Advise Please!!! Is this IC??

[Herbalvon]

Hi
Just found this forum, I didn't realize just how common IC is. I haven't been diagnosed with IC yet but I am sure that IC is my problem.

My story is a long one!!!

Around Xmas 05 I started to experience stress incontinence on examination by my GP she thought I had Fibroids which was quite large...she also asked me if I needed to empty my bladder..I didn't I had only just been!! Had ultrasound no Fibroids. I saw a urinary physio for 4 months which did help with the leaking. In May 06 I had severe abdominal pain and was admitted to hospital with a suspected appendicitis...operated on that night Appendix was normal so the surgeon cut me again navel to pubis to see what was causing the pain....fluid on abdomen and small cyst on right ovary nothing of great consequence:woohoo: After the catheter was removed I couldn't pee great pain in bladder spent many a time trying (if I had a needle I would have punctured my bladder) had a scan on bladder only 89ml was registering...not true I need to pee a bucket full. Eventually they re-catherized and I emptyied 3litres in 10 hours so much for the scanner :toilet: The surgeon said he may have bruised my bladder it should settle!! :help: It hasn't settled...had a scan not emptying my bladder and bladder larger than normal.... The results were sent to my GP she didn't think it was a problem so no referral to urologist....then 18th August I ended up in emergency again with the same pain once again suspected appendicitis...they were going to operate but decided to wait....The consultant came to see me on 22nd Aug and said that there was nothing wrong just go home and stop being neurotic :bonk: I left once again not getting to the source of my pain!! :tsk:

A friend and fellow student (I am doing a BSc (hons) degree in Herbal Medicine) suggested IC, to be honest I had never heard of it. Looking online and now this forum is it possible that I do have IC?? I am due to see my GP this week...been on antiboitics and painkillers the pain as subsided in my right side but my bladder still a problem. I really don't want to go back to hospital for tests...lost confidence in Consultants :tsk: But I will mention it to my GP if you guys think I should!!! :help:

My symptoms are pain in right illiac fossa always the feeling of a full bladder, sometimes difficult and painful to urinate had lots of urine test all negative no infection. The need to pee just after having been, getting up maybe 3-4times a night...not always because I need to pee just because my bladder feels uncomfortable. Always uncomfortable even now while typing this and having just been for a pee I could go again!!!

I also have really bad acid reflux (on waiting list to have endoscopy :woohoo: At this point I am not going) Severe Depression refuse to take anti-depressants, Hemiplegic Migraine (stroke like syptoms) Pre Surgery I had High Blood Pressure on Beta blockers and ACE inhibitor since op blood pressure ok for a while so been monitered last time in hospital my blood pressure fell to 96/76.....nothing was said about this.

I know you can't diagnose and I don't want you to...what i ask is for advice on fronting my GP with the possibilty of IC or am I barking up the wrong tree?? :toilet:
I am so fed up with having this problem and feeling ill that I am getting to the stage that I don't know what to do!!
Thanks for reading
Love and Always Healing
Von

PS I have tried horsetail tea and that does relax my bladder somewhat!!

[vm]

:welcome: to the ICN! :) It does sound like you could have IC - I'd definitely mention it to your doctor.

We always tell everyone to make sure to check out the ICN's free online Patient Handbook:

www.ic-network.com/handbook

as it is chock full of information about the symptoms and treatment of IC. You may want to pay special attention to the sections on diet as diet can play a key role in how our bladders feel. It is simple (but not easy) and free and won't hurt you even if it ends up tou don't have IC.

[ICNDonna]

If you're suffering from severe depression, I have to wonder why you have decided to let it go untreated. It's possible that what you have is IC, but there are also some other potentials.

If your primary care physician is not willing to work with you on referrals so you can be diagnosed, it may be time to consider making a change in primary care physicians.

I also encourage you to give the diet a try. Some people with IC find that single step offers significant relief.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Herbalvon]

Hi

Thank you for the advice....I have started the diet today, I am willing to try anything.

To answer ICNDonna about my depression.... I have found that I don't feel any different on anti-depressants, my problems, thoughts etc are about the same, I see a psychologist regularly and I am being prepared to start DBT therapy. Though since all this started I must admit my depression is getting worse and I am seriously thinking of starting anti-depressants again, see my psychologist next monday and will discuss this with him.

I have recently changed GP because I have moved to another area...the first time I saw my new GP was when I was admitted to hospital on the 18th August so can't really say that he is a problem on the referral front...it is me that has the problem with the recent bad experiences with hospitals I am really scared of being referred.

I have only just found out about IC and not had the opportunity in raising the question with my GP as yet!! I will be doing though...I have come to the conclusion with what I have read on the experiences of the people on this forum that I will have to inform the GP on what I think my problem to be. I have started another flare no sleep last night and a lot of pain.

Thank you again for your post will keep you upto date if that will be ok??

Love & Always Healing
Von xx

[Herbalvon]

Hi

Seen GP today he was brilliant he listened to what I had to say about IC....he thinks it could be but, hoping its not!!! He has referred me to a urologist...so will see, it might not happen for 6weeks though which is ages when in pain.

Keep you informed

Von x

[vm]

Great! Sounds like you're off to a good start! :)

[glassd18]

Great Von, I had to see 4 md's, 1 ct scan, 1 ultra sound, every internal exam in the book before finally a uro. I'm glad for you, you are on the right track.