oz of distilled water before retiring. I wake with a full bladder and urinate without pain. Any discomfort I feel comes later in the day; especially if I've had tomatoes, coffee or spicy or acidic foods. I try to avoid these, but man I miss coffee. Any one else lucky enough not to have nocturia?

I have another concern I wanted to run past ya'll, although it is kind of embarassing for me. As a lifelong sufferer of UTIs, yeast infections and bacterial vaginal infections, I've started considering what is causing all these issues. Due to a surge of hormones in my pre-teens, I developed quickly and now battle with what I consider to be large labia minora. I'm considering having them surgically reduced in the hopes that not only will I feel less self-conscious about them, but maybe they will positively affect the number of infections I get. Does anyone have similar problems or has anyone known anyone to have this procedure? I'm going to discuss with my OB/Gyn in a few weeks, but I can't help but think that I'm presently trapping an abnormal amount of bacteria or something like that. Maybe I can even get insurance to pay for part of the procedure.

Any input is much appreciated!

[rosesitty]

I can't address your labia issues, but I can tell you I don't have nocturia either, never have (knock on wood). Not everyone has the same symptoms. Some people have them all, some have a few, some have ones that come and go. That's what makes diagnosing and treating IC so difficult. Not only are our symptoms different, but also, how we react to the meds. Again, not everything works for everyone...unfortunately.
What I DO think, in my humble opinion, is that when you get a UTI, it inflames your bladder even more and takes time to settle down. That's why people with frequent UTI's seem to have more symptomology. I got one from too frequent instillations and I'm still suffering trying to get back to my baseline.
Hope someone else can answer your other questions.
Warmly,
Stephanie

[ICNDonna]

There are some fairly simple things you can try to help avoid infections before you consider surgery: (1) Wear only underpants that have cotton crotches. Synthetic fabrics don't allow much air circulation. (2) Use only plain white, unscented toilet tissue and blot (don't wipe) the urethral area. (3) Take showers instead of tub baths. I haven't had a yeast infection in many years and used to have them frequently before I switched to showers only. (4) If you must wear panty hose, snip out the crotches. (5) Wear skirts or dresses whenever possible to allow air circulation. I wear jeans sometimes, but I buy the light weight ones and stick mostly to 100% cotton. (6) It's summer now so I swim almost daily --- I always change from my wet swim suit immediately after I get out of the pool.

I'm sure others will also have some hints.

Donna

[sandi303]

Donna, my dr told me when I was younger to quit taking so many baths, to shower instead, because I was having so many UTIs. You're the only other person I've heard say that, but it works! I started taking showers & only take an occasional bath & I haven't had a UTI in a long time, when I was having them almost monthly.

Redjan1225, I also have large labia minora. I asked my dr one time when I was much younger if it perhaps had something to do with me getting frequent UTIs. He said no. I don't think having them surgically reduced will have any effect on your UTIs. If you are doing things like Donna suggested, the size of your labia shouldn't have that much bearing. I do understand about you being self conscious about it. However, I think that I personally would avoid any unnecessary surgery in that area.

[redjan1225]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Surprisingly, the surgical procedure I'm interested in is very minor (without general anesthesia, on an OP basis with a 2-4 day recovery and no cath!!!). It is a long way off. I just can't help but think that my physique has something to do with the harboring of bacteria. I already follow the advice mentioned by Donna and find it all helpful. Thanks again!!