Is this IC???

[cat in the hat]

Hi Everyone,
I started out with a bladder infection about 8 weeks ago. I had urinary frequency and a little bladder pain. I saw my primary doctor who did a culture in her office and said I had a UTI with E Coli. She put me on Cipro for 3 days. I called back and said it hasn't gone away. She gave me another dose of cipro. My bladder pain went away, but I constantly felt like I had to urinate. I saw her again and she tested me for STD's and I also had a pelvic ultrasound. It showed nothing. She said it was time to see a uro.
Went to the uro. He did a cysto in the office. He said my Urethra was inflammed and my bladder was fine. He put me on Urised for 5 days. It did not go away after 2 doses of Urised. I went back in and said "HELP". He said what do you want me to do, wave a magic wand and walked out of the room. His nurse came in and apologized. She sometimes people are treated with Suppositories. I tried those for several weeks, the feeling did not go away, plus my bladder was not emptying.
I went to see another urologist who again did another Cysto. He said I had Urethritis and he had to scrap some pus (sorry to be so graphic)out of the urethra. He said he treats his patients more aggressively. He put me on Trimprothrim (sulfur) antibiotic for 30 days and then I have to go back in for a recheck. This infection did not show in my urine culture.
I am on day 15 and I feel a little better. I have the presistant feeling to void but no urgency and no pelvic pain. I have a slight irritation in the urethra. The doctor also put me on a urethra friendly diet. I have to avoid caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, etc.
My biggest concern is that it has been about 10 weeks with this. Could I have IC???

Thanks for your reply,
Barb

[ABliske]

I'm not an expert, but it doesn't sound like IC to me since you've had 2 cystos and nothing showed on your bladder. When I had my cysto my bladder would only hold 700ml of fluid, would not expand and contract, and had red inflammed spots. My case is severe though, maybe you could be in the beginning stages of IC. However, the fact that there was pus sounds like an infection, but then no bactieria ... hmmm?
It is horrible the way that uroligist talked to you. No patient should be talked to like that. I teared up in an OBs office when I kept going in and they couldn't find anything wrong. I saw another OB who referred me to a urologist and, after 7 months, I was finally diagnosed with IC.
My symptoms are urgency, urethral burning, vaginal burning, and pain in my bladder. Good luck with getting a correct diagnosis. It's good to hear you are doing somewhat better!

[ICLori]

I'm also appalled that you were treated so badly by a uro. That's inexcusable.

I am hoping the antibiotics will work for you and that it's not the beginning stages of IC.

Blessings,
Lori

[cat in the hat]

Thanks for your replies.

I also hope that I do not have IC. Though, after reading this site, I know that you are there to support each other and give advice.

My new uro explained it like this:
The urethra has many pockets to hide bacteria in. Sometimes the bacteria can get in these pockets and it is hard to get out. Hence, the 30 day supply of antibiotics. My husband and mother were with me ( I was scared after seeing the last uro). My husband asked why this happens?? The doctor replied with a witty response, why do you get belly button lint, why do you get toe jam??? He told me that he sees this condition a lot, so I remain hopeful.

It seems like a lot of people with IC have to see several doctors b4 they are diagnosed and also that you need to become assertive when it comes to your needs. This is something that I need to work on. I tend to just go with the flow and then when I get home, I am so mad and frustrated with myself.

Thanks for letting me vent,
Barb

[redfaced]

Barb, I'm like you. I have the same symtoms and my uro said the same thing as yours. He gave me Detrol LA and the antibiotic to take for 3 months. He said the same thing about the bacteria in the urethra. I haven't taken it yet because I thought I was completely better, so I stopped the CystoProtek (bad move) and now am feeling my bladder once again. I started self treating in the same month I had symptoms and figured that's why I was doing so well. Then my uro said he really doubted I had IC (though he didn't do a cytoscope) and to just use the antibiotic. So I guess I'll start on those.
I hope you are feeling better soon!

[cat in the hat]

Hey Redfaced,
I would recommend that the uro do a cysto. He actually saw the pus in my urethra(gross I know) and I was retaining my urine. I am on a sulfur based antibiotic (doesn't cause yeast infections). He just doubled the dose bc it can be stubborn. He also has me coming in next week for follow up and then again at the following month and then he sees his patients every 3 months and then if it still is gone, once a year.

Thanks,
Barb

[ICNDonna]

It's not at all unusual for an IC bladder to appear to be healthy and normal when viewed by cystoscopy in the doctor's office. Most urologists will try some conservative treatments before considering IC, and it sounds like that's what your urologist is doing. Hopefully, your problem will clear and you won't need further testing.

Donna

[Dixiefireball]

Donna is right in the office cysto may show a healthy bladder. However I also agree that other test should be done before having the IC test. many other illness can show signs of IC when really its something else going on. that is why these other test are important!
we are here for you please let us know how you are. we do understand.
sending you hugs and prayers.
Rhonda

[redfaced]

Thanks y'all. My uro said it takes an average of 8 months to diagnose a case
of IC. They have to rule out a bunch of other things first, I guess. So, I'm just enjoying my good days in the meantime and I'll see him in about 5 weeks.