froelica
09-27-2006, 12:13 PM
Hello all, I'm new to the forum, and I have an "urgent, burning" question :) My Urologist is currently trying to diagnose me with what he thinks is IC. My cystoscopy is October 12.
Here's my story, to introduce my question. I've had problems with UTI's and what I've always thought were yeast infections for the last 5 or 6 years (I am 22 now). I thought I was simply prone to them. Usually I would ride the suspected UTI out and drink lots of water and cranberry and they would go away. I've been diagnosed for UTI's about 5 times, and given antibiotics. They would always heal me. A month and a half ago I got a UTI and bacteria was found, I was given cipro. My symptoms continued, but the bacteria was gone. Dr said to give it time. It got worse, went to another DR, who found bacteria again, prescribed me antibiotic. Didn't help. Tried another antibiotic, didn't help.
So I scheduled an appointment with a Urologist. He said he suspected IC. They cultured my urine, it was clear. They did an ultrasound of my bladder and kidneys, all normal. They checked me for chlamydia, nope. Next up is my cystoscopy.
I've been reading up on IC a lot since he mentioned the liklihood of it. What confuses me is that people with IC have UTI symptoms, and also sometimes get UTI's. Here's the question:
If I am diagnosed with IC and begin treatment,
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I SHOULD GET CHECKED FOR UTI OR WHEN I SHOULD JUST ACCEPT IT AS IC????
I, like many of you, can't afford to go to the Dr every time have IC issues, since it could potentially be very frequently. I do have a history of diagnosed UTI's, so I'm worried that I'll ignore the presence of bacteria, leading to further health problems like kidney infections. Any help for this potential-IC-newbie would be greatly appreciated. Also, any interpretation on my history and symptoms is welcome and appreciated! Hope you're all feeling well and keeping your chins up :)
Here's my story, to introduce my question. I've had problems with UTI's and what I've always thought were yeast infections for the last 5 or 6 years (I am 22 now). I thought I was simply prone to them. Usually I would ride the suspected UTI out and drink lots of water and cranberry and they would go away. I've been diagnosed for UTI's about 5 times, and given antibiotics. They would always heal me. A month and a half ago I got a UTI and bacteria was found, I was given cipro. My symptoms continued, but the bacteria was gone. Dr said to give it time. It got worse, went to another DR, who found bacteria again, prescribed me antibiotic. Didn't help. Tried another antibiotic, didn't help.
So I scheduled an appointment with a Urologist. He said he suspected IC. They cultured my urine, it was clear. They did an ultrasound of my bladder and kidneys, all normal. They checked me for chlamydia, nope. Next up is my cystoscopy.
I've been reading up on IC a lot since he mentioned the liklihood of it. What confuses me is that people with IC have UTI symptoms, and also sometimes get UTI's. Here's the question:
If I am diagnosed with IC and begin treatment,
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I SHOULD GET CHECKED FOR UTI OR WHEN I SHOULD JUST ACCEPT IT AS IC????
I, like many of you, can't afford to go to the Dr every time have IC issues, since it could potentially be very frequently. I do have a history of diagnosed UTI's, so I'm worried that I'll ignore the presence of bacteria, leading to further health problems like kidney infections. Any help for this potential-IC-newbie would be greatly appreciated. Also, any interpretation on my history and symptoms is welcome and appreciated! Hope you're all feeling well and keeping your chins up :)